Page 25 of Storm

Then he stepped out of the way to let her shut him out, his gaze locked with hers until they were unable to see each other. She set the deadbolt and rose to her tiptoes to watch Storm walk away through the peephole.

Wow.

That was…intense.

Resting her hand over her racing heart, Brook sighed and blinked several times.

She could hardly wait to talk to Carlee about this. It would have to wait until tomorrow, though. Her Daddy had given her tasks to do, and she didn’t want to be naughty right out of the gate.

Storm arrived at her door at exactly seven-thirty, punctual to the last second. When Brook opened it, the sight of him stole her breath. The fitted, white Henley he wore clung to his broad chest and muscular shoulders, the fabric stretched just enough to hint at the tattoos winding up his forearms. It made her mouth godry the instant she let him in, and she had to remind herself to breathe.

“Carlee told me you like chai tea,” he said, holding out a cup from the local coffee shop. “I told them not to make it too hot, but I didn’t trust them, so I tried it to make sure it wouldn’t burn you.”

Her eyes widened, her gaze darting from the steaming cup to his dark, steady eyes. Staring up at him, her lips parted in surprise. “That’s... really considerate.” She spoke so quietly her words came out on a breath.

As she took the cup, her fingers brushed his, and for a fleeting moment, her brain seemed to short-circuit.

Get it together.You cannot get all hot and bothered over him testing your drink.

Storm shrugged, the movement casual, and his lips curved into a slight smirk. “Don’t worry,” he said, leaning against the door frame with an effortless confidence that made her knees feel weak. “I didn’t drink much. Just enough to be a hero.”

Was he being funny?Brook blinked.Does Storm actually have a sense of humor?

She giggled, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Oh, a hero, huh? Did you save kittens from trees on the way here, too?”

“No trees,” he replied smoothly, his tone full of mock seriousness. “But I did help an adorable Little girl yesterday who was in a minor accident. It’s all in a day’s work.”

Brook shook her head, trying to stifle her smile as she stepped back to let him inside. “Come in, Mr. Hero. I’m not awake enough for all this charm.”

He followed her, his dark gaze sweeping over her apartment. Though most of her Little things were tidied away in her bedroom, there were a few touches scattered throughout the main living area—a pastel throw blanket draped over the couch,a jar of crayons sitting on a stack of coloring books on the coffee table, and a plush unicorn perched on a shelf. Subtle but telling.

“I like your place, sunshine,” he said genuinely. “It’s cute. Just like you.”

Her heart gave an unsteady flutter at the sweetness and sincerity of his words. It was such a simple compliment, yet it sent warmth spreading through her chest like sunlight breaking through clouds. She shouldn’t have been so affected, but it wasn’t even eight in the morning, and she was already dangerously close to becoming putty in his hands.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her cheeks pink. “I just need to grab my bag.”

“No rush,” he said, his tone easy.

She ducked into her bedroom, grabbing her work stuff and taking a moment to double-check her appearance in the mirror. When she returned, she found Storm standing in front of one of her bookshelves. The one filled with her collection of smutty, filthy comfort reads. The color drained from her face, only to be replaced by a fiery blush when he turned toward her, a knowing gleam in his eyes.

Her stomach flipped as she ducked her head, her whole body blazing.Of all the shelves...

Storm chuckled softly and closed the distance between them, his movements slow and deliberate. Gently but still firm, he cupped her chin, tilting her face up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.

“Don’t be embarrassed about what you read, sunshine,” he murmured, his deep voice laced with amusement and something far more seductive. “It’s hot. I like knowing you read these books. Maybe one of these nights, I can read to you before bed.”

Brook swallowed hard, the image of his suggestion making her pulse race. She wasn’t sure she’d survive the experiencewithout bursting into flames, but his easy acceptance of her book choices sent a wave of relief crashing over her.

His thumb brushed her cheek in a tender, almost absentminded motion, the casual intimacy of it making her knees wobble. Her voice was almost trapped in her throat, her ability to think slipping away under his penetrating gaze. All she could do was look up at him, her heart hammering against her ribcage as he smiled, clearly aware of the effect he had on her.

“We’re going to be late,” she muttered breathily.

“Okay, sunshine. Let’s go.”

They drove in silence through their small town as shop owners turned their closed signs to open, set up produce and other items on the sidewalks, started their day with the sunrise coming over the horizon. Brook had lived here all her life. She loved this place, it was her home.

Brook glanced at him as they walked hand in hand, her curiosity getting the better of her. "How long have you lived in Shadowridge?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with interest.

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