They speed-walked into the hall, just in time to hear Hudson say as he held out a business card, “I’m just saying. Do you know what the likelihood is of them actually getting that thing off the ground? About one in two million. Meanwhile, Break Up’s already been downloaded a million times. Three hundred thousand people have used our services. You’re in college, right?”

Poor Colin just nodded, bewildered.

“Thought so. Here’s my card. You’re gonna need it.” He looked at Annika as he said it, and she got the distinct impression it wasn’t so much that he needed to poach Colin for his million-dollar business but that he just wanted to get under her skin.

Well, mission accomplished.

Wedging herself between Hudson and Colin, Annika snatched the business card out of Hudson’s hand, ignoring the flutter in the pit of her stomach when his fingers grazed hers. “What do you think you’re doing?” She tried not to let too much vitriol seep into her tone in front of Colin, who looked confused. Turning to him, she pasted on her calm, professional smile. “Why don’t I walk you to the elevator?” she said, one hand on his shoulder. “And rest assured, I’m going to talk to security about panhandlers accosting people in the halls.” She darted Hudson a dirty look. He shrugged lazily, looking not the tiniest bit bothered.

Once Colin was securely on the elevator, Annika rounded on Hudson, who was now leaning against the wall, his green eyes intent on her. June had her arms crossed and was glaring at him.

“So it’s not enough that you stole my idea, you have to poach my volunteers, too? You have absolutely no shame!”

Hudson pushed off the wall and walked close to her, close enough to block out the light, close enough that he was looking straight down at her. She could smell his cologne, something light and fresh and masculine. His expression was now serious, and Annika felt her pulse thrum at her throat.

“No, you’re right, Ms. Dev,” he murmured, those eyes suddenly searing into hers, his previous casualness gone. “It really sucks when people screw you over.”

She didn’t break eye contact, even though her breath was catching at his proximity, at the tension in the air between them. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t make a habit of screwing people.”

The charged air shifted, changed. A corner of Hudson’s mouth lifted, though his eyes remained intense. “Don’t you? Because I remember differently.” His voice was deep, growling, husky.

Her stomach fluttered, and her mind went blank. For a long moment, she was captive, unable to look away. Her fantasy from last night flitted into her mind, caressing her with its butterfly wings. In her darkened bedroom, this is what she’d thought about.

Then June cleared her throat.