Charlie's Angel by Aurora Rose Lynn

before he ducked back in and the car raced away.
    “Teenagers!” Charlie muttered against her ear. “That’s one hell of an idea.” His breath was hot on the side of her neck. “Let’s celebrate the fact that Rowter is in police custody, go to my place, and indulge in sixty-nine.”
    “That’s temptation of the best kind,” she whispered back, her hands encircling his neck.
    She lifted her head and delicately caressed his lower lip with a questing tongue. His mated with hers, sending a thrill of excitement through her. Her knees quivered, and she wondered what would it be like to have a man like Charlie at her side, loving her, caring for her, creating a simple life, one she would be proud of.
    “But answer my question. How did you know Rowter was coming?”
    “A gut feeling. And I saw him in the truck’s cab just for a second.”
    “Oh.”
    Hastily, before she killed the momentary joy she’d found in his virile company, she shoved the thoughts aside. Today, they’d celebrate and quite probably end up in bed again. His lips were so soft and tasted of golden sunshine and mint. When he groaned from deep within his throat, her thighs strained against his, pressuring, urging, wanting more of him.
    His cell phone began to ring softly, a harsh sound interrupting the kiss, pushing them apart as he said, “Sorry. I better get this.”
    His expression held a world of regret, but within seconds, he was all business, listening intently to the caller.
    Roxie’s arms fell to her sides, and she moved away to give him some privacy. The kiss they had shared had been exhilarating and left her body on fire for more of his touch. It was a promise of things to come, so why did she feel uneasiness weave through her?
    Waiting for Charlie, she strolled to a wooden slat bench outside the bakery, surprised that he trailed behind her. His eyes darted every which way, and the nonchalance with which he’d kissed her was gone. Even before he terminated the call, she sensed something was very wrong. Her breath hitched in her throat. She clenched her fists into tight balls, ready for anything.
    His lips set in a grimace. Charlie glanced away before his gaze returned to her face. “I don’t know how he did it,” he said slowly, each word spoken with precision. “Rowter escaped.”
    “No,” was all Roxie managed. The big man had escaped even though he’d been screaming in pain when Charlie and she had left the diner? “How do you know?”
    “Kyle, a friend of mine, has been helping me out here in L.A. I filled him in overnight about what’s been going on. He was listening to a police scanner, and that’s how he found out.”
    Roxie nodded, but her world was fast crumbling.
    “That means that you have no choice but to come with me. Eddie and Kyle know of several safe houses where they believe Rowter won’t find you. Kyle’s sending a car for us to take us to one.”
    That meant being on the run again. Roxie pulled herself together. “I refuse to hide. I’m going back to work until this blows over.” What other option did she have? She rose and turned in the diner’s direction. That was if Gerry wanted her back. I’m clearly a danger to his employees.
    Charlie raked a hand through his hair. “You can’t do that, Roxie. That’s the first place he’ll look.” He moistened his lower lip. “I’m not giving you any choice.”
    “You sound just like my father. He gives orders, and I march,” she blurted out wildly. No way she would let Charlie or her father determine how she lived her life. She could handle herself. Hadn’t she done a good job so far?
    Charlie’s shoulders straightened into rigid lines. “This isn’t open to discussion, Roxie. I promise that your father won’t find out where you are.” He stepped forward all strength and virility. “One thing I don’t want is to send you back to him in body bag because you were too stubborn to accept help.”
    “I’m not afraid of anything,” Roxie protested.