Full Throttle Yearning by Aurora Rose Lynn Page A

story. Perhaps there was a reason why freedom was such an issue for her, where it wouldn’t have been with someone else.
    “How could Rowter be on the move so quickly?” she whispered, backhanding her forehead.
    Charlie was happy to answer. “There’s a product on the market, a wipe that will strip Pepper Spray from the skin and neutralize the burning in the eyes. I bet he was carrying that for an emergency.”
    “I didn’t know that.” Roxie rubbed her throat delicately.
    “You wouldn’t have to unless you were in law enforcement or a criminal.”
    “Yesterday when I was crossing the street, was the driver in the semi Rowter?” She swallowed hard, possibly remembering her close encounter with the eighteen-wheeler.
    “No, I don’t believe so. He was driving far too quickly and I think he was trying to miss you.” Changing the subject, and hoping she’d reply, he asked tenderly, “Did your father hurt you?”
    I certainly understand if she’s angry with me. I would be too if a guy came along and told me someone was trying to kill me. Then when I wanted to stand up and fight, he wouldn’t let me.
    She faced away from him, watching downtown LA slip into the distance as the driver, Hector Torres, whom Kyle had informed him could be trusted to the death, drove. In front of the vehicle, the roadway became a mirage in the deadly heat.
    Roxie shook her head in response.
    Charlie persisted. “What did he do to you that you’ve squirreled yourself away?”
    She swept back a stray lock of hair from her ear before she faced him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Sunlight caught her in its cruel glare as the car travelled into the shadow of an overpass. Her lips trembled.
    Roxie appeared so forlorn. Did he dare to take her in his arms and comfort her the best he could? “You’re distraught,” he said softly over the hum of the car’s engine. “It’s been quite a day already with all that’s gone on.” He didn’t want to remind her of the truck heading toward them, Rowter intent on killing them. The memory was enough to frighten anyone, let alone a sensitive woman like Roxie.
    Despite himself, he took her into his arms, and was surprised when she didn’t battle him but sank her head against his left shoulder.
    “He didn’t hurt me physically but I always felt restricted. There were always bodyguards around, watching my every move and reporting back to him. On my own, I can do anything I want.” She ended on a small laugh, then without raising her head she whispered, “Where are we going? You owe me that much.”
    He repressed a sigh. “Oxnard, up the coast. Rowter won’t find you there and the cops will have a chance to find him while I keep you safe.”
    She laughed softly. “That’s the story of my life. Let someone else do the work.”
    Her small hand edged down the ridge of his spine in a feathery caress that sent a spark into his groin. It reignited the raging fire he’d tried to quell since he’d heard that Rowter was on the loose again. Her fingers reached erotically between his shirt and belt toward the crack of his ass. He shivered. “Roxie,” he began, but she cut him off with her musical voice.
    “Shh, Charlie. I just want to touch you. It makes me feel better.”
    “Me too,” he agreed, stroking the back of her head and her silky hair under the chignon. “Let your hair down for me?” he pleaded huskily. His penis was rock hard again, but then Roxie’s mere presence aroused him. What was it about her that fascinated him in a way no other woman ever had? Expectantly, his hands settled on her shoulders.
    Intrigued, he watched her downcast eyes as she pulled the pins from the chignon and her hair tumbled down over her shoulders and her bodice. She flashed him a smile filled with promise.
    Then he remembered the dark angel who’d stolen his parking space the morning before. How she’d climbed onto the bike in her leather outfit and her ass had done him in, leaving him wanting