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wasn’t wholly true. The woman in black leather this morning had had a lot to do with cranking up the heat.
    She assessed him quickly, lowered her gaze, and pursed her lips. Her hand fell to her side. “I thought you might be hot, but the only place you’re steaming now is under the collar. Thanks, Charles, for pushing me out of the way.”
    Unsteadily, she got to her feet and rocked for a second.
    Should he reach out and steady her? He compromised by touching her arm in case she needed assistance. Squirming in his seat with indecision, he had no doubt the near accident had left her shaken. He stared at her, analyzing her, attempting to see into her head. Had it been kindness or had she run across the street for another purpose? She would have said more. He was sure of it as she straightened her shoulders and a look of determination crossed her face. She was hiding something, but what?
    “I’ve got to get back to work,” she said flatly, smoothing her apron at the thigh.
    He watched the slender fingers trailing up and down. If only she could use that feather-light touch on him. Simmering anger rose from deep within his gut. He couldn’t help himself. “What are you going to do? Repeat your earlier performance?” he asked harshly, instantly regretting both the fury and his choice of words.
    “As a matter of fact, yes. I don’t have time to run down to the crosswalk, then back up the other side. If you hadn’t been sitting here,” she continued, her voice rising, “then I wouldn’t have thought you needed a cold drink!”
    Roxie had so neatly dumped the whole thing in his lap. Was she refusing to take responsibility? All since he was trying to help her! “If I hadn’t been here?” he asked, matching her tone and volume. “Are you pinning this on me?”
    She folded her arms across her chest in an I’m-not-about-to-back-off stance. “That’s pretty much what I said.”
    Brushing past him, she stepped one dainty foot over the curb.
    “Oh no, you don’t.” He grabbed her upper arm in a firm hold, unwilling to risk another incident where his heart jumped into his throat and gagged him. “We will go down to the crosswalk where the light is, then we’ll come back on the other side, safe and sound. No more of this running across four lanes and looking to get killed.”
    She tried to shake his hand free, but his grip was tight and relentless. His whole body was one live wire. She was like liquid fire running along his veins, her fragrance invading his every pore, overwhelming his good sense to leave her alone and run as far and fast from her as he could. But he was a gentleman. He’d never allow her to cross the street again and place her life in danger, and she might need an explanation for her boss when she arrived late back to work. Charlie could handle both, even if every nerve in his body hummed with sensual awareness in Roxie’s presence.
    “Look. I can take care of myself,” she huffed, her bodice rising and falling with hurried breaths. Her nipples were gorgeously peaked and drove him crazy.
    “You keep telling me that, but I’ll still end up helping you out.” And I want sex with you so much, I’m about to jump out of my skin.
    “I didn’t ask you to,” she responded petulantly, lifting her wrist to glance at her watch. “I’ve got one more minute before I’m late, and I don’t want to be canned. I can’t afford it, so I’ll just go back the way I came.” She made as if to leave, but his hand was still clenched possessively around her arm. “I’m sorry about the Coke. I wanted to help you cool off.”
    There’s only one way to do that. Come to bed with me, alleviate the heat burning through my body. Why are L.A. chicks so hot? “I can’t let you do that. I’ll explain to your boss why you’re late.” With that, he marched her down the sidewalk toward the light and crosswalk at the intersection.
     
    As Charles walked her down the sun-heated sidewalk, Roxie fumed inwardly.