COLETTE PASSED STORMY the bowl of popcorn as they watched the scary movie. “Gray called again today.” When Stormy didn’t respond, Colette looked at her sister’s profile. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes. I’m not deaf.” A month had passed since she’d spoken to or saw Gray. She’d rejected all his attempts to talk to her.
“Why are you being so stubborn? Obviously, he cares for you.”
Stormy frowned. “Sure, maybe, but I’m doing the right thing. He’s a lawman and I’m…well, I’m the woman that almost got him killed.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You had no clue.”
Shaking her head, Stormy grabbed a piece of popcorn and popped it into her mouth. “Think about it. He just felt sorry for me and that’s why we—”
“Tell me all about it.” Colette curled closer.
“Nope.”
“Why the hell not? We’re sisters.”
“I don’t want to ever talk about it.”
“You’re spending a lot of energy flogging yourself over things that you had no control of. Ask yourself what his feelings were like before he knew you were Duncan’s ex.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she mumbled.
“Maybe you’re just afraid.”
She then turned and looked at Colette. “Afraid?”
Shrugging, Colette sighed. “I mean, he was different than all the other men you’ve dated.”
“I dated a criminal, so yes, Gray is very different.”
“I’m talking character and looks. You’ve always gone for the clean cut, safe men, but Gray is far from being safe.”
“I think it’s understandable why I’ve always gone for the “safe men” as you refer to them.”
Colette sighed. “Oh no, here we go again.”
“What?” Stormy scrunched her brows.
“I’m a woman now, sis. It’s time you stop thinking you’re the mom and more a woman who has needs.” Colette popped a kernel into her mouth.
Stormy let her hand drop to her lap. “You’ll always be my sister.”
“Yes, and I love you, but I want you to be happy. Tell me you didn’t care for him.”
“I cared for Gray a lot, but…”
“What?”
“I don’t know.” She placed the bowl on the table.
Colette groaned. “Yes, you do.”
“I had hoped that Gray and I could see each other after all this. He even asked me to marry him.”
“He did?” Colette shifted, turning to face Stormy.
“In a way, yes, he did. He asked me where I wanted to go for our honeymoon.”
“And you’re not jumping all over that hot, sexy man? You should trust me. After all, I did tell you that Duncan was a jackass.”
“It’s not that simple. Abel told me that he was giving up everything for me.”
“Pfft!” Colette moaned. “Abel is one man who doesn’t seem very in tune with his emotional side, so are you going to listen to him?”
A knock sounded on the door and they both looked.
“Are you expecting someone?” Stormy asked.
“No, but you are.” Colette jumped up from the couch, wearing a telltale smile.
“What. Have. You. Done?”
“You’ll thank me later.” Colette leaned over, kissed Stormy on the cheek, and said, “Better get that.” She strolled down the hallway.
Standing, Stormy sighed. “Colette? You better get back here.” But she received no answer, of course.
Another more persistent knock sounded.
*
Gray hadn’t slept for more than sixteen hours. He really hadn’t had a good night’s sleep since he held Stormy in his arms. He hadn’t gone five minutes without thinking of her. After learning his fate that he was suspended from the Hawks until further investigation, Gray had been working the ranch.
After speaking to Colette, she told him to show up at her apartment that she and Stormy were sharing. He didn’t like cornering Stormy, but he had a right tell her what was on his mind.
The door came open and the beauty came into focus. His heart hammered his chest. He’d missed her so much.
“Gray…” His name slipped from her sweet lips.
“Stormy, I know you didn’t want to speak to me, but you need to hear what I have to say. Abel told me about your conversation. He has no clue how I feel, or what I’m giving up.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’d never ask you to give up anything—”
“And yet you are because you’re asking me to give you up. That’s unfair.”
“I-I…well, this is all so crazy, Gray. You can’t give up something you love.”
“You’re right. I can’t.” He moved his hungry gaze over her. “Can I come in?”
After a slight hesitation, she stepped aside.
“Colette shouldn’t have gone behind my back.”
“She loves you. And so do I.”
Stormy blinked. “But…but…”
“I’m not giving up the Hawks, at least until I know how the investigation turns out.”
“Investigation?”
“It’s protocol when something like this case happens.”
“This again is all my fault.” She crossed her arms over her waist.
“It’s not so bad. I need surgery on my knee and I can’t put it off much longer. I’m crazy over you and if you’re with me that’s all that matters.”
“Are you saying that after all this, you really do have feelings?”
He laughed. “Sweetheart, I did ask you to marry me and you said yes.”
“I didn’t exactly say yes.”
He flipped up a thick brow. “You telling me you wanted to go to Bora Bora wasn’t a yes?” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. “I guess we won’t be needing these then.”
“What are those?”
“Two tickets to Bora Bora. The honeymoon of a lifetime. Now I just need a bride.” He smiled and his eyes twinkled.
“That’s quite presumptuous, isn’t it?”
“No, what I think is presumptuous is that you took off without talking to me. Now because I love you, I’m willing to chase you until I can get it through that pretty head of yours that we belong together. Isn’t a month long enough? I’m hurting, sweetheart. Right here.” He patted his chest.
She took a step closer, working her bottom lip. “Isn’t this a little quick to get married?”
“As far as I see it, I know what I want.” He cursed under his breath. He reached out and dragged her close, kissing her breathlessly. He pulled back, looking down at her. “Now say you love me.”
“I love you. Hopelessly. Although I don’t want a big wedding. I would like a small, sweet ceremony.”
“The tickets are good for a year, sweetheart. You name the date and I’ll be there.” He dropped his arms from her. “I have a surprise for you. Stay here.”
“I won’t go anywhere.” She laughed.
“Close those beautiful eyes,” he yelled from the hallway.
“Fine.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Open.”
“Lola!” Stormy dropped to her knees and cuddled the dog who happily licked her face. “Gray? How?”
“Phantom didn’t kill her. He let her outside and she took off. I had a feeling he didn’t hurt her. The chip helped me find her.”
She stood and hugged him tightly. “You’re the best.”
“Now that I’m in your good graces, please tell me that I can take you with me.”
“You won’t get rid of me again.”