Read Online Putting Out Old Flames by Allyson Charles - Free Book Online

expression. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” Pushing off the wall, he rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “Hey, we won’t be here long, and there’s plenty of air. We’re not in an airtight box. We get air from the elevator shaft, too.”
    She swayed closer. Not close enough to touch, but enough so the warmth from his body soothed her like an old blanket. She hated herself for wanting that comfort, but she didn’t move away. So what if he’d dumped her by leaving her a greeting card. He was here now, and he was a different man. In the past decade, he’d become a father, lost a wife, and embarked on a career that helped those in need.
    Not that his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon wouldn’t have saved lives. Chance had always wanted to help people. But the fact that he’d chosen a blue-collar profession surprised her. The McGoverns had been solidly upper middle-class, his father a pediatrician and his mother an accountant. A postgraduate education had been expected of Chance.
    Jane liked his new career path. It made him more approachable.
    She inched closer, his hands on her arms slowing from a brisk rub to a caress. Their eyes latched on to each other, and a shiver zipped down her spine. Heat flared in his chocolate eyes.
    She took a large breath. This was probably a bad idea. A really bad idea. Kissing Chance would be spiraling backwards, and she’d long ago promised herself that she wouldn’t live in the past.
    He stepped closer, his chest brushing the tips of her breasts. Jane bit back a moan. Screw it. He was sexy, had been kind enough to try to comfort her, and even as a teenager had been one of the best kissers with whom she’d ever had the pleasure to lock lips. Tilting her head back, she waited, his soft breath brushing across her mouth. He leaned down.
    With a jolt, the elevator screeched, rolled upwards. Chance frowned, looked over at the doors. When he turned back to Jane, she’d already stepped back. The doors dinged before sliding open.
    â€œSaved by the bell, huh?” He shoved his hands in his pockets.
    Voices in the hall stopped Jane’s response, which was good, because she didn’t have one. A maintenance man stood on the other side of the open doors, looking down the hall. “This one’s working now, ma’am.” He turned and smiled at Jane. “Sorry about the inconvenience.”
    â€œDo you know this elevator is eight months past inspection?” Chance stepped around Jane and pressed his hand to the doors to keep them open. “Who’s in charge of maintaining them?”
    â€œUh . . .” The maintenance man scratched his head.
    A feminine voice floated into the elevator. “Chance? What are you doing here?”
    The shoulders under his polo hardened into boulders. Curious, Jane peeked around the doors, into the hall. A tall woman in a flirty floral dress and three-inch heels gave Chance a tentative smile. A wrap-sweater was tied with a bow around her waist, showcasing her trim figure. Its cream color stood in stark contrast with the swath of shiny dark hair that swung loose around her shoulders.
    â€œI was hoping to see you today, but thought I’d have to track you down.” The woman laughed, a musical tinkle. “Who would’ve thought you’d come to me?”
    A muscle spasmed in Chance’s jaw. “Annette. What in the hell are you doing here?”
    The maintenance man grinned in delight. Anyone could sense a fight was brewing, and Jane could tell he was one of those people who relished having a front-row seat for the drama.
    Jane ducked under Chance’s arm and stepped into the hallway, taking a deep breath when she emerged out of the box. The tension rolling off of Chance had made the elevator even more stifling. Chance had just moved to Pineville. Did he already have an angry ex-girlfriend?
    The woman’s charming smile faded. Her mouth tightened, fine