Shelter from the Storm Read online

  Roy went rigid. He half sat up and turned her onto her back. “No, not even close.”

  Her face went blank, then pinched with worry. “But … we’ve been friends forever.”

  And now he needed her to understand that they were more. “Our relationship has always been beyond friendship.”

  Uncertainty had her chewing her bottom lip.

  “Sabrina.” He smoothed her lip with his thumb. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  She drew in a shuddering breath. “To me, you’re … everything. My best friend, my confidant, my closest relative.” She swallowed. “You’re the one I always go to when I get …”

  Scared. She didn’t have to say it. “Do you love me, Sabrina?”

  “Yes.”

  He started to relax, but he needed her to clarify. “I don’t mean as a pseudo-relative.”

  “I love you in every way possible.”

  A weight lifted from his chest—until he realized that she wouldn’t meet his gaze. “But?”

  “But … you’ve always had responsibility for me. Even now, with me a grown woman, you have to deal with me falling apart over a stupid storm.”

  He brought her face back up to his. “It’s storming now, and you didn’t even notice.”

  She froze. “It is?”

  “The electricity went out awhile ago.” Just in case it bothered her, he stayed very close, his arm over her waist, his leg over hers. “Listen to the thunder.”

  Blinking in surprise, she whispered, “I sort of realized it. I mean … I was able to see you better when the lightning flashed.”

  Roy had to kiss her. “You know you’re the only woman I’ve wanted for a while now, right?”

  Looking a little shell shocked, she said, “But … you still call me kiddo.”

  “So?”

  She scowled as if he should already understand. “It’s like … I don’t know. A reminder of that sad, scared kid I used to be.”

  “No. It’s just a pet name for the woman I love.”

  Visible from a bright flash of lightning, her eyes widened and she stared at him.

  He pressed another kiss to her soft mouth. “I do love you, Sabrina.”

  Her lips trembled. “You really do?”

  “God yes.”

  “Just because the storm didn’t bother me this time—”

  “I love every part of you, honey, fears and all. In fact, the last twenty-four hours, even with furious storms, abandoned dogs, and rescued cats, has been one of the best days I’ve had in a long time—because I spent it with you.” He held her face between his hands. “If you’ll marry me, every day will be the best.”

  She searched his face, then nodded. Slowly, her smile came. “So … we could get a house?”

  “Hell of an idea.”

  “And we can adopt Abner?”

  Knowing she loved animals as much as he did, Roy said, “For starters.”

  She laughed out loud. “Wonderful!” Pushing against Roy’s shoulders until he went to his back, Sabrina crawled up over him. “Now let’s wrap up this talk so we can move on to”—she kissed his chin—“other things. Okay?”

  Her breasts were against his bare chest, her soft belly over his groin, but he wouldn’t let himself get distracted just yet. “Tell me that you’ll marry me.”

  “I love you, Roy, so much.” She hugged him tight. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

  Roy turned her beneath him.

  Outside, the wind whistled through trees and rain lashed the landscape. Thunder rumbled and lightning fractured the blackened skies.

  But inside, in love and together, neither one of them noticed.