“Whoa,” he managed to mumble. “Just…whoa!” He placed his free hand on her shoulder and eased her back. It took him a moment to recover enough to gasp out, “What the hell was that?” “It worked, didn’t it?” “What worked? What are you talking about? Making my blood boil from overheating?” “The police, silly.” He looked around and they had indeed moved along. The crowd had dispersed as well, though several passersby were giving them knowing smiles. “That was your whole plan? To kiss me until they went away?” Then why were Ridley’s ears still ringing? She offered a very Italian shrug that said “of course.” He didn’t buy it. He didn’t want to buy it. Not after a kiss like that. But he’d already learned that her emotions always showed and they weren’t, except… “Your ears are bright red.”