Storm would have toppled off the rock she was sitting on if Burke hadn’t quickly wrapped his arm around her middle and held her firm.
“Easy now,” he said, standing behind her.
“I didn’t hear you approach,” Tanin said with awe.
“A skill I learned from a tracker friend of mine.”
Storm rested her back against his chest, his heat seeping into her, and for a moment, she felt relaxed and secure. The thought jolted her, and she quickly dislodged his arm and scooted across the large rock, turning to face him.
“I don’t appreciate you spying on us,” she said, annoyed.
“Not my intention,” Burke assured her. “I simply took a brief walk, heard voices, and, recognizing them, decided to join you.”
“Your friend can track in the dark?” Tanin asked, his awe still obvious.
“Don’t you have duties to attend to?” Storm snapped at Tanin.
Tanin nodded, seeming unperturbed by Storm’s annoyance. “I’d like to learn some of that skill.”
“Any time,” Burke agreed.
“More food?” Tanin asked.
Storm shook her head. “Thanks, I’ve had enough, but make sure you enjoy your share.”
“Feel guilty you snapped at him?” Burke asked after Tanin walked away.
Storm almost snapped again but instead took a breath and measured her words. “Tanin is a good man. He knows my strengths and my weaknesses and exploits neither. That is why I trust him with my life.”
“He speaks highly of you as well.”
Storm chuckled. “Tanin would say little to you about me.”
“That confident about him?”
“That confident,” she assured him.
“You have beautiful blue eyes.”
Surprise widened Storm’s eyes. “How can you be so sure in the dark, Mr. Longton?”
Burke took gentle hold of her chin and lifted. “The moonlight makes the blue appear the color of the sea set to squall—beautiful, tempting, yet unforgiving. Are you unforgiving, Storm?”
“In some regards I am,” she answered, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest, reminding her of the hurt and pain she had suffered and how unforgiving she had become.
“Suffering often brings strength.”
She turned her head, her chin slipping from his fingers. “Easy words to utter when the suffering has finally passed, but suffering is suffering, Mr. Longton, no matter what way you look at it.”
“Agreed, but strength is strength, Storm, and I daresay your suffering must have been great to have given you the strength you now possess. Perhaps someday you will share your pain with me.”
“You will not be here long enough for me to trust you with such a confidence. And besides, you have not fully trusted me.”
“How so?” he asked.
“Your brother. There is more to your finding him, is there not?”
Burke leaned against the rock.
