Unexpected Storms (The Unexpected Series Book 4)

by Stacy Eaton

  “I think I just danced the most exciting dance of my life, and then this gorgeous and sexy man kissed me.”

  “Were you expecting that?”

  I shook my head, my hair whipping back and forth over my shoulders. “No, not at all.”

  “What did you think of the dance?”

  “It was incredible.” I was somewhat awestruck that I had just danced that with a stranger. For some reason, I had expected Victor to be there stepping into the light. It had startled me, but the moment I touched him, I came to life. My entire body had felt energized, and the dance became almost effortless—fun—not work.

  Our lips had brushed earlier in the routine, an accidental touch that had left my head spinning slightly, but nothing like how it felt now. How could I dance with a stranger and have such feelings inside of me?

  “Well, you need to get back to your dressing area and take a break. Get freshened up and clear your mind because you need to do that again.”

  “Holy cow! I can’t believe I have to do that again.” I shook my hands out in front of me. How could anything compare to what I had just done? How could I look at another man the same way? I think that the first man had stolen my heart from my chest. He sure made it beat hard enough to break free.

  But I did dance. I danced it just as well, if not a little better the second time. It was fun and sexy, and I felt comfortable with his arms wrapped around me—with his hands on me. Although they didn’t make my body tingle. He didn’t try to kiss my mouth, but he did brush his lips over my forehead as he started to turn away after only a second once we finished.

  I rushed off the floor as soon as he turned from me, able to think better than the first dance, but confused about my feelings. I felt things with both of them, one comfortable and safe, the other exciting and stimulating. Which one was I going to choose?

  “Do you know who you are going to pick?” Tarin asked.

  I shook my head quickly. “I have no clue. They were both fantastic, and I felt things with both of them. I don’t know how I can choose between them.”

  “It’s a good thing that you have a day to decide,” Tarin said. The cameras turned off, and they called it a wrap for the night. Cal and Victor rushed to my side, congratulating me on a fantastic job. I had to admit that I amazed myself.

  I heard my name being called and turned to see Charlie. “You made it!” I said to her as she reached me and threw her arm around me.

  “Holy shit, Ali! You were fantastic!”

  “Did you see both dances?”

  “Yes, I arrived about five minutes before the first one. They wouldn’t let me see you because you were about to go on.”

  The two of us went back to my dressing area. “What did you think?”

  “I think you have a difficult decision to make.”

  “Which man do you think I danced better with?”

  She pursed her lips and tapped them for a moment. “From an artist’s point of view, I would say the second one. You seemed more comfortable with him, and he complemented you very well. You were like complete opposites—light and dark. What color were his eyes?”

  “Blue, and I think I felt more comfortable with him. It was almost easier to do the routine with him.” I paused. “So, you think I should choose him?”

  “I didn’t say that.” She grinned like the cat that ate the canary. “I said you looked more comfortable with him.”

  “But you also said I danced better with him.”

  “Yes, because you looked comfortable. You looked like you could depend on him, trust him. Like you already know that he’s going to be a good guy and safe to date.”

  “So? Isn’t that the point. You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s a safe thing.”

  I removed the dress and pulled my t-shirt over my head. “What are you talking about?”

  “The first guy you danced with, he was mysterious—almost—yeah, he was mysterious. He moved lithely, almost like he was stalking you.”

  I laughed. “Stalking me? What are you talking about, Charlie?”

  “He was a very sexual animal, Ali. In fact, he oozed danger and sex.”

  I laughed as I shook my head and pulled on my leggings. “He did not ooze danger and sex, Char.”

  “He did, and oh, my god! That kiss! I was waving a hand in front of my face. The two of you melted the film! You should have heard everyone in the viewing room.”

  “We did not!” I felt my cheeks heating up. “And that was a surprise. I did not expect that.”

  “Of course you didn’t expect that. He obviously didn’t either, but it was like he couldn’t resist. He had to taste you.”

  I threw my head back and laughed loudly. “He did not have to taste me. Are you drunk?”

  “Only a little.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “But that’s not the point. He looked like he had to have you. You didn’t see it, but after you turned and ran off-camera, he just stood there and stared after you. It was like you rocked his world. Like he didn’t know which way was up.”

  I stared at her, one foot partially in my sneaker. “Are you serious? He watched me leave?”

  “Yep, you were gone for a few seconds before he turned and left the floor.”

  I was going to tell her she must have remembered it wrong when someone knocked on the door, and Holly popped her head in the room. “I wanted to check on you before you left.”

  “Come on in. Holly Melton, this is my friend Charlie Yardley.”

  They said hello, then Holly asked her, “What did you think of her dancing?”

  “She was amazing. I think she could be a professional if she ever quit cooking.”

  “Ha!” I threw my head back and put on my other shoe. “That’s never happening.”

  Holly studied me for a moment. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m okay, just so very confused.”

  “Not sure which one to pick?”

  “I have no clue which one to choose, and Charlie is not being any help.”

  Holly and Charlie both chuckled. “I am being helpful; she just doesn’t want to listen to my advice.”

  “What is your advice?”

  “Actually, I hadn’t given it to her yet. I was explaining to her that dancer number two was the safe choice, and the first guy was danger and sex—almost predatory.”

  Holly barked out a quick laugh. “Well, that’s one way to describe him.”

  “Don’t you agree?”

  “I can’t really say; I’m the producer of the show, so I can’t give any opinion.”

  “But you have to admit that guy number one was much sexier than the second guy, right? The dark looks, the way he moved. Damn, if Ali doesn’t want him, can you hook a girl up?”

  “Easy now, Charlie. I haven’t made my decision yet. Don’t go stealing my choices before I do.”

  “I’m just saying if you don’t want him.” She cocked her head to the side. “I would photograph him in the jungle.”

  “What?” Holly asked, looking baffled.

  “She’s a photographer; she does an incredible job of finding just the right background for a subject.” I turned to Charlie. “Where would you put the other guy?”

  Charlie considered that for a moment and then laughed. “In a minivan with three kids and a dog in the back seat.”

  “Oh, come on, Charlie!” I threw my hands up in the air.

  “What? You asked. He’s that safe-looking.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Why did I ask you to come? You are no help.”

  “Whatever!” Charlie muttered.

  Holly put her hand on my arm. “Well, tomorrow afternoon, we will have the footage ready for you, and you’ll be able to watch both the first and second dance that you had with them. Maybe that will help you decide.”

  “I really get to see them?”

  “Yep.”

  “Can I bring Charlie? She didn’t get to see the first round.”
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  “Sure.”

  “That’s great. Maybe that will help me.” I glanced at my watch. “Look, I’d love to stay and chat with both of you, but I need to get to the restaurant.”

  “You’re working tonight? It’s almost eight o’clock.” Charlie asked.

  “Yeah, but the kitchen is open for another couple of hours, and I need to make sure we are good for tomorrow.”

  “Alright, I’ll give you a call tomorrow and let you know when we are ready.”

  “Perfect, thank you, Holly. Charlie, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  I was out the door as soon as I said goodbye, and rushing to the side exit so that I could catch a cab. I rounded the corner onto the main street and smashed right into someone, almost hitting them hard enough that I fell back. Just like the last time, a hand grabbed me and kept me from falling. My face snapped up, and I stared into the eyes of dancer number one. Immediately, the world around me disappeared.

  “Get your hands off of her right this minute,” I heard a woman say, and then a hand covered my eyes, and two other hands pulled me away.

  “I was just trying to keep—” His words became mumbled as if someone had put a hand over his mouth.

  “Come with me,” the voice said again, and I realized it sounded like Maggie.

  “Are you okay, Ali?” Alice asked quietly from beside me, and I heard one of the men behind us speak.

  “Well, if she was going to pick you, she’s not going to now.” There was a lot of laughter.

  “I’m okay, thank you.”

  “We were told that if we ran into you with him, to make sure he didn’t speak to you.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “You looked beautiful tonight,” Maggie said and glanced back toward the corner that now stood vacant. “Sorry that we didn’t tell you we were friends with him.”

  “Actually, I already knew you were. I saw you two talking to him after the first dance.”

  “You did?” Alice asked, surprised.

  I nodded. “I did, and as much as I would love to talk now, I have to get to work.”

  “Work? It’s after eight,” Maggie said as I backed away from them.

  “Yeah, I’m a chef. I work late. I have to go. It was great seeing you guys again.”

  I turned and rushed toward the taxi stand, waving my hand as one started to slow. Another moment and I was in the taxi, and we were zooming away. I glanced out the window and saw him standing at the corner, watching me go. Instinctively, I put my hand up to the glass as if I could touch him one last time.

  I leaned back in my seat and gnawed on my lip. As much as I didn’t want to consider Charlie’s words, I thought she was right. Now I needed to figure out if I wanted safe or sexy.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Harvey

  We were heading out to eat dinner when I stepped ahead of the group and saw the flash of someone barreling around the corner. What was destiny trying to tell us here? This was the second time we had crashed into each other at a corner. Not just bumped into one another but crashed.

  The first time, I was the one in a rush, now it was her turn. For that brief moment, I was tempted to take her face and kiss her again. I wanted to take up where we had left off, but Alice and Maggie were already pulling her away from me, and Greg clamped a hand over my mouth while Trevor yanked my arm toward the alley.

  Jake laughed. “You know, I would have let you talk to her, but your sister scared me tonight when she said that she’d dip my man parts in hot oil if I let you two speak to one another.”

  “You’re scared of Holly?” Trevor asked him.

  “Wait, is Holly Melton’s sister?” Joe jumped into the conversation.

  “Duh!” Trevor said and knocked him upside the head.

  “Damn, she was beautiful. You sure you don’t want to introduce us?”

  I glared at him. “Not on your life.”

  He shrugged, and then I turned to look back around the corner just in time to see her get into a taxi. She was wearing leggings, a sweatshirt, and sneakers and looked like she was heading out for a run. Was she racing to get away from us?

  Alice and Maggie joined us again, and Maggie pointed at me. “You should be more careful.”

  “What? I didn’t do anything. She’s the one that came racing around the corner.” I chuckled. “That’s not the first time we have bumped into each other, either.”

  I proceeded to tell them about the night I went to Todd’s and how I had run into her at another corner.

  “Aww,” Lexi said sweetly. “It’s like it’s meant to be.”

  Trevor laughed. “Two trains crashing in the night. Wonder how much carnage is going to come from it next time they meet?”

  “Very funny,” I growled at him. I turned to Maggie and Alice. “Did she say where she was rushing off to?”

  “She was trying to get away from you,” Wyatt joked, and I ignored him.

  Alice and Maggie glanced at one another, and Alice shrugged. “She was on her way to work.”

  “Work? It’s after eight.”

  “I guess she cooks someplace,” Maggie said. “At least that’s what she said as she left us.”

  She was a cook? Hmm, interesting. I wonder what she liked to cook. I turned back around and glanced down the road. What kind of restaurant did she work in? A tavern? A diner? Maybe one of those mom and pop places? Maybe at one of those franchised steak houses or Italian eateries. How many restaurants were there in the city? How long would it take me to visit each one to find her?

  “Oh, geez,” Alex sighed. “I can see his mind working now. He’s probably trying to figure out where she works so he can casually walk in and sit down.”

  I laughed. “I was not!”

  Trevor shoved my arm. “Yes, you were.”

  I grinned. “Okay, I was.”

  “Just wait until Sunday, and then you’ll know whether you made an impression on her or not.”

  “Fine,” I growled. I hated waiting, but I didn’t have much of a choice, now did I?

  I woke up Sunday morning tense and pushed myself during my workout. I even ran a couple of extra miles just to try and wear off some of the anxiety—it didn’t work. I was still a nervous wreck when I left the house to go to my meeting location.

  Today was the day that I would find out if she chose me. I hoped that she did, and that wasn’t just the competitor in me. I honestly did feel something with her, and I wanted to explore that. In fact, that’s exactly what I told Tarin when I did my quickie interview before taking a seat at the coffee shop.

  “What do you hope to achieve today?” Tarin asked me as we stood on the sidewalk.

  “I hope that she shows up and that I finally get the opportunity to speak to her. I hope that we connected as well in person here on the street as we did on the dance floor. I’d love for this to work out for both of us.”

  “Well, go have a seat, and we’ll see if she shows up.”

  I nervously took a seat and watched every person as they walked my direction. I’d never been so nervous before. A few minutes later, one of the employees stepped up to my table and handed me an envelope. I took it and glanced at the camera crew. Oddly enough, my sister was not here today, and I wondered where she was. That should have told me the answer.

  I pulled open the envelope and read the words. “Thank you for the dance. I wish you all the best.” I inhaled slowly and released it as I tapped the card on the table. “Wow. I thought she’d pick me.”

  “How are you feeling right now, Harvey?”

  I stood and glanced down the street. “A little confused, I guess. I really thought we had something. I guess I was wrong.”

  “Are you disappointed?”

  “Of course, I am.”

  “What are you going to do now?” the man asked.

  “Now? Well, I’m going to go back to my job and keep doing what I do.”

  With that, someone said it’s a wrap, and I shook their hands, thanked them for everything, and
began to walk away. I guess my sister was with the other crew. I thought about calling her but decided against it.

  Instead, I went home, grabbed a beer, plopped down on the couch, and turned on the television. My cellphone rang, and I saw Holly’s name on it. I sent it to voicemail. A few minutes later, another number called, and I sent that one to voicemail. Then Greg called, and I thought that I better answer or the calls would keep coming in.

  “Yeah,” I said as I answered.

  “Tough luck, my man. I’m sorry you didn’t get chosen.”

  “How do you know that I didn’t?”

  “Because your sister called Maggie. She wanted to know if we’d spoken to you because you weren’t answering her calls.”

  “Didn’t feel like talking to anyone.”

  “Then why did you pick up for me?”

  “Because I knew if I didn’t, everyone and their fucking brother would have shown up here to check on me.”

  He laughed softly and then asked, “You alright?”

  “Of course.”

  “Don’t give me that shit. I know the guys were busting on you, but you were really into the whole thing. I’m sure you are disappointed that she didn’t choose you.”

  “I am.”

  “Yeah, well, you can mope around today, but tomorrow, make sure all your makeup is put away, and you have your guns strapped on. You are back in class.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, no more makeup for me. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “She doesn’t know what she’s missing,” Greg said. “Or maybe she heard about those damn green shakes you drink, and it turned her off.”

  “You’re an ass,” I hissed at him but laughed after. “I’ll talk at you later.”

  “You got it.”

  After I hung up, I sat there and thought back over the whole thing. How had I been so wrong? I really thought that we had something together. I couldn’t picture her with the other guy.

  I was on my third beer when I heard my front door open, and I rolled my eyes. Damn, I forgot Holly had a key. Her heels made clipping sounds on the hard tile floor as she came back toward the family room.

  “Why aren’t you answering my calls?”

  “Did you call? I was watching the game.”