“Perfectly well. Anna’s girls have been seeing to his recovery. I’m told he may languish for a few weeks.”

Florence laughed. “Well, that’s good. So I may return tomorrow.”

“No, not yet. I’d like a few more days until we know the assault was a random incident, not part of a larger plan.”

“But Clay—”

“Don’t argue, Florence.” His hand shot out to capture her wrist. In one tug of his powerful arm, she ended up on his lap. He held her tight. “Let’s enjoy your birthday and the rest of the evening. I have been dying to get my hands on you.”

She relaxed into his chest, the warmth from his body like a drug, turning her limbs languid and heavy. “I missed you.”

“Oh, my dear girl. Missing you doesn’t come close to what I’ve felt.” He cupped the back of her head and brought her forward, until her mouth met his. She nearly sighed at the feel of him, the hard chest and thighs underneath her. Soft, plush lips plucked at hers over and over again. Then his tongue darted out to twine with her own, swirling and stroking, driving her mad.

When they pulled apart, both were breathing hard. She laid her head on his shoulder. “I hope my birthday surprise contains more kisses like that one.”

“Many, many more,” he promised. “As many as you like.”

“Tell me where we’re going.”

He dragged a fingertip along the edge of her bodice, tracing the exposed skin and making her shiver. “We’re almost there.”

“Hmm, so it’s above Fourteenth.”

“You’ll never guess the location, so you might as well learn some patience.”

“I bet I could guess it, if I had enough time.”

“A gambler at heart.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “And no, you couldn’t.”

The wheels slowed and she peered out the window. They were on Broadway, just north of Madison Square Park. “Are we going to a hotel?” Many high-end hotels lined these few blocks, like the Fifth Avenue Hotel and Hotel Albemarle. Perhaps Clay had rented them a suite for the night.

“In a sense.” He reached to throw open the door. Setting her off his lap, he climbed down to the street. “Come along.”

She took his hand and descended. They were in front of the Hoffman House, one of the grandest hotels in the city. Tammany Hall used it as an unofficial headquarters, and nearly every major city decision was brokered here.