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shut out everything but the two of them.
    “Feel like giving it another try?”
    She smiled, a heavy-lidded look that started a slow burn inside him. “I was thinking I might. Sort of a New Year’s resolution.”
    “It’s not midnight yet.”
    She lifted a shoulder. “I’m not a stickler for rules.”
    It was a clear invitation. Still, he moved carefully, watching her reaction as he raised a hand to cup her cheek. She pushed against his palm the tiniest bit, molding her face against his hand, her eyes never leaving his.
    Like touching a live wire, electricity shot up his arm, awakening every nerve in his body. He wondered if his touch had the same effect on her, because her mouth opened, emitting a tiny mew of surprise.
    It was irresistible. While her lips were still parted, he leaned in and kissed her—one long, gentle kiss that melted away the tension and started a low hum through him. Her free hand slid up his shoulder, fingertips pressing into him as she made a satisfied sound in her throat, her tongue finding his for one brief, teasing moment, dancing an invitation to go deeper.
    She pulled back suddenly, alarm flashing through her eyes. He knew somehow he’d crossed a line, that the flare of desire he’d welcomed had been more than she’d expected, more than she was ready to handle.
    “Too much too soon,” he murmured.
    She wouldn’t admit it but didn’t deny it, either.
    Reluctantly, he lowered his hand. “I won’t push, Janet. But—” he brushed a kiss on her cheek, feeling her shiver in response. “We’d be good together,” he whispered before taking a step back. She watched him, her eyes large and blinking anxiously. “Let me know when you’re ready, because I’ll be waiting. The next move is up to you.”
    He’d left her there. Later, when the year counted down to zero and several couples kissed amid the cheers and laughter, her gaze had wandered around the room and found his. He saw heat touch her cheeks again before she turned away.
    She’d been avoiding him for the six months since. But she hadn’t dated anyone else. He understood her problem was not with dating; it was with her attraction to him. He intended to change that, but he’d have to be patient.
    He hoped she’d make a move soon. What they were missing was too good to ignore.

Chapter
Three

    J anet opened the door and stared at Rocky incredulously. “You’re wearing
that
?”
    He looked at his black jeans and black T-shirt, then back at her. “What’s wrong with it?”
    Not a thing. He looked sexy as hell, in a cat burglar sort of way. But that was a different problem. “You said to dress how Bloomfield Hills ladies would expect. I assumed that meant like this.” She indicated her linen pant suit, pumps, and smart little matching handbag.
    “Nice,” he said, giving her an appreciative look. “But that’s not what I said. I said I’d wear what they expect
me
to. I’m an ex-burglar talking about personal and home security. This is what they’ll expect.”
    She pursed her lips and considered his clothes while trying not to consider the extremely fit body filling them out. “You’re right, that’s what they’ll expect.” They’d probably have fantasies about being burglarized by him, too.
    “And as gorgeous as you look, I think you’d better change into jeans and tennis shoes. Those heels will be slippery, and I wouldn’t want to get that nice suit dirty.”
    “How would you do that?” She narrowed her eyes. “Exactly what is it I’m helping you demonstrate?”
    “Self-defense. I thought Ellie told you.”
    Ellie would pay for this. “She said you were demonstrating security systems. I thought I’d be doing a Vanna White, holding up dead bolt locks while you explained why they weren’t secure enough.”
    He grinned. “We’ll do that, too. But mostly I need you so I don’t have to pick some little old lady out of the audience, grab her around the neck, and teach her how to defend herself from an