From Winter's Ashes: Girl Next Door Crime Romance Series - Book Two by Amy Leigh Simpson Page A

façade. A handshake! If she could gather enough oxygen, she’d probably laugh. After a few deep breaths she returned to the scene of the crime.
    “Interesting choice of weapon, Joss. Did you really think you could brain me to death with this thing?” An amused Finn was in possession of his ever cocky grin and … an umbrella?
    “For real? I thought I grabbed a baseball bat.”
    He glanced up. “Oh Jesus, you are a merciful Lord. But you, little missy, need to explain why you tried to beat me with a baseball bat.” Something shifted in his stare. Amusement drained away leaving nothing to read but a suddenly averted gaze and pronounced chug of his Adam’s apple.
    “I heard gun shots. And then I heard some yelling and talking. I thought—” More gunfire drew her attention to the TV. She dropped her chin to her chest and exhaled a humorless laugh. “ Die Hard . That explains it.”
    “That’s all you have to say?”
    “Well,” she shrugged in defense, “I must be a bit on edge, what, with the attempted murder and all.”
    “You could have destroyed future generations of little Carsons. I think I’m gonna have to hear an actual apology.” He crossed his well-muscled arms over his chest, making her take note of the man that had taken shape from the boy she’d known in high school. Remembering that one and only time those arms had held her. And then ruined her.
    Thank goodness Sadie called when she did.
    “Not a chance. You were not supposed to be here. I was simply defending myself against an intruder. So, if you wish to procreate in the future you should be sure to give a girl a heads up. A simple holler down the hall would have saved little peanut the trauma.” She lifted her chin and held his stubborn gaze.
    “Tell me something. Is it your curiosity that’s driving this slander?” He raised a devilish eyebrow.
    Heat strangled her neck. “No!”
    “You’re trying to invent a flaw because you can’t find one?” He took a step closer.
    She felt her ears warm beneath the cool drape of her hair. “Pfff! As if—”
    “Good. Because as much as I’d like to set the record straight, I am not putting out on the first date.” He smirked, laugh lines forming at the corners of his eyes.
    It all felt a lot like flirting. But it couldn’t be. Not with their track record.
    “But for Pete’s sake, could you put some clothes on? I may not be able to stand your particular breed of snooty princess, but a man can only take so much of you parading that hot little body around. It’s starting to mess with my head.” He averted his eyes again, and Joselyn felt the blood drain from her face.
    And then she looked down. Oh bloody hell. The ultra-lightweight jersey knit of the short robe was plastered like cellophane to her damp skin. There was no mooning this time, but the scuffle had loosened the tie at her waist making each lapel of white fabric meet to create a plunging neckline worthy of a Hollywood starlet. Joselyn stared at the rather graphic display of her modest curves, mouth gaping and mortified for a beat too long before self-preservation kicked in gear and had her running for her room.
    “How does that keep happening? And with him , of all people!” She fell back onto the bed, not sure she could ever show her face to him again.
    “I can hear you, you know?”
    As his voice bounded down the hall, she winced, pressed a pillow over her head, and considered hiding under the covers for the remainder of the evening. It only took a second to decide that that tactic would only fuel his antagonism, so she threw on a pair of black yoga pants and a time-softened white and green baseball tee, courtesy of Sadie. After tossing her straight damp hair with her fingers, Joselyn closed her eyes, absorbing every ounce of composure she could muster, before making her way back out to Finn.
    The nerves she’d fought to wrangle came flooding back through her stomach the moment his eyes touched her. She was completely covered