Putting Out Old Flames by Allyson Charles Page B

“Did we lose them? Hello? Can you hear me?”
    â€œStop pushing that.” He grabbed her hand.
    â€œMa’am, we can hear you,” the voice from the speaker said. “I’m notifying the hotel now. Does anyone inside the elevator need medical attention?”
    â€œNo,” Chance said at the same time Jane asked, “How long is that going to take?”
    He shushed her. Actually shushed her. Placing her hands on her hips, she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t shush me. We could suffocate in here, and you’re having a nice little chat with the operator.”
    â€œWe’re going to be fine.” He turned back to the speaker, dismissing her concerns.
    â€œAir is a limited resource!”
    Chance wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her backside flush to his front. He covered her mouth with his hand, and her temperature spiked. He might have been able to pull that crap when they were kids, but he was in for a rude awakening.
    She ground the heel of her shoe into his foot. Why couldn’t she have been wearing spiky heels today instead of her Keds? Of course, he was only wearing loafers, and she wasn’t exactly a lightweight. She should be able to inflict some pain.
    Besides pulling her tighter against his chest, he ignored her assault. Leaning toward the call box, he said, “Everyone’s fine in here, except for some mental instability. Just send maintenance, no emergency services needed.”
    Mental instability? Oh, hell no. Grabbing one of his fingers, she tried to bend it backward, tear it from her mouth.
    He sighed. “Will you relax? I just want to finish my conversation with the operator. Stop acting out.”
    She’d heard him use that same condescending voice with Josh when he’d been misbehaving. She growled, incensed, but Chance ignored it. She couldn’t beat him. Couldn’t argue with him. So Jane licked him. It was just like they were teenagers again. The first time he’d muffled her, he’d been calling in sick to their high school, pretending to be Jane’s father. She couldn’t stop giggling, and he didn’t want her to ruin their scam. She’d licked him then, too, just to be a brat. It had become a custom in their play fights, and here she was, falling into the same pattern.
    She was ashamed of herself. Really, she was. But damn, he still tasted salty sweet, like honey-roasted peanuts. She remembered he tasted that way all over. A tingle started at the base of her spine, and she realized just how snugly she was pressed against the man behind her.
    â€œChrist.” He removed his hand and wiped it on her shirt over her stomach. Another holdover from childhood. His broad palm rested just below her breasts, and her breathing sped up. “We’re adults now. You shouldn’t be licking me.” His body tensed. “Well . . .”
    Jane jerked out of his grip. She didn’t want him to finish that thought. Pulling the tank away from her heated skin, she scowled. “You started it. I could charge you with assault.”
    Chance twisted his lips, shook his head. “Janey-girl . . .” Hands on lean hips, he eyed the ceiling of the elevator.
    She mimicked his stance. “Don’t ‘Janey-girl’ me.”
    The speaker crackled. “The hotel has acknowledged our request for maintenance,” Rajesh said. “If an emergency arises, please let us know. Otherwise, have a nice day.” The speaker went silent.
    Jane snorted. Have a nice day? Not likely. The walls on either side seemed to inch a little closer. “How long do you think it will take to get us out of here?”
    Crossing his arms across his chest, he leaned back against the doors. “It depends on how responsive the maintenance crew is here at the hotel. Probably not long.”
    She cleared her throat. “Do you think . . . do you think we have enough air?”
    He chuckled. Then stopped when he saw her