Free Emily and the Stranger by Beverly Barton Page A

friend."
    "I can't go with Mitch," Emily said. "I have my car."
    "So, I'll leave my old clunker here. Nobody would steal that pile of junk. I can drive your car home tonight, then stop by and pick you up in the morning."
    For such a petite woman, Nikki shook Mitch's hand with a firm grasp. Mitch assumed she was around Emily's age since they seemed to be close friends, but she looked like a teenager with her slender curves, wide hazel eyes and cropped cinnamon hair.
    "I think your friend has a good idea there," Mitch said.
    "I don't know." Emily hesitated, wondering if she had the nerve to ride on the back of Mitch's motorcycle. A motorcycle!
    "Come on, pretty lady, live dangerously." Mitch grinned at her, that devastatingly sexy grin she was finding more and more irresistible.
    "How are we going to carry a grocery bag on that thing?" Emily pointed outside to the Harley.
    "No problem," Mitch said. "We'll just put the stuff in my saddlebags."
    "Oh. Well, all right … I guess."
    Nikki picked up Emily's straw bag off the counter. "Mitch, could you excuse us for just a minute?"
    "Sure, I'll take a look around the store." Amused by the elflike Nikki, Mitch watched out of the corner of his eye as he walked away. Nikki grabbed Emily and pulled her behind the counter. He wondered what was going on. Girl talk, no doubt.
    Nikki lowered her voice to a breathless whisper. "He's gorgeous. I mean drop-dead gorgeous!"
    "I know," Emily said.
    "Here, take your purse and give me your keys. I don't want him to know we're talking about him."
    "I have a feeling he's already figured that out."
    "Em?"
    "What?"
    "I think you're right. A guy like that isn't going to waste time writing silly love letters or making breathy phone calls." Nikki glanced at Mitch and sighed dramatically. "I'm sure he knows that if he wanted a woman, all he'd have to do is snap his fingers and she'd come running."
    "So I have your unequivocal approval to date Mitch?"
    "You have more than that," Nikki said. "I want you to have a wonderful time tonight. If the subject of sex comes up, don't dismiss it too quickly." Nikki grabbed the keys Emily pulled out of her purse.
    "Just take the car keys. I'll need my house key to get into the cottage for my wild night with Mitch," Emily said teasingly.
    "I sure hope there's a tender, gentle lover beneath all those bulging muscles." Nikki squeezed Emily's arm. "Have fun. Live a little for a change. But be careful."
    "I will." Emily walked over to Mitch and placed her hand on his back. He felt warm and hard, and Emily wished that she were touching his naked flesh instead of his cotton shirt. She jerked her hand away.
    "Ready to go?" he asked.
    "I guess, but … what about a helmet for me? Isn't it against the law to ride without one?"
    "I've got an extra."
    "Oh. Okay." Why did he carry an extra helmet? For whatever woman with whom he chose to share the ride? Emily scolded herself for the raw feelings of jealousy that cut through her heart. She had no claims on Mitch. They were little more than strangers.
    Just as Mitch and Emily headed for the door, a lanky young man walked down the steps that led to the upstairs rooms Emily used for her art studio. He held a stack of books in his hands. "Emily, do you mind if I take these books home with me?"
    Emily pivoted slowly, smiling as she faced her student. "No, of course not, Rod. You're always welcome to borrow any of my books."
    Mitch noticed the way the boy was staring at Emily, a shy but hungry look in his gray eyes. The young man was far too good-looking with his curly black hair and lean body. Who was this kid? And exactly what was his relationship to Emily?
    "You need to hurry and finish up in the studio, though," Emily said. "Nikki will be closing the shop very soon."
    "I didn't mean to stay so long," Rod said. "I just got busy and forgot the time. I'll clean up and head on out." Rod glanced meaningfully at Mitch. "Are you in a hurry, Emily? I'm sorry if I—"
    "Go on, you two," Nikki