Storm (Ashes & Embers 1)

I shake my head. “Let’s have that tomorrow for breakfast. You don’t happen to have any coffee back there, do ya?”

He grins and stuffs a cookie in his mouth. “See? I knew you were one of those latte drinkers! I had you pegged right from the start.”

“Okay, so that’s my one addiction. I love white mochas. I have one every single day and I am completely jonesing for one.”

“I can’t get on the coffee train. I drink juice or water.”

“Do you work out?”

He quirks his eyebrow up at me and gives me that wicked crooked grin. “You’ve been checking me out?”

I roll my eyes. “Dream on. I could feel the muscles through your jacket, and I can see how big your arms and shoulders are just with that sweater on.”

“Yes, I work out when I have time. I use my hands a lot for work and I lift a lot of heavy shit.”

“How many tattoos do you have?”

Again, I get the sexy, smirk of a grin. “You have been checking me out.”

He takes a sip of water. “It’s okay, baby. I know I’m irresistible.”

“Really? Are you always so into yourself? Trust me, I’m not one of those chicks who’s gonna jump into bed with you for a hot one-nighter.”

“I know. That’s why I like you. And I have a shitload of tattoos, to answer your question. Wanna see?”

“No—” But before I can even get the word out, he’s pulling his sweater off, and yeah, he’s covered in tattoos. His arms are fully sleeved, his chest is covered, his sides and his back, also covered in artwork. I try to take it all in, crosses, castles, words, faces. I even see one of Niko. And beneath all that is dark, muscled skin. And I mean big, sculpted arms, broad chest and pecs, and a hard six pack. The guy is ripped. I have to look away. “Okay, Storm, put your shirt on. I’ve seen all your tattoos and they’re beautiful.”

“Did you see my muscles, too?” I watch him pull his sweater back on and can’t help but laugh at him. He’s just so strange.

“Yes, I saw your muscles. Happy now?”

“Yes. I work hard to look like this. A little appreciation would be nice.”

“Storm, I have no interest in appreciating your body. Can we please talk about things a little more normal, like when the hell do you think we’re going to get out of here?”

“Hopefully, soon. I brought you something.” He tosses a black sweatshirt at me. “I figured this would be warmer and more comfortable than the blouse you’re wearing.”

“Oh. Well, thank you.” He’s right. The blouse I’m wearing is useless so a nice big cozy sweatshirt would be much more comfortable. “Turn around so I can put it on.”

“Hey, you got to see me shirtless.” He is lucky in the short time we’ve known each other, I have figured out he is pretty harmless. But obviously, a wicked, sarcastic flirt who is used to getting attention. If he were anyone else talking to me that way, I would have kicked him right in the balls. My glare is enough to get him to turn away while I quickly change. The sweatshirt is huge, like three sizes too big, but it’s really soft. There’s a big emblem across the front of it that looks like a scrolling A and E.

“What’s the logo?” I ask him.

“It’s a rock band, Ashes and Embers.”

“I’ve never heard of them. Are they one of those bands that just scream and you can’t even hear the words? I hate that crap.”

His laughter fills the truck. “Yeah, I guess they do scream. But at least the shirt is nice, right?”

“Yes, it’s very comfy. And warm. Thank you.”

I pick up all the wrappers from the food we ate and put it into the plastic bag he took it out of and put it all on the floor. I am really starting to worry about how long we’re going to be stuck in here. Having the food definitely makes me feel better, but seriously, how long can we stay here? Michael must be worried sick by now. I’m sure he must have called the hotel and realized I never showed up, so he must be looking for me. But, according to Storm, I wasn’t even near the hotel so how would he even know where to look?

“Evie, I can see your little mind going over there. Stop it.”

“I’m worried. No one knows where I am.”

“You’re fine. I think the snow should stop tonight and then tomorrow at some point the plow trucks will come by, and I’ll get us out of here, okay? Just trust me.” He pulls out his cell phone and after pressing a few buttons, music starts to play. “Hey, so no connection, but the music I have saved on it will play. Until the battery dies, anyway.”

Soft acoustic guitar music fills the truck, and I find it to be calming. Outside, the snow is coming down, but it’s slow now, as if it’s falling in slow motion. The passenger side windows are not covered yet, so the snow must be falling at an angle from the wind. All the trees and their branches are covered in white so everything looks like it’s made of crystal. I have always loved how trees look the morning after a snowstorm, like a winter wonderland. I love the quiet after a snowstorm too, as if the world went into a whisper.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I feel like we’re in a snow globe. When I was little, I had one that my mom gave me. I loved it so much I kept it next to my bed all year round. I just loved to watch the snowfall. The snow is peaceful, don’t you think?

“I do. That’s why I was coming up here to spend a few days at my cabin. I wanted to veg and watch movies while it snowed and just enjoy some friggin’ quiet time alone with Niko laying on my damn feet.”

“I’m sorry I ruined your plans, Storm.”

“You didn’t. Anyway, at least you make me laugh, which I haven’t done in a while. You’re all feisty and snarky, but kind of sweet and innocent, too. It’s an interesting mix. Not like most chicks I know.”

“Thanks. I think?” I smile over at him and squirm in the seat. My legs are falling asleep. I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable he must be with his long legs.

“Your legs hurt, too, Evie?”

“Yeah. It’s like constant pins and needles.”

He motions at me with his hand. “Come here.”

“What do you mean?” I narrow my eyes at him suspiciously.

“Lay against my chest like you did yesterday, and then we can both stretch our legs out. More you than me, since you’re like

a frickin’ midget, but maybe we can at least be comfortable for a few minutes.”

Oh, no. No. No. No. I can’t snuggle with him all up in this backseat. Especially after seeing him with no shirt on. I’m not sure what it is, but he has some kind of strange, sensual magnetism about him. I can feel it bouncing off him like little Ping-Pong balls

He hones in on my hesitation.

“Evelyn, come on. Don’t be all uptight and shit. I’m not going to maul you. I just think we need to be a little bit comfortable. “

I know I will regret this, but I move across the seat. He has one leg bent up, leaning against the seat, so I leant back against his chest between his legs, and stretch my legs out across the bench seat. His other leg is stretched out along the floor of the back seat.

“Better?” he says, all pleased with himself.

“I suppose,” I tease. “At least my legs seem to have circulation again.” I pull the blanket up around us.

We listen to the music coming out of his phone for a while. The snow has completely covered the windshield and door windows, giving the interior of the truck a strange dim glow, which I try to think of as cozy and not scary.

“Storm... how did you know what to do yesterday? When I had a panic attack?”

He sighs the movement of his chest pushing my body up. “My little sister used to have these really bad night terrors, and that’s what my parents did to calm her down and to get her head focused again. It worked for her so I thought it was probably similar.”

Hmm. When I was younger, I went through years of therapy and that kind of solution was never mentioned. Instead, I had to sit and tell various shrinks about my feelings while they tried to figure out what kind of abuse must have happened to me to cause the panic attacks. And, of course, they never figured that out. Oh, and I tried pretty much every pill on the market for anxiety too, which only caused me to either gain weight or go completely mentally numb or both. No thanks.