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there’s something about you that makes my toes curl.”
    â€œWhat do you mean crusty and skinny? I’m not at all crusty, and I’m certainly not skinny.”
    He stepped closer, smiling broadly, obviously pleased that he’d provoked her. Chris felt the warmth from his body swirl around her, and the kitchen temperature seemed to rise twenty degrees. He continued to trail a path along her chin. When his finger reached her mouth, she instinctively licked her dry lips. Their reactions were totally different but equally swift. Chris jumped away as if she’d been burned. How could less than five seconds of contact do that to her stomach? It was like falling forty floors in an elevator.
    Ken Callahan’s stomach seemed to be made of sterner stuff. He smiled wolfishly and pressed himself against her, pinning her to the wall. “I realize that lovely little lick was just a reflex action, but I’m going to take advantage of it anyway,” he whispered cheerfully.
    â€œDon’t you dare!”
    â€œI can’t help myself. Kitchens always have this romantic effect on me.”
    â€œKeep away from me, or I’ll bop you on the head with Aunt Edna’s rolling pin.”
    â€œWouldn’t you like to be kissed in the kitchen?” he teased.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œAre you sure? I’m a terrific kisser.”
    The man is evil, Chris decided. He knows he can raise my blood pressure just by dropping his voice an octave, and he’s absolutely enjoying it. She pushed against his chest with both hands, hoping he wouldn’t feel her heart pounding in her chest. “You’re horrid.”
    â€œI like when your voice gets all husky and tremulous like that.” His cobalt eyes lowered as he played with the zipper on her sweat suit jacket. “There’s a nice chemistry between us. You knew it as soon as I did—when we looked at each other under the hood of your car. For some reason it scares the heck out of you.”
    â€œI don’t want to get involved.”
    â€œI know that. That’s why I’m moving in.”
    â€œ What ?”
    â€œIf I did the normal thing and asked you out to dinner, would you go out with me?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI didn’t think so. So I’ll live here.” He smoothed the rumples from the front of her warm-up suit. “Besides, it will be convenient for both of us. I really do need a place to stay. I’m tired of shifting around. I need a home—even if it’s someone else’s home. And you need the money and the transportation. A match made in heaven.”
    Oh boy, she thought, I’m doomed. Putty in his hands. “Do you know what a glamus is?”
    â€œA what?”
    â€œNever mind. I suppose you can stay.” She sighed. “Aunt Edna has her mind made up, anyway.” Suddenly she felt very, very tired. “But I’m serious about not getting involved. Keep your distance.”
    â€œOr you’ll drive me straight to the police station.”
    Chris felt her lips twitch in spite of herself. “You’re laughing at me, again.”
    â€œMaybe a little.” His hand touched her waist and boldly slid under the jacket of her warm-up suit. He flattened his palm against her stomach. His eyes grew dark and liquid. “But it’s a nice kind of laughing.”
    She knew it was a nice kind of laughing. It was gentle and good-humored and affectionate…very affectionate. He was everything she didn’t want to find in a man. He was lovable. And the feel of his hand on her stomach was exquisite. She was sure that when he removed the hand she would be branded for life—that she would never forget the delicious sensations emanating through her body.
    There was a flurry of obtrusive plate clanking and throat clearing in the living room. “What’s going on in there?” Edna called. “It’s awfully quiet.”
    Ken deposited a quick,