“You didn’t choose,” he reminded. “It was forced on you out of necessity.”
“I accepted my role freely.”
“It doesn’t mean you have to continue it for the rest of your life.”
He stood directly in front of her, and she thought for a moment, a sheer moment, she heard the beating of his heart, solid, strong, and steadfast.
“I have no choice,” she said softly and with regret.
He reached out and gently unfolded her arms. “There’s always a choice, Storm.” He drew her to him. “Like now. You have a choice to walk away, or a choice to let me hold you. It’s up to you.”
Her breath caught as he stilled all movement and waited for her decision.
It wasn’t a difficult one to make. She stepped into his arms without hesitation.
Storm sighed and rested her head on his solid chest and this time heard the strong beat of his heart. She sighed again when he wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her close to him. He then rested his chin on the top of her head.
She relished the feel of his arms snugly around her, the heat of his warm body seeping into hers, the safety of his embrace. She felt content.
“Life changes, Storm,” he advised gently.
“Not for me,” she said regretfully.
“For everyone,” he insisted. “It never remains the same, and for that we should all be grateful.”
She sighed. “For me life will only get worse.”
“You have a choice, Storm in which way your life will change.”
“I wish I could believe that, but I think fate waits for me and there is no way I can avoid her.”
“Perhaps fate sent me here to intervene,” he said.
“You certainly have done that.” She chuckled.
He lifted her chin and stroked her bottom lip, sending tingles racing through her entire body.
“You are a good person, you do good work, but sacrificing yourself serves no purpose. Living is what makes the difference.”
She thought at first to argue, but her tingling body advised otherwise and she whispered, “Kiss me.”
“With pleasure,” Burke said and claimed her lips.
Her arms swept up around his neck and she pressed her body firmly against his while his lips worked their magic. She was soon lost in a haze of passion that escalated as the kiss deepened.
She didn’t protest when he lifted her off the ground and lowered them to the bed together. They remained locked in each other’s arms and locked in a kiss. Storm didn’t want it to end.
His hand stroked her back and slipped down over her backside, which he gently squeezed and moved her up more firmly against him.
She felt all of him and she relished the thought of his strength penetrating her, filling her, bringing her pleasure.
She moved against him in a provocative invitation.
His lips drifted to her ear in kisses along her cheek. “This is your choice?”
“It is,” she said.
“You are sure?”
