Page 26 of Chasing Storm
“Fabulous,” Cassidy says. “Now go home. I will call you with your next instructions.”
I want to tell her to piss off, but I won’t. She is our ammo, and we need her. I have a feeling that Storm is a very complex woman, just by the little things I already know about her, like going to work for her parents’ rivals, for instance. We are going to need all the help we can get.
But I’m looking forward to this challenge more than anything else, ever. Not even the thrill of playing the market can compare to this. I know that our biggest obstacle is our reputation, but once Storm sees that we are serious, hopefully, she will look past it.
Only time will tell.
16
STORM
After rushing up the stairs to my flat, I burst through the door and slam it closed behind me. This flu has come on quickly and I feel like hot rubbish. This is an absolute disaster. What am I going to say to Angela? She will think I’m using it as an excuse to get out of coming to work, and things will be even more weird. I didn’t see her at all today, which was bizarre. She usually comes into the office now and again, but not today. I know it’s because of the errand I ran for her yesterday. It has to be.
Groaning as my bones ache, I strip off my clothes and flop into bed, curling up in my comfy bed.
I’m hot and feverish, feeling miserable and exhausted. My throat is dry, my head throbs, and my limbs are heavy and aching. I pull the covers up around my chin, wishing I could disappear into their soft embrace. But no matter how hard I try to escape, the flu-y feelings still follow me.
Suddenly, JP’s image pops into my mind.
“Fuck,” I murmur. “Go away.” This is one hallucination I don’t need right now.
But it’s too late. His face mingled with Josh’s, the feel of Josh’s tongue against mine, their hands splayed out over my hot skin is in my mind and I can’t get rid of it.
“Pricks,” I groan, wishing they would leave my head alone.
At least Thatcher Sinclair hasn’t made an appearance during this sexy hallucination. I don’t need all of them in my face while I’m feeling like death, for fuck’s sake.
Groaning, I can’t help but smile though, feeling the warmth of my bed and the peacefulness around me. Josh’s kiss was fucking hot. The spontaneity, the heat, the firmness of his lips against mine.
I drift off into a half-sleep, hoping this illness doesn’t keep me down for too long.
17
STORM
My eyes snap open when I hear my phone ringing.
“Eurgh.” Everyone knows not to disturb me right now. What are they doing to me?
It’s been three days since the flu unexpectedly arrived, and while it’s easing off this evening, I still feel hot and feverish.
My first thought is it’s Angela, who, to my surprise, was very understanding about my predicament, but it’s too late for that.
I reach for it and squint with one eye at the screen.
‘Mum’
I answer it with a groggy, “If this isn’t an emergency, you can call back later.”
“Sorry, hunny,” she says. “But I need to come over tonight.”
“What? Why?” I groan.
“Syn’s book, hun. It’s her birthday tomorrow, and you still have it.”
“Oh, shite, yeah. Of course. Can you give me an hour to get halfways decent?”
“Done. How are you feeling?”
