Free Designed to Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery) by Christina Freeburn Page A

entrance.
    “You are looking for stuff.”
    He plopped the large tub by the back door and scanned the wall.
    I watched Ted. What did the man plan on doing?
    He rested his hands at his waist and took a few steps back, examining the back of the building.
    Curiosity got the best of me. “Something in particular you’re looking for?”
    “A faucet.”
    “A faucet?”
    Ted nodded. “The thing that water comes out of and you can attach a hose to it.”
    I glanced in the tub. A scrub brush, detergent and bleach were nestled inside. My heart pitter-pattered. Ted had come to clean up. “Thanks.”
    Ted jerked his head and stared at me with wide eyes and a hint of an interested smile.
    Ugh. The simple word came out breathy. Not what I intended. I pointed to the left. “It’s at the far corner.”
    “I don’t know if my hose will reach.”
    “We have one in the backroom. I can get it. If it’s okay.”
    “If it wasn’t okay, I wouldn’t have been out here to clean up.”
    The warmness in my heart got a little cold. I pressed back a relieved smile. Just like Ted to change my opinion of him in a heartbeat with an annoyed comment. I was amazed this man even thought I was capable of planning a crime, much less committing one, as he seldom gave me credit for anything.
    Except for getting into trouble and on his nerves.
    “I’ll be right back.” I unlocked the back door and marched into the store with my head tipped up. Ted’s attitude wouldn’t bother me at all, or at least not enough for him to get a reaction out of me.
    Before I reached the hose, my foot snagged the edge of a box. An involuntary screech flew from my mouth as my body pitched forward. My hands shot forward to break my fall. Fortunately, in front of me were more boxes so I landed on cardboard filled with packs of paper rather than the cement.
    “What’s wrong?” Ted was at my side, gun in hand.
    “I tripped.” I pushed myself up from the boxes with only a twinge in one wrist. I rotated my left hand, hoping to work out the kink. I grimaced.
    Ted holstered his gun. “Let me see.”
    “It’s nothing.” I tried to hide my hand but Ted was quicker.
    Gently, he touched and examined every inch of my wrist, lingering a little too long on my pulse.
    “Told you. It’s fine.” I croaked out.
    Ted’s gaze locked onto mine. I saw the heat in his green eyes. My heart rate picked up speed. I didn’t want him looking at me like that.
    Oh yes you do.
    Ted raised my hand, never taking his eyes off of me. “A kiss to make it better.”
    No. No. No. Even as I screamed the words in my head, and told my body to tug my arm away, another part of my brain shut me down. My knees quaked and I held my breath, yearning to feel his lips on my wrist. I shouldn’t listen to the part of me begging for the simple act of tender care from a man who should be off limits.
    Another man I shouldn’t have in my life.
    The word “another” was like a cooler full of cold water being dumped over my head. Rational thought returned. Along with guilt and something that almost felt like betrayal. For a woman who swore off romance, and vowed she’d be single for the rest of her life, I sure did have one too many options tugging at my heart.
    I yanked my hand away. “I see the hose.”
    “I’ll get it.” Ted said, the words almost sounding like a growl.
    I waited for him to drag it outside before I followed. No way was I taking the chance of tripping over the hose and falling into him. I didn’t know if I could defeat temptation twice in less than two minutes.
    Why should you?
    The pout entered into my head. It was a good question. Why should I feel like I was betraying Steve? Steve and I weren’t officially dating. Then why did I get so bent out of shape—jealous—when Karen touched him. Was it because it was Karen, or because someone treaded where I thought only I belonged? And if I felt that way, why did I insist on keeping Steve at arm’s length?
    I shook my head. I needed