Page 13 of Storm

By the time the whirlwind of the evening finally settled and all traces of the frosting explosion had been cleaned up, Brook was utterly exhausted, her body heavy with a pleasant fatigue. Yet, despite her tired limbs and the slight ache in her cheeks from hours of laughter and smiles, she felt a sense of overwhelming joy. A glow of contentment warmed her from the inside out, the kind of happiness that only came from feeling truly connected.

When she’d first met Carlee at the library, Brook had been thrilled to find someone who shared her passion for books.Carlee’s infectious enthusiasm and easy friendship had been a gift. But now, after spending hours with the group of women—sharing stories, laughter, and even a ridiculous, frosting-laden cake fight—Brook felt something deeper. These weren’t just acquaintances or casual companions anymore. They felt like her tribe, a circle of genuine friends who had welcomed her with open arms.

Her heart swelled with gratitude, the realization sinking in that she didn’t just have a friend in Carlee; she had a whole gaggle of women who were her chosen family. And for someone who’d always been a little reserved, a little cautious about letting people in, that was everything.

Around ten, when she could barely keep her eyes open any longer while they watched a movie, Brook sighed and forced herself up from the comfy beanbag seat she’d curled up on.

“I should probably go,” she told Carlee, who was also fighting to stay awake.

“You can stay the night if you want,” Carlee offered as she stood.

Brook hugged her friend and shook her head. “Thank you. I don’t sleep very well without Bubbles.”

Her friend nodded. “I understand. I need at least one of my stuffies otherwise, I won’t get a wink.”

After hugging all the other women who were still awake, Brook grabbed her backpack and smiled when Atlas appeared and explained that he would walk her to her car.

It seemed all these men were overprotective.

And she definitely didn’t hate it.

Storm was outside the clubhouse near her car, talking to another club member. She slowed her steps and kept an eye on him as she approached.

“Night, Brook. Drive home safe,” Atlas said before he retreated inside.

The man who had been talking to Storm suddenly seemed to disappear, leaving her alone in the night with the man who did strange things to her insides.

“I’m following you home,” he informed her matter-of-factly as he grabbed a helmet off the handlebar of a motorcycle.

Was that his bike? Wow. Black and sleek. She’d never ridden and wasn’t sure she would like it, but picturing Storm riding was a sexy thought.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that.”

He arched a brow, his face stern. “I didn’t ask, sunshine. It’s late, dark, and the roads are wet from the rain earlier. I’m following you. Don’t forget to wear your seatbelt.”

It didn’t take a genius to see that he wasn’t going to back down.

She let out a dramatic sigh and opened her door. “Fine. But this is totally unnecessary.”

And a total turn-on.

She would keep that part to herself.

She kept glancing in her rearview mirror even though she really didn’t need to. The low growl of his motorcycle reminded her that he was still there during the entire drive home.

Letting out a sigh, she tightened her hands around the steering wheel. She didn’t need an escort. She’d driven home by herself lots of times in the dark, in the rain, and late at night. And as much as she had wanted to argue that point with him, she was also kind of touched that he took it upon himself to make sure she was safe.

As soon as she parked and stepped out of her car, Storm pulled his bike up behind her and cut the engine.

“You really didn’t need to follow me,” she told him again.

His face was unreadable. It made her shift nervously, unsure if she should say something else or just turn around and walk inside.

“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked.

Surprised by his question, she blinked several times. Why did he care if she had?

“Yes, thank you. I did.” She smiled as she thought about it.

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