Free Miss Frost Ices The Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 2) by Kristen Painter Page B

that I was inclined to call in those kinds of favors, but I could . And that had to count for something. I put on my diamond-stud earrings—a college graduation present from my parents—for good measure.
    I grabbed my purse and walked out, picking up the shopping bag with the box in it on my way past the coffee table. “Are you driving?”
    “Happy to, yes.”
    “All right, let’s go.” I stepped toward the door as Greyson stepped toward the window. “Whoa. Do you think we’re jumping off the fire escape again?”
    “I am parked right outside.”
    I sighed. We’d done that only once, but I hadn’t known that’s what we’d been about to do either. It had been sort of fun (terrifying, but better once my feet touched ground), but to do it deliberately was something else.
    He crooked his finger at me and smiled. “I can make it so you don’t notice a thing.”
    Reluctantly, I walked toward him. “How’s that?”
    “You’ll see.” He slipped back onto the fire escape.
    I joined him out there and pulled the window shut. It wasn’t locked, but I wasn’t worried about that. “Okay, what are you going to do?”
    He put his arms around me, still grinning like a fool, and pulled me against him so that there was no gap between us. No gap.
    Then he kissed me again. I let him. It was the least he could do for interrupting my bedtime. Also, he was a tremendous kisser.
    My head went all fizzy, and my stomach followed with a kind of light, floaty feeling.
    Then he pulled back. “See?”
    “See what?”
    He released me to spread his arms wide. “We’re not on the fire escape anymore.”
    I looked around. We were on the sidewalk outside the warehouse door and next to a sleek black muscle car. I hooked my thumb at it. “This yours?”
    “Yes.” Pride gleamed in his eyes.
    “What is it exactly?”
    He ran his hand along the side with the same kind of touch I imagined he’d use on a woman. “A 1969 Camaro.”
    “I suppose now you’re going to tell me how it’s got four on the floor or a super shifter or some other mechanical thing that I don’t understand.”
    He laughed softly. “I don’t know a thing about cars, except that this one is exceptionally good-looking, very fast, and incredibly fun to drive.” He strode around to the passenger’s side. “Now, if you’d be so kind as to get in. There’s another vampire who’d very much like the pleasure of your company.”

I can’t lie. Hugh Ellingham’s house was impressive, but getting to see a magazine-worthy house didn’t make up for missing out on sleep. I could be a little cranky when I was tired. In case you hadn’t noticed.
    At least the ride over had been fun. Greyson hadn’t been lying when he’d said his car went fast.
    An older, silver-haired gentleman let us in. “Very good, you’re here.” He nodded at Greyson. “Mr. Garrett.”
    Greyson nodded back. “Stanhill, this is Jayne Frost. The Winter Princess.”
    Stanhill sketched a bow, which was unexpected and nice. Although unnecessary.
    “Pleased you could join us, Your Highness.”
    I smirked. “You make it sound like I had a choice. And just Jayne, please.”
    Greyson made a little noise in his throat that sounded like a warning. I didn’t want to get him in trouble, but I wasn’t going to be a wilting flower, either. I had the Frost name to protect, after all.
    Stanhill held out his hand toward the house behind him. “Mr. Ellingham is in the library. If you’ll just follow me.”
    And we did, because what choice did we have? But meeting in a library didn’t sound so bad. Especially because you were supposed to be quiet in a library. So, you know, no yelling.
    The room was impressive. And loaded with books, which was cool, but I was more of an e-book girl myself, now that I was in a place where electronics worked.
    The man I assumed to be Hugh Ellingham walked toward us. He was dark-haired and not unattractive, but he was as reserved as Greyson was wild. Even at this late