“Thanks Coop.” Chloe glanced back to Storm who hadn’t moved from the window or said anything further.
“Let’s go get the carpeting,” Nathan said, tilting his head toward the door. Mont, Cooper, Lucas, Linc, and Dakota all followed him out.
Chloe shoved the door closed and spun around to look at Storm. “If you don’t want to be here then leave.”
“I said I’d help. Your car is in the parking lot.”
“What is wrong with you?”
“You broke Mandy’s heart on Christmas.”
Chloe gasped. “I didn’t mean too. Storm, I was sick. Did you want me to come out there and get her sick too?”
Storm strode to her and stopped in front of her. “Were you really sick or was it just an excuse not to come visit? I know it wasn’t just because my mom was going to be there. You didn’t want to be there because of me. You hurt Mandy because of me?”
“No. I really was sick. You heard me, Storm. Did I sound like I felt good?”
He stared down at her and she refused to look away. He swore. “No.”
“If I didn’t want to come, I wouldn’t have lied about it. I would’ve told you from the start. I was about to call you when you called me. I wanted to be there...for Mandy. In fact, I have a few gifts for you to take home to her.” She started to turn away.
Storm grabbed her arms and pulled her to him. “Chloe...I can’t get you out of my damn head,” he murmured right before he slammed his lips down on hers.
Chloe tried to pull away from him but he held her tight against him. She moaned, and then as if they had a mind of their own, her arms wrapped around his neck. His tongue moved into her mouth and dueled with hers. Storm’s groans filled her mouth.
They sprang apart when someone pounded on the front door and Mont’s voice came through loud. “Open the door. This damn carpeting is heavy.”
Storm stepped away from her and walked to the door. He pulled it open for them. Mont, Lucas, and Cooper entered carrying the carpeting with Nathan, Dakota, and Linc carrying in the padding behind them.
“We can put this in the bedroom until we get the flue cleaned out,” Lucas said.
They carried the carpeting and padding to the bedroom then reentered the living room.
Cooper headed for the door. “I’ll go get the vacuum,” he said, pulling the door closed behind him.
“Are you putting the same carpeting in the bedroom?” Mont asked as he looked down on the street below.
“All through the apartment...except for the bathroom and kitchen.” Chloe rubbed her hands up and down her arms. It wasn’t that she was cold...she was unnerved by Storm’s kiss.
Cooper came back in and walked to the fireplace. He plugged in the vacuum and used it to suck up the soot from the grate then he opened the damper, and lit a creosote log to clean the flue.
“Make sure you remember to open the damper when you light a fire,” Storm said from behind her.
Chloe whipped her head around to see him leaning against the window with his arms folded, staring at her. His sexy lips twitched.
“I’ll try to do that.” She smiled remembering the mess she’d made of his beautiful home that first day.
“Did we miss something?” Linc asked as his eyes went from Chloe to Storm and back.
“No.” Storm pushed himself away from the window and walked into the kitchen. Chloe nibbled her lip. What the hell? She didn’t understand him at all. First, he told her he can’t stop thinking about her, and then he kissed her. Now, he was acting all pissed off—again.
She looked at Linc hoping for something—anything, but he was looking toward the kitchen. Obviously, Linc was as bewildered by Storm’s behavior as she was because he shook his head and headed down the hallway to the bedroom.
As the day wore on, the men got a lot done. The padding and carpeting was down and now they were carrying furniture over from across the street. Chloe was glad she had seven big men as friends. All she had to do was point out where she wanted everything, and they’d do her bidding. It was early evening before they were finally able to quit.
“Okay, downstairs everyone, so I can feed you,” Chloe said with arms held wide as if exclaiming a grand announcement.
“About time. I’m starving,” Nathan said with an exaggerated drop of his shoulders then followed the others as they all headed out the door.
She laughed, picked up her keys, and followed them all down the stairs. Storm hadn’t said a word to her since the comment about the damper. They entered the back door of the restaurant, worked their way through the kitchen, and then entered the seating area. While the others took seats around their normal large table, Storm stood beside it, his hands on the back of the chair he’d yet to pull out.
Without looking at her, he simply said, “I’m going on home. It’s been a long day and I want to see my daughter before her bedtime.”
“Oh...but I have gifts for you to take to her,” Chloe said wishing he’d said something before so she could have retrieved the gifts from the house.
He stared at her. “I’ll get them the next time I’m in town.”
Then he walked out without looking back.
Chloe quickly blinked her eyes. Damn him. She jerked when someone touched her arm and glanced down to see Nathan looking up at her.
“Are you all right?”
Chloe smiled. “Of course. Now, you guys decide what you want and it’s all on the house.”
She left them to their menus and entered the kitchen to find Bev. “Whatever those men want, make sure they get it, okay? No charge. They worked their asses off for me today.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bev smiled at her.
Chloe entered the dining area again and stopped by the table. “I’m going upstairs to relax. I can’t thank you guys enough for all you did today. I really appreciate it.”
They stood and each one hugged her. When Linc put his arms around her, he held her tight to him. “Give him time,” he said in her ear.
Chloe pulled back and stared up at him. “It feels like that’s all I’ve done as far as he’s concerned.”
Linc kissed her cheek. “Then a little more patience won’t hurt, will it?”
Chloe nodded, smiled, and thanked them again before leaving the restaurant and climbing the stairs to enter her apartment. She turned the lights on and smiled as she looked around. It looked so nice with the deep blue carpeting and light blue walls with white trim. The furniture sat facing the fireplace, where the guys had talked her into hanging a TV. She walked to the window and drew the blinds closed then headed down the hallway to take a bath in that big tub she’d been dying to try out. Perhaps the joy of that would put that stubborn man, who continued to haunt her dreams, straight out of her head. She sighed as she stared at the lovely tub. It was going to have to be one helluva a soak.
INSTEAD OF DRIVING straight home, Storm stopped at the Fireside. He parked the truck, stepped out, and entered the bar. It was virtually empty. Why wouldn’t it be? It was too early for the regular crowd, and the biggest part of that crowd was over at Zellene’s.
He took his gloves off and stuffed them in his coat pockets then removed his coat and hung it on the back of the nearest barstool. Sliding onto the stool, he signaled to Leo to bring him a beer.
Damn woman. He didn’t need this shit. For years, he’d been content just to have Mandy in his life, but then he found Chloe in the snow and let her stay with him for a while, and look what happened. Now, he can’t get her out of his fucking head. If he were to be honest with himself his feelings for her began long before he found her in the snow—it was years ago. She had about brought him to his knees anytime he saw her, but then that night in his truck—
Leo set a beer in front of him, interrupting his thoughts, gave him a nod, and walked away. Storm was sure Leo knew he wasn’t looking for conversation. He’d been there a while when someone elbowed him. He glanced over to see Linc standing there, and swore under his breath.
“Go away
,” Storm muttered before picking up his beer and taking a long pull on it.
Linc laughed and climbed onto the stool beside him. “This is like déjà vu, except it was you bothering me about Roni. Remember?”
Storm glared at him, but Linc continued to grin. “It’s nothing like that, Linc, and you know it.”
“Really? I was in here drowning my sorrows over Roni and you bothered the shit out of me until I got my head out of my ass. Now, here you are, drowning your sorrows over Chloe, and I’m bothering you for the same reason.”
Storm slammed the bottle onto the bar causing some of the beer to spit out of the neck. He also made Leo spin around to stare at him. “I am not drowning my sorrows. The difference was that you thought you’d lost Roni. Turns out you didn’t, so you got a happy ending. Now that we’ve established that, go the fuck away.”
Linc laughed. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re my closest friend out of all the guys, Storm, and whether you want to admit it or not, you’ve got it bad for Chloe. I don’t know why you acted the way you did earlier at her place, but something’s going on with you two. I’ve never understood why you don’t go for it with her. She’s a beautiful, smart, sexy woman—”
“You know why. I can’t trust any woman after what Tracy did—”
“Bullshit, Storm. That’s gettin’ old. You can’t judge them all against one bad one. Tracy was a bitch. Simple fact. All she wanted was your money and you were blinded by love—”
“Who the hell says I’m not this time too?” Storm stared into the mirror behind the bar.
“You’re in love with her?”
“Yes, damn it and it terrifies the hell out of me. But it’s about more than just me, and you know it.”
“I know you worry about Mandy, but I’d bet money on it that your little girl is already in love with Chloe too. In fact, have you considered that she’s missing her and is probably hurt that she doesn’t see her anymore?” Linc shrugged. “We all get hurt in life. It’s a part of life and inevitable, but why not enjoy what life gives you while you can. It’s too fucking short. I don’t know what I’d do without Roni in my life but if she wasn’t with me, for whatever reason, I’d cherish every minute I’ve ever had with her. Sure, I’d be hurt. Shit, I’d be devastated but eventually, I hope I’d be able to look back and be happy that she had been in my life at all, if only for a short time.”
Storm looked at him. “Damn. When the hell did you become so philosophical?”
“Love makes you see a lot of things in a way you otherwise wouldn’t.” Linc put his hand on Storm’s shoulder. “Think about it. I think Chloe’s the one for you and if you’re smart, and I believe you are, you’ll see it too. Don’t let her get away. Been there, done that...and it sucks.” He slid off the stool and laid money on the bar. “The beer’s on me. Now go home, or better yet...go see Chloe.”
Storm didn’t say anything as Linc walked out of the bar. He spun the beer bottle around then took a deep breath and slid off the stool to go home to his daughter. He had a lot to think about.
Later, when Storm pulled up to the back of his house, he sat in his truck for a few minutes. He had been really hard on Chloe today. Why did he have to be that way to Chloe? There was no excuse for it. She didn’t do anything wrong. He’d been angry with her because she’d hurt Mandy by not showing up for Christmas, but she’d been sick. Worse, he hadn’t believed her. Now, what made him angrier than anything was that he had been so disappointed in her not being there. He hadn’t wanted to go to her apartment today but he knew the guys would never let him get out of it. After all, it had all been his idea.
Fuck! He punched the roof of the cab and swore when he hurt his hand. It was a good thing he wore gloves or it could have been worse. Linc was right about everything but the idea of being in love with Chloe, and letting her into their hearts and life, pissed him off.
He shoved the door open and stepped down from the truck then walked up the steps and entered the kitchen. As soon as he cleared the door, Mandy came running at him.
“Amanda Jo, stop running,” he shouted in anger without thinking.
Mandy skidded to a halt and looked up at him with wide eyes. Her bottom lip began to tremble and her eyes became moist with tears. Storm felt like an ass. He blew out a breath and squatted down. He had never before raised his voice with his daughter. This was what all these feelings regarding Chloe were doing to him. Turning him into somebody, he wasn’t.
“I’m so sorry. Come here, sweetheart.” He put his arms out to her. She stepped into his arms and hugged him.
“Are you mad at me, Daddy?”
“No, baby girl. It’s just been a long day and I’m tired.” He picked her up and strolled to the living room.
Claire stood when he entered. “Did you get everything done?”
“Yes. Thanks for staying so long, Claire.”
“You know I don’t mind staying with Mandy, Storm.” She moved closer to him. “I half-expected you’d be longer. Is the place finished?”
“Yes, and it looks real nice. Better than I thought it would actually.”
“Things are rarely as we expect them to be. You need to look at what’s in front of you, Storm. It’s tearing you up. You never yell at Mandy. Ever.” She touched his arm and smiled up at him.
“I know. You’re not the first to bring it to my attention. I’ll give it some thought.” He wasn’t going to pretend he didn’t know what Claire was talking about.
“Good. I’ll see you both tomorrow then. Goodnight.”
“I’m sleepy, Daddy, but I wanted to see you before I go to bed.”
And you yell at her the minute you open the door.
“Let’s get you to bed then.” He carried her to her room, and placed her in the bed. She hugged him and kissed his cheek then cupped his face as only she could do.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, my little princess. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He kissed her forehead and left the room then headed to his bedroom, and a long soak in the Jacuzzi. After turning the water on to heat, he stripped and stared in the mirror. Claire was right about things not always being the way we expect them to be, and that includes life. The last place he expected to be was the one place he was—in love.
Chapter Twelve
A month later, Chloe stood in the restaurant watching the line of people entering. She smiled with happy pride. Bev had been right, Zellene’s had gotten busier. While Janie seated a large group of people, Chloe stepped forward to assist the next couple.
“Hello, welcome to Zellene’s. Just the two of you?”
“Yes.” The woman smiled and she looked vaguely familiar, but Chloe couldn’t place her.
“Follow me, please.” She led them to a table and turned to them. “Will this do?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” The couple took their seats and Chloe handed them menus. When she started to move away, the woman stopped her. “Excuse me?”
Chloe turned to her and smiled. “Yes?”
“Is Chloe working this evening?”
Chloe was startled. “I’m Chloe.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to alarm you. I was hoping to meet you Christmas day but you were sick. I’m sorry. I’m rambling. I’m Jaya, Storm’s mother...and this is my husband, Drew Hill.”
Chloe was sure her mouth dropped open in surprise. No wonder she looked familiar. Once she knew who she was, she instantly saw the resemblance to Storm.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Hill. And I apologize again for not coming for Christmas but I was sick.”
“Jaya, please...and of course you’re forgiven, it couldn’t be helped. It’s funny, but we come in here to eat at least once a month. I’ve seen you in here but never made the connection. Did you get settled into your apartment?”
“Yes! Yes, I did and it looks great. The guys did a great job.” Chloe glanced around and saw Bev waving to her. “I’m sorry, excuse me, I’m needed in the kitchen.”
“Of
course. It was nice meeting you, Chloe.”
“You too. Enjoy your meal.” She smiled and headed to the kitchen. As soon as she entered the kitchen, she wanted to scream because she wanted to rush back out there and ask about Storm. What was he doing? Was he all right? What about Mandy? Did they miss her at all? She was so hoping to hear from Storm, and hurt so deeply that she hadn’t.
“Bev, I’m going home. I’m exhausted.”
“No problem. I was going to tell you to go anyway. We’ve got it covered, and you’ve been here all day...so go home and relax.”
Chloe hugged her, slipped out the back door, and began walking up the stairs to her apartment. She stopped mid-way up when she saw Storm sitting on the top step.
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.”
She stepped past him and unlocked her door, but then turned to stand in the doorway. “Why?”
“Because I want to see you. Can I come in?”
“Storm, if you came here for sex, you may as well leave right now.”
“I didn’t.”
Chloe sighed. She didn’t know what he might want, if not sex. Shaking her head, she held the door open for him to enter and told her heart to shut up as his sexy scent sent a shiver through her. Once he was inside, she watched him glance around the space.
“It looks good.”
“Your parents are downstairs having dinner.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, your mom introduced herself and your stepdad to me. They’re very nice. She’s beautiful, just as Mandy said. Speaking of Mandy, where is she?”
“With Claire and Jimmy.” She watched him take his gloves, hat, and coat off then hang them over the back of the sofa.
“Why are you here?” she asked again, becoming impatient as she took her coat off and hung it in the closet beside the door.
“I told you I wanted to see you.”
“Spit it out, Storm.”
He reacted to her snapping at him, by combing his fingers through his hair. “Chloe, you know how I feel about relationships. They scare the shit out of me. I don’t want to go through a broken heart again, and I don’t want Mandy to either.”
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