Page 10 of Sizzling

“Take a long drink first,” he suggested, nodding to the flask I’d stuck between my legs to hold it.

I did as he’d said, and the burn from the amber liquid didn’t even compare to the pain in my shoulder. Once I felt the lightheaded sensation, I stopped and held it out to him. When he took it, I inhaled deeply, then decided to make this quick. Like ripping a Band-Aid off.

Sitting up, I swung my legs over and started to get out when I lost my balance. Storm’s arms were around me. A musk, mixed with tobacco, scent met my nose, and I leaned in closer to inhale deeper.

Was this cologne or just him? I wanted a bottle of it.

“Are you trying to fall on your face? I’d have thought someone like you would protect her prized possession a little more than that.”

His words snapped me out of the momentary haze I’d been in from the smell that clung to his body.

Jerking back from him, I straightened and glared at him. “Just take me to the doctor.”

He kept his hand wrapped around my arm as if he needed to steady me. “Gladly. Can you walk without falling?”

“Yes!” I sneered.

He let go of me slowly, as if testing that statement. I motioned with my good arm for him to lead the way. His jaw ticced like he was clenching his teeth before he turned and headed toward the steps leading up to the porch. If I wasn’t in so much pain, I would stop and appreciate the flower gardens as we walked past several. Seeing as I was concentrating on keeping myself upright, I didn’t do that.

The front door opened, and a petite, older woman with platinum-blonde hair styled in a short bob stepped outside. The pink apron she wore with white eyelet piping made her appear like the grandmother in one of those commercials I’d imagined earlier.

Where were we?

“Storm Kingston, I know you’re not leaving an injured woman to just walk by herself,” the woman said in a stern voice as she looked at Storm. When her eyes shifted to me, her gaze softened. “Poor thing. We will get you fixed up.” Then, she waved a hand toward me as she glared at Storm. “Get yourself over there and help her. She’s in a mess of pain. Look at how pale that pretty face is.”

Storm sighed as he turned around to me. “Might as well let me help you. She’s not gonna let this go any other way.”

I looked from him back to her. Was this his grandmother? She was too old to be his mother.

“I’m fine,” I explained. “He tried to help me. I told him I didn’t need it.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Well, that’s not true. Even a man can see it. At least a smart one like Storm. There is no shame in admitting you need some help,” she said as she walked down the stairs, headed straight for me.

Storm stepped back, letting her pass with an amused grin tugging at his mouth.

“Come now,” she said, wrapping an arm around my waist.

I was several inches taller than her, but the way she held on to me with more strength than I’d expected made her appear as if she could pick me up if needed to, which was silly.

I glanced up at Storm as we passed him, and he continued to look as if this was amusing.

“Briar, meet Maeme. We all do what she says. Might as well accept that she will get her way and go with it.”

“That’s a straight-up lie, and the good Lord knows it. Like right this minute, there are at least two of my boys in the kitchen, eating the cookies I told them not to touch. They don’t listen to nothing. Not one thing.”

Walking up the stairs hurt more than I’d expected, but when we reached the top of them, I caught my breath and tried to breathe through the pulsing ache until it eased into discomfort. Once it did, I looked down at her.

“Boys?” I asked, curious as to who she was to Storm.

She nodded. “Yes, boys. The lot of them.”

“Is Storm your grandson?”

She smiled. “You could say that. They all are even if not by blood. Family isn’t just about blood. A bond is a bond, and family is family. Don’t matter how, just means they are.”

I had no idea what that meant. I didn’t ask for clarification because I felt like I wasn’t supposed to understand it.

“Doc D is gonna fix you right up,” she said.

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