by Leah Brooke
Caleb slid a hand to her neck, his fingers tracing her jaw while he used his thumb to life her chin and stared into her eyes.
Swallowing heavily, she lowered her hands to her sides. “I just wasn’t expecting it. I mean—I haven’t—I don’t…”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Your arm’s bleeding. I hurt you when I knocked you to the floor.” He lifted a brow, a small smile playing at his lips. “But that’s not what you were talking about, was it?”
Looking down at her arm, she saw that a small amount of blood had leaked through the bandage. “Um, yeah. It hurts a little, but the pain medicine must have—ah!” She gasped again, squeezing her eyes closed against the friction of his chest against her nipples.
“Yeah, that’s the sound I was looking for, and it doesn’t have a damned thing to do with your arm.” He moved against her again, his eyes narrowing at her soft cry of pleasure. “I want you.”
“Yes.” A rush of moisture dampened her panties, her nipples aching for his attention.
Lowering his head, he brushed her lips with his, his breathing harsh. “This isn’t a good idea. Not now.”
Drawn by his warmth and the chemistry that had grown stronger with every touch, Stormy slid her hands to his chest again, marveling at the solid muscle against her palm. “It’s a terrible idea.”
Rubbing against him, she sucked in a breath at the friction against her nipples, both alarmed and excited that his cock hardened even more.
The throbbing in her clit intensified, her imagination going wild at the thought of him touching her there.
Staring up at him, Stormy focused on his lips, the memory of his gentle kiss making her own tingle.
She wanted to feel his passion. She needed him to kiss her as if he wanted her the way a man wanted a woman he really cared about.
Sliding her hands higher, she cupped the back of his neck, staring into his eyes as she pulled him closer. “Please.”
Caleb’s hands slid to her waist, clenching briefly, his eyes narrowed and gleaming with a possessiveness she knew she should fight. “Please what, Stormy?”
His warm breath caressed her lips, tantalizing her further. “Kiss me.”
She’d barely gotten the words out of her mouth before he took her mouth with his in a tender kiss that only made her want more.
Rising to her toes, she pressed against him, writhing restlessly, a moan escaping at the friction against her nipples.
His hands tightened on her waist as he deepened his kiss, swallowing her moan.
In that moment, she felt closer to him than she’d ever felt with anyone, a feeling so intense and overwhelming that it brought tears to her eyes.
She couldn’t get close enough to appease the need swirling inside her.
She wanted to feel him everywhere—to feel his entire body wrapped around her.
His kiss slowly began more demanding, slowly increasing in heat as if he was scared of giving her too much all at once.
Although appreciating his caring, she hated that he seemed to be able to rein in his passion while hers spiraled out of control.
Kissing him back hungrily, she rubbed against his cock, the hardness both delighting and alarming her.
With a groan, Caleb tightened his arms around her, his hand closing on her breast and gently massaging.
He took her mouth with a passion and heat that fueled her own. His kiss held a possessiveness and mastery that made her head spin, the feeling of belonging to him as exciting as it was terrifying.
Finding it irresistible, she poured her longing, her passion, her long-denied hungers into kissing him back, something inside her melting at his continued dominance.
Caleb silently urged her on, groaning his pleasure and giving her free rein, while somehow retaining his mastery over her.
Gripping his shoulders, she lifted herself, wrapping her legs around his hips in an effort to get closer.
She rubbed against him, the throbbing in her clit nearly driving her out of her mind.
With a groan, he cupped her bottom, holding her in place, creating even more of the wonderful heat.
He held her with apparent ease, his control giving her the freedom to let go in a way she could never have imagined.
Nothing mattered except the heat.
Nothing was more important than getting closer.
“Caleb!”
Jerking at the frantic shout from Desire’s sheriff, Stormy tried to scramble away, but Caleb tightened his hold, not releasing her.
Breaking off his kiss with a deep groan, Caleb slowly lifted his head, frowning as he wiped away a tear she hadn’t been aware of shedding. “We’re fine, Ace. We’ll be out in a minute.”
Lowering his voice, he nuzzled her nose with his. “Are you okay?”
Shaken by her own uncharacteristic behavior, Stormy struggled to get her breathing under control. “I’m fine. Put me down.”
Caleb smiled and set her on her feet, holding her to steady her. “Wow. You pack a punch.”
Delighted at his response, she shrugged, unable to hide a smile. “It was just a kiss.”
Watching her intently, Caleb raised a brow, reaching behind her to grab his gun. Tucking it into his waistband, he slid a hand to her lower back, turning her toward the living room. “Was it? Come out to the living room with me so I can see you while I talk to Ace. Be careful of the glass.”
Stormy blinked, stunned that Caleb’s kiss had made her forget about everything else.
She walked with him into the living room on legs that shook, pausing when the sheriff turned from the broken window.
“Are you two all right?” Holding his gun by his side, he moved closer, his gaze raking over her, his eyes widening in horror when his gaze reached her shoulder. Reholstering his gun, he reached for her. “Christ! You hit?”
Shaking his head, Caleb reached for his buzzing cell phone. “No. I did that when I knocked her to the floor.” Lifting the phone to his ear, he led her to the sofa. “Ward.”
“Are you both okay?” The anger in Devlin’s tone didn’t quite hide his concern.
“Yeah, Devlin. We’re fine.” He blew out a breath. “I’m gonna have to rebandage her arm. I hit it when I knocked her to the floor, and it’s bleeding.”
Stormy looked down at her arm, lifting her sleeve to see the bandage better. “It’s fine.”
The fact that she didn’t feel it spoke volumes about her pain medication.
And Caleb’s effect on her.
Caleb turned away to finish his call, leaving her alone with the intimidating sheriff, who cursed and left the room, coming back seconds later with the first aid kit.
She watched Ace’s hard features harden even more as he took her arm and gently removed the bandage Caleb had put on her that morning.
“I guess it wouldn’t do any good to tell you that I can do this myself, so I won’t waste my breath saying it.”
Ace’s lips twitched as he led her to the arm of the sofa, urging her to sit down. “Smart woman.”
Surprised that such a large man could be so gentle, Stormy glanced up at him. “Did they catch them?”
Ace set the bandage aside and reached for an antiseptic wipe, frowning when Caleb grabbed it out of his hand. “Yeah.”
Caleb ripped the package open and began to clean her wound, his eyes dark with concern. “Devlin, Lucas, Rafe, and Linc got them.”
Watching Ace move back to the window, Stormy took a shaky breath. “Was anyone hurt?”
Turning back to face her, Ace shook his head, the storm in his eyes terrible to see. “No. No one was hurt.”
She closed her eyes, gratefully bowing her head. “Thank God.”
Lifting her head again, she met the sheriff’s gaze, her stomach knotting at the fury in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I should never have come here.”
Caleb finished cleaning her wound and pressed the bandage in place. “You would already be dead if you hadn’t.”
Stormy shivered, chilled to the bone. “I ca
n’t stand the thought of someone being hurt because of me.”
Patting her leg, Caleb rose, closing the first aid kit and gathering the trash. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll take care of it. You just worry about healing and doing what we tell you.”
Ace answered his phone on the first ring, barking out orders almost immediately. “I’m on my way.”
Caleb returned just as Ace paused to shake his head at the damage to the front door.
Eyeing the damage, he frowned and handed her the bottle of water he’d brought with him. “Lucas and Devlin are on their way. As soon as they get here, we’ll clean up.”
Cupping her cheek, he gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
Stormy rose, her stomach clenching at the sound of their SUV pulling into the driveway, the knowledge of what could have happened making her sick to her stomach. “I know that. But at what cost?”
Getting away sounded even more imperative.
She met Caleb’s suspicious look with a smile, her gaze involuntarily lowering to his lips, still feeling the lingering heat of them on her own.
She had to leave Desire, and she had to do it before someone got hurt.
And before walking away got even harder.
Chapter Nine
Anxious to get back to Stormy and see for himself that she was all right, Lucas strode through the broken front door, his gaze immediately zeroing in on her.
Seeing her sitting on the sofa, holding a bottle of water loosely between her fingertips, he took his first steady breath since the first shot was fired.
Glass crunched beneath his feet as he crossed the room to her, the destruction a sharp reminder of the danger surrounding her.
She stared down at the hardwood floors, her eyelids flickering when his boots came into view.
But she didn’t look up at him.
He dropped to his knee in front of her, touching the sleeve stained with blood. “You okay?”
She turned to look at his hand against her sleeve. “I’m fine.”
His stomach clenched at her monotone, and he found himself clenching his hands to keep from grabbing her and pulling her close. Needing to see her eyes, he gripped her chin, lifting her face to his.
“Pretty scary, huh?”
Nodding, she pulled away, igniting possessive fires inside him that proved difficult to contain. “Very. The idea of someone getting hurt because of me terrifies me.” Getting to her feet, she looked everywhere except at him. “I’ll help you clean up.”
“No.” Standing, he caught her arm, crowding her until she looked up at him. “You’re swaying on your feet. Why don’t you go lie down?”
Something in her eyes unsettled him, making the hairs at the back of his neck stand on end.
Nodding again, she gave him a faint smile, one that didn’t even come close to reaching her eyes. “I think I will.” Sliding a hand through her hair, she took a step back. “That pain medicine really does its job.”
She turned and would have walked away, but he caught her wrist, unable to resist keeping her at his side a little longer. Stiffening, she glanced to his right, where Caleb and Devlin stood watching her. “What?”
Lifting her chin, he looked into her eyes. “I don’t know. Something. Are you sure you’re all right? Caleb, did you check her out?”
“I’m fine.”
He allowed her to pull her away from him, wishing he knew how to read her better. “Go lie down. One of us will be in shortly.”
“No.” Pausing, Stormy shook her head. “I need some time alone.”
Holding a broom in one hand, Caleb rested the other on his hip, sending Stormy a teasing smile that held an intimacy that had been there ever since he’d changed her bandage that morning. “Are you sure?”
Her blush intrigued Lucas even more, making him wonder what had happened when she and Caleb had been alone. “I’m sure.”
Shocked to realize that he was jealous, Lucas waited until Stormy disappeared into his room and closed the door behind her before turning to Caleb, unsurprised that Devlin eyed Caleb with a raised brow.
Lucas turned and opened his mouth to question Caleb, but Devlin beat him to it.
“Something happen while we were gone?”
Caleb grinned. “Don’t be jealous. I kissed her. That’s it. Earlier, I touched her. Christ, she’s magnificent. She came just by having attention to her breasts.”
“Damn it, Caleb.” Lucas crossed to him, jerking the broom out of his hand. “She’s not only a client, but she’s Logan’s sister.”
Caleb’s smile changed, becoming softer. “I know that, but I want her like hell. She’s more special than you think. Wait until you get a taste of her and then tell me that you can resist her.”
Devlin moved to the window, measuring it for a replacement. “Really? I’m intrigued.” Turning, he glanced toward the closed bedroom door with a frown. “She looks a little nervous whenever any of us gets close, and there’s that thing that Logan hinted at that we still don’t know about.”
Even though Stormy had closed the door to his bedroom, Lucas kept his voice low. “I have a feeling it has something to do with her fear of thunderstorms. You could inadvertently hurt her.”
“I barely touched her! Jesus.” Caleb picked up the dustpan. “You act like I attacked her.”
Lucas stopped sweeping, the uneasy feeling growing stronger. Setting the broom aside, he went to the bedroom door, listening for any signs of movement.
Hearing nothing, he hoped that she’d gone to bed, but the tingling at the back of his neck grew steadily worse.
Devlin stilled, letting the tape measure close. “She gave in to going to bed too easily, especially after fighting it for hours.”
Caleb froze, his eyes narrowed. “She didn’t seem that upset to me.”
Lucas was already heading back to the bedroom door, cursing when he found it locked. “Something’s up.” He reached above the door, retrieving the key and hurriedly unlocking the door.
Throwing it open, he strode inside, his insides clenching with fear and fury when he found the bedroom empty.
Devlin pushed past him, cursing as he went to the open window. “She’s fucking gone. Jesus.”
Caleb came out from the adjoining bathroom, scowling as he glanced at the corner where her things had been. “Fuck. Her bags are gone, too.”
Lucas followed close behind him, grabbing his keys as he headed out the door. “She had to have gone to Logan’s.”
Furious at himself for underestimating her, Lucas jumped into the driver’s seat of the SUV, barely giving Devlin the time to get in on the passenger side before he hit the gas, his tires squealing as he backed out.
Forcing himself to slow down, he drove through Desire, aware that Devlin had already pulled out his phone to call Logan.
“Logan, is Stormy with you?”
“With me? What the hell would she be doing with me? I thought you were protecting her!”
Devlin grimaced, and even though he hadn’t put the phone on speaker, Logan’s words came through loud and clear. “We were.”
“I heard about the shooting and called her. She said she was fine and that you’d already taken care of the threat to her. I was just on my way over and—son of a bitch!”
Lucas whipped his head around but turned back again as they pulled up to Logan’s shop.
Logan stood on the sidewalk in front of his shop with his phone to his ear and a slip of paper in his hand. “She stole my fucking truck!”
Scraping a hand through his hair, Logan looked straight at them as they approached. “She’s gone. How the hell could you have let her get away?”
Chapter Ten
Keeping one eye on the road and the other in the rearview mirror, Stormy drove out of Desire, her thoughts of Kathy and her involvement interrupted by thoughts of what she’d left behind.
Smiling as she imagined her brother’s face at finding his truck gone, she changed the radio st
ation from country music to soft rock.
She reached the end of the road, and turning her head to the left, she checked for traffic, her smile falling at the realization that she’d have to pass the scene of her accident.
Tapping her fingertips on the steering wheel in time to the music, she smiled again and turned to the right.
She couldn’t go home for a week or two, so she could go anywhere she wanted.
She’d disappear for a while and use her time to investigate Kathy and see if she could learn anything about the identity of her client.
Blowing out a breath, she pressed a hand to her stomach, unable to hold back a smile at the memory of Caleb’s kiss.
She’d wanted him in a way she’d never wanted another man and had come close to begging him to show her the way it should be between a man and a woman.
Taking a lover was something she’d never thought possible, but the excitement and hunger she’d experienced in Caleb’s arms made her feel invincible.
It had proved irresistible, and she suspected that if Ace hadn’t interrupted, she would have gladly spent the night in Caleb’s arms.
And probably made a fool of herself.
Her smile fell at the thought of being swept up in the passion while he saw their lovemaking as dull. After all, despite his praise, she knew nothing about pleasing a man.
He would have been disappointed and would see her as just another woman in a long line of them.
While thankful that she’d left before she embarrassed herself any further, part of her couldn’t help but wonder what might have been.
She’d probably have her heart broken, and the end of it would cause friction between Caleb and her brother.
Leaving just made sense.
Thankful that she’d managed to get out of the house with clothes and her bags, Stormy patted her oversized purse, knowing that Logan and the others would be calling her.
She’d turned her cell phone off but would call Logan later.
They’d be tracing the call, of course, so she’d have to keep her call short, but she wanted her brother to know that she could handle herself.
