She headed down the alleyway planning to enter through the back door. She raised her hand to knock, but someone grabbed her from behind and slammed her into the wall, knocking the wind out of her. Her attacker locked the thickness of his arm against her neck while his muscular body leaned against her pinning her against the hard stone.

"Give me the package and we won't have any problems."

Autumn's eyes widened as she stared into two sea-smoked colored eyes. She lifted the package that she was to deliver to Mr. Sying.

He yanked it out of her hand. "Now don't follow me or I'll be forced to do something you'll regret."

Autumn could only manage to nod her head.

"Hey, are you okay down there?" someone yelled from the street, probably a tourist since she didn't recognize him. He was tall and blond definitely not from Chinatown.

It was nice to know that there were people who'd stop to help. Before she could choke out her plea, the man holding her hostage covered her mouth with his lips. She should have stopped him, bit him, did something other than let the bastard kiss her. Man, could he kiss, ravishing her lips, teeth and tongue as unapologetic as it was seductive. Logic fled and she moaned into his mouth stunned by the force, the need to have more. She kissed him back.

When he released her, they stared into each other's heavily lidded eyes. The air shimmered around them taunt, waiting to pull them under again. The intensity of the immediate attraction mystified her and yet she felt as if she'd been waiting for him all her life. Obviously, the sensation, the connection hadn't gone unnoticed by him. He raked his fingers through his hair; uncertainty lit his eyes as his gaze held hers. She teetered on her feet ready to step toward him, but she drew in a rugged breath and sanity slapped her in the face. She didn't know what crazy notion had come over her, but whatever it was, she had no intentions of repeating it. She glanced to see if her would-be-rescuer was still at the end of the alleyway. No such luck. The guy obviously thought they were lovers sneaking away for a late afternoon tryst.

Her attacker backed away from her further. She thought he'd say something. Threaten her more or kiss her. She'd much rather he'd kiss her. She shook her head. What in the world was she thinking? She should scream, but before she could react, he turned on his heels, fled down the shadowed alleyway and disappeared around the corner.

Autumn stood there wondering what had happened and why had the stranger been so bent on stealing her grandmother's moon cakes?