Chapter 5
five
Storm
W hen I hear the click of the door unlocking—a sound I’ve been anxiously waiting for—I force myself to calm my breathing. Tracking his quiet movements around the large room I pretend to be asleep. It’s damn difficult when he stands at the end of the couch and stares at me for what feels like hours. The temptation to hold out my arms to him is nearly irresistible. Somehow I manage and eventually he moves into the bathroom and I hear the shower turn on.
Imaging what he might be doing under the large rain shower head brings my lady bits to life. Just because I’d found my own quick, personal release there doesn’t mean he’s doing the same.
I could always join him and find out.
Where the hell did all these promiscuous thoughts come from? Granted, I haven’t had much of a sex life for the past year, but just because a guy shows interest doesn’t necessarily mean he wants sex. Or so I’ve read. It hasn’t been my experience. With me, that’s all they seem to want. Screw the fat chick. Once, or maybe a few times just to see what it’s like. Then disappear.
That’s been okay. The disappearance, I mean. Being used just as an experience? I finally accepted who I am without a guy and cut that kind of relationship out of my life. Which left me alone.
Quinn seems different though. Maybe it’s because he’s been married. Or has kids. There’s something comfortably real and honest about him that’s settled deep in my chest. Around my heart. I wouldn’t mind exploring the physical with him because I know—somehow I know—it would be more than just a ‘wham bam thank you ma’am’ with him.
I turn so my back is to the room. Now I’m making up fairytale situations. I need to keep my head out of the clouds and my feet on the ground.
It would have probably been a better idea if I had snuck off like I’d originally planned. Instead the view from the large window had drawn me into the room. Into his room. His space. Yeah, I know it’s a hotel, but when I glanced at the papers spread messily across the desk next to an open laptop, and pretended I wasn’t snooping when I opened the closet and peeked into his shaving kit on the bathroom counter, all I sensed was him.
With a single sniff of the aftershave lingering in the bathroom, I’d embedded him in my heart.
All the while he was gone taking care of his kid, I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly all this means. Yes, I’m attracted to him. Very much so. What I feel is more than that though. And something I don’t remember ever feeling before. He makes me tingle—and not just in the sexual way. There’s a bright spot in my brain when I think about him. Which has been nearly every moment this evening. It’s like when we met he took up residence in my brain and it doesn’t feel like he’s going away.
What kind of a mess have I gotten myself into? This almost—almost—makes me want to start planning a future. From past experiences, I know those plans won’t go anywhere. They never do. That’s why I’ve given up on trying to create my future. It’s going to happen how it happens. Nothing I say or do will make any difference.
The best thing for me to do is just let whatever relationship Quinn and I might form simply flow like the wind across the desert. Enjoy everything for as long as it lasts. Make a break before things get messy. Ignore the hopeful beating of my heart and stay grounded in the reality of now. Besides, he’s a nice guy doing the gentlemanly thing. Once morning comes, we’ll go our separate ways.
Decision made, I sigh. This is the right way to approach this situation. This course of action has always worked before. Except there’s this tiny, soft voice in my head that disagrees. This time is different.
The patter of water from the shower ends and a few minutes later Quinn emerges from the bathroom. It’s difficult to stay still when I want to see how he looks with damp hair. What does he wear to sleep in? I can’t help my spreading grin. He’s got kids, so probably at least lounge pants or something.
“Good night, Storm,” he whispers from across the room. “Sweet dreams.”
I bite my lip to keep from replying.
He settles in the bed and the final light goes out. I’d left the drapes open so the brightness from the Strip flickers on the wall. I watch the colors dance, listen until his soft snores tell me Quinn is asleep, then close my eyes and find my own rest.
“Wake up, Storm.”
I groan and shift. I slept crooked on this stupid couch and my neck is stiff. The reality of being awake doesn’t help. This is my day off. I usually sleep in. Why does my alarm sound like a man? Like Quinn?
The reality of my situation crashes into the lingering comfort of dreams I don’t remember. It is Quinn. I jerk and fight the blanket until I’m sitting and blinking at him.
“Sorry I had to wake you, but I’ve got plans with my kids today and I was thinking—hoping—you might like to join us.”
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I say, “I thought their grandmother was taking care of them.”
He sighs and sits on one of the chairs that makes this end of the room a seating area. “Originally, yes. Then we planned for me to take the kids on an outing for the morning so she could get her hair done.” He rolls his eyes toward the ceiling. “But last night was extra stressful for her, so I told her I’d keep the kids busy all day.”
“Does she see them often?”
He shakes his head. “She lives in Florida and only makes a trip here a couple times a year. As the kids—especially Isaac—have gotten older, they wear her out quicker. We’re going to have to make different plans next year. Anyway, I need to pick up the kids in half an hour.”
“What’s the plan for the day?” I already know whatever it is, I’m all in. While I’d love to spend time just with Quinn to really get to know him, he’ll be his true self with his children around. I’m also really curious. What are his kids like? And will they like me?
Not that it matters. But it does.
“First is a rare treat. A fast food breakfast.”
My stomach grumbles an agreement. “With hashbrown patties?”
Quinn laughs, and the deep, joyous sound travels along my nerve endings. Here I go, tingling again.
“Of course. Then we’re headed out of town to the Hoover Dam. If they behave I promised we’d go to the Adventuredome this afternoon. I was hoping… you’re welcome to join us if you don’t have to work or have other plans.”
“No, no plans,” I say in a rush. Dear god I hope that didn’t make me sound pathetic or needy. After taking a deep breath, I start again. “The shop’s closed on weekends this time of year because Dad and his cronies love to take to the open road. So no work. And since I can’t even get back into my apartment yet, no plans. Although I should start looking for a place to stay.”
His expression droops and hoping to make him smile again, continue. “But I don’t feel like apartment shopping. I’d enjoy spending the day with you. Your family. Unless your kids want you all to themselves.”
He give me a look of disbelief. “They have me all the time. I’m not a big deal.”
“What about last night?”
His shrug concedes to my observation. “Isaac is at an age, I guess, where he wants to be independent, but also wants to be the baby. I never know from day to day. Hell, hour to hour sometimes. It would be good for him, and for Emmerii to have another adult around to interact with.”
“Then yes, I’m in. How much time do I have to get ready?” Like it takes me forever to slip on clean jeans and a shirt. Maybe I should braid my hair today. Did I pack a scrunchie?
He glances at his watch. “Twenty minutes now. But I can pick them up and stall them for as long as you need.”
“Twenty minutes is good.”
Honestly, I could have used another five minutes to do more than swipe on a little mascara and apply some SPF lotion to my face and exposed skin. With a tube of lip protector in my bag, I’m literally covered and ready to go.
When Quinn opens the door to the other suite, I take a tiny step back and to the side. The sudden concern his mother-in-law might be uncomfortable with her grandkids spending the day with their dad and another woman make me hesitant to enter. Quinn grabs my hand and tugs me to his side to face the gray haired woman.
“Helene, I’d like you to meet Storm Rankin. She’s going to be helping me with the kids today. Storm, this is the kids’ grammy, Helene Kirby.”
She gives me a long, hard look as we shake hands then breaks into a huge smile, relaxing my concerns. “Nice to meet you.” She focuses on Quinn. “About time you got around to dating again.”
“We’re not dating, Helene. Just friends.”
Her appraising gaze dances from him to me and back again. He called her ditzy, but I’m pretty sure there’s a whole lot more to her than that.
“If you say so, Quinn. The children are ready to?—”
A high shriek of “Daddy” assaults my ears a split second before a whirlwind of denim and superhero tee shirt spins into the room. Both Helene and I step back before the small boy charges into his father and wraps his arms around Quinn’s legs.
“Oof, slow down, kiddo,” Quinn says as he tousles the boy’s hair. “I want you to meet someone, so behave.”
The boy finally notices me and his bright blue eyes go wide. Clutching Quinn’s jeans in a tight fist, he moves to hide behind the protection of his father’s legs. With two fingers sucked into his mouth, the adorable boy stares at me.
Quinn gently tugs the fingers from his son’s mouth then motions me closer. “Isaac, this is Storm. She’s going to spend the day with us. Say hello.”
I crouch so I’m eye to eye with the boy. He glances up to Quinn’s smile then focuses on me. “You gots a funny name.”
“I know. My mother said it’s because there was thunder and lightning when I was born.” In my heart I’m not sure it was the weather causing a storm. More likely it was my parents fighting.
“I don’t like thunders. Too loud.” Isaac releases Quinns pant leg and holds out his hand. “Hello, Storm. I’m Isaac. It’s nice to meet you.”
The sweet, totally proper introduction melts my heart. I shake his hand. “Very nice to meet you, too. I hope you don’t mind me coming along on your adventure today.”
Before he answers, Quinn makes a sweeping motion with his hand over our heads. “Come meet our new friend, sweetie.”
Dressed in pink jean shorts and a flower covered tee shirt, Quinn’s daughter offers me a tentative smile. Her handshake is firm. “Hello. I’m Emmerii.”
“I’m Storm. Is it okay if I come with you today?” If either of the kids don’t want me along, no matter how much I want to spend any time I can with Quinn, I’ll step aside. Family first.
There’s no hesitation in her reply. “It’ll be fun having another girl to talk to.” She jerks her head to indicate her brother. “Boys are okay, but sometimes it’s nice to have girl time, ya know?”
I chuckle and straighten from my crouch. “I do. Where I work it’s all guys except for me.”
She slips her hand into mine and the show of trust nearly collapses me back to my knees. I’ve never spent much time around kids. I am so out of my comfort zone here. Maybe this is a mistake. I shouldn’t intrude on Quinn’s family time.
Isaac and Quinn have moved away to check the contents of a backpack he brought from his room. Helene leans close to whisper, “You’ll be fine, Storm. Relax and have fun. That’s all. Have fun.”
Surprising myself, I do have fun even just walking with the kids to Quinn’s SUV. Isaac chatters almost constantly, while Emmerii is quiet and observant. I already understand that when she talks, she has something to say.
After our fast food breakfast Quinn encourages the kids to explore the playground. To work off energy before a road trip he explains.
On the way to the dam, Isaac entertains us by naming all the cars and trucks. “Wow,” I say to him when he correctly names a piece of construction equipment on the flatbed of a semi. “You’re good at this.”
I’m watching in the sun visor mirror as Emmerii rolls her eyes. “It’s all he talks about. All his books are about cars and trucks. Boring.”
As I angle in my seat to look back at her, I notice Quinn is studying the side mirror. Again. He’s been doing that off and on all morning. Questions form but I’m stopped from speaking when Isaac issues a challenge.
“Bet you don’t know what truck that is,” he says, pointing out the window at a large pickup.
“Hmm, let me think. Oh, I know. A Silverado 2500HD.”
The boy’s face crumples. “How did you know that?”
“I worked on one in the shop a couple weeks ago. Might even have been that one.”
“You work on trucks?” The disbelief in his tone and expression nearly make me laugh. “You’re a girl.”
Emmerii slaps at his arm. “Girls can do anything they want. Even boring stuff like that.”
“My dad owns a repair shop. I grew up working on cars, trucks, and motorcycles. So your sister is right. We girls can be whatever we want. Even mechanics.”
Eyes wide with excitement, Isaac bounces as much as his seat restraints allow. “Can I see? Where you do cars? Can I help? Show me.”
“You’ve done it now.” Quinn’s dry mumble does make me laugh. He catches his son’s gaze in the mirror. “Ask politely. And remember she doesn’t have to show you where she works if she doesn’t want to. Or if she thinks it’s too dangerous. Okay?”
The slight reprimand does nothing to stem the boy’s excitement. “Yes, Daddy. Storm, will you? Sometime?”
Who could resist those wide, puppy dog pleading eyes. “I’ll see. Maybe your dad can bring you by sometime after the shop is closed. Not so much is going on then.”
“We’re here.” Quinn’s declaration immediately shifts the children’s attention to the Hoover Dam. Even though I live in Vegas, I haven’t been out here before. Isaac and I enjoy the power plant tour. Emmerii’s more interested in the museum displays.
After a morning of site seeing, both kids fall asleep on the way back to town so they’ve got plenty of energy to explore the Adventuredome at Circus Circus.
By the end of the afternoon, I’m exhausted. Quinn and I are perched on a bench watching the kids enjoy the Frog Hopper and B.C. Bus rides. I take a long sip of my iced tea. “How do you…”
“Keep up with them? I’m not sure some days. You know that old saying about it taking a village? There’s truth in that statement. Our village includes school, daycare, competent sitters, and of course Grammy. I’m adamant about leaving work at work, so when I’m home with the kids, I’m just Dad.”
I still don’t know what Quinn does for a living and I’m about to ask when Isaac runs through the crowd and leaps onto Quinn’s lap. “Can we do the zipline?”