by Leah Brooke
It was Stormy’s turn to whip her head around. “What? I’m not going to be here long enough to hurt them. I don’t want to hurt them, but they want more than I can give.” She glanced back out the window but could no longer see Caleb. Knowing he’d be coming through the back door any second, she took a shaky breath. “Even if I have an affair with them, and I can’t believe I’m even saying them, I’m leaving as soon as all of this”—she waved a hand toward the window—“is over. All three of them know that. I keep telling them that, but I don’t think they’re listening.”
Nat studied her skeptically. “Something tells me it’s not going to be that easy. I thought Lucas was going to have a heart attack when he saw you run after that guy.”
Stormy shrugged and glanced at the back door, wondering what was taking Caleb so long. “He doesn’t seem to realize that I can take care of myself. At least Caleb didn’t seem worried.”
“Bullshit. You should have seen the look on his face when he was running after you. Didn’t you hear him screaming at you to stop?”
Stormy shrugged. “I heard him scream, but I didn’t know what he was saying. He seemed pretty pleased, though.” She smiled at the memory, her heart beating faster when Caleb came through the back door, followed closely by Devlin. “I can’t change who I am. I won’t.”
Caleb lifted a brow at that, but the ringing of her cell phone and Nat’s presence kept her from saying more.
Shit.
She’d thought she’d turned it off after calling Kathy.
She raced back into the bedroom, grabbing it on the third ring.
She glanced at the display, half expecting it to be Kathy but saw that it was Logan.
Looking up, she saw that Caleb and Devlin had followed her.
Aware of their sharp looks, she smiled and answered. “Hello, Logan. I thought you weren’t supposed to call me.”
“It doesn’t seem to matter. These assholes seem to find you anyway. I heard what happened. Are you okay?”
Hearing the sounds of cars driving away, she moved into the living room to stand at the front window, followed closely by Caleb. “I’m fine. Should I ask how you knew what was going on?
“I told you that I’m responsible for you. Ace called me as soon as he heard.”
She stiffened when Devlin walked into the room, glaring at him when he crowded her.
He kept moving forward, forcing her to step back until he stood between her and the window.
He smiled faintly, his gaze raking over her, need darkening his eyes. He crossed his arms over his chest, drawing her attention there.
Her gaze lingered on his chest before lifting to meet his again, the memory of how his hands had felt on her when they’d been in the shower rushing back with a vengeance.
Devlin smiled knowingly, reaching for her hand and pressing it against his chest. “Something bothering you, darlin’?”
“Stormy? Did you hear me?” Logan’s sharp bark jolted her back to the present.
Jerking her hand from Devlin’s chest, Stormy slapped at him and moved away to hide her smile, running straight into Caleb.
Gripping the phone tighter, she pressed it against her ear. “I hear you, Logan. Your friends are a pain in the ass.”
Devlin closed in behind her, running his finger down the center of her ass cheeks, his breath warm against her other ear. “Not yet, we aren’t.”
Logan blew out a breath. “They’ll protect you, and that’s all that matters. You just keep doing what you’re told.”
Surprised that he hadn’t mentioned that she’d gone after one of the shooters, Stormy met Caleb’s gaze. “I will. I wouldn’t want to do anything to get your panties in a bunch.”
Logan blew out another breath. “You’re being a smartass. That’s almost as bad as when you get quiet. Both mean trouble. You tryin’ to hide something from me?”
“Of course not.”
Caleb frowned at her bloody sleeve and reached out to take her hand in his, pulling her gently toward the bedroom.
Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, Stormy turned her head to see Hoyt sitting in one of the kitchen chairs with Nat on his lap.
He spoke softly to her, burying his face against her neck.
Seeing such a strong man so gentle and obviously madly in love with the woman in his arms, Stormy gulped, trying to convince herself that the emotion churning in her belly wasn’t jealousy.
Hoyt lifted his head again to smile down at Nat, the love softening his hard features making Stormy feel like a voyeur. Tucking Nat’s hair behind her ear, he smiled, seeming entranced by her features and what she said to him.
She looked back at Caleb and tried to imagine him holding her like that.
Looking at her as if nothing else in the world mattered.
Caleb studied her features, a dark brow going up as if he was trying to figure out what she was thinking.
Mortified at her own thoughts, she felt her face burn, growing hotter when he glanced toward the kitchen and then back at her again.
Folding her hand in his, he led her into the bedroom, releasing her to rifle through her clothes.
Stormy slapped his hands away. “Stop that! You’re messing everything up.”
Logan sighed. “Stormy, you’re distracted as hell. Who’s closest to you?”
“Caleb’s right in front of me.”
“Put him on the phone.”
Not wanting to take the chance that Caleb would mention that she’d ripped her stitches, Stormy stiffened. “So you can talk about me? No. I’m fine, Logan. Good-bye.”
“If I was there, I swear, I’d turn you over my knee. Hell, I guess I don’t have that right anymore.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Behave, or you will end up with a warm bottom.”
“Try it, and I don’t care if you’re my brother, I’ll kick your ass.”
She jabbed at the button to disconnect and tossed her phone onto the bed. “Hell. Logan’s getting worse every day. Living in Desire, he thinks that shit is normal.”
“Arms up.” Chuckling, Caleb stripped her out of her shirt and tossed it aside. Clicking his tongue, he inspected her fresh bandage. “Did Logan threaten to spank you?”
Irritated at herself for obeying him by lifting her arms without hesitation, Stormy grabbed the clean shirt from his shoulder and shrugged it on. “None of your business.”
She started from the room, intent on going back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee, pausing to whirl back on him. “What is it with you people and spanking?”
Caleb grinned, a grin filled with erotic promise. “Don’t knock it ’til you try it, darlin’.”
The sudden mental image of being naked and over his lap rose up and sent an unwelcome thrill of anticipation through her.
“You’re an ass—and I’m not your fucking darlin’.” She stormed into the living room and past Devlin and, seeing that Nat and Hoyt still sat cuddled together, decided that she needed some fresh air.
Not until she’d slammed the front door behind her did she see Lucas, who turned at the waist to watch her approach, the sight of his imposing figure making her heart beat faster.
Ignoring the stab of desire, she moved closer as if drawn and looked past him to where two men worked to hook the wrecked and bullet-ridden car to their tow truck.
Once she stood next to him, Lucas turned back to watch the men, but she had a feeling that he was conscious of every breath she took.
Keeping her attention on the other men, she felt Caleb and Devlin approach on her other side.
Devlin kept walking, joining the other men, and they immediately included him in their low conversation, their gazes sliding to her.
Admiring the smooth, efficient way they went about their task, Stormy found herself struck by the similarities between them and her three bodyguards.
The larger of the two men had his hair cut short, much like Lucas’s, and seemed to wear the same perpetua
l frown.
The other man had his hair pulled back in a ponytail even longer than Devlin’s. His eyes had the same dark intensity, and he had the same devious smile, the combination that Devlin used on her with great effectiveness.
In addition to his long, dark hair, the other man had tattoos up and down his arms, adding to his wild and dangerous appearance.
Both were handsome as hell in a compelling way that seemed to be a prerequisite of living in Desire.
Without looking at either Lucas or Caleb, she gestured toward the other men. “Friends of yours?”
Caleb slid his arm around her. “Yes. You can meet Dillon and Ryder later. They need to get the car out of here and back to their garage before dark.”
“Let me guess. Their garage is in Desire, and they live there.”
Caleb hugged her, pressing his lips to her hair. “Of course. Who else would we trust?”
“That’s the way it goes with the residents of Desire.” Hoyt appeared in front of them, with Nat clamped firmly to his side. “We need to do the same. I want to get Nat home, but if you need me, I’m only a phone call away.”
Lucas nodded and shook the other man’s hand. “Thanks. Be careful.” He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “You seem to forget that you’re a resident of Desire now, too—and a trusted one.”
Hoyt inclined his head and smiled back. “Still getting used to it.”
To Stormy’s surprise, Nat hugged her. “Enjoy your gift.”
Shocked to find herself missing the other woman already, Stormy hugged her back. “Thank you again for everything.”
* * * *
Still slightly stunned by Lucas’s phone call to Logan, Devlin couldn’t keep from smiling.
His smile fell, though, when Stormy looked away from the retreating vehicles and turned away, heading for the backyard.
Devlin fell into step beside her, watching her closely.
Crossing her arms, she ignored him, not speeding her steps as if she wanted to get away from him but not acknowledging him either.
She crossed the yard and started walking through the trees, navigating her way over the roots while deftly avoiding the hand he reached out to help her.
After several minutes of silence, Devlin had had enough. “Something bothering you, darlin’?”
Stormy whirled on him. “I’m not your fucking darlin’, either. I’ve never been anyone’s darlin’.”
Surprised at her outburst, Devlin knew he’d have to tread carefully through the emotional landmine he faced. “That’s a pity.”
“No. It’s not. I like it that way. Leave me alone.”
“That’s not gonna happen, darlin’.” Devlin kept his steps even with hers, one eye on her and the other checking for danger. “I have to admit, I’m glad, though. I like the idea that no one but us will ever have you.”
Expecting it, Devlin paused when she whirled on him again.
Advancing on him, Stormy poked a finger into his stomach. “I already told you that I’m not staying. If we have sex—”
Devlin grinned, knowing it would irritate her. “I think that’s pretty much a given.”
Fisting her hands at her sides, she stomped her foot, her green eyes flashing like emeralds. “Arrr! You make me crazy.”
“Back atcha, darlin’.”
She walked on in silence, the sound of the dry leaves beneath their feet and the birds chirping the only sounds around them. After several minutes, she stopped again, her back to him. “If we have sex, it’s just sex. I’m not sticking around. I’d go nuts in Desire.”
Devlin frowned, moving ahead to see her face. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes, Devlin. I do. Between my brother and the three of you, I’d never be able to have a life.”
“Of course you would.” Confused, he lifted her chin. “Why would you think that?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned back against a tree. “Let me ask you something.”
He watched both Lucas and Caleb approach from behind her. “Of course.”
“When I ran after that guy a little while ago, Lucas almost lost his mind, and although Caleb praised me, he was right there when I tackled the other guy.”
Devlin studied her, strongly suspecting that he was about to step into one of the feminine traps his friends spoke about. “They were both worried about you. As a matter of fact, I think they were more than worried. They were scared to death.”
Stormy nodded, her smile tense. “Exactly.” Turning, she started walking again, pausing when she saw Lucas and Caleb. “If I lived in Desire, I would still want to be a PI. Would you try to interfere?”
Lucas studied her, his eyes narrowed. “You’re damned right I’d interfere. If you think I’m gonna let you put yourself in danger, you’d better think again.”
With her hands on her hips, she looked at each of them. “That’s what I thought. So it’s an affair, or nothing at all.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Caleb stepped between them, not about to let the argument escalate. “Enough.” He sent a warning look in Lucas’s direction. “Anything can be worked out.”
With his hands on his hips, he faced Stormy. “You made a promise to me. Are you gonna stand by it?”
Stormy blinked, her eyes going wide. Glancing at Devlin and then to Lucas, she sucked in a breath. “Now?”
Raising a brow, Caleb let his gaze rake over her, noting that her nipples poked at the front of her shirt, before meeting her gaze again. “Now.”
His mouth watered in anticipation, but he carefully kept his expression cool. He’d promised that he wouldn’t try to seduce her with pretty words, knowing that she wouldn’t trust them anyway.
Caleb held his breath, realizing the gamble he took.
Pushing her too hard would scare her, but the argument she and Lucas had begun might very well end any chance they had of building the relationship they wanted with her before it ever really got started.
Raising a brow again, Caleb gave her his most intimidating look. “That is, unless you’re scared.”
Lifting her chin, Stormy glanced at Lucas again. “I’m not scared of any of you.”
Inclining his head, Caleb stepped aside, holding his arm out in a gesture for her to proceed him. “Good. In the house. Now. This time we’re going to my bedroom. Everything’s ready.”
Her eyes flared at that. “Oh? What do you mean? What’s ready?”
“You’ll see.”
Each second of the silence that followed stretched Caleb’s nerves, but he held her gaze, silently waiting for her to make the decision.
Earning her trust and increasing the intimacy between them was too important for him to rush her, so he waited, hardly daring to breathe.
After what seemed like hours, Stormy lifted her chin, her cheeks flushed. “Fine. Let’s go.”
Chuckling in both satisfaction and relief, Caleb slid a hand to her lower back, guiding her to the back door. “Not exactly the kind of enthusiasm I was looking for, but I’m sure I can work on that.”
Once inside, he lifted her over his shoulder, tugging one of her boots off despite her giggling struggle. A slap on her ass stunned her into immobility long enough for him to remove the other.
Without removing his own, he carried her to his bedroom, not bothering to close the door behind him.
He knew both Lucas and Devlin would want to be present when Stormy lost her virginity and promised himself that, by the time they joined them, she would be well past the point of caring.
The faint rays of sunshine peeking through the trees added a shadowy and mysterious feel to the darkening room, which would only add to the excitement.
Setting her on her feet, Caleb moved behind her, pressing his cock against her lower back. “I want you, Stormy.”
“I know. I want you, too.” She started to turn, sucking in a breath when his hands closed on her waist to prevent it.
He kept his hands on her waist, gently nipping her earlobe. “Be
still.” Smiling at her shiver, he slid his hands beneath the hem of her shirt, enjoying the feel of her soft skin.
She shivered again, gripping his forearms. “Caleb. Don’t make me wait.”
Caleb slowly slid his hands higher, cupping her breasts over her bra. “You aren’t aroused enough to be so impatient, which means that some of your impatience is from fear.”
He gripped the edge of her shirt. “Lift your arms.”
She hesitated only momentarily, but she obeyed him, crossing her arms across her chest as he tossed her shirt toward the chair in the corner behind him. “I’m aroused.”
Sliding his hand up her back, he wrapped her braid around his hand, tugging lightly to tilt her head back to rest on his shoulder. “Not even close, honey.”
Staring into her eyes, he unfastened the front closure of her bra, letting the edges fall, his breath catching. “Pink.”
Stormy turned her head toward him with a moan. “It’s the stuff your friend sent. I think just about everything’s pink. You got something against pink?”
Erin and Rachel had somehow found out about his and Devlin’s weakness for pink lingerie and had teased them about on occasion.
With her bra straps beneath his palms, he slid his hands down her arms, bending to touch his lips to her bandage. “Just the opposite. Devlin and I have a particular fondness for pink. But I’d rather see you without it.”
After tossing her bra aside, Caleb ran the tips of his fingers lightly over her belly, smiling when she moaned and gripped his forearms. “I want you naked. I want to explore every inch of you.”
* * * *
Biting her lip, Stormy tightened her hands on Caleb’s forearms, tugging to encourage him to give her nipples the attention they needed.
Stormy realized that being naked from the waist up heightened the sensations in her breasts, making them feel even more exposed.
Groaning in frustration when he resisted her efforts, Stormy reached up to cover them, fighting Caleb when he caught her wrists in his large hands.
