Read Online From Winter's Ashes: Girl Next Door Crime Romance Series - Book Two by Amy Leigh Simpson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amy Leigh Simpson
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were tangled together and both of his arms were fastened around her, holding her tight.
Why were they on the couch together? And what was wrong with her? He removed his traitorous arms from the object of his disdain, and a horrified scream rent from her throat. Without a thought, he surrounded her again, and she fell silent, pacified by his embrace but still whimpering against his damp neck.
“Joss, wake up.” He shook her gently. “Joss.” He shook a little harder.
A deep gasp filled her lungs. For excruciatingly long moments she clung to him, burrowing deeper, seeking refuge. A desperation in her touch as if she was holding on for her life. He felt the moment awareness took hold. A half a second later she’d shoved off of him and scrambled to the other side of the couch. But then he saw her. Really saw her.
Tears bled down her face, refilled and magnified the terrified look in her eyes—a look that would haunt him as long as he lived.
“Joss, it’s okay.” But it wasn’t okay. He felt the same terror he’d seen on her face every time he woke from his nightmares. Yes, life moved on. But the past was an abuser with an insatiable appetite for pain.
He touched her arm in comfort, but she jerked away and buried her face in her hands. Her muted sobs evidenced in the quivering of her shoulders.
And then, as if he’d imagined the whole thing, Snow Whyte returned. Her spine straightened. Elegant fingers delicately dusted away the tears from splotchy skin and her stricken expression wiped clean into a placid mask. “Sorry about that.” She sniffed.
“Uhh … Are you all right?”
Joselyn nodded, the lines of her face now smooth and serene. “I’m fine.” But despite her mannequin act her lip trembled. She bit down on it to squelch her tell.
It wasn’t at all funny, but Finn fought the urge to smile. Her façade was slipping. He’d caught a glimpse of vulnerability behind the screen of indifference.
Maybe Joselyn Whyte had a heart after all.
Ahh. It was amazing what a decent night’s rest could do for his disposition. Finn rolled out of bed with a spring in his step, had a good morning wrestle with his pup, and then scrambled some eggs for breakfast, replaying the events of the night before in his mind.
Joselyn had retired to her room long before Sadie and Archer returned from their date. Since Finn was restless he utilized the downtime to prepare a lesson for the youth group kids he mentored—and to keep his mind off of other things.
Though emotionally the evening had run the gamut, he felt oddly rested. He’d only woken from his nightmares twice—a refreshing change of pace from the usual bihourly shock therapy. He couldn’t recall what he’d dreamt about after he’d collapsed into his bed at midnight, but he woke up feeling better than he had in months.
After taking the pup out to do his business, Finn showered and dressed in a plaid button up shirt in shades of blue and gray, dark blue jeans, and gray Converse, taking a few more moments to peruse his lesson plan. The scriptures noted were hard-hitting, and he swallowed back a derisive laugh at the irony of the truths he’d planned to teach today.
Though he’d been raised by stern but warm parents, for many years he’d struggled with feelings of inadequacy. The middle child, Finn took second string to his talented, athletic, and good-looking older brother, Jay, in every arena. Their younger sister, Sadie, may not have become the frilly debutant his mother had tried to fashion, but she’d been insanely bright and driven and rule-abiding. So Finn, not having any particular niche or talent, had honed and perfected his bluff early on, wielding confidence like a shield to cover nearly desperate longings to earn acceptance. To be more than merely adequate and overlooked. And to maybe, for once in his life, be chosen first.
So yeah, maybe he was still there trying to prove himself, but he wanted to protect these kids against the burden of
Why were they on the couch together? And what was wrong with her? He removed his traitorous arms from the object of his disdain, and a horrified scream rent from her throat. Without a thought, he surrounded her again, and she fell silent, pacified by his embrace but still whimpering against his damp neck.
“Joss, wake up.” He shook her gently. “Joss.” He shook a little harder.
A deep gasp filled her lungs. For excruciatingly long moments she clung to him, burrowing deeper, seeking refuge. A desperation in her touch as if she was holding on for her life. He felt the moment awareness took hold. A half a second later she’d shoved off of him and scrambled to the other side of the couch. But then he saw her. Really saw her.
Tears bled down her face, refilled and magnified the terrified look in her eyes—a look that would haunt him as long as he lived.
“Joss, it’s okay.” But it wasn’t okay. He felt the same terror he’d seen on her face every time he woke from his nightmares. Yes, life moved on. But the past was an abuser with an insatiable appetite for pain.
He touched her arm in comfort, but she jerked away and buried her face in her hands. Her muted sobs evidenced in the quivering of her shoulders.
And then, as if he’d imagined the whole thing, Snow Whyte returned. Her spine straightened. Elegant fingers delicately dusted away the tears from splotchy skin and her stricken expression wiped clean into a placid mask. “Sorry about that.” She sniffed.
“Uhh … Are you all right?”
Joselyn nodded, the lines of her face now smooth and serene. “I’m fine.” But despite her mannequin act her lip trembled. She bit down on it to squelch her tell.
It wasn’t at all funny, but Finn fought the urge to smile. Her façade was slipping. He’d caught a glimpse of vulnerability behind the screen of indifference.
Maybe Joselyn Whyte had a heart after all.
Ahh. It was amazing what a decent night’s rest could do for his disposition. Finn rolled out of bed with a spring in his step, had a good morning wrestle with his pup, and then scrambled some eggs for breakfast, replaying the events of the night before in his mind.
Joselyn had retired to her room long before Sadie and Archer returned from their date. Since Finn was restless he utilized the downtime to prepare a lesson for the youth group kids he mentored—and to keep his mind off of other things.
Though emotionally the evening had run the gamut, he felt oddly rested. He’d only woken from his nightmares twice—a refreshing change of pace from the usual bihourly shock therapy. He couldn’t recall what he’d dreamt about after he’d collapsed into his bed at midnight, but he woke up feeling better than he had in months.
After taking the pup out to do his business, Finn showered and dressed in a plaid button up shirt in shades of blue and gray, dark blue jeans, and gray Converse, taking a few more moments to peruse his lesson plan. The scriptures noted were hard-hitting, and he swallowed back a derisive laugh at the irony of the truths he’d planned to teach today.
Though he’d been raised by stern but warm parents, for many years he’d struggled with feelings of inadequacy. The middle child, Finn took second string to his talented, athletic, and good-looking older brother, Jay, in every arena. Their younger sister, Sadie, may not have become the frilly debutant his mother had tried to fashion, but she’d been insanely bright and driven and rule-abiding. So Finn, not having any particular niche or talent, had honed and perfected his bluff early on, wielding confidence like a shield to cover nearly desperate longings to earn acceptance. To be more than merely adequate and overlooked. And to maybe, for once in his life, be chosen first.
So yeah, maybe he was still there trying to prove himself, but he wanted to protect these kids against the burden of
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