Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
By the time Sunday night came around, Storm already knew he was completely head over heels for Jane. He didn’t feel any of the angst he occasionally felt when he spent time with some of the women he’d dated in the past. He hadn’t constantly been looking at his watch to see when he could extricate himself, and when it came time for her to leave, he was genuinely disappointed.
While the sex had been amazing, that wasn’t the main reason why he was so attracted. He simply enjoyed being around her. She didn’t complain about every little thing. She was appreciative of the smallest things he, and others, did for her. Like when they’d gone to the grocery store and the cashier had given her a coupon someone else had left. Anyone watching would’ve thought the woman had saved Jane a hundred bucks rather than just fifty cents.
He also liked that Jane was somewhat shy. Storm had spent his entire life as a protector, and he enjoyed the role. So when a man bumped into Jane so hard she nearly fell on her ass, he was happy to jump to her defense.
Storm couldn’t believe that he’d known Jane as long as he had without realizing what a great person she was. He felt stupid and disgusted with himself. With her shyness, however, he knew she never would’ve made the first move, and he thanked his lucky stars he’d finally seen the gem that was right under his nose.
“What do you have on tap for the week?” she asked as they stood in the parking lot of his townhouse complex next to her older model black Toyota Camry.
“Meetings, research, and trying to help Dag plow through court-martial records,” he told her. “He said he didn’t need help, but I want this done. Partly because he’s my friend, and I hate that he could be in danger, but also because the last thing I want is you getting any more caught up in this than you already are.”
“But you’re already so busy,” she said.
“I am, but I’m always doing meetings and research, so it’s not a big deal.”
Jane wrinkled her nose adorably. “That doesn’t sound fun.”
Storm chuckled. “It’s not bad. I’m used to it.”
She nodded.
Then something occurred to him. “This coming weekend there’s a SEAL get-together on the beach. Want to come with me?”
Jane blinked in surprise. “Really?”
After their weekend together, it kinda irritated him that she was so surprised he’d ask. “Yeah, really.”
She obviously realized that she’d upset him as her hand came up and rested on his chest, right over his heart. She petted him as if he were a dangerous animal that needed soothing. “I just…this thing between us is new, and I wasn’t sure if you wanted to advertise to those we worked with about it…well, other than the few people who already know.”
Storm frowned. “We aren’t breaking any rules. You aren’t in the Navy, so it’s not fraternization.”
“I know,” she said quickly, “But…I’d hate for things to get weird if…” Her voice trailed off.
Storm stepped forward and crowded her until she’d backed up against her car.
“Storm?”
“Don’t think about us breaking up before we even get started,” he growled.
“I’m not. I mean, it’s just…you’re you, and I’m me.”
“What the hell does that mean?” he asked.
Jane bit her lip and looked up at him in consternation.
Storm took a deep breath and framed her face with his hands. He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. “I like you, Jane. A hell of a lot. I don’t know much about the obvious losers you’ve dated in the past, but not one of my coworkers or SEALs will think we’re mismatched. Hell, they’ll probably take me aside and warn me I better not be fucking with you.”
“I like you too,” she whispered. “I’m just terrified you’re going to wake up and wonder what the hell you’re doing with me. I’ve got a grown daughter who I’m not on the best of terms with, even though it’s gotten better in the last year or so. I’m approaching middle age, and while I make enough to keep a roof over my head, I’m not exactly raking in the bucks.”
He drew back and looked her in the eyes. “And you’re genuinely nice, you go out of your way to help anyone however you can, you work hard and aren’t a freeloader. You kiss like an angel and you’re uninhibited in bed…and you make me feel like the luckiest man on earth.”
He smiled as she blushed adorably.
“And you still blush when I compliment you,” he finished. “Please say you’ll come with me. I want to show you off to everyone. Show you how welcoming the SEAL community can be.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Okay,” he echoed. “Jane?”
“Yeah?” she asked.
“I had a really great weekend. I loved hanging out with you, learning how you take your coffee, watching you get ready in the morning…the last forty-eight hours have been some of the best in my life, and I’m not just saying that.”
“Me too,” she agreed. “I can’t believe you got the ratio of cream and sweetener for my coffee right after watching me make my first cup,” she teased. “I don’t think my ex ever got it right, even after a decade of being married.”
“I know this is fast, but I wouldn’t be opposed to you staying over during the week,” Storm told her. When her eyes widened in surprise, he quickly added, “I’m not asking you to move in, it’s way too soon for that, but I’ve slept better this weekend than I have in a very long time, and I would certainly enjoy having dinner with you more often, and waking up with you by my side.”
“It must’ve been a really long time since you’d had sex,” she teased.
Storm didn’t take offense. He’d even surprised himself with the offer for her to stay over, and he could just imagine what she was thinking. “I won’t deny that sex with you is more meaningful than with anyone I’ve ever slept with, but that wasn’t what I was implying. I just…coming home to an empty townhouse doesn’t hold any appeal any longer. Not after spending the last two days with you, hearing your laughter, watching you read on my couch as I get some research work done. I just like having you around and wouldn’t mind spending as much time with you as possible…outside the bedroom. I’m not saying I don’t want to be intimate with you, but I’m not twenty-two anymore…I don’t need or want sex every night.”
Storm held his breath waiting for her response. “I’d like that,” she said softly.
He beamed, and his shoulders relaxed. Storm hadn’t realized how tense he’d become. “Good. We’ll figure it out as the week goes on then.”
“Okay.”
“But plan on staying over Friday night for sure. The SEAL get-together is on Saturday and we’ll need to go shopping to pick up some watermelon before we head over there.”
“Will there be a lot of people?” she asked tentatively.
Storm didn’t want to freak her out, but he wasn’t going to lie to her either. “Yeah, baby, there will. You know there are a lot of SEAL teams on the base, and this beach party is for their families too. I can’t wait to introduce you to Wolf and his team and all their families, as well as Rocco and his team and families too.”
Jane bit her lip again, and Storm couldn’t help leaning down and licking where she’d nervously bitten herself. “It’ll be fine. You’ll be fine.”
“You aren’t just going to leave me when we get there, are you?” she asked after a moment. “I mean, I’m aware that you’ll know everyone and will want to talk to them, but I don’t do great in big groups when I don’t know anyone.”
“I’d never do that,” he told her honestly. “But I guarantee that you’ll know more people than you think. Trust me not to bring you somewhere then desert you.”
She sighed. “I do.”
She didn’t. Not yet, but Storm would do whatever he could to put her at ease and to make her trust him. They were still getting to know each other, and the more time they spent together, the more she’d realize that he wasn’t her ex. That he wasn’t going to treat her like shit and leave her to fend for herself. She’d been doing that for far too long. While she’d more than proven she was independent and wouldn’t fall apart if she had to do shit on her own, he wanted to show her that she was no longer alone. That she could lean on him.
“Drive safe going home,” he told her quietly. “Text or call me when you’re inside safe and sound, okay?”
“I will,” she agreed. Then she smiled. “It’s nice to have someone be worried about me. It’s been a very long time.”
“Get used to it,” Storm warned her. “It might be nice now, but you might get irritated and sick of me being overprotective.”
“I doubt it,” she told him. “I mean, when you haven’t ever had that, it feels pretty damn good. As long as you don’t get crazy and start tracking my every movement like a psycho stalker, I’m okay with you wanting to make sure I’m safe.”
Storm leaned in and kissed her. It seemed like forever since he’d had his lips on hers, but in reality it had only been about twenty minutes…right before they’d left his townhouse. She immediately opened for him, and he loved how receptive she was.
Reluctantly, he pulled back and kissed her on the forehead one more time before stepping back and opening her door. He waited until she was seated and had her safety belt on before leaning down and kissing her once more, briefly this time. “Drive safe.”
Jane nodded at him and smiled as he closed her door. She waved at him, and he gave her a chin lift in return. He stood in the parking lot and watched until he couldn’t see her taillights anymore. Then he took a deep breath and turned to walk back to his front door.
Storm was somewhat surprised at how empty his place felt when he reentered. He’d lived alone a very long time, but after only two days, Jane had filled his home with laughter and companionship.
It was true, when the right person came along…you just knew it. Jane filled all the lonely holes deep within him he’d refused to acknowledge. He didn’t regret asking her to consider spending more nights with him. He couldn’t think of anything better than coming home from a long day of work to her. He didn’t need dinner on the table, or the house cleaned…he just needed her to talk to. Laugh with. Snuggle with.
On Wednesday afternoon, Jane looked down at her phone during one of her breaks and smiled when she saw she had a text from Storm.
Storm : It’s been three nights. Any chance you’d consider coming over tonight?
She typed out a short but heartfelt response.
Jane : Yes!
His reply came almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting for her to text him back.
Storm: Thank God. I should get off around five-thirty. Come over anytime after six.
Jane: Okay. I need to go home and get my things, but barring any disasters here at work, I should be there by six-thirty.
Storm: Sounds perfect. I’ll start dinner.
Jane: What’re we having?
Storm: I went home at lunch and put a pot roast in the Crock-Pot. I hope that’s all right.
Jane: Yum!
Storm: You’re easy to please.
Jane: Actually, I’m not. I’m picky in my taste in men, I don’t like seafood, and kale goes on my gross list.
Storm: Crosses kale off list for dinner tonight.
Jane: Shut up.
Storm: :)
Storm: I’m looking forward to seeing you. I feel like it’s been forever since I saw you last.
Jane: You saw me this morning when I brought your mail up.
Storm: Like I said, forever.
Jane sighed in contentment. She’d sorta thought Storm would be standoffish at work and not very romantic when it came to everyday life, but she’d been wrong. While he didn’t bend her over his arm and make out with her while they were on the base, he didn’t hesitate to touch her, to kiss her on the cheek, to let her know he was happy to see her.
His text and emails were sweet and somewhat sappy. And when he called, he never hesitated to let her know how pretty he thought she was, how happy he was to talk to her, and how much he missed her. The difference between him and other men she’d dated was night and day. It almost made the way they’d gotten together, with her practically naked after being doused with tear gas, worth it. Almost.
Jane: Do you want me to bring anything when I come over tonight?
Storm: Just you.
Jane: I’m serious. I can pick something up from the store if I need to.
Storm: I AM being serious. Just bring yourself, baby.
Jane: Okay. See you later.
Storm: Can’t wait.
Jane put her cell back in her pocket. It was amazing how good Storm made her feel. It scared her but at the same time made her feel decades younger. She’d never expected this. Not at her age.
Taking a deep breath, she got back to work with renewed purpose. She needed to make sure she was finished with sorting the mail on time tonight so she could get home, pack, and head over to Storm’s place. Being with him made her realize how lonely she’d really been. She’d worked her ass off to raise Rose, and after she’d left, Jane had spent a lot of time and energy worrying about her…as any good mom would do.
But with every year that passed, and the closer she got to retirement, Jane realized that she had a lot of years left of her life. That she’d be alone if she didn’t manage to find someone to spend her golden years with. She would’ve been content with finding a group of friends, but being with Storm was like a dream come true. She was nervous about the beach party that weekend but decided to do her best to take things as they came. Worrying if people would like her wasn’t going to do anything but stress her out.
Knowing she needed to concentrate on work and put Storm and the upcoming night out of her mind, Jane reached for another packet of letters.
At six-thirty on the nose, Jane knocked on Storm’s door. He opened it almost immediately. He had a huge smile on his face and pulled her into his arms even as he shut the door with his foot.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hi,” she responded.
Then he kissed her. A long, deep kiss that Jane knew she’d never get tired of. When he lifted his head, he smiled down at her once more, brushing a lock of hair off her forehead. “Damn, it’s good to see you. Come on, dinner’s almost ready. You’ve got to be hungry.”
Bemused, Jane let him pull her into his house, loving how he kept hold of her hand. Dinner smelled delicious, and she couldn’t remember ever being spoiled like this. She loved it.
He pulled her small bag out of her hand and put it by the stairs, continuing on toward the kitchen. Within twenty minutes, they were sitting at a small table off the kitchen and Storm was telling her about his day.
“Dag and I reviewed records today and narrowed the list of suspects down to about five.”
“That many?” Jane asked in surprise.
“Yeah. There are a lot of good men and women in the Navy, but there are also quite a few who never quite conform. Sometimes they’re lazy and want to take the easy way out. Other times they just make a stupid mistake that can’t be overlooked and forgiven. We’re assuming the bomber is someone who was court-martialed out of the Navy. It might be an erroneous assumption, but we don’t think so. Someone has to be upset enough at Dag to blame him for whatever happened to them, and if someone was just given nonjudicial punishment, I don’t think they’d be as upset.”
“What does NCIS think?” Jane asked.
“They agree. And they’re investigating as many of the sailors who were kicked out of the Navy in the last year as they can. Trying to find out where they are now and interviewing new coworkers if possible. It’s a slow process. And I know it’s frustrating. Are you okay?”
“Me? Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Jane asked in surprise.
Storm reached over and took her hand in his. “You haven’t had any flashbacks or bad moments about what happened to you?”
Jane hesitated. She wanted to say no, that she was fine, but she also didn’t want to lie. She settled for shrugging. “Nothing major.”
The look of concern on his face made her melt. “I’m sorry, baby. I know it’s not a lot, but hopefully it’ll help in the long run that you weren’t the target.”
“I know. That’s why I feel stupid about the bad dreams I’ve had. I was just unlucky enough to be caught in the crossfire, so to speak,” she told him.
“Don’t feel stupid,” Storm said immediately, taking her hand in his. “What happened to you was traumatic. It was unexpected, and you were attacked in your safe space. You’re allowed to react badly to that.”
Jane nodded. “The dreams aren’t horrible. I usually wake up just as the bomb is going off. For a second I can’t breathe, remembering how much the tear gas stung, but then I realize that I’m just dreaming and I’m safe.”
“You are safe,” Storm told her.
Jane smiled at him. “Thanks.”
He squeezed her hand once more, then let go to finish eating. They talked about nothing important until they were done and continued talking as they sat on the couch afterward. In fact, Jane couldn’t remember ever talking this much about nothing with someone else and not feeling awkward or having any long pauses between topics.
It wasn’t until he yawned that she looked at her watch and realized it was almost ten o’clock. They’d been chatting away for hours. “Holy crap,” she exclaimed. “It’s late.”
Storm chuckled. “So it is. You ready to head up?”
He made it sound so normal. This was only the third time they’d spent the night together, and already it felt as if they’d done it a hundred times. “Yeah,” she told him.
“I’ll just make sure everything’s tidied up and locked down here. You go on up. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
She appreciated him giving her some time to get situated. She felt comfortable with him, but not quite comfortable enough yet to change in front of him as if she’d done it every day of her life.
She nodded and stood, but Storm grabbed her hand before she could walk off.
“Jane?”
“Yeah?”
“I like this. A lot. You have an open invitation to stay over here as much as you want. Feel free to leave some of your things too, to make it easier. Shampoo, nightgown…whatever.”
Jane stared at Storm for a heartbeat. “Are you sure?” she asked quietly. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome.”
Storm stood and ran his finger down her cheek. “I’m more than sure. I feel more relaxed and content with you here.”
Now that was an awesome compliment.
He brushed his thumb over her lips then stood back. “Go on. I’ll be there in a bit.”
Nodding, Jane grabbed her bag and headed up the stairs. Upon entering his room, she took a deep breath, loving how it smelled like him. She quickly changed into the boy shorts and T-shirt she liked to wear to bed and got ready in the bathroom. By the time Storm came upstairs, she was sitting in his bed with her iPad, reading.
He saw her and smiled hugely. “Fuck, I love seeing you there,” he muttered then headed for the bathroom. He came back out a few minutes later wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. He turned off the overhead light and climbed in next to her.
“Will it bother you if I read?” she asked.
“No,” Storm said immediately. “Does it bother you that I left the bathroom light on? I’m not a fan of pitch-dark rooms. Spent some time in captivity once and ever since, haven’t liked the dark.”
“Of course not,” she told him, feeling her heart break for him. If he wanted to leave all the lights on in the room, she wouldn’t complain. How could she after what he’d been though?
“Thanks.” Then he plumped his pillow, scooted closer, lay on his side, and draped his arm across her lower stomach.
Jane sat next to him pretending to read for several minutes before she thought he’d fallen asleep. She glanced over at him. His eyes were closed, his mouth was partly open, and he was breathing deeply. She could see the hair on his naked chest and the way his arm muscles bulged even when he was completely relaxed. In short, Storm was absolutely beautiful, and it was hard for Jane to come to terms with the fact that she was in his bed. That he had his arm around her, holding her to him as if he was afraid she’d sneak away when he was sleeping.
Jane loved reading, fell asleep reading most nights. But tonight she didn’t need to lose herself in the words of her favorite authors. She was living her own beautiful romance, and she had no idea how she’d gotten there.
Storm wanted her to stay over more? Wanted her to leave some of her things at his place? Hell yes. She was one hundred percent on board with that.
Reaching over, she put her iPad on the table next to her and scooted down on the bed.
“Everything okay?” Storm mumbled, and Jane’s heart melted even more. Even half asleep he was worrying about her.
“I’m good. Go back to sleep,” she told him gently.
Storm turned onto his back but pulled her toward him. Jane rested her head on his shoulder, and his arm went around her. She snuggled into him and was rewarded with his contented sigh. Her arm rested on his belly, and his free hand lay hot and heavy on top of her forearm.
They were plastered together—and she’d never been more comfortable.
“Hopefully you won’t have nightmares sleeping in my arms, but if you do, I’m here,” he told her quietly, then turned and kissed her forehead. Jane swore he was snoring seconds later, but it didn’t matter if he’d been cognizant of what he’d said or not. She’d treasure his caring words and actions forever.
She had a feeling Storm had just ruined her for sleeping alone in her double bed. Closing her eyes, Jane sighed in contentment. Within seconds, she was dead to the world.
Storm woke first the next morning, and it only took a second or two to remember that Jane had stayed the night. The light from the bathroom illuminated the room enough for him to see her. She was currently sleeping on her side next to him. He recalled pulling her into his arms the night before, but obviously sometime during the night, they’d both shifted. But what had his heart beating faster was the fact that, while lying next to him, she’d reached out in her sleep to touch him. Her hand was resting on his forearm and the slight weight felt like a brand. One he liked a hell of a lot.
How long he lay there watching Jane sleep Storm didn’t know. It was still dark outside, but his internal clock told him his alarm would be going off soon. They both had to get to work, but he knew he’d treasure this moment for a long time. He hoped he never took it for granted, the peace and serenity he got from having Jane by his side. He didn’t feel anxious around her, except for her safety.
The second his alarm blared, Storm reached out a hand to shut it off, then turned back to Jane. Her eyes were now open, and she was staring at him.
“Good morning,” he said softly.
“Morning,” she returned.
He loved the sleepiness he saw in her brown eyes. He wouldn’t mind seeing it every morning for the rest of his life…
That thought should’ve scared the hell out of him, but instead it merely felt right.
“Sleep well?” he asked.
“Better than I have in a very long time…not including last weekend.”
Storm smiled. “You want to shower first?” he asked.
“Yeah. You take two-point-three seconds to shower and it takes me longer to get ready,” Jane said without any heat in her tone.
It was true. He’d learned to take very short showers and hadn’t been able to break the habit. “I’ll go down and start the coffee while you’re showering. You want toast?”
“Please,” she said.
When he started to roll out of the bed, her hand tightened on his arm. “Storm?”
He turned back to her. “Yeah, baby?”
“Were you serious last night?”
“About what?”
“About me staying over more?”
“One hundred percent,” he replied.
“Good. Because I’m thinking there’s nothing I’d like more than to fall asleep in your arms and wake up to see you smiling at me. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for you.”
Storm swore he could feel his heart swell three times its normal size…kinda like the Grinch’s did in the famous story. He leaned over and kissed Jane on the lips. Not pushing to deepen the kiss, but letting her know that her words meant the world to him. “I feel the same,” he told her quietly.
Then before he did something that would make them both late for work, he climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After a quick pit stop, and then putting on a pair of cotton pants, he headed for the doorway. He looked back and saw Jane walking toward the bathroom. The boy shorts she was wearing had ridden up, and he could see the round cheeks of her ass sticking out the bottom. And just like that, he was hard.
Groaning quietly, Storm forced himself to exit his room and head for the kitchen. He’d never lived with a woman before, not once in his forty-seven years, but he was definitely seeing the appeal at the moment. But only because it was Jane. He knew she thought she wasn’t skinny enough, didn’t have the right job…but to him, she was perfect.
They had no time for anything sexual this morning, but on Friday night, all bets were off. He couldn’t wait.
Jane headed out of Storm’s townhouse with him and toward the parking lot.
“We should just go to the base together,” he told her.
Jane shook her head. “I love staying with you, but I need my car,” she told him. “Sometimes I do errands over my lunch break, and I know you sometimes need to leave base too. It’s more practical to drive separately.”
She thought it was cute the way Storm scowled. “I know you’re right, but I feel cheated out of your presence for even the ten minutes it takes to get to the base.”
Jane laughed. “I think we’ll survive.”
He put a hand on her arm and turned her to face him. “What have you done to me?” he asked.
“The same thing you’ve done to me,” she returned.
“I mean it. Two weeks ago I couldn’t think about anything other than work. I lived and breathed it and dreaded coming home. Now I think about you constantly throughout the day. When my phone vibrates with a text, I can’t help but think it might be from you, and I get excited. I’ve been thinking about ways to experiment with food to make things that I think you might enjoy. I swear…I hadn’t truly been living until I met you.”
Damn. That was the best compliment Jane had ever received. “I feel the same way,” she told him.
Storm took a big breath. “Okay, you’re right. It’s better if we have our own transportation, but that doesn’t mean I like it.”
She laughed.
“I’ll follow you. Be safe.”
“I will,” she told him.
It was still dark outside, since the sun hadn’t quite begun to rise yet. She’d always been startled how it could be dark one moment and then light the next. The sun seemed to sprint up into the sky once it finally woke up.
Storm leaned in and kissed her. It was a long, deep kiss that had Jane’s toes curling in her shoes. “I’ll walk you in when we get to our building.”
“Okay,” she agreed easily.
He kissed her once more, a brief kiss that time but no less powerful, then turned and headed for his car.
Jane unlocked her own reliable Camry and climbed inside. She put her overnight bag on the passenger seat, now quite a bit lighter as she’d left her toiletries, her sleep outfit, and the clothes she’d worn yesterday inside Storm’s townhouse. It had felt like a big step, and she couldn’t help standing in his closet and staring at her things mixed with his in his hamper. Yes, they’d moved fast, but things between them felt right. She wasn’t in her twenties anymore. She knew what she wanted—and what she wanted was Storm.
Smiling to herself, she started the engine and headed for the exit. Looking in her rearview mirror, she saw the headlights from Storm’s VW Golf behind her. Even though it was early, and she had a long day ahead of her, Jane had never felt more awake and energized than she did right at that moment.