Read Full Throttle Yearning for Free Online Page B

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? Squirming in his seat with indecision, he compromised by touching her arm in case she needed assistance. He had no doubt the near-accident had left her shaken, and stared at her, analysing her, attempting to see into her head. Had it been kindness or it had she run across the street for another purpose? He was sure of it as she straightened her shoulders and a look of determination crossed her face. She was hiding something. But what?
    Plus the fact that she knew his name. Had the employees been gossiping about him in the kitchen? Probably.
    “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 featherlight touch on him. Simmering anger rose and boiled up 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 his 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? When 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 instinct to leave her alone and run as far and fast from her as he could. But he was a gentleman. He couldn’t allow her to cross the street like that 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 was humming with sensual awareness of Roxie’s presence.
    “Look, I can take care of myself,” she huffed, her bodice rising and falling with hurried breaths. Her nipples were still peaked, still drove him crazy.
    “You keep telling me that, but I 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 LA 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 crosswalk at the intersection.
     
    As Charles walked her down the sun-heated sidewalk, Roxie fumed inwardly. Oddly, even though he was angry with her and she didn’t understand why, she felt comforted by his touch on her upper arm and his evident concern. Then, too, he couldn’t hide his rigid shaft. She