Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles) by Elle J Rossi Read Free Book Online Page A

a match and a candle came to life. She shuffled to the bathroom, splashed water on her face and quickly brushed her teeth, mumbling to herself the entire time.
    Shadows played across her exquisite mouth and highlighted her sharp cheekbones. Her profile intrigued him. Everything about her intrigued him. So much so, he wanted to crawl inside her body and introduce himself to her soul.
    Candle in hand, Josie turned, and nearly blew out the flame on a rush of breath. Even in the dark, Keller saw the fury crackling in her eyes.
    “How did you get in my apartment?” she demanded. “Why aren’t you wearing a shirt? Get out of my bed!”
    Hearing her voice after hours of silence was like drinking a cold beer in the heat of summer. What he remembered it to be anyway. Ecstasy. “Sage invited me in, and you’re not wearing any pants. I’d say that makes us even.” He thought he should smile, try for friendly, but he didn’t have the energy the motion required. As it were, he could hardly keep himself propped up on his elbow. Not that he would let his weakness show. He watched her and knew he would suffer forever if he had to.
    She glanced down before leveling him with a look made of equal parts fire and ice. “I’m gonna kill her.”
    “No, you won’t kill her. You love her too much. Besides, the circumstances called for it.”
    Huffing, Josie turned, set the jarred candle on her dresser, and bent to root around the pile of clothes on the floor.
    Now Keller smiled. How could he not with a view like that? Lush and plentiful curves.
    She tugged a pair of sweats over her creamy legs. Unfortunate, that. He expected her to retrieve one of her blades. She didn’t. His smile widened. Perhaps they were making progress.
    “What are you smiling at, and why the hell aren’t you moving?” Josie asked, hands on hips.
    “I’m not leaving.”
    Rolling her eyes, she said, “Oh, well, in that case.”
    Her exaggerated tone had him stifling a laugh.
    She stepped closer. “What’s wrong with you? Why does your voice sound like that?”
    “So many questions,” was all he could manage to say. Rest. Just for a moment. Eyes closed, he let his head fall off his hand and smack the pillow.
    “Look here, Irish. This isn’t Motel 6.” She tugged on his arm. “You need to get up and out of here.” She pulled harder. When he didn’t move, she let go and groaned out a sigh full of frustration.
    Keller popped one eye open. “We’re not going anywhere. Take a look outside. Besides,” he said, flicking a hand in her direction. “You need to rest more. You were hurt pretty badly.”
    “Wrong answer. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”
    He let his gaze skim over her body when she moved to the window. More than fine, Keller thought. “You have Sage and I to thank for that.”
    Another eye roll. “I don’t need, and I certainly didn’t ask for your help.”
    “You’re welcome anyway.”
    Josie shoved the blinds to the side, leaned against the wall and crossed her legs at her ankles. “What the hell?”
    “Blizzard,” he said, closing his eyes again. Two minutes. No more than three.
    “This is Nashville. We don’t do blizzards. I seriously don’t have time for this shit.”
    Chuckling, Keller turned to his side and pushed the thought of a nap from his mind. “I think you forgot to relay that information to the weather gods. You’ve definitely got more than the makings of a blizzard out there.”
    “How long?” She plopped on the bed and then shot straight up as if the mattress were made of hot coals.
    How long would he wait for her? How long had the snow been falling? How long since he’d slid into the heat of a woman? Forever. Not long enough. Too long. “How long what, Josephine?”
    “I’m only going to ask nicely one more time. Please, do not call me that.”
    He nodded, which was not to say he was by any means agreeing with her. And if that was her idea of asking nicely, Keller sure had his work cut out for