Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6, Kathleen Brooks [great novels of all time TXT] 📗

his pecs, up to his shoulder, and then to tease the back of his neck, she felt his breath hitch, coming as fast and shallow as hers as their eyes locked.

Paxton slowly lowered his head until his forehead rested on hers. Together they simply breathed each other in.

“I’m sorry, Tinsley.” Paxton’s whispered breath flickered over her cheeks.

Tinsley opened her eyes and looked into his. “For what?”

“I told you I’d protect you,” he whispered as his hand dropped hers only to come up and grab her hair gently. She felt the slight tug as his fingers fisted her hair at the nape of her neck. “But I can’t protect you from me any longer. I tried so hard to do the right thing, but I can’t stop myself. I don’t want to stop myself.”

“Stop yourself from what?” Tinsley’s breath was a little more than a puff of air as she felt her whole body begging to be his.

“I can’t stop from wanting you.”

Paxton’s hand tightened in her hair. He used his grasp to angle her head to his lips. His kiss wasn’t the timid first kiss she normally experienced. No, Paxton kissed the way he lived—all in. There was no hesitation or self-doubt. Paxton took command of her mouth with his and together they sparred for control. He pushed and Tinsley pushed back. When the kiss finally ended, they were both clutching the other and breathing heavily.

“I should be sorry. I find that I’m not sorry at all. Goodnight, Tins,” Paxton said as he brushed back some strands of hair from her cheek with his fingertips.

“I’m not either. Good night, Paxton.” Tinsley rose up on her tiptoes and placed a soft kiss on his lips before slipping into her bedroom.

She fell onto her bed and stared at the ceiling as her fingers touched her mouth. Wow, that had been everything she’d ever dreamed of in a kiss. Paxton was worth fighting for. They were worth fighting for. Now Tinsley was going to show him just that.

9

Tinsley woke to the smell of brewing coffee. She heard Paxton in the kitchen and grabbed a hair tie on her way downstairs. By the time she made it to the kitchen she had her long hair in a sloppy bun and her robe tied.

“Good morning, Paxton,” Tinsley said as she spied him making eggs.

“Right on time. Your breakfast is ready.” Paxton set down a plate of eggs and toast and poured Tinsley a cup of coffee. “What is on the schedule today, boss?”

“I thought we could start laying the groundwork for our call to Maurice. What work do you need to do before we see him?” Tinsley asked.

Paxton took a seat across the small kitchen table from her. “I think I should be in contact with local law enforcement in case we need backup. Do you know them?”“Yes, I do. I can call them if you’d like.”

“Do you trust them?” Preston asked before taking a sip of his coffee.

“There’s no one I trust more.” Tinsley gave a little smile when Paxton acted as if he were wounded by her answer. She pulled out her cell phone and sent a quick text to Granger, the sheriff of Shadows Landing. Within seconds he texted her back. “We can meet him at the sheriff’s station in an hour.”

“Eat up. Today we lay the groundwork to trap Maurice and Murray.”

Paxton insisted on taking his own car in case he needed to run errands while Tinsley was at work. He followed her closely to the sheriff’s station and soon they were chatting with the secretary as they waited for Granger.

“Show them back, please,” Granger’s voice sounded over the intercom.

Tinsley waved the secretary back to her seat. “I know the way. See you at self-defense.”

Tinsley took the lead and Paxton followed her to Granger’s office.

“Hey, Granger. This is Paxton Kendry. He’s the FBI agent in charge of art crimes. He wanted to meet with you about the case we’re working.”

“That you are working?” Granger asked as he raised an eyebrow at Tinsley.

“That she’s assisting me with,” Paxton answered for her.

Tinsley put her hands on her hips and turned to face him. “Excuse me, but I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten you real, usable evidence and two suspects. What have you done so far?”

Granger sat back in his chair and grinned. “This sounds like Tinsley’s case. Something super dangerous like a man in his basement who forges art?”

Tinsley saw Paxton’s eyes narrow as they both measured each other’s mettle.

“High-end art thieves involved with a dangerous gang, actually. I’m sorry I interrupted you doing . . . well, nothing.”

Granger stopped smiling and glared. Tinsley rolled her eyes. “Paxton, don’t be an ass. Granger, don’t be a jerk. This is what we’ve got.” Tinsley began to explain to Granger about the case until she could tell he was interested. Then she let Paxton take over as they discussed Tinsley’s role, the security setup, what evidence he was hoping to collect, and what, if anything, Paxton needed from Granger. Granger called in Kord, the deputy sheriff, and they went to work detailing the ins and outs of the town. Tinsley took a seat and let the professionals finish making plans. It was her job to draw Maurice and Murray into the gallery for the sale. As soon as the sale was complete, Paxton would have the evidence needed to arrest them.

Paxton stood up and shook Granger’s and Kord’s hands. The three of them were smiling as they ended their meeting. Apparently the bond between law enforcement professionals had won them over, once they stopped acting like idiots.

“Hey, Tins. Can I have a private word with Paxton? It won’t take but a second,” Granger asked but it wasn’t a request. Tinsley nodded and thanked them for their time. The door had just closed when she heard Granger’s deep voice.

“What are you doing with her, Kendry?”

“That’s none of your business,” Tinsley heard Paxton snap back. Whatever camaraderie had formed was gone in a second as she shamelessly eavesdropped.

“She’s my