Hero at Large by Janet Evanovich

into the air. “It isn’t funny. I hate it—and it’s all your fault. No one else has ever done this to me; you have some horrible effect on my hormones.”
    His eyes opened wide in pleased surprise. A smile twitched over his mouth. “Really?” he said, gloating. “How terrible!”
    Chris observed his unabashed glee with embarrassed fury. “And you should be ashamed of yourself. Here you are taking advantage of my…affliction.”
    He grinned at her in silent amazement. “Affliction? If I thought you were serious I’d really be mad.”
    â€œI am serious,” she snapped, more out of momentum than seriousness.
    He held the curve of her jaw in his hand. “You’re a healthy, sensuous, responsive woman. That’s a beautiful gift, not an affliction. And you’re wrong about my taking advantage of the situation. I don’t want you doing something you’ll regret just because I stir up your hormones.” He tapped her temple with his index finger. “When I take you to bed it will be all of you. Your lovely illogical mind included.” He spun her around and pushed her toward the front door. “We’ll talk about this more over dinner. If you don’t hurry, you’ll be late for work.”
    Chris checked her watch and grimaced—she had no time in her schedule for knee-weakening kisses or men falling in love.
    Ken reached into the hall closet and extracted Chris’ ski jacket. “It’s supposed to be cold today—maybe some snow,” he told Chris, zipping herinto the coat as if she were going off to kindergarten. “Be careful driving home.” He gave her a slow, lingering kiss and playfully swatted her behind as she swung through the door.
    She turned with an indignant profanity on the tip of her tongue, decided that a simple pat on the  backside didn’t warrant that much hostility, pressed her lips together in fury, and hurried to the truck. After all, she admitted, she was mad at Chris Nelson, not Ken Callahan. Ken Callahan hadn’t actually done anything wrong…darn it.
    Â 
    Bitsy leaned against the rink guardrail and smiled at Chris. “You look like you have a lot on your mind.”
    â€œMmmmmm.”
    â€œI can’t tell if you’re depressed or elated. You have the most peculiar expression on your face.”
    â€œThen it registers my mood perfectly.”
    â€œA man?”
    â€œMmmmmm.”
    A devilish grin spread across Bitsy’s face. “The man in the truck?”
    â€œYeah,” Chris sighed. “Did I tell you he’s living with me?”
    Bitsy’s eyes widened. “Fast work!”
    Chris wrinkled her nose. “No. It’s nothing likethat. Well, it is sort of…oh hell! Aunt Edna rented him the downstairs of the house.”
    Bitsy tipped her head back and bellowed out a laugh. “Good old Aunt Edna. Somehow, I’m not surprised.”
    â€œThat’s not even the worst of it. My cousin Stephanie went into labor yesterday, and Edna flew off to Kansas City to help out with the twins. And she took Lucy with her.”
    Bitsy looked more interested by the second. “So it’s just the two of you in the house?” She giggled.
    â€œYou can stop thinking whatever you’re thinking. Nothing happened.”
    â€œYou sound disappointed.”
    Chris slouched against the barrier. “I don’t know. He’s really yummy, but I’ve finally gotten over that stinker, Steven. I don’t want to let another man into my life. My life is calm and orderly, now. It’s comfortable.” Chris screwed up her face for emphasis. “It’s been over seven years since I’ve been really intimate with a man, and I haven’t missed it…until Ken arrived on the scene. Now it’s like an obsession. An enormous all-consuming blot on my life. Three days ago I didn’t know this man existed, and now