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too much.”
    What odd advice, given that she was not going to see him again, and her alcohol consumption tonight would not affect him. She stepped away. “Thanks again for the ride.”
    “Thanks for the lift,” he retorted, which made her laugh and her cheeks flush.
    Oh, she wanted to stay with him! She would regret walking away for the rest of her life.
    Well, maybe just the rest of the night, when she got home to her cold bed. But the chill temperature was just a metaphor, and temporarily eradicating the metaphorical with this man would only increase its power in the aftermath.
    But some imp had her turning to face him again, albeit from a safe distance.
    “Ford? Do you still want to know what I saw? Sex-wise?”
    He straightened from his lazy pose against the doorframe, eyes alert. “Yes.”
    “Up against a wall.”
    And getting the last word in, she walked into the restaurant where the Xcess party was in full swing in a private room.
    *
    Ford took a moment before getting back into the limo, absorbing what she had said, recreating it in his own mind. Having that veritable Amazon pressed up against a wall, kissing her senseless, running his hands over that lush body, sinking into her . . . He ran the back of his hand over his mouth, the lift she had given him becoming a full-fledged erection.
    Eradicating the mental image and the physical response with an effort and the help of the winter breeze, he slid back inside the car and closed the door.
    Deep breath. Shoulder shrug. Settle. Calm.
    He pressed the button to open the tinted glass partition.
    “Sir?”
    “Just drive. Stay in the neighbourhood.”
    The partition whirred shut again.
    Relaxing into the seat, Ford propped an elbow on the padded door panel, rubbing his hand over his mouth, smothering the smile that quirked his lips.
    Cocky wench.
    While he had experienced occasional rejection, he was certain he had never been turned down quite like that before. Obviously, Erin Russell required greater effort on his part.
    Not bored now, are you?
    She might be interesting enough to keep around for a few days.
    Ford took out his phone, entering a speed dial. When the party picked up, he said: “Run a background check on Erin Russell of Xcess Technologies. I need it tonight.”

Chapter Three
     
    The noise level was high, evidencing a generous intake of pre-dinner cocktails, and wait staff were already clearing salad plates as Erin entered the party, the large round tables scattered around the room organised roughly by department.
    Hells . Missed cocktails and the healthy-food portion of the evening.
    But that didn’t stop her from ordering a martini from a passing waiter, asking for extra olives for ‘health reasons.’ Indicating where her coworkers and their various spouses were waving at her, pointing at the chair reserved for her: “That’s my table. Thanks.”
    The waiter assured with a grin and a complimentary—not lascivious—scan of her body that he would easily find her again.
    Now that’s flirting! Ford could use some lessons in sincerity.
    “You look fantastic!” Cathy said as Erin bent to give her a one-arm hug.
    “Thanks, Cath. You, too. Merry Christmas!”
    “ Merry Christmas! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a dress.” She turned to her husband, seated on her right. “Have you, Joe? Does she ever wear one to work?”
    “Nope. First time for me, too. Looks all right,” he conceded with a smile.
    “Oh, come on!” Erin scoffed, setting her purse next to her place setting and giving a smiling wave of greeting to the other occupants of the table as she plunked herself into her chair. “I always wear a dress to the Christmas party!”
    “Don’t remember that. No date?” Cathy asked.
    “No date. Maybe I’ll meet someone in the bar when the party’s over,” she said, mildly annoyed but mostly amused by the earnest sympathy coming so soon on the heels of Ford’s premeditated variety.
    “Don’t ever pick up someone after