Page 155 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

I stop, chewing on my bottom lip with my eyes cast down, unable to look at Storm. But then his fingers touch my chin, tilting my head up and forcing me to say the hard words while staring directly at him.

“What do you think this could be, Sweetness?” His words are whisper-soft and unsteady, almost like he’s opened up his chest to expose his heart to me.

“I think…if you are who you say you are…this could beeverything.” He smiles at that, but it’s a small, sad expression. “But I believed you loved me once, only to find that was a lie—wait, let me finish.”

I hold my hand up when he opens his mouth to object, to correct me.

“And now, I’m learning the belief I’ve lived under for eight years—the belief you never loved me, or you had feelings but stopped, is incorrect. It’s disconcerting. Destabilizing. So, you said we’re going to take it slow, and I need to know…do you mean that?”

Storm’s hand is still on my knee while the other lands on his chest as if it hurts. His lips turn down, but he doesn’t look upset, but more so contemplative.

“Yes,” he says, clearing his throat. “I want you to feel safe and be safe, Shae. I’ve always wanted only that, above all else.”

He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. He kisses the back of each finger.

“Trust is such a fragile thing,” he whispers, his mouth still pressed to the back of my palm. “But I guess it all comes down to one question: Do you believe trust can be rebuilt?”

I think about that, looking off toward the window. The curtains are gauzy, more feminine than I’d expect for bachelor Storm, but I put that thought aside and focus on what’s right in front of me.

Can trust be rebuilt? I guess that’s the critical question, because if I can’t ever trust him again…well, we’re dead on arrival then, aren’t we?

“Yes,” I say, my voice gaining strength. “I believe that, if both people want it and work at it, trust can be rebuilt. I’m just…not a hundred percent sure how to do that.”

Storm nods as if he’s a man on a mission.

“Leave that part to me, Sweetness. I’ll get us started, and we’ll figure it out from there. Okay?”

He looks so eager, so earnest, that it’s hard not to catch his smile. So, I let it happen, a grin spreading across my face.

“Okay,” I say, pulling our hands back and placing them on my lap. “But there’s one thing Iamsure about.”

“What’s that?” he asks, sitting up and moving closer. I’m not sure how he’s gonna take what I have to tell him.

Blowing out a big breath, I say, “As far as the kids are concerned, we’re not together. Just platonic. So, no kisses or hugs or talk about our feelings about each other in front of them.”

He frowns so deeply, I’m concerned about his facial muscles.

“Storm,” I start, tilting my head and ready to plead my case.

“No, no,” he says, holding out a hand and closing his eyes to smooth out his features. “I…I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.”

I nod slowly.

“I don’t want them to get confused, and if things don’t work out—” Storm grunts, his face changing again—this time to barely suppressed anger.

“This is not a done deal, Storm Sandoval!” I say, raising my voice a fraction and hopping off the bed. I take the sheet with me, which I regret, because Storm is still naked under the bedding, and now hisstill harddick is out in the open. I spin in a circle, looking for my shorts and ignoring the seeping cum trying to make a reappearance this morning.

Holy hell.

“Iknow, Sweetness,” he bites out. “I just…how long are we going to keep this from them? I agree with you, baby, but what does this look like? No kisses? No hugs? Hell, will you get mad if our fingers brush while passing each other in the hallway?”

I roll my eyes.

“Now you’re being ridiculous,” I say, pulling my shirt over my head. Once done, I throw the sheets at him, and he vaults from the bed and towers over me in full naked glory.

“Don’t leave. Not yet,” he says, an edge of…something in his voice. “I just…wait. Stop, Shae.”

And because I’m working on myself, I pause instead of storming out of the room. Progress, right?