Page 28 of Storm

Storm froze for a second, caught off guard. “She does?”

Atlas scoffed, leaning against the door frame with a knowing grin. “Idiot. Even I see it.”

Warmth flooded Storm’s chest, unexpected and almost overwhelming. He sank back into his chair, letting the words settle. He knew he had strong feelings for Brook—feelings that scared him in their intensity—but he’d been unsure if she felt the same. They didn’t know each other well yet, and he couldn’t shake the doubt that his grumpy, brooding personality might push her away in the end.

“I like her,” he admitted finally. “It’s not that easy, though.”

Ivy tipped her head to the side, her brows knitting in concern. “Why not?”

Storm let out a deep breath, staring at her for a moment, weighing up whether to share the mess of his past. The guys knew the baggage he carried from his ex, but he’d never told the girls the ins and outs of what happened. Maybe that was part of why they’d thought he disliked them—he’d always kept his distance.

“Because eventually, she’s going to want someone better,” he said gruffly. “Someone happier, less grumpy, less… moody. Someone who deserves her. She’ll find someone like that, the same way my ex did.”

Remi’s little growl would’ve been intimidating if it weren’t so adorable. It sounded more like a kitten hissing, and Storm couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Fuck that bitch,” Remi snapped, her tiny fist slamming on the table. “Your ex was a skanky bitch, faker than my glue-on eyelashes.”

“Remi!” Atlas barked at his sister, his tone sharp, though his lips, fighting a laugh.

Remi shrugged, utterly unbothered. “What? I’m just telling the truth. I met Emmaline when you were together, and she was rude, whiny—and not in a good way—and she treated you like crap. She wasn’t even Little. That was obvious to me, but you must’ve been blinded by her vagina or something.”

“Remi!” Storm and Atlas shouted at the same time, though the other two girls dissolved into giggles.

Storm rubbed a hand over his face, shaking his head. He hadn’t realized Remi knew that much about Emmaline. It had been years ago, back when Remi didn’t spend nearly as much time at the clubhouse. Before she met her Daddy, Kade.

Carlee’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Our point is, Brook is a true Little. She’s not fake. And yeah, she’s not grumpy like you, but she likes the quiet life, too. She hangs out with us, but she needs time to decompress, just like you do.”

Ivy nodded in agreement. “And as much as you think women don’t like your grumpy side, it’s actually kind of hot. You may walk around scowling, acting all pissed off, but we know you have a good heart. What woman wouldn’t want a guy who’s an asshole to everyone else but soft for her?”

Storm groaned, holding out his hand. “Okay, that’s it. Give me my money back. You brats have been cursing this entire conversation.”

Carlee rolled her eyes dramatically but slapped the ten-dollar bill into his palm. “Don’t change the subject, Stormy-Normy,” Remi said, sounding rarely serious. “Love doesn’t have to be hard. With the right person, it usually isn’t. Don’t let your shitty ex decide your future. You’ll regret it if you don’t take a chance with Brook.”

Storm hated to admit it, but she was right. Deep down, he felt it—the pull toward Brook, the certainty that she was meant to be his. She was the missing piece he hadn’t known he was searching for.

“Well,” he leaned back in his chair, “you’ll be thrilled to know that, for now, Iamher Daddy.”

The explosion of squeals and excited screams made his ears ring, but he couldn’t help the smile that stretched across his face.

“I knew it would happen,” Carlee said smugly.

He held up a hand to silence them. “We’re taking it slow and seeing where things go.”

There was only one problem with that plan: he didn’twantto take it slowly. He wanted Brook in his bed every night. Hell, he wanted her in his life completely, and they hadn’t even had sex yet. And the more he thought about it, the more Storm knew he’d never settle for anything less.

By the time Storm pulled up to Brook’s workplace, the day had dragged endlessly, his mind a tangle of thoughts andhis patience worn thin. After his conversation with the Littles earlier, he’d retreated to the shop, immersing himself in the meticulous task of inspecting Brook’s car. The accident had left little more than a faint scratch on her bumper—nothing structural, nothing alarming—but he’d gone over every inch of it anyway. The other guy’s car was likely just as unscathed, making an insurance claim probably unnecessary. Yet, even after ensuring her car’s safety, a restless unease had settled in his chest, refusing to budge.

When he spotted Brook stepping outside alongside a coworker, it was as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders. The tightness in his muscles eased, replaced by a soothing contentment that rolled over him like a balm. He hadn’t even realized how tense he’d been until the sight of her brought relief.

She waved goodbye to her coworker and skipped toward him—skipped.The lightness in her step sent a pang of warmth straight to his chest. Storm climbed out of his truck, rounding the hood to open the door for her. As she stopped in front of him, her cheeks flushed a delicate, rosy pink, and her gaze dropped shyly to the ground.

He tilted his head, studying her.She’s not used to being looked at like this, is she?Openly. Directly. With every ounce of his focus.

“Hey, pretty girl,” he murmured, his voice rougher than he intended as he reached out, pulling her gently into his chest. The moment she was there, he knew—she fit. Perfectly. She was made to be in his arms.

“Thanks for picking me up,” she whispered, slipping her arms around his waist as she let out a soft sigh. The sound was so full of trust that it undid him a little. Did she feel the same sense of calm seeing him that he felt seeing her?

“Anytime, sunshine. Ready to go home? Atlas is bringing your car to your place later. It’s good to go.”

She lifted her head, her sparkling eyes locking onto his. Her lips—plump and glistening with cherry-scented gloss—curved into a smile, the sight teasing his senses and testing his restraint. His cock twitched as he stared, and he clenched his jaw. He’d never thought of himself as ruled by lust, but with Brook, everything was different. She unraveled him in ways he hadn’t known were possible.

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