Page 154 of Finding Storm

“Because I couldn’t stay away. I love you, Stevie. I’m madly in fucking love with you. I can’t function without you. In the shortest of times, you’ve come to mean more to me than anyone ever has before. You’re on my mind constantly. I can’t focus on anything but you. My life has gone to absolute shit without you.”

He moves even closer, like he can’t stay away, and I don’t want him to.

He loves me. He’s in love with me.

“What we have … it comes around once in a lifetime, babe. I’m not willing to lose this. Lose you. Leaving that morning … it was the hardest thing I’d ever done. I should never have left. I should have climbed back in that fucking bed with you, wrapped my arms around you, and never let go.” He takes a deep breath. “I made that mistake then. I won’t make it again. So … I’m here to stay. If you still want me, that is?”

Do I still want him? Is he being serious? Of course I still want him.

I part my lips, but nothing comes out.

“Babe, say something, please. I’m kinda out on a limb here.”

“I … I just can’t believe you’re here.” And then I do something so unlike me. I burst into tears.

His arms are around me a second later. “Jesus. Don’t cry, babe.”

“I’m sorry … I just … I’ve missed you so much and then you’re here and I didn’t expect it and you’re telling me you love me and that you’re staying here.”

He takes my face in his hands, tilting my eyes up to his. He wipes my tears away with his thumbs. “So, the tears are a good thing?”

I bite my lip and nod my head.

Relief swims in his eyes. “Thank fuck for that.”

Then, he kisses me, and everything is right again in my world.

He’s here and he’s staying and he’s mine.

And he loves me.

“I love you,” I tell him against his lips.

His answer is to kiss me deeper.

I wrap my arms around his neck. He picks me up, and my legs go around his waist.

And I don’t even care that we’re in the middle of the street. I want to stay here all day and kiss him.

The sound of a throat clearing behind me breaks us apart.

“As touching as this is, I’ve been driving for four hours, and honestly, watching you two make out has given me a boner, so I need to go jack off and then get some sleep.”

“For fuck’s sake, Cash,” Storm groans, dropping his head to my shoulder.

Male laughter ensues behind me.

I can feel my skin getting hot with embarrassment. Clearly, I lost my head there for a moment, making out with Storm like that. But in my defense, I’ve missed him.

And he told me he loves me.

He loves me.

Storm puts me to my feet, and I turn to face the guys standing behind us.

Guys that I’m guessing are Storm’s best friends. I recognize the name Cash from before when Storm told me about them.

“Guys, this is Stevie,” Storm tells them, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “Stevie, this is Raze.” Storm points to the guy on the motorbike, who gives me a smile that would melt the panties off even the toughest of girls. “Levi.” Storm indicates to the dark-haired guy, who gives me a chin-lift greeting. “And this is Cash.” He gestures to the light-brown-haired guy. “Don’t worry; you’ll get used to him.”