Page 14 of Securing Jane

They were nearing the gates to the base, and Storm took the ID that Jane dug out of her purse. He handed it, along with his own military ID, over to the guards, nodding when they were returned, and they were allowed to proceed. He searched his head for something else to talk about and mentally berated himself when nothing came to mind. He was out of practice in talking to women, and he hated it.

He pulled up next to the only other car in the parking lot of their building, which he knew was Jane’s, and shut off the engine. “Don’t overdo it today,” he said gently.

She gave him a small smile. “I can’t guarantee that.”

“I know. You’re a lot like me. But a word of caution, I was shot once on a mission and refused to follow my doctor’s orders and went back to work before I should’ve. Ended up missing an extra week and a half because my wound got infected and I was knocked on my ass as a result.”

“I wasn’t shot,” Jane said softly. “I’m okay.”

“I know, but CS gas isn’t exactly fun. And you got a face full of it. Just take it easy, okay?”

She nodded. Then after a few seconds said, “It’s weird.”

“What’s weird?” Storm asked when she didn’t elaborate.

“Having someone be concerned. I mean, I’ve been on my own for so long, coped with whatever life has thrown my way by myself, that it’s just a bit odd to have someone else be interested in my well-being.”

“I’m interested,” Storm reassured her. “I know we’re still getting to know each other, but I wouldn’t have asked you out if I didn’t want to see where things between us can go. And I can’t get to know you if you drop dead in the middle of the workday, can I?”

He loved in when Jane laughed. “True.”

How he’d missed “seeing” her for so long was beyond him. Now that he had, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes, or his thoughts, from her.

“Come on, if we sit out here much longer, someone will wonder what we’re doing,” she said.

“We could give them something to wonder about,” Storm suggested before he could stop himself.

It took a second for her to react, but then she laughed again. “I don’t kiss on the first date,” she told him with a wink. “But maybe tomorrow.”

With every word out of her mouth, Storm liked her more and more. He figured she was also warning him not to expect anything after their date tonight, which was smart of her, and fine with him. He was enjoying their courtship…even if it had only been a day.

“I like you, Jane Hamilton,” he blurted.

She blushed and said quietly, “I like you too, Storm North.”

Then they both got out of his car and walked side by side into the building to get to work.

* * * *

Work had sucked.

But it wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last.

Jane was busy from the second she’d walked into the room they’d been given to use for the day until the second she’d walked out at five in the afternoon. Normally she’d work late, trying to get caught up, but her head hurt…and she had a date to get ready for.

Storm had texted her a few hours ago to make sure they were still on, and she didn’t have the heart to tell him no. Besides, she wanted to go to dinner with him. Wanted to get to know him better. The more time she spent with him, the more time she wanted to spend. He could definitely break her heart, way more than Jake had. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. And this was Storm. The man she’d lusted after for what felt like forever. She wasn’t going to say no.

The mail room should be ready for them to go back to tomorrow. NCIS had concluded their investigation today, and it had been cleaned from top to bottom to clear out the lingering stench of the CS gas. Jane was more than ready to get back to normal, even if they’d be on high alert for quite a while, watching to see if there were any more bombs delivered to the base.

But for now, Jane was looking forward to her date. It had been way too long since she’d been on one, and as she stood in front of her closet, she wondered what the hell she should wear. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard, but then again, she didn’t want to look like she didn’t care either.

In the end, she decided on her favorite pair of jeans and a long-sleeve black V-neck top with her shoulders showing. It made her feel sexy and confident and not over or underdressed. She had no idea where Storm was taking her for dinner, but she figured she couldn’t go wrong with what she had on no matter where they ended up.

Storm had offered to pick her up, and even though she felt bad he’d been driving her all over the place recently, she’d agreed.

She wasn’t surprised when he knocked on her door five minutes early. She was always early, no matter where she went, and liked that he seemed to be the same.

“Hi,” she said as she opened her door. “I’m ready, I just need to grab my purse.”