Stormy reached across the small space and gave her friend a hug. Then she opened her door and climbed out. She stood in the driveway with the dress draped over her arm, waving as Lindsey sped away.
Now it was time to transform.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
It was exactly three minutes until eight, right on time . . . or a little early.
Stormy laughed quietly to herself as she realized she’d actually managed to make it somewhere on time. A slight squeal from the brakes of the yellow cab she’d hired to bring her to the hangar could be heard across the entire place as it came to rest outside the vast rusted building.
Being careful not to snag her new dress, Stormy stepped onto the uneven asphalt, wobbling a bit due to her choice in footwear. It had been a while since she’d worn heels. Stormy leaned against the cab with one hand while trying to maintain her balance. With a quick “Thank you,” the quiet cab driver took the money, nodded his head, and barely gave her a chance to step away before he drove off.
A shadow of worry surrounded Stormy when she found herself standing alone, wearing a short dress in a vacant lot. When she looked upward, the rusty, faded blue hangar loomed over her like an unsightly set in a horror flick. It was not helping her current state of mind.
Nevertheless with some glimmer of hope, she scanned the hangar’s surroundings, looking for Cooper’s car. Why hadn’t she reminded him she didn’t have a car and asked him to pick her up?
Because she was independent, that was why.
Scanning the wide expanse of asphalt, she let out a relieved sigh when she spotted the trunk of Cooper’s Porsche. She stepped toward the huge hangar door, her eyes still uneasily drawn to the rusty exterior of the building.
Well, it was an adventure, at least. Stormy pulled the metal door open, and hoped she wasn’t stepping onto the set of the next crime scene in the papers.
“Hello?” she shouted. “Cooper, are you here?” The room was far too dark, giving her the shivers. Yep, she was definitely in a horror flick.
There was no response. She was growing irritated. Deciding to go back outside and return the way she came, she reeled when two arms wrapped around her. The shriek she let out vibrated off the metal walls. Her heart thudded, until she inhaled deeply and the sweet smell of his familiar cologne filled her nose. Her panic ebbed but not her irritation.
“I was getting frustrated,” she said.
“I’m trying to surprise you, woman. Now be silent,” he said with laughter in his voice.
She was about to reply when his hands slid across her stomach and down her thighs before coming back up and lightly tracing her breasts. Her breath panted out. The darkness of the room, his hands, the husky sound of his breath right below her ear—all played a part in making her knees shake.
His hands suddenly stopped their movement and she began to protest when his fingers brushed back her hair. Then she felt the familiar touch of cool silk against her cheeks as he covered her eyes.
“No peeking,” he whispered, his hot breath sliding along her ear a second before his teeth gently nipped the spot.
Passion erupted inside her as he pushed against her back and she felt his arousal. He stroked the flame as he softly began kissing her exposed shoulder, moving across the sensitive skin as his tongue darted out.
Moaning, she tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck for easier access. Cooper quickly took the cue and moved around in front of her, where his lips then dipped into the V of her dress.
Although she’d been hungry when she’d arrived, thoughts of food were completely forgotten as he continued to work his magic. But then just as quickly as he’d begun, he pulled away.
“Come with me.”
“If we have to,” she replied breathlessly, not even caring if she sounded like a pouting child.
Cooper carefully guided her through the dark, then stopped. She heard a muddled clicking noise, and then the once quiet room was filled with a loud buzzing sound as the massive hangar door opened.
Still holding her arm, Cooper guided her outside, onto the pavement of the tarmac.
Goose bumps covered her skin as the crisp evening air flowed over her.
“You look absolutely exquisite, Stormy. The things I want to do to you . . .” he trailed off.
“I wish I could say the same about you, but I can’t see,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“I like keeping you blindfolded,” he said as he kissed her neck again.
“Well, you’re going to have to let me in on the surprise,” she told him. “Where exactly are we going?” She heard the rumble of large jets filling the otherwise quiet night, and the pungent smell of exhaust slightly tickled her nose.
“Be patient,” Cooper said, as he took her hand and began walking once again. “We’re almost there.”
Patience was one thing that Stormy didn’t have. But for some reason, when Cooper spoke, she wanted to give him anything he asked for. That could be a problem—a big, fat problem.
“You know, Stormy, the only thing that can even come close to getting me to stop thinking about you is flying. But even then, it’s a struggle not to let myself get caught up in thoughts of you naked and underneath me so I can do my job,” he said, making her body throb.
“I’m all for finding a bed,” she said, satisfied when he took in a sharp breath of air.
“I’m going to ignore that for now,” he said through what sounded like clenched teeth. “We’re here. I’ve been wanting to share something with you for a while.”