Page 10 of Capture My Heart

He raised his hands in a don’t-shoot gesture. “Whoa, simmer down. I see the suspicion in those baby blues of yours, but I didn’t think you’d turn into a honey badger.”

“What the hell? Honey badger?” She shook her head. “I should have expected a comment like that from a man with a pet skunk.”

“Can’t say I planned on a skunk, but Stinky’s an awesome pet. Let me guess, you're a cat person.”

“I don’t mind cats.” She blew out in exasperation. “Don’t distract me.”

“Sorry.” He bit his lip, but she saw his smile fighting to pop free.

Damn, he was so freakin’ cute right now.

Stop it. She slapped down her inner flirty girl. No way she’d let that bitch out to play. At least, not until she knew what this guy's angle was.

She reeled in her emotions and put on her cop-face.

“Did you realize my brother just got out of prison?”

“Yes.” He put on a serious face, too. Amy had to admit, it was a good one. She wouldn’t want to have him interview her. Not sure where that thought came from, she’d examine it later. She had more pressing issues. Tommy.

“And not knowing him, you offer him a job. Can you see why that would raise suspicions in me?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Officer Larson, he told me he was your brother. The kid needs a job and I’m willing to bet you're invested in him staying on the straight and narrow.”

“Yes, I am, but are you?” She narrowed her gaze at him. Her stance widened and her hand rested on her bag, inches from her firearm.

His head rolled back, and he laughed.

What the…? She slipped her hand into her bag.

“No need to shoot me, Officer Larson. You can remove your hand from your sidearm.”

How the hell did he know—

“Let’s just say I’ve dealt with enough cops to know the signs.”

She eased her hand out of her bag. His smile did nothing to ease the pounding in her chest. “Get to the point.”

“Alright. First, I didn’t offer him a job, I asked for a resume. Second, he said you were his sister and you were riding his ass. I knew you were a cop and figured—” He shrugged. “The kid needed a break. You’re my tenant. I don’t make it a practice of going around offering new parolees a job.”

Analyzing his body movement, tone, and what he said, she didn’t get any weird vibes. The guy seemed to be a good guy. She didn’t like it, but he may be just what he seemed. “Okay, but I will be keeping a close eye on you.”

That damn sexy smile slipped to his lips. “I look forward to it.”

He turned back to the entry and left her on the stairs. The zip that ran down her spine had her wondering if this was the start of something really good or… a slip into hell. His devilish smile popped into her head. Only time will tell.

Amy had only been in her apartment for five minutes when her brother walked in. “I know I gave you a key, but when I’m home, you could knock.”

“It’s not like you stripped naked in the living room in what? The few minutes it took me to come up here.” He slurped the top of the energy drink can.

She rolled her eyes. He was still the kid who used to play Call of Duty until three in the morning. “Sorry, I missed our morning workout yesterday.”

His eyes dropped, and he picked at the hem of his T-shirt. “No biggie.”

“It was. I know what day it was. Did you go to the cemetery?”

He nodded. “I took Mom.”

For the last three years, she had taken her mother to her father’s grave on the anniversary of his death. Tommy couldn’t get a pass for good behavior. “I bet she was happy you were with her this year.”