“I want you too, Storm,” she whispered back.
Storm stood in one fluid motion with her in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. He pushed the bedroom door shut behind them, laid her on the bed, and pulled his T-shirt off over his head. Chloe groaned as she ran her gaze over his hard muscled chest and six-pack stomach. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulled his boots off, and then moved to lay down beside her.
“Are you sure, Chloe?” he asked her.
“Yes. I’ve thought of nothing but you since the night we—”
“I know. I remember it well. It was the best sex I ever had.”
Chloe pulled away from him and stared at him. “Really?”
“Yes,” he whispered as he lowered his head and lightly kissed her lips.
“Then why didn’t you come to see me?”
“Because I’m not looking for a relationship, Chloe. I have Mandy to think of.”
Chloe rolled away from him, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and stood. “Then what the fuck is this?” She waved her hand at the bed.
Storm rolled to the edge of the bed, stood, put his hands on his hips, and narrowed his eyes at her. “Sex.”
“Just sex. Well, you can just forget about it, Storm.”
“Fine. Then don’t come on to me—”
“Come on to you? Are you serious? You kissed me!”
“And you sure as hell didn’t push me away,” he growled.
“Of course I didn’t. I’ve been attracted to you since the first time I saw you. Do I look stupid to you?” she raised her voice then quieted it again so she wouldn’t wake Mandy. “Do I?”
Storm raked his fingers through his hair. “No. I never said you were. I’m just saying you didn’t tell me no.”
“Damn, Storm. I just said I was attracted to you. Why would I say no? The night we had sex in your truck was amazing but you took off like a bat out of hell afterwards—”
“Because you couldn’t even look at me. It was as if you were ashamed of what we’d done.”
Chloe gasped. “That’s not true. I’m not ashamed of anything we’ve done. Hell, I’ve wanted you for years.”
“Then why couldn’t you look at me?”
“Because it was so good and I had a feeling you regretted it. I was right, wasn’t I, Storm? You did.”
“No—”
“Yes! I could tell, by the way you acted. As soon as it was over, the look on your face said it all.”
“We were friends, Chloe. I didn’t want to ruin that.”
“Well, you did. You ignored me as much as you could after that night. Just as I said at Dakota and Megan’s reception, we were more than friends. After we had sex, that all changed. It doesn’t matter what you tell yourself, there is an attraction between us, and you’re a coward for not wanting to see where it could go.”
“And what about Mandy?”
“What about her?”
“If we had a relationship and she fell in love with you, and then you left. Then what?”
Chloe stalked around the bed, marched up to him, and glared up at him. “Not all women are like your ex-wife, Storm.” She watched a muscle twitch in his cheek as he glared down at her.
“So says the woman who ran away from her wedding still wearing her wedding dress. I think you need to get out of my bedroom, and then stay away from me while you’re here.”
“Fine.” She walked to the door and spun around to face him. “Same goes for you.”
She pulled the door open and walked out closing it quietly behind her when all she really wanted to do was slam it so hard that it came off the hinges. She stalked to her bedroom and closed the door behind her then leaned back against it. Anger, despair, and a hard ache welled up her. Damn him. He’d made her act like a teenager. The only thing she hadn’t done was giggle when he carried her to the bedroom.
Idiot! You could be having sex with him right now!
“You’re so stupid, Chloe,” she muttered as she flopped down on the bed, lay back, and stared up at the ceiling redirecting her anger at him to herself for nearly falling for the attraction—yet again.
Storm was the man she’d wanted from the first minute she’d laid eyes on him. He’d come into the restaurant with his friends when he was sixteen, and she’d been eleven. She was sitting at a table waiting for her grandmother to take her home. She’d just arrived in Dry River for the summer as she did every year since she’d been seven, and had already made friends with Kendra, Emily, and Roni. But when she saw Storm, she fell in love for the first time in her life.
As she grew older, that love deepened. She’d never told anyone how she felt about Storm. Not even Kendra, her best friend. Chloe was too embarrassed about it and when she’d heard he’d gotten married, she cried for what seemed like forever. After a while, she knew she had to move on and eventually dated Darren in college. However, he left her when her parents paid him off. Then she met Shane and fell in love, as much as she could with a man other than Storm. Only Shane died in a car accident. They’d been engaged at the time and she was heartbroken. That was seven years ago and sometimes she wondered if they’d still be together had they married because when she heard about Storm’s wife leaving him, she hated to admit but she’d been happy about it. Chloe had been twenty-two and in her last year of college when Storm married Tracy. Just two short years later, Tracy left him and their baby daughter. From what she’d heard from Kendra, Mandy had been less than two months old when Tracy ran off with a man passing through town. She’d hated the isolation of the ranch so she took off when she got the first chance. Kendra said Storm had been devastated. Chloe had often wondered if he’d gone after Tracy.
Chloe shook her head. Somehow, she knew he hadn’t. Storm wasn’t the type of man to beg anyone, and he had to have been so busy trying to raise Mandy on his own. He was a fantastic father from what Chloe could see of their relationship, and Mandy adored her father. Storm was everything a woman would want in a man, and he was definitely Chloe’s dream man. He had been since she first saw him and she knew he would be until she took her last breath. That was why she’d been so hurt when he’d left her alone in his truck and walked off, never to mention it again. It had been the most amazing sex she’d ever experienced and he’d treated it like it was just another fuck with any random woman.
Damn man. She just hoped this weather let up soon so she could get the hell out of here and go home to her house in town.
STORM SAT ON THE BED wondering what in the hell had just happened. Damn woman.
She’d said fine, and he knew women well enough that when a woman said that, it was anything but. He drew his hand down his face and swore. He hoped the weather cleared up soon because he wasn’t sure how much longer he could be around her without wanting to drag her to bed. That night in his truck years ago had only intensified his want for her. He’d wanted her for a long time and when it finally happened, it was mind-blowing. It had been so hot.
Fuck! Now his dick was remembering how good it had been too, sending him back to that night...
Storm stood leaning against his truck watching the people going in and out of the Fireside Bar. Chloe stood by the entrance looking uncertain about whether to stay out or go back in. She glanced his way and he saw her take a deep breath before she started heading in his direction. A man stopped her along the way, and Storm watched as she shot him down. Storm grinned. The woman had balls.
When she finally reached him, Chloe leaned back against the truck beside him. Neither said anything for a few minutes. Storm couldn’t take it. He could smell her perfume and he wanted to pull her close and bury his face in her neck.
“So...what do you think about Kennie and Cooper?” he asked.
Chloe smiled at him. “I think there is definitely an attraction there and that they should go for it.”
“Really? Go for it, huh?”
Chloe glanced away from him. “I think if people are attracted to each other, they should definitely go for it. Why deny it?�
� She shrugged.
Storm turned to face her, leaning his arm against the truck.
“So, do you go for it when you’re attracted to someone?”
“Sometimes...most of the time, I guess.”
“Why only most of the time?”
“Because there could be someone who I’m attracted to, and he may be attracted to me but then he won’t go for it. On something like that, I won’t waste my time.” She glanced up at him then away.
“How do you know he won’t go for it?”
“Because he ignores me, most of the time. To get him to talk to me is like pulling teeth.”
Storm chuckled. “Sounds like a real jerk.”
Chloe laughed. “I suppose he’s just scared.”
Storm straightened up. “Scared?”
“Yep,” she said, nodding her head.
“I don’t think he’s scared.” Storm knew all along she was talking about him and now he wanted to defend himself.
“No? Then what’s his reason for not going for it? I mean, I’m not ugly, am I?”
“Hell no, you’re beautiful. He’s not scared though. Any fool would be attracted to you.”
“Well thank you, I suppose, but again why won’t you—I’m sorry, why won’t he go for it?”
Storm grinned at her slip of the tongue. He was having fun with this. “Maybe he doesn’t want it to go past the friendship you have with him.”
“Bullshit,” she mumbled.
“Why is that bullshit? A lot of friendships are ruined when sex gets involved.”
Chloe stepped closer to him. “Want to put it to the test?” she murmured.
Storm stared into her beautiful face. “You have no idea how much.”
“How about we get in your truck then and...talk about it some more?”
Storm hesitated less than a second then opened the truck’s back door. It was times like this he was happy he’d bought a four-door pickup truck. Mostly he’d bought it because of Mandy, but now he was getting Chloe Baxter into the backseat and that was worth the extra expense. He smiled as he watched her climb in and his dick stretched when he looked at her ass in those tight jeans. He was happy he’d taken the car seat out earlier today. Climbing in behind her and once seated, he shut the door and glanced over to her.
“Are you sure—”
In answer, Chloe straddled his lap, pressing her lips to his to cut off his words and it sent a jolt right through him. She cupped his lightly whiskered cheeks in her hands. Storm put his hands on her waist and moved them up to cup under her breasts. She moaned and he about died. He nibbled on her bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth then he pulled her T-shirt off over her head, tossed it to the floor, and groaned when he saw her breasts popping out of her red lace demi-cup bra. He unclasped it and they spilled free. He’d never seen anything so perfect in his life. Her nipples were a dusky rose and he had an instant urge to taste them. Leaning forward, he took a nipple between his teeth, and tugged on it. Her fingers combed through his hair and pulled him tighter against her. Her nipples tightened into rigid peaks. Storm moved his mouth over to the other one and only lifted his head away from her when she pulled his T-shirt off over his head. He chuckled when she threw it to the floor, but then quickly returned his attention to her breasts. Her hands moved down over his chest to his stomach, making his skin quiver.
“Storm, you have an amazing body,” she whispered as her hands moved to his belt buckle. She pressed her lips to his and Storm groaned into her mouth. The woman really knew how to kiss.
“You are so beautiful, Chloe. I need to see all of you,” Storm said as he reached for the snap of her jeans. He pulled the zipper down then after settling her on the seat beside him, then yanked her jeans off flinging them onto the floor. She wore red lace panties that matched her bra.
Leaning back against the door, she stared at him. Storm groaned, leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. When she opened for him, he moved his tongue into her mouth as he moved his hand down over her breast to her flat stomach and to the elastic at the top of her panties. He rubbed the back of his fingers above her panties before he slipped his fingers inside and down between her wet slit. He rubbed his knuckle against her clitoris, making her gasp. She was already so wet for him. He continued to rub his knuckle against her clitoris until she cried out as she came. Eager to be inside her before he embarrassed himself, he sat up, unzipped his jeans, shoved them down, retrieved a condom from his wallet, and sheathed himself. He looked at her and her eyes were on his hard cock. Her wide eyes lifted and met his then she smiled.
“I had a feeling you’d be impressive.”
“Come here,” Storm growled.
Chloe grinned, took her panties off, and swung her leg over him and slowly impaled herself down over his shaft. She gasped when she settled down on him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she raised herself up and down over him. Storm grit his teeth against the pleasure.
“God, you feel so good, Storm.” Chloe leaned forward, pressed her lips to his, and moved her tongue into his mouth. Storm used his tongue to duel with hers as she moved against him, then grabbed her hips and tore his mouth free.
“Shit. I’m not going to last. Move faster, Chloe.”
She laughed then squealed when he tossed her off him and onto the seat. He pulled her legs up and hooked her knees around his waist, and then got on his knees between them. He thrust into her and groaned when she tightened her legs around him. He continued to pound into her as he leaned down over her. He had no doubt the truck was rocking.
Storm could feel her inner muscles clenching around his cock right before she cried out again and bit his shoulder. In reaction, Storm grunted and came, wishing the experience could go on forever. Tucking his face into her neck when it was over, he tried to catch his breath. Chloe was breathing just as hard. Fuck!
He lifted up and looked into her face then pulled out of her and sat up. She was looking away and wouldn’t look at him even as he watched and waited for her to do so. Feeling self-conscious, he pulled his jeans up and put his shirt on. After glancing at her in the hope she was watching him, only to find her still avoiding him, he opened the door, climbed out and walked away without looking back.
Damn. It had been the best sex he’d ever had but he’d felt like such an ass afterwards and had gotten out of there so fast, he hadn’t realized he still wore the condom until he headed back inside and gone to the bathroom. Now she was here, in his house, and he still wanted her but it couldn’t happen again. No. Not this time. Mandy was all that mattered to him and he couldn’t take the chance that she’d be hurt by someone not wanting to stick around. There was no way he’d ever choose a woman over his daughter like Tracy had chosen another man over her. When Mandy was old enough, he’d tell her all about her mother and he wouldn’t sugarcoat it because she deserved to know the truth. Storm knew she’d ask when she got older and he was more than willing to wait. As of right now, she didn’t ask any questions, she just knew her mother was gone.
Storm ran his hand along his jaw. Chloe really did seem to care about his daughter and Mandy was already getting attached to her. Maybe she’d be different...
Shaking his head, he knew it wasn’t a chance he was willing to take. He needed to check on his daughter. She should be getting up and he wanted to make sure she was feeling all right. Mandy was rarely sick but when she was, he worried. He knew kids got sick, but it still worried him when she did. He hoped her still being under the weather today was just a result of a twenty-four hour bug, or perhaps a cold coming on. She really shouldn’t have been outside running around in the snow without a coat.
Shaking his head again, he knew Mandy had only done that because Chloe had been watching her. It never would have happened if she’d been with him, Claire, or his mother. His little girl liked to test new people to see how much she could get away with, so he couldn’t blame Chloe. During the summer, Storm had had a teenager in town watch Mandy while he was working in the barn and M
andy had done the same thing with her. She ran outside and into the barn, something she knew she shouldn’t do alone. When Storm saw her, he was angry. The teenager had been distraught, but Storm assured her it was not her fault. Mandy knew what she should and shouldn’t do, so he’d punished her for it by not allowing her to watch her favorite TV shows for a week. It had hurt him more than it hurt her though, because every time he saw tears on her little cheeks because she was unhappy not watching her shows, he almost caved.
Storm left his bedroom and headed toward Mandy’s but he heard her laughter coming from the living room. Heading that way instead, he entered the room to see her and Chloe sitting on the sofa watching her princess movie. Again. Mandy glanced up and when she saw him, she ran to him. He caught her and tossed her into the air making her squeal.
“Higher, Daddy!”
Storm tossed her one more time and laughed when she squealed again. “That’s enough. You’re going to wear me out and besides, you’ve been sick.”
Mandy wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Okay. I feel better though, Daddy. Chloe comed in my room. She thought I was sleeping but I wasn’t.” She put her hands over her mouth and giggled.
“I guess I should thank Chloe, huh?” Storm looked at Chloe, who glanced over her shoulder at him. “Thank you.”
She shrugged. “You’re welcome. I figured you needed time to...calm down.” Her eyes went to his fly.
Storm clenched his jaw and he could feel a muscle twitching in his cheek. So, she does have a vindictive side. “Didn’t take long at all.”
Chloe snorted and looked at him with a feigned pout. Okay, not vindictive...just honest. He couldn’t stop the grin once he realized she wasn’t mad at him. She laughed, and he shook his head then sat in the recliner with Mandy on his lap.
Storm Page 7
