Page 24 of SEAL by Fate

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STORMY STARED THROUGH the frosted glass of the window until Gray’s shape was engulfed by the white void.

He’d stopped once as if he thought about changing his mind about leaving, but then he continued on.

Stepping away, she turned and looked around the empty cabin. Her heart dropped into her toes. The one person, outside of Tiffany, who knew she was here had just walked away…and possibly out of her life for good. Sure, he’d said he’d return, but logic warned her that many people had made promises and they didn’t keep them, and those were people she was close to so how could she believe a stranger? How easy it would be for him to continue walking.

She could chalk up her worry to the fact that she didn’t like the idea of being alone in the middle of a snowstorm, but it wasn’t that simple. They’d kissed and although it wasn’t rational, she wanted more from him. If he hadn’t pulled away, put responsibility first, would things have gone to the next level? Yes.

Going to the refrigerator, she took out a water, uncapped it and drank thirstily. More to cool off the heat in her body and not because she was dehydrated.

Taking the bottle to the couch, she dropped down, staring into the orangish flames of the fire.

She thrummed her fingers on the arm of the couch.

Was Colette looking for her? Worried?

Pulling the blanket up around her body, she snuggled deeper into the cushion of the couch. She wouldn’t blame Gray if he didn’t come back. Maybe he’d get sidetracked by his assignment.

Her heart fluttered.

Maybe that was the real reason why he braved the weather!

She dropped her shoulders. No reason to get upset. He had a job to do.

Sensibly, the best thing would be for them to part ways. Her life was in turmoil. Why did she care so much if he came back? Of course, she wanted him to be safe, but she shouldn’t worry that she might not see him again. He was a stranger. One who’d saved her life. Blown into her life like a blizzard, literally.

Stormy did believe she was pathetic.

Goosebumps scattered her skin and she hauled the blanket up to her chin. Her head throbbed. She closed her eyes and an image of Gray danced with her brain cells. There was a pull between them that she didn’t understand. What if she just allowed herself to feel without inhibition?

When they’d kissed, she’d been overcome with a desire so profound that it had wiped away all doubt for those few moments. She’d been aroused, and by the bulge behind his zipper, he’d been just as turned on. Thinking about what could have happened warmed her beyond what a fire could do.

This wasn’t right. She had jumped out of a relationship. Why did these emotions come at the most inopportune time?

Because in all truth, she wanted to be in a relationship. Wanted to love someone and be loved. To have strong arms wrapped around her when times were tough, and in times of celebration.

What if Gray was her person?

What if fate had planned their meeting, tossing them together?

She must have hit her head harder than she first thought.

Incapable of sitting still, Stormy got up and went into the kitchen, starting to make coffee. She didn’t need another cup, but she had to do something. Anything to get her mind off Special Agent Gray Carlisle. It would take a lot more than caffeine to rid her mind of his image. Washing the two plates, two pans, drying them and putting them away, she poured a cup of coffee and sipped at the black brew while examining the cabin through the steam.

It was a nice place. It looked like it had been recently remodeled with new wood flooring and painted walls. Although the owner had kept the rustic feel. Maybe she could buy a place like this?

Her mind wandered to Tiffany. How strangely that she had the cabin to offer at the spur of the moment. Was the place hers? Stormy didn’t know much about the planner because Duncan had found her and hired her. What Stormy did know was the woman seemed more like a condo in the city and less a cabin in the mountains.

Well, in appreciation for Tiffany’s kindness, Stormy could at least dust, maybe mop a floor or two. What else did she have to do?

Going from cabinet to cabinet, she finally found a broom, mop, and other cleaning supplies. Taking the broom, she stepped into the living room and began sweeping, but her mind wandered to the kiss she and Gray had shared. His mouth was amazing. She’d never been kissed with such power and amazement that infused her blood with an intoxicating wine.

Good thing one of them had the logic to end the act, otherwise they would have found themselves in a sticky mess. Although, she could think of far worse situations than spending her time in a secluded cabin in the strong arms of a man like Gray. She should be petrified of how much she wanted him, but at the same time she was titillated with an erotic desire that she’d never experienced. Of course, she wasn’t skilled in lovemaking except for what she and Duncan had shared. At twenty-eight, she’d waited later than most to be intimate and her few encounters had been disappointing. While other girls were going to parties, Stormy had been taking care of her sister. Colette once called her “Cinderella”.

Would she satisfy a man? Over the last year, Duncan seemed less interested in making love. She’d often wondered if he didn’t find her attractive any longer, or she wasn’t what he’d wanted in a woman. She’d bought lingerie to help with the dry spell, but he’d shunned her with a distant chill.

But Gray…he’d kissed her in a way that made her forget Duncan’s rejection.

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