THE BEEPING OF his cell phone paused his words.
He growled in frustration.
“You need to get that, don’t you?” She blinked.
He frowned. “I should, but I don’t want to.”
“No, you should. I understand. It could be about the case.”
With a deep moan, he stepped away from her and went to his phone, reading the screen. “It’s Jamison. I need to step out for a moment and take this.”
She followed him inside and he headed into the office and closed the glass French doors behind him and she crossed her arms over her chest, still reeling from what they’d shared—what they could have shared until the intrusion. Needing to get her head back on straight, she left the kitchen and stepped into the living room. Although it was furnished with luxurious items, it still had a comfortable feel. From the large, sturdy couch and chair that would fit brawny, masculine men to the stone fireplace that demanded all the attention. The built-ins were lined with horse statues, framed pictures of Gray when he was younger and until recently and a picture of a woman who must be his mother. Gray looked so much like her.
She stopped and stared at an elegant painting on the wall. She wasn’t an art authority, but it was obvious the piece was an original. The bold strokes and vibrant colors reminded her of Gray, which made her grin. She was now comparing him to works of art.
One wall was covered with a glass shelving unit and lined with a variety of books. She recognized a few big suspense authors and some not. Were they Gray’s books or his father’s? Maybe both. She took one book off the shelf, a western romance with the name Cowboy Paradise. She opened the cover and read the message from the author and Stormy smiled. There were so many things left to learn about Gray.
Hearing a soft click, she replaced the book and listened. Someone was at the door. Who was coming inside? Gray would have known if his father was coming home. Wouldn’t he?
Quickly surveying her surroundings, she searched for something to use as a weapon and settled for a statue of a horse. Holding the piece high above her head, she waited behind the door as it slowly opened as if the person on the other side was uncertain.
The petite brunette took a step inside, and when she turned, saw Stormy with a statue held high in the air, the woman’s mouth dropped open and her hands came up in defense.
“I’m sorry.” Stormy lowered the makeshift weapon, feeling her heart drop into her feet. “I-I didn’t know…wait, who are you?” Maybe she lowered the statue too soon.
“I’m Hannah.”
Stormy recognized the name, but could she be certain. “How did you get in?”
“I used my code. I’m a friend of Mr. Carlisle. Wait…who are you? What are you doing in here? I’m calling the cops.” She took her phone out of her pocket.
Stormy placed the statue back onto the table. “No, don’t do that. I’m here with Gray.”
The other woman blinked. “You’re with Gray? He’s here?”
Nodding pathetically, Stormy took a step back, giving the woman some room. “We just got in a few hours ago. He’s in the office on a business call.”
“Ah, okay. I didn’t know he was coming in. Mr. Carlisle asked if I’d keep an eye on the place. Are you and Gray…?” She twirled her finger through the air as if she couldn’t come up with the right word.
“Oh no! No. No. We’re just…” What were they exactly? “Friends. I’m sorry about the statue. I’m a little nervous. I didn’t expect anyone.”
The woman scanned the room. Probably making sure nothing was missing. She was pretty and voluptuous with deep brown eyes. “So…, this is shocking.”
“This was the woman Gray broke it off with. His high school sweetheart.
“I should go.” Hannah took a step toward the door.
“No, don’t. Gray should be done soon and I’m sure he’d like to say hello. Can I get you something to drink? Lemonade? Water? There’s even an open bottle of wine.”
Her mouth twisted. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” After threatening the woman with a statue, Stormy felt she needed to do something to make it up to her.
“Okay. I’ll take a glass of wine.”
Five minutes later they were sitting and sipping wine. “Gray told you about me, didn’t he?” Hannah asked.
Stormy debated her answer. She didn’t want to lie to her, but she also didn’t want her to think she and Gray had been talking about her negatively. “He mentioned that he’d been seeing someone here in his home town.”
The woman nodded and gave a small smile. “I was heartbroken when he broke up with me, even though I knew I deserved it. We were on different pages.” She plucked at a loose thread on her jeans. “He’s not an easy guy to get over.”
Stormy believed every word. “I’m sorry.”
Lifting her shoulder and letting it drop, she sighed. “Are you sure you and Gray aren’t…”
And she still couldn’t work her tongue around the words.
“No. We’re not. In fact, we just met recently.”
“Well, he’s a catch. His father has kept me updated over the years about Gray’s happenings. I’d be happy for him if he settled down.”
Stormy was almost relieved when Gray stepped out onto the porch and Stormy could excuse herself to allow them to talk. There was already an awkwardness between them and she didn’t need to add to it.
She busied herself filling the dishwasher, wiping down the counters and finishing off cleaning the kitchen. Crossing the living room, she pulled back the curtain and looked out. Hannah and Gray were hugging. Feeling like she was invading their privacy, Stormy went back into the kitchen and waited. When Gray finally stepped back into the house, she was innocently standing at the counter.
“Wow. I didn’t expect that meeting,” he said.
“She seems very nice. Sweet.”
“She is. Very much so.”
Stormy wanted to ask if there were any leftover feelings between them because that hug she’d witnessed looked pretty darn close, but she didn’t allow herself to go down that road. Instead, she swiped her damp hands down the thighs of her jeans and reworked her brain.
“It’s late. I’m tired and I know you must be too.” She took a step, but he met her at the threshold of the door.
He cupped her jaw, looking down at her. “Is this where you say that we can’t do this?” he said while pressing his body against hers. “I want you to stay. Please stay.”
“I can’t,” she whispered. “I just…can’t.” She raised her hand to her lips, choking back a sob. What had changed for her? She wasn’t sure. Before the call, before the visit from Hannah, all gave time for the locks to come back into place. What was she thinking?
“Tell me, Stormy. Is it the visit from Hannah?”
She moistened her lips. “Maybe. Yes. Somewhat.” She gave her head a clumsy shake. “I saw you and her hugging.”
“That was nothing.” He smiled. “I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
“You and I, we’ve been through a bucket list of things in such a short amount of time. I’m not one to jump into things, even if I acted impulsively by running from the church. That’s not me.”
“No one expects you to be impulsive, or anything but who you are.”
“We don’t even know each other.”
“That’s an excuse.”
“Maybe.” She folded her arms.
“I don’t want to pressure you. Okay?” He took a step to the side to allow her to pass. Stormy didn’t look back as she stepped into the hall and continued upstairs, feeling a heavy weight on her shoulders.
In the bedroom, she closed the door and hated that grief washed over her. Had they been living in a fantasy world? A magical world where Gray had become the bright star leading her way. A man who felt so much like home that she could forget she didn’t have one. For the first time in her life she didn’t have a clue what the hell she was going to do.
She went to the window and hugged herself tightly, wishing it were Gray’s arms wrapped around her. Outside the stars twinkled and the snow was melting. This night should have been different. If the call hadn’t come, they would have been making love, she would have been opening herself to him completely.
Why had she pulled away?
Really, she had no clue. It was natural to fear the emotions fluttering through her. After all, she’d only been broken up with Duncan for forty-eight hours. Forty-eight hours? How was that possible when she felt like she’d known Gray for years? She wasn’t sure who she could trust, but she felt like she could trust him. He would protect her, never deceive her. In such a short time frame she’d found someone who offered her affection, gentleness, and kindness, and she’d been with Duncan so long and he’d never offered her these things.
She looked toward the door. What if she went to him, told him that she’d turned away because she was scared. Would he deny her? Or would he welcome her?
If she went to him, she could feel his hands on her body. Feel his slick skin. Sweaty and bulging. Her inner thighs trembled in desperation.
Hannah had said he was a catch. A great guy. Had Stormy really needed another woman to tell her how special Gray was? No. She’d gathered as much the moment she’d realized he’d carried her unconscious body up a slope for a half mile. Men of honor were the only ones who did heroic things like that for strangers.
Leaning against the cool glass of the window, she blinked back the tears filling her eyes. She could hear his heavy footsteps as he made his way past her bedroom, pausing at her door. Would he knock? Would he demand an explanation? And then his steps continued down the hall.
Going into the adjoining bathroom, she pulled off her shirt and jeans, leaving them in a heap on the floor, and made her way to the bed where she crawled between the cold, lonely sheets.
She was crazy. That’s all this could be. Stormy could be in Gray’s arms and, instead, here she was alone in a king size bed.
Fluffing her pillow, she dropped her head into it, but she had a restless energy that not even the five-hundred-count sheets could dismiss.
Her breathing was heavy as she lowered her hand to cup her warm, moist mound, wishing her own fingers could relieve some of the yearning between her thighs, but nothing matched the desire for Gray. Awareness prickled down her spine. He was probably in his own bed by now. Was he thinking of her? Wanting her?
She closed her eyes and sighed. Lord help her, where do they go from here?
Opening her eyes, she stared into the darkness. Watching the light from the clock swirl around the ceiling. Could she forget everything? Just make love with Gray and allow life to unfold and reap the erotic benefits. She was bound to him by some unexpected force that before he walked, rather rolled, into her life she would have never thought possible.
The man was a stranger though.
But she knew him. Deeply. All the way into the center of her bones.
Would she be betraying Duncan?
How could she betray a man she never really loved? Never really knew. A man who never really loved her.
Her heart raced with the knowledge that she was falling for Gray. “This is crazy,” she whispered. She was lying here alone, and for the first time, she knew where she belonged.
A warm flush rushed from her roots to her toes and her nipples tingled. She had to be brave. She had to make a choice that would change her life.
*
Gray heard her before he saw her. He’d left his door open, maybe hoping she’d change her mind and come to him. Now here she was. Sunlight in the darkness.
He reached over, switched on the lamp and his breath caught in his chest. She was breathtakingly beautiful. A dream to a poor man’s eyes. She wore a see-through white, wispy gown that not only fit her perfectly but accentuated every feminine curve. She looked like an angel. The fabric hugged her breasts, displaying them to his advantage, making his mouth water. The cut of the bodice swathed her slender waist and flared hips then draped into a skirt that reached a seductive part of her lush hips. The gown was a flawless combination of seduction and modesty. Made to shred a man’s insides. He couldn’t speak and, for what seemed like an eternity, she stood there, her hands clasped tightly together as if she were pleading. Didn’t she realize she’d never have to plead for anything because he wanted to give her everything.
“I want to be close, Gray,” she whispered. Her eyes dazzled like precious gems. “I tried to stay away. I really did, but this is where I should be tonight.”
“Because the connection between us could move a mountain, sweetheart. Can’t prevent something that impressive.”
Her nipples were in full bloom, pressing the delicate material, beckoning him. She took a step forward, placing her fingers on his bare shoulder and in a sultry voice, she said, “I want us to make love.”
He stared, suspended as if he were a cloud above his body.
Closing his eyes, he tried to control the rush of temptation rolling through him. He needed to slow down before he lost himself, and he’d never lost himself with anyone or anything.
Her fingers touched his lips and he opened his eyes.
“If you don’t want this I’ll understand.” She took a step back, but he caught her hand, stilling her. Their gazes connecting with the velocity of a runaway train.
Several seconds ticked by and he gently dragged her down to the bed, covering her with the sheet. A nervous smile played at the corners of her mouth when she realized he was naked. A look of hunger overtook her amazing features as she stared up at him, raw emotion on her delicate features as she tucked that plump bottom lip between her teeth. He could practically see the chains break—one by one by slippery one.
He braced his hand at the back of her neck, teasing the flesh with figure eights. He might hate himself later, but right now, he needed her, or he was going to explode into a million pieces. Lowering his hand along the curve of her waist, from flared hip to her silken thigh, he found the hem of the gown and dragged it up and over her voluptuous, firm breasts.
Her nipples were thick and utterly amazing. Intoxicating. Mesmerizing. Made for his lips.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek, his jaw, and lower to his neck. He felt the tip of her tongue graze his skin and he hissed, like a tire losing air. That was him losing all hope that he’d get out of this unscathed. He became incensed with the need to take her fast and hard. To bury himself deep in her sweet, luscious body, but he needed to slow down, way down.
He lowered his mouth and kissed her, running his lips along the plush line of her lips and tasting her sweetness. When he lifted his head, looking down at the honied feminine lines of her face and the voluptuous pout of pearl pink lips still moist from his kiss, his stomach flip-flopped. “Stormy…”
“It’s okay, Gray. Sometimes we should let go and let things happen.” She lowered her hands to his chest.
He kissed her lightly on the lips. Every taste of her was like a sample of ice cream on a hot day. Where had she been all his life?