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She wasn’t sure what to expect, so she wasn’t taking any chances. A pepper spray container was attached to her key ring and she didn’t want the bad guys to be able to identify her if she happened to surprise some unsuspecting thug. She didn’t foresee that as a likely ending to this encounter, but better safe than sorry.
    Please let her be there and let her be alone . Tori wasn’t sure what she’d do if Angie opened her front door, but the gorgeous magician/investigator was sitting on the couch.
    No lights were visible through the front blinds. That didn’t mean Angie wasn’t in her bedroom or the bathroom, so Tori knocked. No one answered. Using the key Angie had forgotten Tori had, Tori let herself in. “ Ang ? Hello.” Her voice echoed eerily in the empty apartment. “Damn it,” she muttered as she reached inside and flipped on the lights.
    Nothing had been disturbed, no furniture overturned or out of place. Thank God. She swiveled the top on the pepper spray so it didn’t accidently dispense. Despite her careless ways, Angie was tidy. If someone had dragged her away, there would have been some sort of sign. It seemed safe enough to enter, so Tori stepped into the apartment and locked the door behind her.
    She spotted Angie’s purse on the dinette table. Her heart gave a sickening lurch. What woman went anywhere, of her own free will, without her purse? She rushed over for a closer look and discovered the purse was missing some major components, like sunglasses and Angie’s wallet. Okay, so maybe she just switched purses and—
    Long arms wrapped around her, forcing her back against a large, warm body. One arm banded her torso, easily trapping her arms against her sides. A hand covered her mouth, muffling her startled scream. Terror burst within her, momentarily paralyzing her muscles. Her keys dropped to the carpeting, taking the pepper spray with them. This had to be a man or one massive woman.
    Heat sank into her back and her skin tingled everywhere he touched her. It was him . It had to be. She’d never reacted to another person with…whatever this was.
    Tori’s debilitating fear released in a frantic rush of adrenaline. She twisted and kicked, slamming her head back into her captor’s chest. Knowing who he was didn’t make this any less dangerous. Had he followed her? No, he couldn’t have. He’d arrived first.
    He increased the pressure of his hand and his arm, anchoring her more securely against his big body. She was trapped, immobilized by his much greater strength. And all around her energy pulsed like the warmth of an electric blanket.
    “I will not harm you, but I can’t let you scream.” He paused as if to give her fear-muddled brain time to register his words. “Do you understand?”
    She nodded and his hand eased up without lowering from her mouth. She remained silent, hoping he’d take the bait. His other arm begun to relax and she jerked hard, breaking his grip. He muttered a curse as she slipped from his grasp. She ran for the door, but only made it to the middle of the living room. He tackled her, pinning her with the weight of his body. Her breath was forced from her lungs by her impact with the floor, her scream escaping as a useless whoosh. He flipped her over and drew her hands above her head, securing her wrists with his long, strong fingers. Then he folded his legs and straddled her hips, taking most of his weight off her.
    “Be calm.” He was obviously annoyed, yet his hold remained careful, unbreakable without being hurtful. “I’m no danger to you.”
    “Who the hell are you and why are you in my apartment?” She glared, struggling to ignore the beauty of his unusual eyes.
    “We both know this apartment isn’t yours. Will you answer a few questions or shall we continue our wrestling match?”
    Their faces were mere inches apart and the warmth she’d sensed before now congregated between her legs. His crotch wasn’t even touching hers and yet her core felt