Into the Storm (7 page)

“
Do I smell coffee?” I asked hopefully as I came closer to the kitchen again.

Rabbit nodded and handed me a cup. I sat down at the table and took a deep drink of the hot liquid.

“
Wow. This is delicious. Did you put something in it?”

“
Um ... cinnamon.”

I took another sip. “It’s great. I’m gonna have a quick shower and get out of these wet clothes."

“
I’ll have breakfast ready when you’re done.”

I stood up, shaking my head. “You don’t have to do that, Rabbit. I don’t want you pushing yourself.”

“
I know. I want to. Please? I feel like I’m contributing. Not just being ... in the way.”

Something in her voice made me stop. I looked at her, but she was looking anywhere but at me.

I stood in front of her, hesitating, then lifted her chin, and looked at her. Her eyes, once again, told me exactly what she was thinking. I could see the worry and apprehension in them. The new plan went right out the window and I found myself wanting to take those feelings away. This time it was me that leaned down and gently pressed my lips to hers. “Not in the way, Rabbit,” I whispered quietly. “Not even remotely in the way.”

I pulled away and made my way down the hall. Pausing, I turned around. She was sitting at the table with her fingers on her lips, staring at me. For a minute, we just stared. Then we both smiled and I went to have my shower, cursing my weakness when it came to her, yet remembering the softness of her lips on mine the whole time.

Omelettes and toast were waiting when I went back to the kitchen. Sitting down, I smiled as I looked at my plate.

“
I hope you like omelettes?”

“
Absolutely. Mine never look quite like this though.”

“
Sorry?”

I laughed. “Mine tend to look more like scrambled eggs with lumps. Never quite figured out the turning and folding trick.”

I dug in and smiled at her again. “They certainly never taste like this either.”

“
What do they taste like?”

“
Um ... well, scrambled eggs with lumps, I suppose,” I chuckled.

She smiled and began eating. I was amazed at how comfortable it was to sit and share a meal with her. I was used to the silence surrounding me, and although I didn’t feel the need to fill the quiet with conversation, I did want to try and draw her out some more. I loved hearing the sweet timbre of her voice.

Rabbit spoke up before I could think of anything to say. “Do you think the next time you go to the barn I could go with you?”

I looked at her as I chewed another delicious mouthful. “Why?”

“
I thought maybe if I saw the car, I might remember something.”

I nodded. “That’s a good idea. We’ll go out later. I remembered I have a satellite radio in the cupboard. We’ll turn it on after breakfast and see if we can get the local station. See what’s happening out in the world.”

“
Okay.”

Nothing. There was nothing on the radio except warnings to stay off the roads and how extensive the storm was. It was expected to rage for at least another day, maybe longer. People were stranded at airports, train stations, all over the place. There were massive power outages and abandoned cars on the highways. But there was no announcement about a missing woman. Sitting beside her on the couch, I looked over at Rabbit, but I wasn’t sure what she was thinking. Her troubled eyes lifted to me.

“
Sorry,” she whispered, before lowering her eyes again.

“
Hey.” I leaned over and lifted her chin. ”We covered this last night, okay? You’re safe here. You aren`t disrupting anything.”

Her eyes remained troubled. Wanting to see her smile, I winked at her. “Besides, if you keep cooking like you have been? Maybe I’ll just keep you.”

Her quiet giggle made me smile and I watched her relax a little. Without any thought, my fingers stroked her soft cheek. Our eyes locked again and I could feel myself being drawn into the depths of her gaze. Slowly, I leaned forward, Rabbit meeting me halfway. Our mouths met sweetly, lips pressing and moving together. My hand wound itself into her hair, holding her close. Before we could get carried away, I pulled back, resting my forehead against hers. Neither of us said anything for a minute. I moved away and looked at her. Her gaze was questioning, but still warm.

I shook my head. I had no idea what there was about this woman that was causing the reactions I was having to her. But I needed to stop the responses. I reminded myself that nothing was going to happen between us.

I stood up abruptly. “Let’s go have a look in the garage, okay? See if that shakes anything in your memory.”

She stood up and accepted my proffered hand. But, I saw the flicker of sadness and confusion that passed across her face.

Knowing it was me that put it there, I hated it.

Chapter Seven

Joshua

I watched silently as Rabbit walked awkwardly around the car. I saw her study the license plate, her brow furrowed in concentration, but no sign of recognition passed over her features. I opened the driver’s side door and she gingerly sat down and again looked around slowly. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she struggled to get out. Leaning down, I helped her stand, then immediately dropped her hand. I had to stop touching her.

“
Nothing?” I asked.

“
No.”

We both stood looking at the car. “There are snow tires on it,” she observed.

“
Yeah, I noticed that. That probably helped you stay on the road longer than you would have been able to.”

“
Would the reading on the odometer help?”

I was impressed with her logical thinking. “No, the tank is pretty full and I think it was reset when you filled up. The mileage is about right for the distance from the closest town.”

“
Oh. No receipt?”

I shook my head. “You probably paid cash. You know, from your last heist.”

Her lips twitched and I heard her sweet giggle. I smiled; glad the tension that had sat between us since we kissed had eased a little.

Realizing there was nothing to be achieved here, I pulled up my hood. “Come on; let’s head back to the house.”

I walked over and opened the door and waited for her to catch up. She was walking slower than ever, thanks to the huge boots and my coat, which I had insisted she put on. I had tightened the boots as tight as I could make them, but she was an amusing sight as she attempted to walk, lifting her feet in clumsy-looking steps. As she drew near, I flicked up her hood. “Stay close,” I instructed.

The wind had picked up again and the swirling snow was almost blinding at times. I walked in front of her, trying to block the wind, checking over my shoulder every few feet to make sure she was still behind me. We were close to the house when I heard a gasp behind me and I spun around to see Rabbit lying face down in the snow, her shoulders shaking. Thinking she had somehow hurt herself, I quickly kneeled down and gently turned her over. “What? Are you hurt?” I asked anxiously, my eyes scanning her for fresh injuries.

She shook her head but her shoulders continued to shake. I realized she was laughing.

“
What is so fucking funny you had to lie down in the snow?” I asked, annoyed at her for scaring me.

Still grasping my hand, she pointed wordlessly at her feet. Unable to help myself, I joined in her laughter. She had obviously stumbled into the deeper snow where the boots had gotten stuck. Her feet came out and she was currently lying bootless, her socked feet wriggling in the cold. I stared down at her pink cheeks, her eyes lit up with mirth as she lay like a mummy in a coat I could have wrapped around her twice, unable to get up.

Her laughter died and silently we regarded each other. I could feel my body responding to her again and the overwhelming desire to kiss her, really, truly kiss her, tore through me. I wanted to taste her. I could feel myself bending forward, closer, my one hand now cupping her cold cheek, watching her breath escape from her lips in tiny puffs of steam. I wanted those lips on mine; I wanted that steam in my mouth. As I bent over her, so close to where I wanted to be, Bear suddenly appeared, pushing his face between us and dousing both of us from his cold wet fur, barking excitedly at whatever game we were playing, wanting to join in. Startled, I sat back, reality hitting me in the face.

Fuck, I needed to stop this.

Cursing and pushing Bear out of the way, I leaned down. “Arms,” I instructed.

“
What?”

“
Put your arms around my neck, Rabbit. Now.”

Rabbit lifted her arms around my neck the best she could in the bulky coat. I picked her up easily and carried her inside and let her down on the mudroom floor, not looking at her. I went back out and grabbed the boots and came back in. She had already left the mudroom and I stood silently cursing myself. I had little doubt what would have happened if Bear had not interrupted us. All it took was one touch from her and I lost all common sense. The need to be closer to her drove all normal thought out of my head.

It was simple. I would just not touch her. At all. I could talk to her, laugh with her, but not touch her.

And tonight, I was sleeping on the couch.

I welcomed the scent of coffee brewing when I entered the kitchen. Rabbit was sitting on the couch and Bear was tucked up right against her legs as she stroked him. I turned away, grabbing a couple of mugs with more force than necessary, cringing a little as they slammed down on the counter.

Lucky fucking dog got to have her touch him.

I turned to grab the coffee and saw Rabbit staring at me. I purposefully relaxed my posture and smiled at her. “Oops. Cold hands,” I laughed, shrugging my shoulders as if in jest. Then, to buy myself some more time, I dug in the freezer and pulled out some steaks to grill later. An idea occurred to me and I opened a drawer for a pad of paper and a pen. I took a couple of calming breaths and poured both of us some coffee. I went and sat on the other end of the couch from Rabbit after handing her a mug.

“
What’s the paper for?” she asked, her brow furrowed as she regarded me warily.