Page 111 of Finding Storm

He kisses me again. Softly this time. Light, feathery kisses over my mouth, along my jaw. Then, he pulls me tight into his arms, holding me.

And I grip on to him, praying that my heart can take it when he does finally decide that it’s time for him to go.

It’s early evening, and Beck has brought my car from the garage to the B&B for me. She’s all shiny and beautiful and working.

I used to think she was the most beautiful thing in the world.

I was wrong.

Stevie is.

“Thanks, man,” I say as Beck gets out of my car, handing me my keys.

“No problem. She was a dream to drive. Back to new, like nothing ever happened.”

But it did happen, and I’m so fucking glad it did because it brought me here to Stevie.

“How much do I owe you?”

Beck pulls the bill from his pocket and hands it to me. “Just settle it up later with me.”

I open up the bill. Not bad. Could’ve been worse. But, honestly, I’d have paid anything to meet Stevie.

“It’s fine. I’ve got the money on me. Let me pay now.” I grab my wallet from my pocket and pull the hundred-dollar bills, adding extra to it.

Beck takes the money from me, briefly counting it. “There’s too much here,” he tells me, trying to hand back the extra bills I put in there.

“The extra is a thanks for fixing her.”

“That’s my job. And it’s not like I didn’t charge for labor.” He laughs. “Because I did.”

“Beck, it’s fine. Take it.”

He eyes me for a moment. “This isn’t because you’re …” He trails off. “With Stevie, is it? Because I ain’t buyable, man. I don’t give a shit who you are. You hurt my sister, and I’ll kick your ass, just like I did the last one who screwed her over.” He holds the extra money out for me to take.

He kicked her ex’s ass. I’m glad someone did.

Since Beck and Bryan, Stevie’s dad, found out who I really am, neither of them have treated me any differently. But then, they’re Stevie’s people, so I didn’t expect any less.

“No, man, it’s not because I’m with Stevie. It’s a thanks for fixing my car. And I’m glad you kicked her ex’s ass. And if I do anything to hurt her, I’ll fucking stand there and let you beat the shit out of me.”

He’s still watching me carefully.

“I think Stevie is fucking amazing. I don’t know where this thing between us is going.” Somewhere, I hope. “But I do know I would never do anything to purposefully hurt her.”

And I do know that. Because I think the world of her.

The man who came here isn’t the same man that I am now.

In the past, I wouldn’t have given a shit how a woman I was with was feeling. Only how she was going to make me feel when I got to fucking her.

God, I was a total prick.

In some ways, I’m just as bad as that shithead ex of hers. Except I’m no cheater.

No, because you’ve never committed to anyone to be able to cheat on them.

True. But even still, I know me … and I would never cheat. Especially not on a girl like Stevie.