“I’m hungry, Daddy.”
“Of course you are.”
Chloe stood. “I could make something.”
Storm looked up at her. “It’s okay, I can do it.”
“Excuse me, but it’s my job. Remember?”
Storm groaned. “How did I let you talk me into that?”
“It’s only while I’m here, Storm.”
“All right.”
Chloe looked at Mandy. “What would you like, Mandy Pandy?”
“Pancakes,” Mandy shouted.
Chloe laughed and looked at Storm. “Pancakes? Again?”
“She’d eat them for every meal if you let her.”
“How about waffles? I can make some awesome waffles...if you have a waffle iron.”
“We’ve got one. It’s in the bottom cupboard by the stove.”
Mandy jumped down from Storm’s lap. “Okay. C’mon.” She started skipping around the recliner Storm sat in.
Chloe took her hand and they left the room with Mandy chattering a mile a minute about what she wanted on her waffles. Storm sighed. What the hell was he going to do? Chloe fit in here so well and Mandy hadn’t been this happy in a long time. As for him, he wanted Chloe so much but he couldn’t take the chance she’d change her mind and return to California, even though she said she never would again. He’d already had one woman rip his heart out and stomp on it. He sure as hell didn’t want to go through it again. Although, he had to admit that his marriage to Tracy had been bad from almost day one. Shaking his head, he didn’t even want to think about those years or taking a chance again.
CHLOE STOOD AT THE stove making waffles. Jennifer had taught her how to make great Belgian waffles. The deeper crevices held more butter and syrup. She pulled the first one off the iron and put it on a plate for Mandy.
“Come sit down,” she told the little girl.
Mandy ran to the table and pushed a chair out. She raised her arms for Chloe to pick her up and put her in her booster seat. Chloe picked her up and put her in the chair then pushed it until Mandy was closer to the table. Chloe shook her head and frowned. Mandy never had trouble getting into the seat before. She supposed the little girl just enjoyed the extra attention. When she turned back to the stove, she saw Storm standing in the doorway with his arms folded across his broad chest. He was staring at her as if trying to figure out something.
“What?” She lifted her brows at him in question.
“Nothing. I’m just wondering when the men in the white coats will come and get me for letting you work for me while you’re here.”
Chloe placed her hands on her hips. “For allowing me to stay, and I might add...I’m a very good cook.”
Storm shook his head. “I didn’t mean that.”
“What did you mean then?”
“Forget it. You can cook while you’re here and watch Mandy, but no more.”
Chloe huffed then pulled out a chair and took a seat beside Mandy. She couldn’t understand why he was so adamant against her working for her keep while she was here. She owed him. He’d saved her life. There was a strong chance she wouldn’t be here, if not for him. She glanced over to him when he pulled out a chair and took a seat.
“How far was I from Kendra’s?”
“You weren’t even close. In fact, you were heading in the wrong direction.”
Chloe gasped. “What?”
Storm smiled at her. “You probably got turned around in the bad weather somehow.”
“The wind was horrible and the snow was so heavy, I couldn’t see where I was going. But I was sure I was heading to Kendra and Cooper’s place.”
“I hate to say this but if I hadn’t come along when I did, you probably would have died from exposure. I can’t believe you even attempted to walk, Chloe. You should know better than that and your attempt to even try to walk in that gown and those heels just baffles me.”
“I was afraid to stay in the car. I had an awful feeling that if someone came down the road and slid, they’d hit my car.”
“You were worried about your damn car?”
“Daddy!” Mandy frowned at Storm.
Chloe couldn’t stop the grin. “Busted.”
Storm sighed. “I’m sorry, Mandy.”
“It’s okay, Daddy but if you keep doing it, I’m gonna have to tell Nana.”
When Chloe snorted, Storm glared at her so she picked up her fork and began eating. The only sound in the room was the clanging of forks on plates. Chloe couldn’t help but smile thinking about Storm getting in trouble with his mother over swearing. She looked over to him and could see he was trying not to grin. When he looked her way, they both started laughing.
Chapter Six
Later, Storm was working in the barn but couldn’t keep his mind off Chloe. This was not a good situation. The weather needed to clear so he could get her out of here. Then sudden guilt-filled thoughts made him stop what he was doing. Where would she go? If she didn’t have any money coming in from her parents, would she lose the restaurant? What about the house her grandmother left her?
Setting the rake aside, he trudged back to the house and walked up the steps to the back porch, stomped his boots to remove the snow, and then entered the kitchen. He took his gloves, hat, and coat off and put them in the mudroom before heading to the living room. Chloe was on the sofa with Mandy. They were watching a movie. Chloe glanced up at him and his heart skipped a beat. She was entirely too beautiful for his peace of mind.
“I need to know something. Once the weather clears, where are you going to go?” Storm asked as he took a seat in the recliner.
“Actually, the only thing I had planned was that I was hoping to stay with Kendra for a while.”
“What about your house?”
Chloe shook her head. “I’d love to stay there but I’m not sure I can afford it anymore. The restaurant doesn’t make a lot of money. I’ve been thinking of renting the house out...but even if I do, I still have to live somewhere and pay rent myself.”
“Isn’t there space above the restaurant? I seem to remember Zellene renting it out to someone years ago.”
“She did, but it’s such a mess. It has a bedroom with a bathroom and small kitchen. It would probably cost me a fortune to hire someone to fix it up.”
Storm grinned. “Have you forgotten about six strong men with skills you have as friends?”
“I couldn’t ask you all to do that.”
“Chloe, it’s what friends do. I’m sure the guys would be more than willing to help. Even Nathan would help and I’m sure you women could do something too. Paint or whatever.”
“I suppose I could do that.”
“What? Is it beneath you?” Storm sneered.
Chloe jumped up and took a defensive stance with her arms folded over those luscious breasts, drawing his gaze. “No, it isn’t. My parents may be rich snobs but I’m not, and you should know that. When have I ever acted like anything or anyone was beneath me?”
They stared at each other, the anger palpable between them until Storm heard Mandy crying. He looked down at her to see she had tears rolling down her face. Storm picked her up.
“It’s okay, baby girl. Don’t cry.”
“You and Chloe are yelling.”
Storm watched Chloe place her hand on Mandy’s back and gently caress her in a caring gentle manner.
“Grownups do that sometimes, Mandy Pandy. We’re just talking loud.”
Mandy laid her head against Storm’s shoulder and his heart was breaking that they’d upset her. He’d never purposely do anything to hurt his little girl. He kissed the top of her head.
“Chloe’s right, baby. We were just talking loud. Nothing’s wrong.”
Storm’s heart melted when she wrapped her arms tight around his neck. He looked at Chloe.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I know you’re not like that, Chloe. You’ve always been down to earth. Never a snob.”
“It’s all right. I think we’re just gett
ing cabin fever from being cooped up here.”
“I suppose...we could go look for a tree the day after tomorrow.”
Mandy raised her head and a grin split her tear-stained face. “Can we, Daddy?”
“Yes, of course.” Storm would do anything to make Mandy happy.
The next day, Storm asked Chloe to come to the barn to learn to ride. He knew she wouldn’t learn everything in one lesson, but she’d know enough to follow them when they go to get a tree. Rosa was the perfect horse for a first time rider since she was very gentle. Chloe would be safe on her. Claire took Mandy to her house while he gave Chloe a lesson in riding. Right now, Chloe stood staring at the horse, looking more scared than eager.
“She won’t hurt you,” Storm said holding Rosa’s reins and ready to assist Chloe into the saddle.
“That looks like a good ways up off the ground.”
“Naw, she’s shorter than my horse. Rosa is only fifteen hands. Dream Catcher is eighteen.”
“You’re losing me. I have no idea what that means.”
Storm laughed. “I’ll explain it sometime but for now, just know that Rosa isn’t a tall horse. Come on, I’ll help you up.” Offering his hand, he glanced over his shoulder and saw the obvious fear on her face. “Chloe, you don’t have to do this. You can stay here while we go get a tree.”
She shook her head. “No. I want to do this. I promised Mandy.”
Appreciating that she didn’t want to disappoint Mandy, he watched her take a deep breath and step forward. She looked at him and nodded.
“Okay, hold the reins in your left hand and grasp the horse's mane. Then, hold the saddle horn with your right hand. When you’re steady, put your foot in the stirrup and just pull yourself up, and swing your leg over. I’ll give you a push. I’m right here and won’t let you fall.”
Storm watched her do as he told her. She tried to pull herself up but was having trouble so he put his hand on her ass and gave her a shove. Once she was in the saddle, she glared down at him. He grinned up at her and shrugged. “Please. It’s nothing I haven’t touched before.”
He chuckled when she huffed then he adjusted the stirrups for her. Once she was settled, he took the reins from her and started to lead Rosa around the indoor corral.
“Just relax. The horse will feel your tension but if you stay calm, she will too. If you stay tensed up, you’re just going to be sore tomorrow. Go with the flow of the horse. Keep your legs relaxed and don’t squeeze them around her. She’s been trained to move by nudges with your legs,” he told her glancing over his shoulder at her. She smiled at him and looked a bit more relaxed.
“I like this,” she told him with a nod.
Storm smiled up at her and continued to lead the horse around in a slow walk. He stopped after a few laps and handed her the reins.
“Okay, hold them both in one hand. Now, pull them to the right a little.” Storm watched as she did what he told her. Rosa turned her head to the right. “Now...to the left.” He nodded his approval when she did it correctly. “Good. That’s how you turn her when you’re walking her. You won’t have to do much more to tell her where to go because she’ll follow behind Dream Catcher tomorrow. There won’t be much for you to do but hang on, and enjoy the ride. When you turn the reins, nudge her with your leg on the same side to get her to go in that direction. Try it now.”
He watched as Chloe took a deep breath, pulled the reins to the right, and nudged Rosa with her right leg. The horse turned and walked in that direction. Storm chuckled when Chloe laughed.
“I did it. It’s not too hard, and I never thought I’d like this. I can’t wait to go tomorrow.”
“Let’s hope the snow holds off while we go. We usually don’t go until after Thanksgiving, but the weather is supposed to be worse next week. My mom already called to say she probably wouldn’t be having dinner because we wouldn’t be able to make it.”
“What are you going to tell Mandy?”
Storm shrugged. “The truth. She’ll be disappointed but that’s how it goes. Mom said we can do it later. In the meantime, I have a turkey in the freezer, so we can at least have Thanksgiving here.”
“Sounds good. I’ll make it.”
Storm stared at her and then nodded. “All right. I already have all the fixings in the pantry.”
“That’s good then. Mandy will get her turkey day.” Chloe smiled down at him.
Storm stared at her. She was so beautiful and she made him think that maybe it was possible to find love again perhaps even with her, but the thought of his daughter being hurt made him very wary. Mandy was already getting too attached to Chloe and a day would come when she’d be leaving them. Then what? What if she left town again? Even if she didn’t, he probably wouldn’t see her again. He rarely left the ranch and when he did, it was only to go to the feed store or meet his friends for lunch, which he did once a week and usually at Zellene’s. Damn. Chloe’s restaurant. But Chloe hadn’t been there for months. She’d left this past summer after Dakota and Megan’s wedding. Would she still be working at Zellene’s?
He mentally shook his head to push away all of those thoughts. “Let’s get you down. I don’t want you to get saddle sore.”
She frowned at him. “All right. Okay...and how do I do that?”
“Take your right foot out of the stirrup and swing it over her back. Step down easy. Don’t scare her. Keep your hand on the saddle horn.” Storm moved close to the horse. “I’m right here.”
Chloe nodded and did as he told her. She stepped down and when her foot hit the ground, her knees gave out. Storm caught her. She spun around in his arms and laughed.
“Wow, my knees are weak from just that little bit of riding.”
“You don’t realize how much work it is to stay on a horse until you actually do it,” Storm said in a low tone of voice. He couldn’t stop his eyes from roaming over her face.
“Storm,” she whispered as her hands moved up his coat and around his neck.
He knew he shouldn’t but he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her as if his life depended on it. When his lips touched hers, he groaned and deepened the kiss. He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her tighter against his aching cock. She pushed her hips against him and he slowly raised his lips from hers.
“Storm,” she whispered, then put her face against his neck, and nipped at it with her teeth.
“Chloe, you’re driving me insane.”
She pulled back from him and stared up into his face. “So let’s go crazy together.”
He knew what he had to do as he stepped back from her. “Go back to the house.”
“What?”
“Go...go inside.” He turned away, stifling a grin as he started loosening the cinch on the saddle.
“How can you kiss me like that and then just turn me away?”
Storm grabbed her arms, pulled her to him, and took her lips in another deep kiss.
“I’m not turning you away. I have to put the horse up so I want you to go inside, and wait for me.”
Chloe gasped, gave him a huge grin, and then spun on her heel. He chuckled as she practically ran from the barn.
Storm worked quickly to rid Rosa of her saddle and blanket then led her into the stall and wiped her down. The thought of Chloe’s soft body against his, with her lips open under his, had his dick so hard he could hardly move. He wasn’t going to deny himself of her any longer. It was probably foolish to give in to his desire, and it might end in disappointment and regret, but it had been two long years since he’d had her and he’d never forgotten how good it felt to be buried deep inside her. Fuck!
After finishing in the barn, he strode out of the barn and into the house. Once inside, he took a deep breath and blew it out. If someone were to accuse him of being nervous, he’d have to agree with them. He was. He was nervous that she might change her mind. He took his gloves, hat, and coat off then, after putting them in the mudroom, he strode out of the kitchen and down the hallway toward his bedro
om. He stopped by her door and glanced in. He was glad to see she wasn’t in there. It meant she had to be in his room. He hoped anyway.
At his door, he put his hand against it and slowly pushed it open. The bed was empty. For a moment, his gut clutched thinking she’d changed her mind after all as he stepped into the room.
“Took you long enough,” she said quietly as she appeared by the bathroom door.
“What are you doing over there?” Storm asked as he advanced toward her.
“I thought we could take a shower together. It was cold in the barn and we’re both kind of horsey smelling.”
Storm grinned and stopped in front of her. He took a few strands of her silky hair between his fingers and lifted it to his nose. “I think you smell wonderful, and I can warm you up.”
Chloe laughed softly. “I have no doubt about that.” Her arms wrapped around his neck. “But I’d love to share a shower with you.” She kissed his neck making him shudder.
“Sounds good,” he murmured against her lips before pressing his to hers. Her moans shot right through him. Through every part of his body. No woman—ever—had made him feel the way she did.
“Do you remember how good it was, Storm?” she asked him in a low sexy voice.
“I can’t forget it. I need you now, Chloe. A shower can wait.” Storm took her hand and led her to the bed. Scooping her up into his arms, he placed her in the center, and then stared down at her. She scrambled to her knees and her hands went to the buckle of his belt. She lowered the zipper then moved her hand inside to wrap around his cock. He leaned over and kissed her then groaned against her lips.
“I love how hard you are for me, Storm.”
He pulled away from her to lift his T-shirt off over his head. She raked her fingernails down his chest and stomach, causing him to draw a breath in on a hiss then she leaned forward, and kissed his chest. Storm thrust his fingers into her hair, delighting in the softness while her sweet scent filled his nose, as she moved her mouth across his chest to his nipple. Her tongue swirled around it making it stiffen and a groan escaped him. She started kissing down his stomach and his hands fisted in her hair. She pushed his jeans and boxer briefs down but Storm stepped back from her, turned, and sat on the edge of the bed to toe his boots off.
Storm Page 8
