Page 42 of Haunted By the Storm
Her lips part under mine, inviting me in, and I accept without hesitation. My tongue sweeps into her mouth, tasting the sweetness of the punch she drank at the party and the chocolate she stole from Emily's stash. My hands slide down to her hips, fingers pressing into soft flesh, careful not to grip too hard.
Despite the heat between us, despite the urgency building in my blood, I keep myself in check. Camryn might be initiating this, might be signaling that she wants more, but I know her history. I understand the trauma that lurks beneath her brave exterior. The last thing I want is to trigger those memories; to make her feel trapped or overwhelmed.
So I let her set the pace, follow her lead as her hands roam over my shoulders and down my back, her touch increasingly confident as the kiss continues. When she pulls back slightly, breathing hard, I don't chase her lips. I rest my forehead against hers, giving her space to decide what happens next.
"Storm," she whispers, her voice husky in a way that makes my skin tingle. "I want?—"
The rest of her sentence is lost as a loud knock sounds at the door, startling us both. We freeze, still entangled, as the knocking comes again, more insistent this time.
"Camryn? Storm? You in there?" Ace's voice calls through the door.
I suppress a groan of frustration. "Yeah, we're here," I call back, reluctantly releasing Camryn. "Give us a minute."
She smooths her dress, cheeks flushed, lips swollen from our kisses. Despite the interruption, she gives me a small smile that promises we're not finished with this conversation.
I take a deep breath, trying to regain some semblance of control, before opening the door. I find Ace standing in the hallway, his Viking costume discarded in favor of his usual jeans and cut.
"Sorry to interrupt," he says, his eyes taking in our disheveled appearance with a knowing look, "but we've got a situation. Cantlay's men are back and they're asking to talk. Specifically to you, Storm."
All the heat from moments before instantly cools, replaced by sharp focus. "Just talk?"
"So they say. They're waiting by the gate. Shadow and Digger are keeping an eye on them."
I nod, my mind already shifting into strategic mode. "I'll be right down."
Ace glances past me to Camryn, who's composed herself admirably despite the flush still coloring her cheeks. "Sorry about this. We've got it handled, but they specifically asked for Storm."
"It's okay," she says, her voice steadier than I expected. "Do what you need to do."
Ace nods and heads toward the stairs. I turn to Camryn, conflicted about leaving her now, especially after what just happened between us.
"Stay here," I tell her. "Lock the door behind me. I'll be back as soon as I can."
She nods, but there's worry in her eyes. "Be careful," she says softly.
I step closer, cupping her face in my hands. "Always am," I assure her, pressing a brief, firm kiss to her lips. "And Camryn?What you were about to say before Ace knocked? I want that too."
Her eyes widen slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Go," she says, pushing me gently toward the door. "The sooner this is dealt with, the sooner you can come back."
I hold her gaze for one more moment, then turn and leave, listening for the click of the lock behind me before I head downstairs.
The main room of the clubhouse has mostly cleared out, the Halloween party winding down, the late hour and the return of Cantlay's men having driven most of the guests home. A few brothers remain, alert and ready despite the costumes some still wear.
I find Shadow and Digger by the front entrance, both looking grim. "How many?" I ask without preamble.
"Three," Shadow reports. "Same guys as before, including Scarface. They're standing by their car just outside the gate. Say they won't leave until they talk to you."
"Any sign of Eric?"
Digger shakes his head. "Not with them. He could be in the car though."
I nod, considering my options. "Let's hear what they have to say. But we do it on our terms, not theirs. Have them come to the gate, no further. And I want six brothers backing me up."
Shadow grins—a cold expression that has nothing to do with humor. "Already arranged. Ace, May, and Cruz are waiting outside. Blaze and a couple other prospects are positioned with rifles, just in case things go south."
"Good," I say, clapping him on the shoulder. "Let's get this over with."
We head outside, the cool night air a welcome relief after the stuffy clubhouse. Halloween decorations still adorn thecompound. Beneath the pirate costume I still wear, I can feel the reassuring weight of my gun holstered at my back.
