Chapter 3 #2
Jane scowled when the door shut behind him.
Storm held up a hand. “Before you rip me a new asshole, I had nothing to do with that. And I agree that it was sexist and annoying. He should’ve been talking to you, not me.”
Jane’s anger deflated instantly. “I hate that,” she said.
“I mean, I’ve been working on this base for a very long time, you’d think I’d be used to being talked down to, but I’m not.
I’m perfectly able to take care of myself, and it’s rude as hell for him to essentially pat me on the head and talk to you instead of me. ”
“I agree. You ready to go?”
Jane took a deep breath. She could continue to rail at the sexism, not to mention unprofessionalism, of the doctor, but she couldn’t fault his expertise.
He’d also been as gentle as possible when he’d cleaned out her eyes and examined her.
“I’m ready,” she said. “But you don’t have to take me home, Storm.
I’m a big girl, I can get there by myself. ”
“I know, but your apartment’s on my way. It’s not a big deal.”
Jane stood, giving him side-eye. “How do you know where I live?”
She could’ve sworn she saw Storm blush. “I…uh…looked it up before I headed over here. If you were still here, I figured you might need a ride.”
Jane couldn’t help but smile. “Fine. You can take me home.”
As they walked out of the room, Storm said, “You’re a hard woman to do a favor for.”
Jane shrugged. “I’ve been on my own a long time. Had to do everything myself. Learned the hard way that relying on someone else brought me nothing but heartbreak.”
Storm looked at her as they passed through the waiting room at the clinic. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ve had a long time to get over my ex. What’s that line from Shawshank Redemption? Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’. I chose to live.”
Then Storm shocked her for the second time in minutes by reaching out and taking her hand in his.
He did it so smoothly that it felt completely natural and not awkward in the least. “Some birds aren’t meant to be caged,” he said quietly as they headed outside and toward the parking area.
“When they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up rejoices, but still, the place you live in is that much more gray after they’re gone. ”
Jane stopped in her tracks, and since he was holding her hand, Storm stopped too. “That was from Shawshank too,” she told him unnecessarily.
“It was. Best fucking movie ever. I’ve watched it at least a hundred times, and every time I’m flicking through the channels and see that it’s on, I have to stop.
That part where Red is narrating how Andy Dufresne crawled through five hundred yards of shit and came out clean on the other side gets me every time,” Storm said.
Jane nodded. “Most people don’t think it’s a very uplifting movie, but I can’t help but think about how much Andy changed everyone’s lives in that prison.” Then she blushed. “I mean…I know it’s fiction, but—”
“I know what you mean,” Storm assured her. Then he squeezed her hand. “Come on, let’s get you home. You’ve got to be tired.”
And without a word, Jane let him lead her to his car, a navy-blue four-door VW Golf. When they were inside headed toward the exit of the base, she couldn’t help but tease him. “A Golf?” she asked.
Storm chuckled. “I know, but she’s got a two hundred ninety-two-horsepower engine in her that matches the power of a Ford Mustang. I like staying under the radar but having the ability to get the job done when it counts.”
Jane stared at him for a second, then bit her lip trying not to laugh. But it was no use. She burst out laughing at the serious look on his face.
He glanced over at her in surprise, then grinned. When she had herself under control, he said wryly, “Didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“I guessed,” Jane told him.
“You should do that more often,” Storm said.
“What?”
“Laugh.”
Self-conscious now, Jane looked away, turning to stare out the window.
“Shit, sorry. It was a compliment. I loved that even after the shittiest day ever, you could still find something to laugh about. Your smile lights up your face and makes you even more beautiful than you already are.”
Jane turned again to look back at Storm.
Her head was spinning at how he’d gone from being one of the men she delivered mail to each day to someone who had asked her out and was now going out of his way to flirt with her.
It was as confusing as it was flattering and exciting.
But Jane wasn’t about to throw herself headlong into a relationship with anyone… she was too jaded for that.
“You’re confusing me,” she admitted softly.
“How so?” he asked without hesitation.
“Twelve hours ago you didn’t know I existed. And now…” Her voice trailed off.
Storm winced. “I’m coming on too strong.
I know, I’m sorry. Here’s the thing…I’ve always been the kind of man who keeps my head down and gets the job done.
I was that way as a SEAL, and I’m that way as a commander.
I tend to focus on one thing at a time, and that’s not always a good thing.
I’ve known of you for a while, but never really took the time to get to know you.
“This morning, I realized that I’d been an idiot.
That you’ve been right in front of my face the whole time, but I was too busy looking down, getting the job done.
I couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
I’d already decided to change that. To get to know you even better, and then that damn CS bomb happened.
It was a massive wake-up call. And I’m a very determined man, Jane. ”
“I’m not a mission,” she gently chided. “You can’t just decide you want me and expect to get me.”
Amazingly, his cheeks flushed. “I know, and I’m saying this all wrong. I’m still willing to take things slow, but I’m letting you know up front what my intentions are.”
“And what are your intentions?” Jane asked. “I’m not interested in anything casual,” she told him. “But I’m not necessarily looking for another husband either. Tried that, it didn’t work out. I’m too old to go out to bars to pick up men, and honestly…I don’t need a man.”
“But do you want one?” Storm asked quietly.
Jane blinked in surprise.
“I’m asking because the older I get, the more I realize how lonely I’ve become.
I love my job and what I do, but when I’m lying in my bed at night, alone, I wonder what it’d be like to have someone to share my life with.
I’m well aware that time is passing, and with each tick of the clock, my life is getting shorter.
Eventually I’ll have to retire, and spending the rest of my days with only myself for company isn’t something I’m looking forward to. ”
This was a very deep conversation, but Jane couldn’t help but be drawn to Storm even more for being honest. “When I got divorced, I thought I’d find someone else and remarry.
But as time went by, and as I struggled with raising my daughter, eventually I became resigned to the fact that I’d be alone the rest of my life.
But to answer your earlier question…I’m not opposed to finding a man I can love again.
Someone who respects me and doesn’t expect me to be someone I’m not.
I’d like someone who shares some of my interests, so we have something to talk about when we’re old and gray. Well…older and grayer.”
“Like Shawshank Redemption?” Storm asked.
“Yes,” Jane said quietly. With a start, she realized that they’d arrived at her apartment complex.
Storm pulled up at the entrance and turned to look at her. “Are you going in to work tomorrow?” he asked.
Jane nodded. “Yeah. Things are going to be insane. I doubt the mail room will be cleared yet, but the mail doesn’t stop. We’ll need to sort everything by hand. Not to mention deal with upset customers whose stuff is stuck in limbo in the mail room. I have to be there.”
“I figured that’s what you’d say.”
Jane mentally gave him brownie points for not insisting she stay home and rest.
“I know we usually get to work around the same time in the morning. I’ve seen you pull into the parking lot more than once. Since your car is still on base, I’d be happy to swing by here and pick you up tomorrow…if you haven’t made other arrangements.”
Jane’s first inclination was to decline. To say that it was an imposition for him to pick her up. That she could call a taxi.
Then she reconsidered. She’d been half in love with this man for months. She’d be an idiot not to take him up on his offer. He might turn out to be a jerk, but at least she’d know and could get rid of her stupid crush.
But what if he wasn’t? What if he was as amazing as he seemed to be?
“I’d appreciate that,” she told him finally.
He smiled. “Good. For a second, I thought you might refuse me. Then I’d have to go home and lick my wounds and figure out another way to spend some time with you.”
“Well, you did ask me out to dinner tomorrow,” Jane blurted, then immediately regretted it. Shit, maybe he’d forgotten about that, or even changed his mind.
“I did. But you haven’t answered yet.”
“I don’t like seafood,” she said. “I mean, I know we live near the coast, but I’ve never acquired a taste for it.”
“Noted,” Storm said easily. “I’ll be sure to pick a place that has a variety of things to choose from. I’m not into fancy restaurants,” he said. “Especially not on first dates.”
“That’s fine with me. I’m more of an Olive Garden kind of girl than a Ruth’s Chris.”
“So it’s a date?” he asked.
Jane nodded.
His gaze bored into her own. “You won’t regret it. I won’t let you down, Jane,” he said seriously.
“I hope not,” she replied. “Although I should warn you, I’ve had a crush on you forever, so you’ve got a lot to live up to.”
She couldn’t believe she’d admitted that, though she also couldn’t deny something about Storm made her feel completely at ease.
Jane loved the glimpse of the small dimple in his cheek when he smiled. “I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.” Then he lifted a hand and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His skin was warm, and she wanted nothing more than to tilt her head into his hand, but she refrained.
“Thank you for helping me today,” she told him. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.”
“I have no doubt whatsoever you would’ve made your way to the decon station and gotten yourself straightened out,” he said.
Jane wasn’t so sure about that, but it felt good that he had confidence in her.
“I hope seeing me almost naked didn’t scar you for life.
” She had no idea why she’d said such a thing.
She’d decided earlier to pretend the nakedness had never happened.
That Storm North hadn’t stripped her and held her close under the shower spray.
But her mouth had an alarming habit of running away from her around this man.
His thumb brushed against the apple of her cheek as he said, “In the moment, I wasn’t thinking about anything other than washing that shit off of you so you could breathe again.
I was in SEAL mode. But afterward, when I knew you were going to be all right, I couldn’t help but stare at you standing in front of me, soaking wet, wearing nothing but your underwear…
and I have to say, I can’t remember anyone who’s turned me on more. ”
Reminding herself that she was a mature woman, and not a blushing teenager, Jane said, “I’m not exactly young…and have the body to prove it.”
“Neither am I,” he countered. “And trust me…you’ve got a body made for lovin’. Your curves go on for days, and I’d consider myself a lucky man if you decided to share yourself with me in the future.”
She liked how he put that. “You aren’t too shabby yourself,” Jane felt compelled to say. “And you totally didn’t have to strip down, but…I appreciated it.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. Jane had no idea what he was thinking, but she loved the look of adoration she thought she saw in his eyes as he watched her.
“I should give you my number in case you need something overnight. If your eyes get worse or something.”
Jane nodded. “Okay.” She pulled her phone out of her purse, which had been brought to her by an officer, and programmed his number in when he recited it to her. Then she sent him a quick text. “There, now you have mine too.”
“Don’t forget to set your alarm to get up every few hours to rinse out your eyes,” Storm reminded her.
“I won’t.”
“If you feel sick or something seems off, don’t hesitate to call. I can take you back to the clinic.”
“I’ll be fine,” Jane told him.
“Even so,” he insisted.
“Okay, I’ll let you know.”
“See you in the morning,” Storm said.
Jane nodded and reached for the door handle.
She climbed out, then stood awkwardly on the sidewalk in front of her apartment complex for a moment.
She wasn’t in the least offended he hadn’t opened her door or walked her into the building.
It was late, he’d gone out of his way to drive her home.
She wasn’t about to put him out even more by making him park and walk her inside when she’d been doing it on her own for the last two decades.
But that didn’t mean she didn’t get all the feels when she turned around at the door to her building and saw that he hadn’t pulled away from the curb yet. That he was watching to make sure she made it inside safely.
She waved at him, and he gave her a chin lift in return. Only when she opened the door and went inside did he finally pull away from the curb and head home.
It felt good to take a shower in her own bathroom and use her own soap.
She rinsed her eyes out once more, only wincing a little at the pain this time, and got ready for bed.
Ignoring the way her stomach growled, Jane snuggled under her covers and clutched one of the eight pillows she kept on her bed to her chest.
The day had started like any other, then taken a horrible turn, but now, Jane felt almost giddy about tomorrow. She’d be slammed at work and would likely have to answer the same questions about how she was doing over and over, but nothing could dim her excitement.
Somehow, she’d scored a date with the Storm North. Her expectations might not match the fantasies she’d had about him for so long, but she wasn’t going to worry about that. She was going to enjoy the ride for as long as she was on it.