Page 69 of Smoke Screen
“No. Something with Ash and me. I was wrong. I’m on my way to apologize.”
Good of him, she supposed, to accept responsibility. Another thing she’d add to the list of things she liked about Phin Blackwell. None of it, however, changed the fact that her being in residence created problems.
“Obviously, me being here is not good.”
“Stop. Please. There’s no reason for you to leave.” He hit her with his Charlie Charm smile. “The horse, as they say, has already left the barn.”
She mimicked his smile. “Well, CC, I’m putting the horse back in.”
“Good one. But, really, it’s unnecessary. This is about me and Ash. We’re brothers. We fight. We make up. It’s all good.” Finally, he let go of her. “Let’s go into the kitchen, get you breakfast while I swalloweveryounce of my ego, and apologize to my brother.”
And, oh. My. God.First, he’d protected her from the press. Then he’d brought her to his home. Now, he was fighting with his brother for her? Which, really, she didn’t want.
At all. And yet, the flutter. The swish. Her drug of choice that created an insanely warm and tickling feeling in her belly.
How she loved that swish.
She stood, allowing it to happen. After the last couple of days, what could be better than allowing herself that tiny bit of euphoria?
No.
Where Phin was concerned, she couldn’t get ahead of herself. Couldn’t get too attached to him because of the swish. Not with her being the number one target of an FBI investigation.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m causing you grief and you’re still helping me.”
“Eh, I kinda like having you around.” He leaned in, got close to her ear. “I had fun last night. Talking and watching the stars.”
She pulled back and met his gaze, watching as the alluring blue turned a hot, stormy gray. Fascinating man.
She rose to her tiptoes, her body begging for the closeness they’d shared last night.
Wait.
Inches from his mouth, she stopped, hit the brakes so hard her body nearly bucked. Talk about a conflict of interest. She’d already caused Phin enough problems. Getting busted sucking face wouldn’t help.
It damn near killed her, but she stepped back.
“Later,” he whispered.
Heat filled her cheeks, and he let out a quiet laugh. “Maddy, you’re burning a hole right through me. I kinda love that about you.” He jerked his head toward the kitchen. “Let’s get you some food.”
She followed Phin to where Lynette stood behind the massive island, her hands casually resting on either side of her. Special Agent Blackwell sat on a barstool directly across from her, a giant plate of food in front of him.
“Are those fresh biscuits?” Phin asked, drawing Lynette and his brother’s attention.
“They are.” Lynette pointed to the open stools next to her eldest son. “Both of you, sit. I have bacon, eggs, and sausage. Maddy, do you like eggs?”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”
Special Agent Blackwell studied her for a few seconds, his face displaying nothing. “Morning,” he said.
“Hi,” Maddy said, stepping straight into the land of awkward.
Yeesh. What a start to the day.
“Maddy,” Lynette said, “how was your night? Sleep okay?”
“I slept great. It’s so peaceful here.”
