Free Sudden Storms by Marcia Lynn McClure

him and confess her love, throw herself against him, beg for his kiss. And so she said nothing. They simply walked in silence, and for quite a distance.
    “Ruby’s mother was a bit…unstable,” he said, unexpectedly breaking the awkward silence between them. “I figure it’s her that tore up the tree like that. She was mighty angry when I…” He paused, seeming to reconsider what he was about to say, then continued, “Hey, we better head back. We’ve come quite a ways. I didn’t realize how far we…”
    His words were drowned out by a sudden clap of thunder. In the next instant, heavy rain poured down from the Heavens. Rivers looked to Paxton, who stood face turned upward, eyes closed, letting the moisture trickle down his face and neck.
    “Let’s get back. We’ll get drenched!” Rivers said, wiping the rain from her eyes.
    Paxton looked at her then. “Somethin’ about sudden storms like this,” he said. “They give ya two opportunities ya might not take at any other time.”
    “And what might those be?” she asked, brushing the wet hair from her forehead.
    “You can cry your heart out and nobody’s the wiser. That’s one,” he answered, reaching out and taking her hands in his own, as he pulled her closer to him. “And two, there ain’t a better condition for sharin’ a kiss.” He drew her against the warmth of his powerful body, embracing her securely in his arms.
    “Don’t, Paxton. Please,” Rivers begged as she felt several tears of heartache escape her eyes.
    “Don’t lose your nerve on me now, girl. Jolee and Weston are spyin’ on us from just over there a ways,” he whispered as he held her face firmly with one hand. “Close your eyes from the rain, Rivers,” he whispered an instant before he took her mouth with his.
    Rivers’s body went limp in the strength of Paxton’s arms and at the hot pressure of his mouth on hers. Her inner voice silently begged him to release her, to end the spell his kiss wove over her mind and body. Undone, Rivers gave into him entirely, letting herself revel in the feel of his hands on her waist and back—allowing her mouth, her senses to thoroughly savor the moist taste of his kiss. Yet the taste of her own tears intruded. Their salty flavor distracted her, reminded her he was kissing her simply for farce. Still, she savored the feel of being held by him, the warmth of his body against hers, the heat of his mouth instructing hers to join in some intimate dance. The taste of salt seemed to distract Paxton as well. He abruptly broke the seal of their lips, taking her face between his hands and intently studying her expression.
    “It won’t be long, girl. Then I’ll release you. You’ll be free to go,” he comforted, misreading the cause of her tears.
    “But I…” she stammered. How could she convey to him she didn’t want to leave? That she never wanted to be without him? That she wanted to stay in his powerful arms forever, eternally savor his kisses?
    “Now kiss me in the rain just once more, for Jolee’s sake, Rivers,” he mumbled as he released her face and let his hands slide around her waist, pulling her body flush with his own before again banding her in his arms.
    She was breathless in his arms, found it difficult to breathe, for the rain was increasing and he held her so tightly. His final kiss was light and teasing. When he broke from her, he said, “Look,” and tipped his head toward the direction from which they had come.
    Rivers was torn between the pure delight burning within her at seeing Weston and Jolee some distance away embraced in an affectionate kiss, and the heartache she felt at having her own kiss end.
    “Wooo whooo!” Paxton exclaimed unexpectedly. “I love a storm!” He reached back over his shoulders and took hold of his shirt, pulling it over his head and off his body. He stretched his arms out at his sides and turned his face upward again, letting the rain wash over his now bare torso. “You like me best