Page 35 of Securing Jane

“I will,” she agreed. Then she smiled. “It’s nice to have someone be worried about me. It’s been a very long time.”

“Get used to it,” Storm warned her. “It might be nice now, but you might get irritated and sick of me being overprotective.”

“I doubt it,” she told him. “I mean, when you haven’t ever had that, it feels pretty damn good. As long as you don’t get crazy and start tracking my every movement like a psycho stalker, I’m okay with you wanting to make sure I’m safe.”

Storm leaned in and kissed her. It seemed like forever since he’d had his lips on hers, but in reality it had only been about twenty minutes…right before they’d left his townhouse. She immediately opened for him, and he loved how receptive she was.

Reluctantly, he pulled back and kissed her on the forehead one more time before stepping back and opening her door. He waited until she was seated and had her safety belt on before leaning down and kissing her once more, briefly this time. “Drive safe.”

Jane nodded at him and smiled as he closed her door. She waved at him, and he gave her a chin lift in return. He stood in the parking lot and watched until he couldn’t see her taillights anymore. Then he took a deep breath and turned to walk back to his front door.

Storm was somewhat surprised at how empty his place felt when he reentered. He’d lived alone a very long time, but after only two days, Jane had filled his home with laughter and companionship.

It was true, when the right person came along…you just knew it. Jane filled all the lonely holes deep within him he’d refused to acknowledge. He didn’t regret asking her to consider spending more nights with him. He couldn’t think of anything better than coming home from a long day of work to her. He didn’t need dinner on the table, or the house cleaned…he just needed her to talk to. Laugh with. Snuggle with.

* * * *

On Wednesday afternoon, Jane looked down at her phone during one of her breaks and smiled when she saw she had a text from Storm.

Storm: It’s been three nights. Any chance you’d consider coming over tonight?

She typed out a short but heartfelt response.

Jane: Yes!

His reply came almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting for her to text him back.

Storm: Thank God. I should get off around five-thirty. Come over anytime after six.

Jane: Okay. I need to go home and get my things, but barring any disasters here at work, I should be there by six-thirty.

Storm: Sounds perfect. I’ll start dinner.

Jane: What’re we having?

Storm: I went home at lunch and put a pot roast in the Crock-Pot. I hope that’s all right.

Jane: Yum!

Storm: You’re easy to please.

Jane: Actually, I’m not. I’m picky in my taste in men, I don’t like seafood, and kale goes on my gross list.

Storm: Crosses kale off list for dinner tonight.

Jane: Shut up.

Storm: :)

Storm: I’m looking forward to seeing you. I feel like it’s been forever since I saw you last.

Jane: You saw me this morning when I brought your mail up.

Storm: Like I said, forever.

Jane sighed in contentment. She’d sorta thought Storm would be standoffish at work and not very romantic when it came to everyday life, but she’d been wrong. While he didn’t bend her over his arm and make out with her while they were on the base, he didn’t hesitate to touch her, to kiss her on the cheek, to let her know he was happy to see her.

His text and emails were sweet and somewhat sappy. And when he called, he never hesitated to let her know how pretty he thought she was, how happy he was to talk to her, and how much he missed her. The difference between him and other men she’d dated was night and day. It almost made the way they’d gotten together, with her practically naked after being doused with tear gas, worth it. Almost.