Page 16 of SEAL by Fate

The muscles in his arms flexed and the area between his brows scrunched.

What did she have to lose by talking?

“My life is in an upheaval.” Her voice sounded foreign to her ears. When his gaze met hers and she saw a sliver of sympathy in the blue depths, she felt her shoulders drop some. “I actually ran away from the church in my gown and heels. You must have thought I was a lunatic.”

“I put two and two together. You were out in a snowstorm, wearing a gown and no wedding band, just a diamond. It was either that or you were racing to reach the wedding, but that didn’t seem right considering there’s nothing this direction except secluded cabins. I don’t think you can be called a lunatic when you were following your instincts.”

Taking a deep breath, she crossed her arms. “I’ve spent the last six months planning that day and when it came down to it, I couldn’t go through with marrying him. I couldn’t think of anything but getting away.”

“Hell, just my opinion, but it’s best to break some hearts before rather than after you’re hitched.”

“You don’t think it was cowardly of me to not face him and tell him?”

“Oh, I’m sure you had your reasons.” His gaze fell to her wrist.

Instinctively, she touched the marks and sighed. “It’s not what you think.”

“Yeah? And what am I thinking?” He placed the radio on the counter and plugged it into the outlet.

“People see bruises and they jump to conclusions.” Her hands were now trembling.

“I’m the last person you need to explain yourself to.”

He gave her an out, but she couldn’t hold her tongue. “He wasn’t always…so…well, such an—”

“Asshole?”

She met his gaze. “You don’t know him,” she whispered.

“You’re right, but I know his kind. Any man who’d touch a woman and leave bruises in his anger needs to reevaluate his manhood.” His eyes became steely, blue orbs.

“This was the one and only time.” Why was she defending Duncan? He didn’t deserve it and it wasn’t her place.

“Then it’s even better you didn’t put a ring on it.”

Stormy nodded and pushed her full bowl away. “I turned my world upside down for him.” Her voice cracked with emotion. “I moved from my apartment, stuffed my belongings in a storage unit and now I’m homeless. My sister wants nothing to do with me and I don’t know if she ever will.”

His features softened and he came to her, patted her hand and the kindness of the gesture sent her over the edge. “Come on now. Siblings argue and they get over it. She’ll come around, and once she realizes you didn’t marry the man, she’ll apologize.”

Tears fell to her cheeks and she swiped at them, but they kept coming. Before she knew what was happening he had her in his warm, safe embrace. She could stay here because it felt that good, but logic kicked in. Stormy didn’t know him, not really. How could anyone know anyone in a few hours? She believed she knew Duncan and they’d been dating and she didn’t know him at all. Didn’t even know his parents’ names. The only thing she did know was that he had a spotted past.

Wasn’t that a huge red flag?

Her flag waver was broken.

For example, here she was, falling for another man’s charm and she didn’t even know him.

Squirming against Gray’s steel chest, he didn’t move. “I-I can’t…”

“Allow someone to comfort you?” he asked in a husky voice.

“No.” She pushed him and this time he stepped back, giving her space. She stood, crossing her arms over her chest, mainly hoping to keep her heart in her chest because it was beating so rapidly. “I don’t know you.”

“I’m Gray Carlisle.”

“Yes, you’ve told me your name. I’m talking about who you are. I’ve never been one to be so open, and in one fell swoop I’ve divulged a lot. I know nothing about you except that you were a Navy SEAL and you have amazing strength. Why are you carrying a gun? Why were you out in the middle of a blizzard?” She swiped away the remnants of moisture from her cheeks. “Isn’t this all a bit strange? You just happening to be where I was at the very right moment?”

“No stranger than a woman in a wedding gown stranded in a snowstorm.”

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