“Dude…” Luke rubs his trimmed beard, covering a barely suppressed smile.
My eyes widen as his meaning finally clicks. A rush of heat floods my cheeks, and I’m suddenly grateful for the darkness of the room. “What? No. We’re looking for mycat, and then I stubbed my toe.”
“Sure, sure, sure. I’ll leave you two to it then.” He slowly backs toward the door.
“Hang on, Joshy.” Luke’s voice is gruff. He gives my pinky toe a little wiggle before releasing my foot. “I think your toe is okay.” Luke clears his throat and stands. He reaches for the nearest lamp, pulling the chain. Nothing.
“All right, must be more than the breaker. We might have to wait for the electric company to come tomorrow.” Josh looksaround, flashlight scanning the room. “I’m gonna head out, and we’ll see what else we can do in the morning. Good luck. Hope yourcatis happy to be found, Liv.” Josh trains the flashlight under his chin and waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
“Goodnight, Josh,” Luke says, rubbing his forehead.
Josh cackles, retreating through the door he entered. Lightning bursts through the room, and the wind rattles the windows. I jolt, shoulders tense. By habit, I close my eyes and begin my mental counting.
“Hey, you okay?” Luke reaches out and grasps my arm.
Eyes flying open, I step back away from his touch and turn my attention to the rest of the room.
“Yeah. Yup. I’m good. Maybe Sunny snuck into a room with a guest, or maybe he’s with Holly. Not sure how I feel about that, but… He’s clearly not in here.” Thunder explodes, powerful and deafening. I jump involuntarily. I had stopped counting. Had stopped anticipating the thunder.
Luke’s touch broke my focus.
“Okay, well, I’m going to head back to bed.” I hike a thumb over my shoulder and turn on my heel.
As I retreat toward the hallway, another flash of lightning splits the sky much sooner than expected. My breath hitches. Shoulders up by my ears, hands clenched into fists, I fight to control my breathing and start the count.One, two, three, four.
Thunder booms.
The house quakes.
Wind pushes relentlessly against the side of the house as rain pelts the windows like tiny pebbles tossed in the gale.I need Sunny.The storm is too close.
Luke tenderly grips my elbow, turning me toward him. I turn my attention to the floor. What would I see if I looked into his eyes? Sympathy? Pity? No thanks. I’m good. I don’t want that.
Then, as if coaxing a skittish kitten, Luketugs at my arm hesitantly. Seeming to sense I’m not resisting him, he pulls me into his body, wrapping his arms around me.
“Come here.”
There are no other words, just silent comfort. His heartbeat is steady against my ear, chest warm, and I relax into the cradle of his strong arms. Another flash of lightning, followed by the resounding thunder, and Luke’s arms tighten, as if providing an unspoken promise that he won’t let go. His embrace reminds me of the security of a weighted blanket.
“Here’s what I think.” His voice resonates through me. “Sounds like the storm is on top of us. I don’t really want to drive back under the trees in this weather. With that wind out there, I’m not interested in branches crashing down on my truck with me in it. So, I’m not leaving yet. I would love some company—so I’m not sitting here in the dark by myself. We can wait together and see if Sunny comes out of hiding. What are your thoughts on that?” He leans away from me a little, hands still hooked around my waist, and peers down at me.
Could I go back to my room, survive the storm by myself, huddled under the covers like a three-year-old? Yes. Yes, I can.
But I don’t want to.
“Definitely don’t want any trees to hit your truck,” I say, voice barely above a whisper. When I meet his gaze, I’m graced with a warm smile.
“I think you’re more worried about the truck than me,” he teases.
“It’s a nice truck.”
A grin splits his face as he pulls me into him again, wrapping his arms around me once more. A bolt of lightning streaks across the sky out on the lake.
Breathe.
Peals of thunder roll through the sky, and Luke tugs me in closer until there is no space left between us. I allow myself towrap my arms around his middle, exhaling into him. The storm isn’t as scary when I’m cocooned like this. I feel safe.
“Okay. I’ll stay out here with you for a bit,” I say against his chest.
