Page 50 of Shelter from the Storm

“We’re going to stick a pin in the rest of this for now, because I think you need time to consider what I said.”

“Okay.” Gretchen did need time to wrap her head around him boldly proclaiming she was his. The last time a man said he wanted her…

She shoved that thought aside. She needed to stop comparing Theo to Briggs. If she continued down that path, she’d never be able to trust any relationship. Loneliness had played too big a role in her past. She would not let it take over her future as well.

“Well, look at that.” Theo pointed behind her. She turned, looking outside through the open barn doors. “A rainbow.”

She hadn’t even realized the storm had passed. She smiled at the beauty of the colorful arc, painted across the now-blue sky.

“Feels like a good omen, doesn’t it?” Theo asked.

Looking back at him, she nodded.

Because it did.

Chapter Nine

Theo clicked mindlessly, searching for something to watch on TV, even though he wasn’t actually interested in viewing anything. He’d mainly turned on the television hoping for a mindless escape, but he could see now that wasn’t going to happen. He had too much on his mind to concentrate on anything that wasn’t Gretchen Banks.

A week had passed since that kiss in the barn, and he’d spent every moment since then reliving it. Because it had been one hell of a kiss. He hadn’t lied when he told Gretchen he’d longed to do that since the day they’d met, but he hadn’t intended to lay one on her quite so soon…or quite so passionately.

He’d been telling himself since her arrival in September that he needed to approach Gretchen slowly, build a friendship with her first, let her get to know him better, and make sure she felt more comfortable in her position and her life here in Gracemont before letting his Storm side out.

So fucking much for that.

When she rushed into his arms, he felt her trembling, afraid of the thunder, and his protective, possessive nature took over. The kiss had solidified what he already knew. Gretchen was his. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind.

The problem was, she was carrying around some heavy secrets, things she still wasn’t ready to share with him.

He’d kicked his own ass for seven days straight, hating himself for scaring her so badly. Theo had known from the beginning that she had triggers, the flinching when he moved too fast or laughed too loud. He should have proceeded with caution, but that kiss…

He’d lost his head and touched her in a way that frightened her.

He couldn’t do that again. Wouldn’t.

While he’d managed to calm her down before her panic attack became full-blown, the fear in her eyes had absolutely gutted him.

Theo had continued to spend time with her at work and he hadn’t canceled the driving lessons, but he’d forced himself to return to “friend mode,” keeping an appropriate distance and eschewing all talk about his feelings.

He hated every single second of it.

Theo glanced up when he heard the front screen door open.

“Hey.” Levi walked into the house, peering through the double doors that connected the living room to the foyer. He was carrying a bushel of apples. “Did a fair amount of picking in the orchard today. Thought I’d share the bounty.”

Theo nodded his thanks, then listened as his brother carried the apples down the hall and into the kitchen before returning a minute later.

“Everyone still planning to go to the costume party at Whiskey Abbey’s tonight?” Levi dropped down next to him on the couch, propping his feet up on the coffee table next to Theo’s.

“Yeah. Jace and Sam spent the better part of the afternoon discussing their costumes. They’re coming as the Blues Brothers.”

Levi chuckled. “Kasi put together a couple’s costume for us too. She’s been working on it for days, determined to win a prize.”

“What are you coming as, or is it a surprise?”

“No surprise.” Levi ran a hand through his long hair. Ordinarily, he pinned it up, but today, it was hanging loose over his shoulders. “You’re looking at the Han Solo half of a Star Wars power couple.”

“Is Princess Leia sporting New Hope buns or Return of the Jedi braids?”

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