Before she could make a run for the stairs or push through the crowds, Roper slipped his hand into hers and took control. He led her to the fire exit along with the rest of the guests and they maneuvered the long walk down in silence, punctuated by the alarm but with no hint of smoke or fire. Finally they stepped into the front lobby and were greeted by firemen in uniform directing people to the sidewalk across the street.
From what Roper could gather, the fire chief thought it was a false alarm, but until they checked out the building, they couldn’t be sure. Everyone needed to evacuate.
Outside, he caught up with one of his teammates.
Jorge Calderone lifted a hand in greeting. “Someone say Yank Morgan trip on his Noodle and accidentally pull on the fire alarm,” he said in his heavy accent.
Roper shook his head and laughed. “You’re kidding. Was the old man hurt?”
“He’s fine. But Sophia mucho angry that he ruined the party.”
Roper thought of perfectionist Sophie and said, “I just bet she is.”
“I’m not staying to freeze my ass off out here. See ya, mi amigo.” Jorge strode away without looking back.
Roper turned to Amy. “I’d have introduced you to my friend but he took off too fast.”
“Not a problem.” Her voice shook as she spoke and she had wrapped her arms around her upper body as she shivered in the below-freezing temperatures.
He slipped his sport jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She smiled appreciatively. “Thanks. I left my jacket at the coat check when I arrived, and my body is used to much warmer temperatures.”
“I should have figured as much. Can I take you somewhere for dinner? I know a nice place with good food.” The party might be over, but he wasn’t ready to part ways with Amy just yet.
“No thanks. I really should just go home, change and get warm. Oh, no.” She swung around and glanced back at the building.
“What’s wrong?”
She shut her eyes, frustration clear in her expression. “I left my key in my coat pocket.”
He shoved his hands into his front trouser pockets for warmth. “I’m sure the hotel would issue you another one, unless your ID is in your pocket, too?”
“No. But I’m not talking about a hotel key card. I’m talking about the actual key to my apartment.”
“Wait, you live here? In New York?” Suddenly he was wary. Earlier when he’d pursued her, somewhere in the back of his mind was the knowledge that Amy was in town for a short time. No hopes, no expectations to add to his burdens. Except, apparently, he was wrong.
“I just moved here. I’m subletting Micki’s apartment since it’s too small for her whole family and they stay at Damian’s when they’re in the city, anyway.” Amy hopped from foot to foot in order to keep warm. “I take it Micki didn’t mention it?”
Roper shook his head. He was going to strangle his best friend for the omission. If he’d known Amy was a permanent resident, he wouldn’t have restarted his flirtation. He was looking for a quick fix and a good time. Not a relationship with a woman nearby who, though she kept her distance now, would undoubtedly begin to expect something more eventually. He’d had enough of that already.
“I could talk to Sophie or Yank and see if they have an extra key, but they look tied up with the firemen,” she said, glancing over his shoulder. “I guess I’ll just wait.”
Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed red from the cold and her curls were tousled around her pretty face. Oh, hell, who was he kidding? Even if he had known she’d moved to town, he’d have had a hard time staying away. Besides, he wasn’t going to over-think this, just make the most of it.
She shivered and he stepped toward the curb, hailing the first yellow cab that appeared and opening the door so she could get in first.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“My place.” Where she could warm up before he took her back to her building to see if the doorman or super had a spare key.
It was New Year’s Eve and he wanted to keep her with him for a while longer.
AMY HADN’T AGREED TO go to his apartment. She just wanted to get warm. She settled into the taxicab seat, then Roper sat down beside her. His body heat rippled through her, warming her when just seconds before she was chilled inside and out.
He rattled off an address to the driver.
“Wait.”