“I would have preferred we drive up together,” he said as if reading her mind. “But the risk was too great.”

And there it was, the harsh reality that shadowed them. No matter how hard they tried, it was always there, threatening to end their happiness once and for all. Allie stared out the window at the pedestrians clogging the intersection, people rushing home to start their weekends without threats of blackmail or bodily harm. “I know,” she whispered. It was impossible to mask her disappointment, though she knew he was right.

“And I need the time to prepare,” he added in what was obviously an effort to steer them away from the dark turn the conversation had taken. It was also clear that he was taunting her, but she couldn’t stop herself from asking. “What are you up to?”

“Anticipation, Alessandra.”

She knew from experience there would be no further explanation. Resigned to her two-hour torture, she sighed. “So what’s the plan?”

“You’re about to turn onto lower Wacker,” Hudson began. She almost asked how he knew that, but then she remembered the spy gadget that allowed him to see across the river and into her office. Tracking her location was child’s play.

The taxi grew dark as the driver veered onto a ramp that took them beneath the city. The winding tunnels were a much quicker option than the congested streets of the Loop as the fast-paced traffic and unmarked alleyways were far too daunting to the inexperienced driver. Only those well acquainted with the bowels of the city took the shortcut known as the Chicago Autobahn.

“From there you will be taken to a parking garage, where you will transfer to another car.” The cab took a sharp right. After circling one level they pulled alongside a black limousine. A blonde stepped out of the back wearing the exact same coat, hat, scarf, and sunglasses as Allie.

“Both the limo driver and the woman are members of Max’s team,” Hudson said. “Jessica will be taking the taxi you’re in to your brownstown, where she will remain for the duration of the weekend. Take whatever you need out of your purse, then give it to her along with your keys and cell phone. Keep the burner with you.”

Three days off the grid with Hudson was exactly what Allie wanted, but still, the thought of being completely out of touch with the rest of the world gave her pause. “What if there’s an emergency. Or a break in the case?”

“She will be monitoring the incoming call log and voice mails and, if necessary, has instructions on how to reach us. We don’t know if Julian is using your cell phone to track your movements, but in the event that he is, having it in her possession not only protects you, it aids our ruse.”

“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?

His voice dropped to a seductive purr. “You have no idea.”

The promise held in those four words not only made her toes curl, it made the two hour drive to Lake Geneva seem more like eight.

Allie peered through the tinted window when the limo finally rolled to a stop in the center of the quaint town. With the exception of the dusting of powdery snow, it was exactly as she remembered. Rows of pastel-colored shops lined both sides of the street—everything from high-end art galleries to extreme sports rentals—all catering to the affluent crowd who used the lakeside community as their chance to get away from the stress of the city. The streets were crowded with those taking advantage of the three-day weekend. But unlike the couples who strolled hand in hand down the cobblestone sidewalks, pausing to window shop or duck into a café for a latte or a scoop of hand-churned ice cream, she and Hudson had no desire to venture into town. The only destination on their agenda was his cabin, and knowing he was already there, waiting for her, sent waves of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She could hardly sit still as the limo crawled along the narrow road that hugged the shoreline. And she was already unbuckling her seat belt as the driver turned through the stone walls flanking both sides of the winding driveway. At the top of the hill the peaks of Hudson’s wood and stone house soared high above the pine trees, the windows aglow like a beacon, calling her home.

When they pulled into the clearing she saw him, watching from the balcony that wrapped the length of the house, the wood plank door standing open behind him. He was down the stairs in no time, and had the limo door open before the car had even rolled to a complete stop.

“I thought you’d never fucking get here,” he growled, reaching for Allie’s hand. With a sharp tug he pulled her body flush against his, crushing his lips against hers in a ravenous kiss. His raw hunger ignited a flame that rushed like wildfire across her skin. Spending the week apart was a torture that had clearly taken its toll on both of them.

Allie melted into the kiss, carried away by the combination of lust and love she felt for the man who owned her, body and soul. Her hands clutched his dark, unruly hair, holding him to her as if he might slip through her fingers; a dream that might vanish into the night. He groaned in response and his hand cupped her ass, obliterating whatever distance remained between them with a seductive roll of the hips. But it wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. Not until his skin was pressed against hers and he was buried deep inside her.

When he finally broke their kiss, she was a panting, quivering mess.

“I want you naked all weekend,” he said, rubbing the tip of his nose against hers.

She grinned. “Is that so?”

“Hmm, I plan on taking you in every way imaginable in each and every room.”

“Deal.” Pulling back, she reached for his belt, grasping the buckle and tugging him toward the open car door. “We can start with the limo.”

“While I welcome your initiative,” he said as his fingers curled around hers, “I have plans for you. Inside.” He dropped a swift kiss on her pouting lips.

“Come.”

Allie let out a small whimper as he stepped away. “That was the plan.”

Hudson chuckled, then in a sudden move bent down, wrapped his arm around her thighs, and scooped her over his shoulder.

Allie let out a surprised squeal. “What are you doing?”

“Expediting matters,” he said, matter-of-factly.

She slapped his behind. “Put me down.”

“I didn’t realize you were into spanking, Alessandra.” Hudson laughed as he turned toward the stairs. “Although I do believe you’ve got the roles reversed.”

“You’re acting like a caveman,” she said, holding on to his hips to keep from bouncing off his shoulder as he strode up the stairs. When he reached the top he set her on her feet, letting her slide slowly down his body so that she felt every hard, muscular inch.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he breathed.

She smacked him playfully on the chest. “You could have been with me the past two hours.”

“There were preparations to be made.”

Allie narrowed her eyes, assessing him. “What have you been up to?” The scent of tomatoes and basil wafted through the air. She inhaled deeply and her mouth watered. “And more importantly, what smells so delicious?”

“Dinner. Are you hungry?” When her stomach growled, he smirked. “I will take that as a yes.”

She blushed. “I may have worked through lunch.”

A frown marred his handsome face. “Alessandra, we really need to have a discussion about your eating habits.” His hands skimmed over her hips. “I like your curves just the way they are,” he said, accenting his opinion with a gentle squeeze of her ass.

“It wasn’t intentional.” She reached up and smoothed the crease between his brows with her fingertip. “But yes, I will make more of an effort to eat regular meals, starting now. What did you order for us?”

“No delivery. I cooked.”

When her mouth popped open, Hudson threw his head back and laughed. It was a deep, sexy sound that had literally become music to her ears. “Don’t look so shocked,” he said.