Free Arrested Pleasure by Holli Winters Page B

talented his mouth and fingers were. "I don't want to see you get hurt. Let's use the old fashioned crosswalk." His breath tickled her ear, precipitating a shudder of desire inside her.
    She gave an inward shake of her head. She had to get out of this insanity. "I usually hop across the street and—"
    "Yeah, I spotted you the other day. You could've been killed."
    Cassie twisted her head to stare at him. "You're spying on me? I thought you had no idea where I worked?"
    "I didn't—until today. I stopped to have lunch at the deli and caught a glimpse of you, but couldn't find you."
    "Oh." She thought about his words for a minute. A lot of people did eat at Markham's, so his story might be plausible. She wasn't sure how she'd have reacted if she'd come face to face with him.
    "Come on. Let's utilize the crosswalk down the street like we're supposed to." He released her waist, but kept a tight grip on her hand. She should ask him not to touch her, but she no longer wanted to argue.
    She checked him out while they walked. He wore jeans and a black T-shirt. The tee strained against the muscles on his shoulders. His brown hair brushed the collar of his shirt in back, but was neatly trimmed. He looked like most men in Portland, yet there was something about him that made him stand out. Probably because he had muscles that appeared to be the result of working out. A lot of men didn't take the time to exercise.
    As they waited for the walk light, she mulled over their exchange. What did he want from her that he hadn't said in her shop?
    "I'm surprised you opened your business in this part of town," he commented.
    She tilted her head. He was one of the few men she had to look up to meet eye-to-eye. "On Front Street?"
    He nodded. "Yeah. So close to Burnside and its entire unsavory ilk. You could've put your spa any other place. Like Beaverton with its much better customer base."
    Cassie was familiar with Beaverton. Nike's headquarters was located near the swanky suburb of Portland.
    "At the time, it had the cheapest rent—and still does. I'm in a controlled rent, but
    . . . ." She shrugged, not wanting to discuss her landlord problems with him.
    "But what?"
    The crowd around them started to move. "We need to go, the light has changed."
    She didn't wait for him, stepping off the curb. Maybe he'd forget the question.
    "Hey!" he said from behind her. Silently, he took her arm and led her across.

    Though she resented his attaching himself to her side, she had to admit the touch of his hand on her arm soothed her.
    As they reached the other side, Cassie gestured down the street. "Markham's has good coffee as well as food. Do you eat here often?"
    "Not much. Most of my hangouts are in the metro area."
    She puckered her brow. "You live in the downtown area? I thought you bought Gavin's house?"
    "My apartment was being painted, and I stayed at his place for a few days. I'd helped him clean out his pool in April, and he offered me a chance to stay there in exchange." He shrugged. "I am thinking of making an offer since I like the neighborhood."
    "Oh." She nodded. "It is a nice area. Downtown Portland has too much crime for my liking."
    Due to the lateness of the day, the crowd had thinned in the deli. After greeting the Markham "boys," they ordered their coffee. Judson paid for hers despite her protests. She theorized since it wasn't a meal, this wasn't exactly a date. She glanced around the deli, thankful Mrs. Markham wasn't present to witness their conversation.
    Cassie took a few sips of her vanilla-flavored coffee while she observed Judson from underneath her lashes. He sat in the chair, seemingly relaxed, but at the same time taking note of his surroundings as he glanced around. She wondered why he seemed to be on edge.
    Deciding enough time had lapsed for formality, she ran her finger around the edge of her cup before she took the bull by the horns. "So what brought you to Casa de Massage?"
    She waited while he took another sip of his