Page 47 of Storm Warning
“A little more. This morning before I called you, I ran into him at the pool again. I went out for breakfast and sat at an umbrella table to scribble down story ideas when he came outside to do laps.” Her mouth went dry again at the memory. “My God, Callie, you should see that man’s chest! He’s built like a Greek god. I may have drooled a little.”
She had definitely drooled. The way water had sluiced down his abs, the play of muscle beneath tanned skin, the strength evident in every movement—it had short-circuited something in her brain. Kate sighed, the sound carrying all her longing.
“I expect pictures, and I am so jelly! Tell me more!”
“Okay, so he asked me to swim with him, and I wore that white bikini you got me.” The one she’d almost been too self-conscious to wear, but the way his eyes had darkened when he looked at her... That look had made her feel desirable in a way she’d never experienced. “We played volleyball with an inflatable beach ball, but he still trounced me.”
She could still hear her own laughter echoing across the pool, the splash of water, the casual brush of his hand against hers when they’d both reached for the ball. Every touch had felt electric, charged with possibility.
“Afterward, I sat on the edge of the pool, and he kissed me again.” Her voice went breathy, reverent. “I swear, my brain just went blank! It’s like everything around us faded away.”
The world had narrowed to just the two of them—his handson her waist, the tile warm beneath her thighs, his body between her knees, solid and real. The way he tasted her like he was memorizing her, like he had all the time in the world and intended to use it learning every single thing that made her sigh.
“He has a conference call tonight, but he thinks he’ll be done by 8:30, and then we’re going to hang out.”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the exhilaration thrumming through her veins, to slow her racing heart. “I can’t believe this, Callie. He’s incredible. So sweet, attentive, and smart. And wow, but he isbuilt.” The words tumbled out, barely capturing the half of it. How did she explain the engrossed way he listened, the intelligence in his eyes, the unexpected humor, the gentleness in such strong hands?
“How is this happening to me?” The question escaped on a breath as emotions roiled in her gut—excitement bubbling like champagne, anxiety coiling like a spring, fear whispering it was too good to be true, longing aching in her heart, confusion swirling through it all. She pressed a hand to her stomach, trying to settle the chaos.
“Stop right there. You deserve everything wonderful in this world, Kate. You’re amazing. You built a successful career from nothing after your parents died. You are intelligent. You are beautiful. You are probably the kindest person I have ever met. Don’t let anything Dan-X said worm its way into your mind. He was just a loser with a mini-ego that felt threatened by you.”
Callie paused for a moment, before continuing more calmly. “So, moving on. What are you doing tonight?”
Kate sighed as her emotions settled, Callie’s words wrapping around her like a snuggly blanket. The anxious knot in her chest released its talons. Callie always knew what to say, always knew how to cut through Kate’s doubts and insecurities with simple, honest truth. Gratitude swelled, thick and warm.
“Thanks, Callie. I’m not sure. He just said we’d hang out and talk, and to wear something comfortable. It’s not like we can go anywhere.” The thought of spending more time with Nick caused her temperature to rise again, heat blooming in her cheeks and spreading downward. She shifted on the chaise, restless with anticipation.
“Shoot, I've got a call coming in from the publisher. I need to take that. Keep me posted, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! Bye, Kate!”
As she hung up, a huge smile spread across her face, so wide it made her cheeks ache. Her whole body lightened, like she might float right off this balcony. What would she do without Callie?
She sat for a moment longer, letting the breeze cool her flushed skin, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the armrest. Eight-thirty felt so far away. How was she supposed to wait that long when every cell in her body seemed to count down the minutes?
Chapter 22
Hearth
Kate grabbeda Riesling and poured herself a generous glass before heading toward the chairs by the windows to wait for Nick. However, before she reached the halfway point, a knock sounded, sending a jolt of surprise through her—she hadn’t expected him to be right on time.
She shifted her direction, moving toward the connecting door. Taking a breath, she paused to calm the butterflies fluttering inside her before opening the door to Nick.
Damn, but he looked sexy—casual in shorts and a linen shirt draped across his shoulders in a way that made her want to trace the lines underneath. Confident in a way that made her pulse skip. He gave her a slow smile that only made it worse.
“You look fabulous, Kate.” He rasped, the tone wrapping around her like a caress, warming places without the need for the tropical heat. “If you don’t object, Marguerite wanted to light the fire pit. How’s that sound to you?”
Relief washed over her, slowing the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. “It sounds wonderful.” Watching their interactions might help her figure out the puzzleof Nick.
“Great.” His smile turned teasing. “Bring your wine. David’s in charge of drinks. He doesn’t think much about wine.”
She ducked into the kitchen to grab the bottle. When she came back, he took it from her, his hand brushing hers. The tiny contact set off a spark she couldn’t ignore, a flash of heat traveling up her arm.
He rested his palm on her lower back as they walked, its warmth seeping through the thin fabric of her dress and sending shivers down her spine. “I’ll give you a quick tour on the way.”
As they strolled through the house, he gestured in passing—Marguerite’s suite, a homey living room, a spacious dining room, a kitchen gleaming with polished counters.
Kate listened, but her focus kept straying to the easy way he spoke about his family, how naturally he included her in the story of the place. And to the steady pressure of his hand, guiding her, claiming her.
“David’s suite is in the left wing. Zach and I are both upstairs. We each have our own porch off our suite, as you probably noticed from outside.” He stole a glance at her, his eyes glinting with mischief and something darker. “Next time we’ll have our fire on my porch.”