Page 21 of Oklahoma Storms
Jess winks at me, giving me a reassuring nod. She likes what I’m doing. Millie’s face is bright red. She’s so shy. Ruka is trying to tell me to stop by kicking my foot, and Reina isn’t paying anyone any mind while she taps away on her phone.
“Right.” He clears his throat and takes his hat off again to press it against his chest.
I like that he does that. It seems to be a habit. I hope he never breaks it.
Oklahoma grips the edge of the table with his free hand. His bicep bulges, showing a vein protruding on his forearms.
I love a man with good arms.
It’s my weakness.
And Oklahoma’s are perfect. They would wrap around me and make me feel so small and safe.
I bet it’s not the only thing he could do.
He could pick me up and manhandle me, toss me around, throw me on the bed, and rip my clothes off with one tug because he can’t fight the sexual tension between us.
I love being manhandled.
“I believe the man asked you a question, Nari.” Jessica nudges my leg from under the table, breaking the spell he’s cast me under.
“What?” I blink. “I’m sorry. I didn’t…I didn’t hear you.” Because I was fantasizing about him pinning my arms above my head while he ravaged me.
The muscles in his face soften. Lightning flashes outside and reflects off his eyes. There’s a red hue. It’s barely there and wrapsaround his iris. When a loud crack happens again, the crimson is gone, replaced with a beautiful ice ocean blue.
“Nariko, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I’m dying to get to know you. May I please have your phone number so I can take you out and show you I’m not a complete asshole?”
“She doesn’t have to pay when you take her out, right?”
“Jess!” I hiss, taking my turn to kick her under the table.
“It’s alright. I understand.” He sweeps his gaze from Jess to me, his entire face changing when I’m in his sights. I don’t know how or why the way he looks at me changes me from the inside. One second under his curiosity, and it’s like there is a part of me waking up for the first time. “No, she won’t have to pay. You haven’t been dating the right men if they are making you pay.”
“And is that what you think you are, Mr. Oklahoma? You’re the right man?”
He pulls out his phone, sliding it across the table for me to input my number. “I’m the right man for you.”
“If I weren’t happily married, that totally would have worked on me.” Millie shocks us all by saying that, staring up at Oklahoma with big, puppy dog-like eyes and a swoony sigh.
“Okay, cowboy. Wrap this up. I can’t lose my wife to you,” Jess shoos him away.
“And I’m starving,” Ruka says.
“I am too.” Oklahoma’s voice deepens in a way that has chills roll down my spine, my imagination taking me to his bedroom where he’d use that exact tone on me.
I slide the phone to him, and he catches it, presses the screen, and a second later, my phone vibrates.
“I’ll be seeing you soon, Nariko.” He places his hat back on his head, pinching the brim.
I think I’m halfway in love with him already. “I’ll be looking forward to it, Oklahoma.”
She makes me want to be a better man. A man who isn’t afraid to live—to truly live—and I’m wondering if fate has been trying to prepare me for this day.
I’ve known her all of a few hours, and she’s caused more destruction in my soul than any storm ever could.
My life was full of emptiness and resentment, hating the weather that changed my life forever, but I never moved away. I’ve been waiting for nature to finally take me too.
The wait is over.
