Free Rising Storm by Kathleen Brooks

pull her up from the ground.
    "I can do all of that. I bought him food, bowls, a collar, leash, and multiple beds for the house."
    Katelyn reached down and placed her hand on Zoti's big, wide head. Ahmed's warm dark hand reached for Zoti's head at the same time. His fingers intertwined with hers and she knew he was going to kiss her. She wanted this so badly. In her dreams he’d sweep her off her feet and kiss her with such passion that she couldn't help but fall in love.
    Ahmed pulled her close and she felt her body go willingly. She placed her hand on his chest and felt nothing but raw strength. Zoti and Ahmed weren't all that different. She looked up into his eyes. They were black with passion as he brought his hand up to cup her cheek.
    She felt his thumb caress her softly. Her stomach was doing flips and she watched in almost a state of disbelief as he brought his lips toward hers. It was a slow, deep kiss and the passion was… not there.
    Katelyn pulled back and looked into Ahmed's face to see if she could read it. His face was blank and then he smiled again. Under her hand she felt him start to laugh quietly.
    "Why are you laughing?"
    "Your face is priceless. I can see the worry all over it. Don't worry. I didn't feel it either." Ahmed's smile dropped and for the first time since she'd been in Keeneston she saw sadness in his eyes.
    "I wanted it to work. I wanted it to work so badly," she sighed and squeezed his hand.
    "I know. Maybe a man like me, a man who has done the things I have, doesn't deserve to find love."
    "Ahmed…"
    "No, don't pity me. You're really not good at hiding what you're thinking Katelyn. I'm so thankful that you gave it a chance - a lot of women wouldn't have. But, I am hoping for one more thing from you."
    "Of course, anything."
    "I want your friendship. You are a wonderful person and I'm lucky to have you as a friend."
    Katelyn felt her heart break. She had wanted that passion, that spark, to be there. It just hadn't been. It felt, well, it felt just as if she was kissing her friend.
    "Of course!”
    "Good. Thank you for saving Zoti." Ahmed leaned forward and kissed her cheek. When she opened her eyes he and Zoti were heading out of the room.
    Dammit. She didn't know what bothered her most. That the spark wasn't there or when she had closed her eyes and kissed Ahmed, she had thought of a certain hazel-eyed sheriff. God, could things get any worse?
     
    Marshall tried to smile at the woman across from him at his mother's dinner table. Pierce was on one side of him humming the bridal march under his breath and Miles was on the other side doing his best to talk to Cole the whole time.
    Their mother had ambushed both he and his brother with two sisters she met at her hair salon. They had thought they were coming over for a quick dinner and instead came face to face with Prissy and Sissy. As her mother informed them during introductions, the girls were talented with hair and both wanted to be married and have kids soon.
    Miles and Marshall had looked at each other with utter looks of fear and even Paige had tried to think of a reason for them to have to leave, but their mother had refused all attempts at escape.
    "Is that your phone, Marshall? I thought I said no cell phones at the table," his mother gently chastised.
    "Sorry, Ma, it's the office. They wouldn't have called if it wasn't an emergency."
    "Well, at least tell Annie that she and Cade are expected here after her shift ends. You work her too hard."
    "Yes, Ma." He answered the phone and talked to Annie before pushing his chair back in haste. "They're armed? I'll be right there." He hung up the phone and looked at the roomful of people staring at him. "Sorry, there's an emergency at the café. I have to go."
    "Do you need my help?" Miles asked with a hint of hope in his voice.
    "No, he surly doesn't," his mom answered for him. "Just hurry back before you boys head out for your poker night."
    "Yes, Ma. Thanks for dinner, it was wonderful as