Free My Immortal by Wendi Zwaduk Page B

Stevie tamped down the sudden urge to lick it.
    As she offered a napkin, he nodded. “Thanks, babe.”
    Lettie drummed her fingers on the tabletop. “You two look so cute together, like you belong together. I…I shouldn’t have barged in like that. My momma raised me with some manners, although sometimes it doesn’t show. Please forgive me.”
    Stevie considered Lettie for a moment. The chick acted as if she told the truth, but something didn’t jive. What did this girl care if they got along? Stevie swallowed her pride and her uneasiness. She grinned.
    “I admire your honesty. Apology accepted.”
    “It’s cool.” Storm squeezed Stevie’s hand.
    Lettie blushed. “Thanks.” She glanced at the counter and stood. “I have to go. It was nice to meet you without groping you. If you need anything, let me know.”
    Storm cupped Stevie’s chin. The warmth seeped into her skin and pooled between her thighs. Forget the rest of the world. No one else matters except Storm . She sighed. They may not last forever, but she’d never trade the experience.
    The woodsy scent of his cologne wrapped around her like a lover’s embrace. So did his husky voice. He kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re in a forgiving mood. Two days ago, you wanted to claw her eyes out. What’s changed, babe? Or is my red-hot lovin’ the reason for your mirth?”
    Stevie dropped her head to his shoulder. Time for her own brand of honesty. The unabridged truth or a partial confession? Better not hit him with terms like committed relationship and the L word.
    “I talked to Gypsy. She asked to reconcile our sisterhood. It’s like she knew something and wanted to make amends. She’s depressed and I’ve never known that girl to be sad a day in her life. I’m half afraid that she’s into something bad and she wanted to clear her soul.”
    Like I want to clear mine.
    Storm gagged on his sandwich and Stevie pounded him on the back. “What’s wrong with you? It’s no big deal with Gypsy,” she muttered. “Nothing to get choked up about.” Her laughter fell flat when his complexion paled. “Storm?”
    “What did you talk about?” He shook his head and coughed. A rogue tear streaked from the corner of his eye, probably from gagging.
    “Storm, I can tell you’re on edge. Want to clue me in or am I supposed to read your mind? You haven’t said much since we left the house tonight. What happened after we went to bed?” Stevie wiped the wetness from his cheek and chewed her bottom lip again. Passion and fear swam in the dark depths of his eyes. She’d gauged his reactions and emotions well enough in the past, but now she wasn’t sure. Storm never said anything about keeping the blossoming relationship a secret. Didn’t he want her to tell others of their involvement? Did he want nothing more than a fuck friend? A lead weight formed in the pit of her stomach.
    Storm waved the distress away like a pesky fly. “I had one of my occasional bad dreams. I guess you probably heard me, but it’s nothing to worry about. Just my overactive imagination and too much caffeine before bed.”
    Stevie swallowed her terror and decided to make a joke of the situation. “You tell me not to fret until the next disaster strikes.” She giggled. “What will it be this time? A grenade? A stabbing? Or are we gonna duel with pistols at fifteen paces? I love a good sword fight, you know.”
    “Ah, the pirate movie is your favourite.” Storm elbowed her ribs and kissed her temple. “I can think of a great way we can duel that involves tongues, kissing and plenty of foreplay. I’m so hard I could pound nails into concrete.”
    Stevie walked her hand up his thigh to the telltale bulge in his jeans. She stroked Storm enough to elicit a groan. He twined his fingers with hers.
    “That’s a good start, babe.”
    Her heart swelled and her stomach quieted. She tamped down the remaining uneasiness and returned to her dinner, albeit one handed. “As for the phone