One Night with a Hero by Laura Kaye

far.”
    She huffed. “You mean, besides learning you’ll have the pleasure of my company as your neighbor?”
    And there was the reappearance of that blazing dark gaze. “Will I, now?”
    “Oh, my God. I didn’t mean it like that .” Although… No. Nonono. “You really do excel at pain in the ass, don’t you?”
    Brady shrugged, all traces of his earlier annoyance gone. “So, seriously though, what were you doing?”
    “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone had moved in. When did you, anyway?”
    “Friday night. And ‘moving in’ is a relative term since I own almost nothing yet.”
    “Well, that explains it. I was at the center late on Friday. Anyway…I was trying to put together a really freaking annoying bookcase. If it makes it up to you any, I smashed my fingers at least three times.” She held up her hand to show him the discoloration forming under her thumbnail.
    He grimaced. “Damn. That’s gonna leave a mark. Well, I could help you later, if you want. You know, after you go put a bra on. Though, don’t do it on my account.”
    Her hand whipped out and smacked his chest. “Shut up.”
    He leaned in and whispered, “You know, it’s entirely possible I’ve already seen your breasts.”
    Joss scoffed, her nipples perking up at the reminder. She crossed her arms again. “Yeah, but that was different.”
    His expression was all skepticism. “I can’t wait to hear this.”
    “Well, just, that was, you know, during…”
    He waved a hand and urged her to continue. “During…”
    “ You know . You’re totally ruining the good-guy-vibe you had going on a minute ago there with your offer of help.”
    “Sweetness, don’t ever confuse me with a good guy.”
    Something in her gut didn’t like that he’d said that about himself. All she could picture was the way he’d treated the homeless man. She’d always believed you could tell a lot about a person’s character by how they treated those who could do nothing for them. Given how she’d grown up, she would know. For a moment, she got tangled in things she wanted to say to him, but shouldn’t. She shook her head and gave him a small smile.
    They stood looking at one another, neither speaking.
    “So…,” she said.
    “Well,” he began at the same time.
    They chuckled.
    A screen door slammed closed across the courtyard, and Brady glanced away. “Where’s your truck, anyway?” He nodded at the empty space in front of her house. Each unit had one space in the circular lot inside the courtyard. Now, like their houses, even their assigned parking spaces were side by side.
    “Oh. Someone was in my spot when I got home last night. I wasn’t up to knocking on doors about it so I just parked down the street.”
    Brady nodded. “Ah. Well, sorry I interrupted your construction project.” He took a step back.
    “I’m the one who should apologize. I really didn’t know anyone was over there yet.”
    He shrugged. “No harm done,” he said as he stepped down off her stoop. “Have a good day, Joss.”
    “You too,” she said, hating to see him go, but knowing she’d be seeing a lot more of him. Her stomach fluttered.
    “Hey,” he called as he reached his porch. “Know any good places for breakfast around here? I don’t exactly have food.”
    “Oh, sure. There are a couple diners close by, and there’s a coffee shop and some fast food restaurants in the shopping center up the street.” Don’t say it . “Or—” She glanced down at her feet and wiggled her toes.
    “Or?”
    She peered through her lashes at him. “Or you could join me for breakfast. Coffee’s on. And I’m kinda badass with a waffle maker.”

Chapter Five
    Brady’s instincts were shouting “retreat” while his stomach was all about the homemade waffles. He looked at his door with the word “no” on his lips, but it was just breakfast with his new neighbor, for fuck’s sake. Your very hot new neighbor. Who you slept with last ni— “You know what?