"Where are you going?" He caught her arm and spun her around to face him.

"Back to Maplefield." She couldn't stand another minute with Nick pretending to like her to get to her sister. "I'm glad Jason's situation ended so well."

"Will I see you again?" His eyes burned into her, but she couldn't discern what need of his had prompted the question.

Anyway, it didn't matter. Her heart couldn't handle the emotions and the hurt he torpedoed at her. She cleared her throat. "Actually, if you recover the jewelry, I'd like an opportunity to bid on it. Even if I can't afford the asking price, I'd like to know who buys it. I'll pray for Jason and for your whole family."

"I don't need your prayers."

Against her saner judgment, Annie paused one final time to drink in the sight of Nick. This handsome, magnetic man had stripped away her asexual armor and uncovered a woman's pulse. She wouldn't forget him. "What do you need, Nick?"

"This." He slammed his mouth against hers.

She hadn't expected it. Hadn't prepared herself. Shock came first, stiffening her body. The sensual assault spun her very female pulse into overdrive. Her brain shrieked her sister's name in warning. A very detached practical side of her commanded she relax her body and enjoy what he was doing physically, knowing it wouldn't happen again. But she couldn't respond. The only reason he was touching her was because of her sister. Why, oh why, couldn't he be a simple handyman?

Abruptly, he pulled back.

She tried to collect herself and form a coherent, witty sentence to show how unaffected she was. "Well then, it appears you're satisfied," came out as her pitiful attempt.