Page 26 of SEAL by Fate

“Who do you belong to, girl?” Stormy rubbed her head. “Who would let you out in this weather?”

Tossing the can into the trash, Stormy stepped into the living room, her new friend right on her heels.

Unexpectantly, she’d made two new friends since the accident.

*

To say it was cold was an understatement.

Gray’s ears and nose were frozen by the time he made it to the scene of the accident, but at least he’d made it to his destination.

Both cars were covered in at least six inches of snow and from what he could see there were no new tracks. And, unfortunately, so far he didn’t have any reception on his cell. Climbing into Stormy’s car, he prayed the battery wasn’t dead and he could get some heat to warm up.

Turning the key, the engine sputtered and he thought it’d be a loss cause until finally the motor kicked in. Turning the heat to high, he pulled off his gloves and rubbed his hands together, blowing on them to hasten the effect. Once he could feel his fingers and toes again, he reached across the space and opened the glove compartment. He’d checked once, right after the accident, but he thought he’d give it another try, but came up empty. After a few more minutes, he popped the button that opened the trunk and reluctantly climbed back out into the cold. He found the purse and suitcase. It had rows of duct tape holding the leather together. He smiled and dragged it out, hurrying to climb back into the car where it was warm.

Looking at the suitcase now sitting on the passenger seat, the problem was, he didn’t want to have to carry the heavy thing all the way back to the cabin. Plus, there was a possibility it would fall apart.

The lid came open and he was immediately met with Stormy’s delectable scent…the one that he’d never forget. He stared down at her neatly folded clothing which seemed at odds with the terrible condition of the suitcase.

He’d have to find only what she needed.

Touching the soft material of her clothing, he felt like he was invading her privacy, but reminded himself that she asked for clothing.

First, he searched and found a scarf that he could use as a sling to carry the necessary items. It was flowered and quite feminine, but then again, he didn’t much care. He tied the material around his neck and situated it to make a pouch.

The next thing he found was a bikini.

As cold and as exhausted as he was, parts of his body were never too tired. He envisioned Stormy wearing the two piece, standing at a water’s edge somewhere exotic. Her long blonde hair caught in a warm breeze and a seductive smile beckoning him…

He stirred in the seat, dragging his thoughts back on track.

He threw the find into the backseat.

Stuffing several shirts in the sling, he thought he could manage this task without his mind working overtime, and then he came to a red lace and satin corset that could be described as nothing short of hot. A gamut of emotions raced through him. Ranging from excitement to something he couldn’t quite understand. Jealousy. He’d only felt the emotion once or twice in his lifetime, both for fleeting seconds, but this was strong and it made breathing difficult. What had he expected? She was packed for her honeymoon. He didn’t know a lot about those things, but he did know a newly married couple would spend hours, maybe days, in bed. At least that was his idea of a good honeymoon.

Something ripped through him that left him even colder. Something that had been foreign to him up until now. He was starting to care for Stormy. He rubbed his forehead and dropped the lingerie into the back with the two piece. There was no place in this mess for the outfit or for such awkward emotion.

Relax, Gray.

He had no claim to her. Just because he saved her from the snow and kissed her—and what an amazing kiss it had been—didn’t give him any right.

Hurrying to finish, he shut off the engine, slipped out of the warm car, and made sure the door was locked and the key was secure in his pocket with her medication.

Walking through the deep snow and hearing his own thoughts because everything was so quiet, he was almost to his Jeep when he heard the low purr of an engine in the distance.

Was he imagining it?

As the sound drew closer he could make out the rise and fall of the engine and realized it was a snow mobile. It was about the only thing that would make it in this weather. Hanging back out of view, he watched ahead where the road met a dog-leg curve. Sure, this was great. Someone with transportation. Yet he couldn’t forget that Phantom was likely somewhere on this mountain too.

Gray scanned the area, listening where he thought the sound was coming from. Then he saw the one headlight.

Taking cover behind his Jeep, he watched as the vehicle slowed and approached the accident with caution. Staying hidden, he waited to see what the driver would do. Would he pass or stop?

Gray squinted to make out the driver’s silhouette dressed in all black snow gear. Feeling a sliver of envy, what Gray wouldn’t give for the warm apparel, and of course the vehicle.

The snowmobile stopped, the engine shut off and the driver slid off the seat less than twenty feet from where Gray was still squatted down. The driver would have to see Gray’s tracks soon, unless he wasn’t sharp-eyed.

The driver approached the side and the top of his black helmet could be seen bobbing as the stranger made their way through the snow. Ice crunched under snow boots. The sound of the door handle being pulled on the Jeep made the hair on Gray’s neck rise. What the hell was he doing trying to get in the vehicle?

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