Stormee Waters

by Lynda J. Coker

  Stormee’s shattered self-confidence didn’t allow for defying Dirk’s command to stay quiet. Besides, she couldn’t think of even one battle-worthy reply.

  Intimate images of the rogue-male at her side raced across her mind like a slideshow. For the first time, the sinewy strength concealed in his eye-catching physique touched her on an elemental level. Thanks to her idiot brother, she was now forced to acknowledge Dirk as a man, a hunter, one who’d marked her for acquisition. After what he’d just said, how could she hope to keep their association on a professional level? She swiped at the trickle of perspiration slipping across her temple.

  Josh moved his gaze to her. “You getting all of this? You recognize what this guy is saying, don’t you?”

  Stormee remained mute. Dirk and Josh reminded her of two ravenous dogs, and she, the piece of prime steak between them.

  “Like I told you”—Josh met Dirk’s gaze—“she’s clueless. So what I’m saying is this—you give it your best shot. But if you hurt my sister, I’m coming after you.”

  Dirk’s lips tightened against his teeth. “Fair enough.”

  He cocked his head toward Stormee. “Would you like some coffee now?”

  Though his smile was warm and his tone courteous, the slight lift of his left eyebrow told her he was at the edge of his patience.

  “I don’t think so.” She turned her back to him and laid her head against the seat, the need to escape his disturbing presence uppermost in her mind. Blessedly, both her adversaries took the hint and lapsed into silence.

  ****

  Dirk pushed the control panel next to his chair and dimmed the overhead lights. He glanced at the rigid shoulders of the woman beside him. Even after thirty minutes, she still couldn’t hide her anger. Her small, fisted hands trembled where they lay pressed together in her lap. This wasn’t how he’d planned to reveal his intentions.

  He shifted his gaze to the boy who slept in peaceful ease, despite the wreckage left by his immature anxiety. Thanks to this underage opponent, whatever progress he’d made with Stormee no longer existed. Judging by his experience with her in the last two days, he’d wager she’d loose no time laying a minefield to keep him at bay.

  He wanted to kiss the nape of her neck where it lay exposed by her short hair, to whisper in the small, delicate ear that he wasn’t a predator to be feared. A frustrated sigh vibrated down his throat. The one attribute he lacked in quantity was the one thing he needed to win Stormee’s trust—patience.

  Chapter Five

  Stormee climbed into the backseat of the sleek white SUV next to Josh. Dirk took the driver’s seat and a man he’d introduced as Skeeter filled the front passenger space.

  “We’ll get breakfast then go to the hospital, if that’s okay with everyone,” Dirk stated, turning to direct his words to Stormee.

  “I want to go straight to the hospital.” She rushed to reply before Dirk could interrupt. “Josh and I can get something in the cafeteria later. There is no need to trouble yourself further. We can make the return trip without assistance.” She stared out the side window to avoid making eye contact.

  An unfamiliar ringtone echoed through the car and Dirk slipped on an earphone. “Yeah, we’re leaving the airport now. Tell Condor to refuel the Falcon and stand ready. Prepare the shack and other specs I sent earlier.” His strong voice filled the car’s quiet interior.

  Twenty minutes elapsed and Stormee began to relax, allowing her mind to sort through possible scenarios that might lay ahead. She’d arranged for a three-day leave-of-absence from work and Josh’s school schedule. Her available cash would barely stretch, with hotels, food cost, and the price of bus tickets home.

  Josh punched her shoulder and stepped out of the vehicle, giving Stormee the first clue the vehicle had stopped. She grasped the door handle and almost tumbled out as it swung open. Strong fingers gripped her upper arm, saving her from falling headfirst on the concrete.

  “Are you okay?” Dirk asked, helping Stormee to stand.

  “I’m—I’m fine.” She shook off his hand and slammed the car door with agitated force.

  “Hey, I thought we were going straight to the hospital.” Josh stared at his sister, confusion scrunching his eyebrows.

  Stormee scanned the immediate area for the hospital’s entrance. Nothing presented itself except for a small eatery painted in multiple shades of pink and green with a sign reading Mom’s House of Pancakes.

  “I don’t know about your sister, but I’m sure you’re just as hungry as Skeeter and I,” Dirk addressed Josh with a conspirator’s grin.

  “You’re right. My stomach is beginning to cave in on itself,” Josh responded with a nod.

  Stormee glared at her brother. What happened to the earlier antagonism toward the man he’d warned her not to trust? Some character building was needed if his loyalty sold for a mere stack of pancakes.

  The three deserters disappeared through the cafe door, each swearing they held the title for most pancakes eaten at a single meal. Their desertion hurt and started a whirl of retaliatory options forming in her sleep-deprived mind.

  The jarring blare of a car horn reminded her she stood in the only open parking slot. She moved to allow the taxi room to unload passengers. An idea sprang up like a weed in the summer sun and she acted before losing courage. The image of them choking on their beloved breakfast, when they found her gone, revived her spirits.

  ****

  Dirk grinned at Josh who was busy floating a super-stack in blueberry syrup. “Your sister seems to have a stubborn streak. How long do you think she’ll hold out before she decides to come in?”

  “I told you she’s not a pushover.” Josh paused to lick the syrup from his bottom lip. “Get her mad and there’s no telling what she’ll do. At times, she can be really scary.”

  Dirk cut into his stack of buckwheat pancakes and savored their nutty flavor. “The car is locked. She can’t enjoy standing in the sun. I’ll give her a few more minutes.”

  Ten minutes later, he washed the last mouthful of breakfast down with a swallow of coffee as hot as his growing annoyance. Women generally did everything possible to please him, unlike Stormee, who resisted at every turn. She’d willingly go hungry, rather than surrender. “You two finish up and meet me at the car.” He paused long enough to pay the bill before stalking toward the parking lot.

  After making two rounds of the building’s perimeter, he still hadn’t found Stormee. His palms itched, from what particular urge he wasn’t sure. But giving her a thorough shaking would be a good place to start.

  “She’s with Nana.” Josh spoke from behind him, his cell phone clutched in his hand. “She grabbed a taxi.”

  Dirk slammed his open palm against the side of the SUV. “Of all the pig-headed, stubborn…”

  “Ah, Boss,” Skeeter cut him off, nodding his head toward Josh.

  Dirk took the hint. “Get in the car. We’ll catch up with her at the hospital.” The pancakes he’d enjoyed with gusto now churned in his stomach.

  ****

  Stormee pulled the blanket over her grandmother’s shoulders, tucking it around her neck so the air blowing through the ceiling vent wouldn’t chill her. Nana hated to be cold. Her grandmother appeared weaker than Stormee remembered, her pale skin blending with the white sheets. She adjusted the covers one more time and stepped into the corridor to wait for Nurse Abbot.

  “Hey, why did you disappear?” Josh’s voice echoed through the quiet hallway.

  Stormee turned and raised her finger to her lips. “Quiet. This is a hospital, remember?”

  “Okay, okay. Where’s Nana?”

  “She’s sleeping. You can go in, but don’t wake her.”

  Stormee watched Josh as he eased the door open to Nana’s room. She ought to acknowledge the men who’d accompanied him, but truth was, now her little rebellion was over, she didn’t know what to say.

  “Miss Waters, would you like for me to bring you something from the cafeteria?”

&nb
sp; Skeeter’s solicitous offer calmed her uncertainty. A peep in Dirk’s direction, however, made the hair stand erect on her arms.

  What right does he have to be angry? I’m the one being ordered around or ignored. She tossed her head and threw him a look of smug victory. He stiffened as though she’d smacked him. With a mouth clenched tighter than a bank vault, he was in jeopardy of cracking his stubborn jaw.

  She stepped backward, intending to duck into Nana’s room, when Nurse Abbot rounded the corner.

  “Miss Waters, I’m so glad you could get here this soon.” The middle-aged woman dressed in a pristine white nurse’s uniform grabbed Stormee’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I spoke to the floor supervisor, and she assured me your grandmother has no serious injuries and should be released in a couple of days.”

  Thankful for the chance to shift her focus, Stormee turned her back on Dirk. “Yes. I checked and she appears to be okay.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, Miss Abbot. I’m Dirk Savage. We spoke on the phone earlier.”

  Stormee jerked in surprise. Dirk stood close beside her as if he had a right to meddle in Nana’s business. Before she could tell him to back off, she watched Nurse Abbot capture his hand.

  “Mr. Savage. Thank you for your assistance. You’ve completely relieved my concern for Mrs. Langley’s safety. Furthermore, I’m happy a capable man will be assisting Miss Waters.”

  “He’s not…” Stormee uttered only two words of complaint before the arm Dirk snaked around her waist interrupted her ability to speak.

  “You no longer need to be concerned for Stormee or her grandmother. I’ll be taking personal responsibility for both.” He moved to stand behind Stormee, his hand resting on her ribcage.

  “Oh, I’m pleased,” Miss Abbot’s smile reflected total acceptance. “Stormee is too young to bear this load alone.”

  “Miss Abbot…” Stormee attempted to regain control of the conversation and, at the same time, pull away from Dirk’s hold.

  His fingers splayed, and with little effort, he tugged her flush against his muscled frame. “Don’t worry, Stormee, I’ve already had a long discussion with Miss Abbot, and I’ll share that information later. I’m sure you’d like to spend time with your grandmother, so let me take care of the rest, okay?”

  To an outsider, his gesture no doubt appeared attentive. But Stormee knew differently. A stranger wouldn’t pick up on the distinct mockery in his tone, or the possessive movement of his fingers as they flexed against her ribs.

  He was far madder than expected. If she didn’t want to become a public causality, common sense demanded she let his temper subside. Despite wanting to do the opposite, she allowed her body to relax.

  “Hey, Sis. Nana wants to talk to you.”

  Dirk dropped his hand from her waist.

  She hurried into her grandmother’s room and found her sitting on the edge of the bed, struggling to get the IV untangled from the bedcovers. “What are you doing? You shouldn’t get up without help.”

  “Well, lend me a hand then. We’re wasting time,” Nana said with a wave of her autocratic hand.

  “You’re still recovering from the fall. Everything is fine, but the doctor wants you to get more rest.” Stormee patted her grandmother’s shoulder.

  “Girl, those thieves are after my blues. I have to keep them safe. Get me out of here so we can check on them.”

  “Nana, I’ll check on them for you. They’ll be there when you get back to Serenity House tomorrow.”

  “You can’t do this job alone. It’s too dangerous.”

  Stormee’s concern heightened at the genuine worry evident in Nana’s trembling voice. She grasped her grandmother’s hand and held tight in an effort to keep her from further entangling the IV tube.

  “Mrs. Langley, Stormee won’t be alone. I’ll keep a vigilant watch. You don’t need to worry.” Dirk’s firm voice projected across Stormee’s shoulder.

  “Who are you?” Nana glared at Dirk, a suspicious glint in her eye. Switching her attention to Stormee, she asked, “He’s not one of them, is he?”

  “He…he’s a friend.” Stormee patted her grandmother’s hand but avoided looking her in the eye.

  “Stormee Waters! How many times must I tell you never to catch the attention of a rogue? This one is too good looking to be humble, and he’s got the Devil’s own smile. Brainless girl.” With a jerk of her hand, Nana pointed to a spot behind Stormee. “Send him through the door this instant and turn the lock.”

  “Nana.” Stormee winced as her cheeks fired with embarrassment. “Mr. Savage is…”

  “Savage?” Nana screwed up her face and pointed a finger misshapen by arthritis toward Dirk’s chest. “Yep, he’s an untamable one. Get rid of him before he stakes a claim, because when he does, he’ll take the whole territory.”

  Dirk stepped close to Stormee’s side. “I believe you’ve encountered such a rogue in your own youth, Mrs. Langley, so you can appreciate the truth in my words. The claim is staked. Stormee’s doing her best to send me on my way, but I’m confident I’ll win her affection. Don’t you think I’m right?”

  Stormee didn’t know what shocked her more—Dirk’s outrageous words and conspirator’s grin, or Nana’s coquettish smile.

  Dirk reached for her grandmother’s hand and placed a knightly kiss upon it.

  Nana almost swooned in ecstasy and the eyelash flutter she bestowed on him nearly made Stormee gag with frustration.

  “Oh. Young man, you’re a scoundrel of the first caliber.”

  Dirk rewarded the flirty comment with a teasing wink. “I’ll go with Stormee to retrieve the blues for you. Don’t worry anymore, just rest. Will you do that for me?”

  Nana smiled and released an elongated sigh. With a slight nod, she agreed to Dirk’s wishes.

  “I’m taking Stormee home, Mrs. Langley. She’s had a very long day and needs to rest. We’ll be back in the morning to visit you.”

  Stormee stepped forward, displacing Dirk from her nana’s side. “I’m not leaving yet.”

  “You’re a precious child, always helpful.” Nana soothed her granddaughter’s anxiety with a pat to Stormee’s cheek. “You do as he says. Now that I know Mr. Savage will see to your safety, I’ll be able to rest well. We’ll visit tomorrow.”

  ****

  Their departure from the hospital and subsequent ride to the Serenity Assisted Living facility passed in standoffish silence. Stormee’s misgivings escalated by the minute, leaving confusion and a sense of loss in its wake.

  How can I return to Houston and leave Nana alone again? She crossed one arm over her stomach and clasped her side while another worrisome thought followed the first. What do I do about Dirk Savage and this crazy attraction I don’t want?

  “Are you ready to go inside?”

  Dirk’s question jerked Stormee from her mental wandering. He’d already parked in front of the assisted living complex. She moved quickly, stepping out of the car and away from his suffocating nearness. A hand latched onto her wrist before she’d taken three steps toward the building’s entrance, swinging her around to face him.

  “A woman who uses silence as a weapon is both childish and infuriating.” He looked briefly over his shoulder and took a deep breath.

  “I’m not a child!” The shouted retort accompanied by a stomp of her foot seemed, even in her own mind, a humiliating contradiction. Stormee pointed a finger at his chest and unleashed her thoughts before the courage to do so fled. “You need to get one thing straight. I don’t want you here. I don’t need your interference in my life, and I have no interest in being one of your many women.”

  The ground moved, or did she?

  Dirk maneuvered her backward until her calves met the car’s front bumper. His hands rested on the hood as he leaned toward her.

  Saliva pooled under her tongue. Her heart thudded against her chest. “This is a public parking lot. Pe—people may be watching.” Avoiding his intense gaze, she looked in both directions.

&nbs
p; “Let them.”

  The emphatic directive gave no hint of him taking a softer line. She kept her face turned to the side.

  “Look at me.”

  His unpredictability induced her to do as he asked. Amber sparks flared in his eyes like sunspots. And just like a planet caught in the inescapable orbit of its star, she couldn’t avoid the long hard look that sent a rush of heat prickling along her skin.

  “Stormee, try to come to terms with your true feelings. I know it’s sudden, but you’re more than a little attracted to me. Quit playing games, and give this relationship an opportunity to develop.”

  “We’ve only just met. I don’t know you.” She shook her head.

  “Then get to know me. Stop running away.”

  She inhaled sharply as he drew her upright against his body. An overwhelming magnetism kept her in place.

  “Give me a chance,” he said, pressing his cheek to hers and whispering into her hair. “This may be moving too fast but trust me just a little. I’m not playing you. I don’t want a one-night stand, either.”

  His warm breath stroked her ear. The first splintered break in her heart’s defenses made a tangible sound in her head. If not protected, the fracture threatened to open wide. “I—I don’t want this.” Her head shook from side to side.

  He pulled her upright, separated their bodies, and gave her shoulders a small shake. “On the contrary, you want this as much as I do. I’ve never believed in love-at-first-sight, but I’m no longer a skeptic. You’re the woman I’ve been waiting for.”

  Profound shyness made her want to hide from the passionate intensity of his words. She shrank from the implied commitment. Too many years as caregiver and substitute parent hadn’t prepared her for this.

  He raised her right hand and placed it on his chest. Their racing heartbeats synced in rhythm. “Will you give me a chance?”

  His gaze was as soft as a caress and sent waves of excitement through her naive heart. His enthusiasm caught her in its wake. She wanted to be kissed senseless, to be given no choice but to enter the magnetic vortex that always encased him. Panic set off warning signals in her head, while her heart heaved and tumbled with the force of a derailed train.