Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
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.