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stop. Only Tucker’s quick reflexes kept her from ending up in an undignified heap on the floor. One of his thick forearms banded around her waist, keeping her upright.
    The elevator went pitch-black.
    Disoriented, she dug her fingers into his forearm. “Everything is okay,” his deep voice steadied her. “I’ve got you.”
    Striving for some control, she released her death grip and forced herself to take a step away. She thought she heard him sigh, but couldn’t be sure. “I wonder what happened?” Even though she knew it was useless, she stabbed at the buttons on the control panel.
    “Rolling blackouts. Parts of town have been experiencing them all day. I’m surprised you didn’t have at least one at work.” The tiny security light finally flicked to life. Unlike most modern elevators, this one was equipped with only a single, dim light situated high in the left-hand corner.
    “Great,” she muttered. That’s all she needed to cap off what had been a long, hot, frustrating day.
    “Could be worse.” Tucker’s calm voice irritated her further.
    “How?” she snapped back.
    “The longest one today was only about a half hour. It shouldn’t take them too long to get the power back on. We’ll be fine.”
    Great, she’d practically snapped the man’s head off when all he was doing was trying to reassure her. “Once again, I owe you an apology.” Taking a step toward him, she held out her hand to try to find the wall.
    He caught it in his grasp and drew her steadily toward him. “Apology accepted.” Slowly, he raised her hand to his lips and kissed each knuckle slowly, one at a time, until he’d done the honors to all five of her fingers.
    The tingles started in her fingers, ran up her arm, and down her torso all the way to her toes. He slid his tongue into the slight indents between her fingers and licked. She sucked in her breath when he took one of her fingers into his mouth.
    Her nipples grew taut and a throbbing ache sprang to life between her thighs. As much as she tried to fight it, her reaction to Tucker was like a spark to gasoline—explosive.
    It was easy in the near dark to let herself enjoy the sensual heat flowing through her veins. It had been way too long since their one encounter. And before that . . . well, she’d been in a sexual drought for quite a long time.
    She’d always taken life seriously, first as a student, and then as a career woman, seldom taking the time to have a lover. The couple times she had, she’d been left feeling somewhat let down by the entire experience and sorry she’d even bothered.
    One of her former lovers had even gone so far as to call her cold. After she’d gotten over her initial anger, she had been forced to acknowledge that maybe he was right.
    Tucker had been the first man in well over a year to even remotely interest her. She’d long ago decided that she simply wasn’t the passionate type. Instead, she’d thrown herself into running the gallery and art supply store. Emma knew it was her way of protecting herself against further disillusionment and hurt. She’d built a life for herself that she was content with.
    Regretfully, she tugged her hand away from his, breaking the tentative sensual bond between them. Instead of backing off, he slowly stalked toward her. She edged herself backward until her spine touched the wall of the elevator. There was nowhere else to go. She swallowed as he came to a stop in front of her. Shuffling uneasily, she leaned against the wall for support.
    Reaching out, he slipped his hands inside her open jacket. “Let’s get you undressed.”

Chapter Five
     
    Emma’s screech of outrage bounced off the walls of the elevator. She shoved Tucker’s hands off her, placed both hers on his chest and pushed him away. He went easily, which reassured her slightly. But this time he’d gone too far.
    “What do you think you’re doing?” She tried to make her voice strong and authoritative. Her body was urging her to get