Finding Storm

by Samantha Towle

“Just … you don’t seem to want to go in the water without me.”

  He laughs a low sound. “No. I just wanted to make sure I’d get to see you in a bathing suit.”

  Oh. “Oh.”

  Christ. I’m going red. I can feel it.

  Fucking hell.

  I keep my focus ahead and steer the boat into the canyon.

  Look at me, I can’t even cope with him flirting with me.

  He was flirting with me, right? I’m pretty sure he was flirting with me.

  Jesus. This is how bad I’ve gotten—that I don’t even know when a guy is flirting with me.

  And there’s me early-on, thinking about having sex with the guy, and I can’t even handle it when he makes a flirty comment, if that’s what it even was.

  Welp.

  I drive the boat to a secluded part, away from the other boats, to give Storm privacy.

  Not that I want to get him alone or anything. I mean, why would I want to do that? It’s not like I’d even know what to do with the guy.

  Turning off the engine, I anchor the boat.

  I turn to Storm. He’s standing in the walkway of the seating area, looking out at the water.

  “Swim first or eat?” I ask him.

  He turns to face me. Eyes meet mine. There’s something almost playful in them. So, I’m not wholly surprised when he says, “Swim.”

  Okay.

  Bathing-suit time.

  At least I put my bathing suit on beneath my clothes. So, it’s just a case of me removing them, and I’m good to go.

  But still, I’m going to be wearing a bathing suit in front of him.

  And for some reason in my wisdom, I decided to put on a two-piece.

  It’s black. Nothing fancy. But still, it only covers the girls, my coochie, and my butt.

  The rest of my skin is going to be on show.

  And I am not a girl who feels the need to cover up at the beach. I’m fairly confident about my body. Are there things I’d change? Of course. But I’m sure that’s the same for everyone.

  I’m just not confident in front of him.

  Because I like him.

  And given the way I reacted just a few minutes ago when he said he wanted to see me in a bathing suit … I’m almost certain my whole body will be tomato-colored the moment I strip off down to it.

  “I’ll grab those swimming trunks for you.”

  It’s when I’ve gotten them out of the bag that I realize he’s going to have to put them on.

  Meaning he’s going to have to strip naked to put them on.

  Didn’t think that one through, did I?

  And it’s not like I can leave the room. I’m literally just going to have to turn around while he changes behind me.

  Like when we were in his room back at the B&B and he changed into Beck’s shirt.

  Why is it always my brother’s clothes he’s changing into when he’s stripping off?

  But this is good. Just focus on the fact that he’s going to be wearing Beck’s trunks. Which is gross because Beck.

  “Here you go.” I hand the trunks to him. “Obviously, there’s not a lot of privacy on here, but it’s just us here, and I’ll just face this way”—I thumb over my shoulder—“while you get changed.”

  He’s staring at me. His eyes move down my body to my bare legs. Then, back up to my face. A small smile curls his lips.

  And my mouth goes dry.

  “Okay.” He nods.

  “Right. Okay. Cool. Sure. I’ll turn this way then.”

  I turn away from him and have to stop my hand from smacking my face.

  What the fuck was that?

  “Right. Okay. Cool. Sure.”

  Jesus Christ.

  I unfasten the button on my shorts and lower the zipper, completely aware of the fact that Storm is getting naked behind me.

  Naked as the day he was born.

  All those rock-hard muscles, tattoos, and golden skin on show behind me.

  Not to mention, his cock will be also out, on show.

  Beck’s trunks. Beck’s trunks.

  I’m chanting the words in my head, but it’s not working.

  He’s stripping off his jeans and T-shirt and boxer shorts—does he even wear boxer shorts? God, I hope so. I don’t think my heart will take it if he’s a commando kind of guy.

  Focus, Stevie.

  I take a deep breath, clear my mind, and set to the task of undressing myself. I kick off my shoes, push my shorts down over my hips, and shimmy them down my legs. I step out of them, kicking them aside. Then, I grab the hem of my T-shirt and pull it over my head. My hair’s still in its ponytail, but I decide to take it out for swimming. More so that I can cover my bare shoulders with my hair, use it as a bit of a shield. I pull the tie from my hair and let it fall down my shoulder. Putting the tie on my wrist, I run my fingers through my hair, tidying it up a bit.

  “Turn around.” Storm’s gruff voice comes from behind me.

  “What?” I say.

  “I mean, you can turn around. I’m decent.”

  I know you’re decent. That’s the fucking problem.

  Swallowing down my nerves, I bend down and pick my clothes up from the floor, and then I turn around.

  Sweet fucking Jesus.

  Just abs. So many abs. And muscles. And tattoos. And smooth golden skin where there’re no tattoos. And just fucking hotness.

  So much hotness.

  If I died right now, I’d go happy as a pig in dirt.

  “You look …” He blinks. Then, shakes his head. And blinks again.

  I look, what?

  Nice? Okay? Bad? Terrible?

  WHAT?

  “Pretty,” he says, voice still rough.

  His eyes lift to mine. Heat unfurls low in my belly.

  “So fucking pretty.”

  He thinks I look pretty.

  Of course, I go red. I can feel the heat spreading over my chest.

  “You too. I mean, nice. Good. Not pretty. What’s the dude word for pretty? Handsome? Yeah, you look handsome.”

  For. Fuck’s. Sake.

  I’m just going to hurl myself in the water now and get it over with.

  Dying of mortification, I busy myself with putting my clothes on the chair.

  When I straighten up, Storm is watching me. And he doesn’t bother to hide the fact.

  I swallow down. “Shall we go in the water?” Could I be any more awkward right now?

  “Sure.”

  “Jump in?” I suggest.

  “Together?” He holds his hand out to me.

  I glance at his hand and then back into those blue eyes of his. “Okay.” I smile.

  I put my hand in his and let him lead me up and onto the front of the boat.

  We’re side by side, my hand in his. And it’s the best feeling ever.

  “On the count of three,” I say, and he grins down at me.

  “One …” I start.

  “Two …” he says.

  “Three.”

  And we jump together.

  I hit the water and—

  Fuck, it’s cold!

  I lose my hold on Storm’s hand as we go under.

  Kicking my feet, I swim back up to the surface. When I’m clear of the water, I push my wet hair back off my face.

  Storm’s already surfaced. He’s right here in front of me. Not even a foot away. All wet and beautiful and watching me.

  My heart starts to thrum in my chest. Heat between my legs.

  I lick the water droplets from my lips.

  His stare drops to my mouth.

  Something dark and wickedly hot flickers through his eyes.

  My stomach clenches tight.

  He looks back into my eyes.

  I’m not sure who moves first.

  Maybe him.

  Maybe me.

  All I do know is, the distance between us is gone. I’m in his arms, and he’s kissing me.

  I can’t stop kissing her. Touching her.

  My hands are in
her hair. Then, down to her back. Going lower, grasping her thighs as I urge her to wrap her legs around me so I can have her even closer. Even though I don’t think I’ll ever get close enough to Stevie.

  I want to be inside of her in every way that matters.

  Inside of her the way she’s inside me. She’s under my skin.

  It’s crazy. I’ve never felt the way I do with her or about her ever before.

  Maybe it’s lust. But … no. I’ve felt lust before. And it’s never felt this way.

  She willingly comes to me. Legs wrapping around my waist, pressing up against me. Her pussy pressed to my stomach. Her tits crushed against my chest. Arms around my shoulders, her hands clutching the nape of my neck.

  We’re in the water and I’m kissing her and I never want to fucking stop.

  Never.

  I could stay like this with her forever.

  Just me and Stevie, here.

  Nothing and no one else.

  Sounds like fucking heaven to me.

  The kiss slows. She’s breathing heavily. So am I.

  But we’re reluctant to part. I can tell she is with the way her fingers slide up into my hair, clutching the strands.

  “I’ve wanted to do that since the moment I met you,” I say against her mouth.

  Her gray eyes open, staring straight into mine. I can see the flecks of gold around the irises. So fucking pretty.

  “I’ve wanted you to do that since the moment I met you.” She breathes the words inside of me, and I inhale them.

  “All this time wasted,” I murmur, brushing my lips over hers, kissing her again. “If only I’d known.”

  She giggles, and it’s the best fucking sound in the world.

  My hands slide to her ass. She seems to like that because she starts nibbling and sucking on my lower lip. And I definitely like that. Jolts of heat keep shooting to my cock.

  “You want to stay in the water and swim or get back on the boat?” she murmurs, pressing kisses to the side of my mouth, moving lower to my jawline and then up to my ear.

  Fuck, that feels good. My hands tighten on her ass. And what an ass it is.

  “Is that a trick question?” I reply, and she laughs softly. “Stay in the water and swim with you or get on the boat and get to look at your sweet body? Hmm, let me think.”

  “Boat then?”

  “Definitely.”

  She goes to move, but I stop her, my hands on her waist.

  “Stevie, before, on the boat, when I said that you looked pretty, I tamed my words. I didn’t want to scare you with what I really thought.”

  “Okay …”

  “I thought—I think that you’re fucking beautiful. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And seriously sexy. God, so sexy. And I know this probably sounds cheesy as fuck, and you’ll totally give me shit for it, but I wanted you to know.”

  She’s staring at me, saying nothing.

  Then, without warning, she crushes her mouth to mine.

  I don’t hesitate to kiss her back. My hand cupping the back of her head as I match her eagerness and desperation, stroke for stroke.

  Breaking off, panting, she leans her forehead against mine, eyes closed. “If I said even half the things I’d been thinking about you, I would definitely scare the shit out of you.”

  She laughs softly, and I chuckle.

  “I don’t scare easily, babe.”

  Her eyes flash open at the term of endearment. There’s a warm look in them that I feel deep inside my chest. She cups my jaw with her palm and runs her thumb over my lower lip.

  She pecks me once more and then says, “Let’s get on the boat.”

  We swim around to the back of the boat where the ladder is.

  Stevie goes up first, of course. I’d like to say it’s because I’m a gentleman, but I totally want a view of that sweet ass in my face. I follow up after her.

  Stevie pulls two large towels from the bag, handing one to me. She wraps the other around herself, covering her body.

  Yeah, not so keen on that.

  I dry myself off with the towel and then toss it aside.

  I reach out and give her towel a little tug at the point where she tucked it in. It drops to the floor at her feet.

  “Much better,” I say. Then, I pull her to me and crash my lips back down to hers.

  Without breaking the kiss, I back up, taking her with me, until I’m sitting down. I bring her down onto my lap, so she’s straddling me.

  Legs on either side of mine. Her pussy pressed against my hard cock. Only two thin pieces of material separating us. I can feel the heat of her through the fabric.

  I have one hand in her hair, keeping her mouth to mine. Not that she’s going anywhere. Stevie is as into this as I am. Thank fuck.

  I let my other hand trail up her side, loving the way she shivers. I wrap my hand around her rib cage, just beneath her tit. My thumb lightly strokes the underside of it.

  She moans into my mouth.

  I didn’t think my dick could get any harder.

  I was wrong.

  I cover her tit with my hand, taking it slow. I don’t want to rush her into anything. She rushes it for me. Pressing herself harder into my hand.

  Fuck yeah.

  I brush my thumb over the peak of her hard nipple through the fabric of her swimsuit.

  She shudders under my hands. Pressing herself harder against my aching cock.

  She’s turned on. I’m turned on.

  I really want my mouth on her. I want to pull that string on her bikini top and take her nipple into my mouth.

  And I know we’re secluded, and no one is around. But Stevie is shy.

  I don’t want to freak her out by pushing things too quickly.

  I’m not in this to just fuck Stevie and be done. This wouldn’t be a one-time thing for me.

  I don’t know when this happened or how it happened. All I do know is that I want more from her. I want all of her.

  I don’t want just one night with Stevie.

  I want all her nights.

  And, honestly, I’m just happy, being here with her, kissing her.

  I move my hand up from her tit, sliding it up her chest.

  She makes a sound of protest, and I chuckle darkly. I love that she wants my hands on her ’cause I sure as hell want to be touching her all the damn time.

  My hand circles around to cup the nape of her neck, my thumb pressing gently against her throat.

  Her hands come to rest against my chest. One of her palms moving to brush over my nipple, making me shiver.

  She smiles against my mouth. “You like that?”

  “I like you. And everything you do. Period.” And I mean it.

  I don’t say this shit lightly. And there is definitely nothing light about the way I feel for her, especially in such a short space of time.

  It’s crazy.

  I know it’s crazy.

  But I also don’t fucking care.

  Because this is everything.

  She is everything.

  Stevie is the end game as far as I’m concerned.

  I just hope she feels the same way about me and that I’m not in this on my own.

  It’s mid-morning and a beautiful day. My hand is in Storm’s as we walk back from the grocery store. In his other hand is the bag of groceries. We went to pick a few ingredients up for Gran that she needs to make dinner tonight. He’s also wearing his sunglasses and a baseball cap. The last thing he wants is to be recognized at the grocery store.

  I love the feel of his callous palm against my skin. Crazy how such a small act as hand-holding can feel so important.

  Storm seems to like to hold my hand. He reaches for it all the time.

  I would never have had him down as the touchy-feel kind of guy. But he seems to like touching me. He hasn’t had his hands or mouth off me pretty much since that day on the boat when things shifted from friends to … well …

  We haven’t discussed what this is that’s happening be
tween us. But to me, it does feel an awful lot like dating.

  I mean, we’ve spent almost all our time together since we met.

  But Storm hasn’t said anything, and I definitely will not be bringing the subject up.

  And I’m not complaining because I’m liking this … whatever it is that’s between us. It feels natural and right.

  It makes me feel happy.

  He makes me feel happy.

  Am I crazy? For the way I’m feeling about him.

  I barely know him but feel like I’ve known him my whole life.

  And the chemistry between us is off the charts.

  It never felt this way with Josh. We were kids when we got together. But even still, it never felt so right, as I feel the way I do with Storm.

  We just click. Like two parts fitting together.

  I never believed in soul mates.

  But I’m starting to wonder …

  And there I am, getting way ahead of myself.

  I don’t even know if what we’re doing is dating. We haven’t even slept together, for Christ’s sake, and here’s me, saying the guy could be my soul mate.

  Yep. There’s been no sexy time.

  We’ve hit second base, and that’s it. And even that is PG-rated. I’m talking hand-on-boob-over-clothing action and nothing more.

  We kiss tons, but he hasn’t even once attempted to de-clothe me.

  I think he’s trying to be respectful.

  I’m ready to rip his clothes off.

  Storm’s phone starts ringing. He lets go of my hand and pulls his cell from his pocket. He glances at the screen before looking at me. “It’s Beck,” he tells me before answering. “Hey, Beck. Yeah. Cool. Okay. That’s great.”

  My stomach starts to sink.

  There is only one reason Beck would call. Because the part they need to fix his car has arrived. Beck had to order it in. It’s arrived earlier than expected.

  Just my frigging luck. When you want something, it takes forever and a day to arrive. When you don’t want something to come, it shows up early.

  “Thanks, man. I’ll see you later.” Storm ends the call and pockets his cell.

  Our walk has slowed to a stop.

  He turns to face me. “The part for my car is in.”

  And there it is.

  I swallow down my feelings. Because I knew this was coming. Even if a little sooner than I hoped.

  “That’s great news.” It’s awful news.

  I smile up at him. It’s a weak-as-crap smile, and he knows it. I can tell in the way his brow furrows ever so slightly.