Talk of the Town by Suzanne Macpherson

compelling blue eyes widen in surprise, then change to alarm. The gum wad was lodged somewhere near her vocal cords, and all she could do was wave her arms wildly and turn purple.
    With the speed and agility of a quarterback, Sam dodged display cases and straight-armed a rounder that stood between them.
    “Are you choking?”
    She tried to say no, but she wasn’t so sure.
    One large hand took her shoulder and whirled her around. Fisting both hands beneath her breastbone, he squeezed her tightly to his tall frame and tugged upward. He jerked her off her feet with his quick move. Her gum flew out of her mouth, across the room, and stuck on a display of a half body in swimwear, somewhere around the navel area.
    Kelly started to laugh in the middle of coughing her last cough. They shifted around and Sam offered his handkerchief. It was white linen with a G embroidered on it. He still had one arm around her. Their closeness would have been exciting if she weren’t trying to get a breath in. Actually, it was exciting anyway.
    “Thank you,” she squeaked out. What a sight she must be. She slowly regained her composure. God, he smelled good. Her ribs hurt. She rubbed them.
    “Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t hurt you,” he said, extending his hand. “Are you okay?”
    “I am.” Her voice still squeaked. She wiped at the tears streaming down her face, then handed him his makeup-stained handkerchief. He took her whole ice-cold hand in his instead of the handkerchief. He had strong, warm hands, and kept hold of hers for a long time. She looked up into his eyes. He smiled at her again, a devastatingly nice smile.
    Oh…my…God. Suddenly Kelly wanted a social life again. Actually, Kelly wanted Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome to take her in the back room and kiss the red sandals right off her feet, very hard and very deep. She sort of melted into his handshake.
    “Are you sure you’re all right? Can I get you anything?” he said, and released her hand at last.
    Yeah, he could get her a big, passionate kiss right now—to go, please. If he only knew what she was thinking. She realized her face must be seven shades of scarlet. An improvement over purple, though.
    “We met in Cora’s, remember?” he asked.
    Did she remember? Damn straight she did. She looked in his eyes and caught just a hint of amusement.
    “I don’t usually have this effect on women.”
    “Don’t get yourself too built up, there, Mr. Grayson, I often choke my way through the day.” These words kind of blurted out. She immediately wanted to choke on them instead of the wad of gum.
    What was she, nuts ? “But thanks for the bruised ribs.” Things were getting worse, she was definitely nuts, but he was provoking her, really he was. He looked even more amused, and there was an effort on his part not to laugh out loud at her, she could see this clearly.
    “I’m sorry about that. How about I make it up to you by buying lunch? Is today acceptable?”
    Is right this second acceptable? Instead she said, “That would be nice. My break is at twelve-thirty.” Well, she wasn’t completely nuts.
    “Twelve-thirty it is.” He extended his hand, and they touched again. “I have a meeting scheduled with Mrs. Palmer. Is she in yet?”
    Eleanor Palmer breezed into the store just in time to catch them red-handed. And Kelly, red-faced.
    “Sam, you handsome devil, I see you’ve met the prettiest girl in town. Now what will I do for a boyfriend?” Mrs. Palmer’s silk chiffon scarf puffed around her in the breeze from the fan. She was a slim and fashionable woman, still very attractive.
    “Kelly had a startling effect on me, Mrs. P.”
    “I forgive you, and Mr. Palmer will be relieved, I’m sure.” Mrs. Palmer wound her arm through Sam’s. “Come upstairs to my office and have some tea and scones. It was very kind of you to meet me here on a Saturday. I think better in my own space these days. Kelly, dear, you might want to freshen up a bit, then bring up my