“Hudson,” Annika murmured, sliding her hands down to his chest, feeling his incredible pecs through his shirt. Her legs felt like they were made of melting rubber, like they couldn’t possibly hold up her weight much longer. She couldn’t stop staring at his lips, at his strong jaw, at the hint of blond stubble. How he towered over her, how she felt completely safe in his arms. How he took up space with authority, as if standing here on the viewing deck was something that had become part of his life naturally, as most great experiences did.

“Annika,” he said softly, her name like poetry on his lips. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to hold you like this?”

“Really?” she whispered, looking up at him.

“Really,” he said, his face solemn. “I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop laughing at the things you say, even when you’re not around. Ziggy and Blaire think I need help. Every morning when I wake up, I don’t think about what I’m going to do at work—I think about who I’m going to see. Will you walk past? Will you stop in to talk to me? How can I organize a group lunch so you’ll come? A party, so I can invite you? Every time I open my mouth, I want to tell a story about you. Believe me, this is not normal. Not for me.”

“I can’t stop thinking about you, either,” Annika whispered, so close to his lips that the words were trapped between their breaths. “And … I don’t want to stop thinking about you.”

Then his mouth was on hers, his lips warm and firm, his teeth scraping her mouth, his tongue tasting her like she was the most decadent morsel he’d ever had. Annika sank into his kiss, her body molded so closely to his she could feel his erection, his desire, his absolute want for her. His hand slid up her bare thigh under her shorts, and cupped her ass. She moaned slightly as his fingers slipped forward, gently teasing her along the lace edge of her underwear.

“Hudson,” Annika whispered again, as his fingers slipped farther in. “Not here—someone could walk out.” But her body belied her words; she parted her legs slightly.

His mouth dipped down to her throat. “I want you so badly,” he said, pushing the crotch of her panties aside, just the tip of his fingers entering her. “Right now. I’ve been thinking about this, about you, since last summer. Since Vegas.”

Annika gasped and his other hand tightened around her waist, steadying her. She could feel his mouth curving upward into a smile.

“If you really want me to stop, Ms. Dev, I will,” he crooned, letting his fingers slide into her just a fraction more, leaving her gasping.