Page 61 of Finding Storm

“Before you go,” I say, stopping her, not ready for her to go just yet, “would you be able to point me in the direction of a clothes store and a drugstore? I’m going to need some stuff for while I’m here.”

“Oh, sure. I mean, I can do one better if you want. I can take you. There’s a department store in town. Sells everything. It’s a thirty-minute walk from here. Which isn’t bad. But I can drive you, if you want? I need to pick up a few things from town myself.”

“If you don’t mind?”

She gives a soft shake of her head. “I don’t mind at all. When do you want to go? The store closes at nine, so we can go whenever.”

I could probably do with a shower and sleep right now, but the thought of spending more time with her is too appealing. “Is now okay?”

“Sure.” She smiles.

“Cool. Just let me put this shirt on, and I’m good to go.”

I take my jacket off, not even thinking about her being in the room with me.

Whether this is because I feel comfortable around her or I’m just used to getting naked around woman, I’m not sure.

But she’s not so comfortable.

She lets out a little squeak, covers her eyes, and spins on the spot, turning away from me.

I let out a low laugh. “You’re not shy, are you?”

“Of course not!” Her voice is pitched high, making me smile. “Just giving you privacy.”

“You’ve already seen my bare chest.”

“Only part of it. And not by choice!”

I laugh at her awkwardness as I pull the T-shirt over my head.

“I’m covered,” I tell her as I pull the shirt down and reach for my jacket.

“Good. Okay then.” She pulls her hands from her face but doesn’t turn around. “Shall we go?”

She’s out of the door before I get to answer.

Laughing to myself, I put my jacket on and follow her out.

Stevie locks the door and hands me the key without once looking at me.

I follow her down the stairs. Her back is ramrod straight.

She clearly felt uncomfortable. It makes me feel like a dick.

“I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable just then.”

“You didn’t.”

She still isn’t looking at me.

I stop her with a hand on her arm. Aside from shaking her hand in the truck earlier, it’s the only other time I’ve touched her. And I get the same exact feeling as I did that first time. Like my nerve endings are all coming alive, chasing their way down my arm, racing all over my body, bringing me to life.

Stevie glances down at my hand and then up at my face.

“I’m sorry,” I say the words firmly, so she knows I mean them. “I’m just used to undressing around people. I didn’t think.”

“You’re a stripper?” she jokes.