Taken By Storm Part 22

"It would be reasonable to surmise and a new starting point for us."

Burke rubbed his chin. "Everything has a price, even a priceless object. Perhaps Cullen tried to sell the object, in which case, where would he go to do that?"

"It depends on the object," Storm said, a crack of thunder making her jump.

"Afraid of storms, Storm?" Burke smiled. "Is that your true name or do you hide your real ident.i.ty?

"It is who I am now," she said, not wanting to recall her birth name, not wanting memories to haunt her.

Stormy nights had always proved disastrous for her.

Burke leaned his arms on the table. "Tell me how Storm was born."

She would tell him, but only so much. "She was born out of necessity. I was unable to tend the farm

myself and so I lost it and found myself homeless."

"There was no one who would help you?" he asked.

That he sounded offended reminded her he was a caring man. She enjoyed gazing on his handsome,

rugged features. There was strength in his square jaw and chiseled cheekbones, and though his lips were narrow, they were potent. His kisses attested to that.

She nodded. "Of course, but the price was too steep."

"d.a.m.n," he said, and pounded the table with his fist. "Men took advantage of you in your time of mourning?"

"What better time to do it? I had nothing. They offered food, a roof over my head."

"Yet you refused."

"There were times I thought myself a fool for my decision," she admitted on a soft laugh. "But I knew it was the only decision I could have made. Besides, I began meeting other people in the same predicament

and we joined forces. We began to forage on the landlords' precious estates and steal from wealthytravelers along the roads. One rescue led to another, then another. That started my career as an outlaw.""And that's when Storm was born.""Exactly. I arrived on a stormy night, an avenging angel to free the innocent, and I will probably leave this world on a stormy night defending the innocent."

He reached out and grabbed hold of her hand. "You will not."

"It isn't your decision."

"You will not sacrifice yourself senselessly."

She yanked her hand away and stood, nearly tumbling the chair over. "Perhaps you should tell that to

Henry or Peter, that what I did for them was senseless."

Burke stood slowly. "I did not mean-"

"What you said? It was clear to me." She folded her arms firmly across her chest, waiting for him to

explain, though why she would even give him a chance to redeem himself was beyond her.

He approached her with cautious steps. "There will always be the less fortunate, those who need

defending. Every society has them."

"And there will always be those who choose to defend them."

"You didn't choose," he reminded. "It was forced on you out of necessity."

"I accepted my role freely."

"It doesn't mean you have to continue it for the rest of your life."

He stood directly in front of her, and she thought for a moment, a sheer moment, she heard the beating of

his heart, solid, strong, and steadfast.

"I have no choice," she said softly and with regret.

He reached out and gently unfolded her arms. "There's always a choice, Storm." He drew her to him.

"Like now. You have a choice to walk away, or a choice to let me hold you. It's up to you."Her breath caught as he stilled all movement and waited for her decision.It wasn't a difficult one to make. She stepped into his arms without hesitation.Storm sighed and rested her head on his solid chest and this time heard the strong beat of his heart. She sighed again when he wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her close to him. He then rested his chin

on the top of her head.

She relished the feel of his arms snugly around her, the heat of his warm body seeping into hers, the safety of his embrace. She felt content.

"Life changes, Storm," he advised gently.

"Not for me," she said regretfully.

"For everyone," he insisted. "It never remains the same, and for that we should all be grateful."

She sighed. "For me life will only get worse."

"You have a choice, Storm in which way your life will change."

"I wish I could believe that, but I think fate waits for me and there is no way I can avoid her."

"Perhaps fate sent me here to intervene," he said.

"You certainly have done that." She chuckled.

He lifted her chin and stroked her bottom lip, sending tingles racing through her entire body.

"You are a good person, you do good work, but sacrificing yourself serves no purpose. Living is what

makes the difference."

She thought at first to argue, but her tingling body advised otherwise and she whispered, "Kiss me."

"With pleasure," Burke said and claimed her lips.

Her arms swept up around his neck and she pressed her body firmly against his while his lips worked

their magic. She was soon lost in a haze of pa.s.sion that escalated as the kiss deepened.

She didn't protest when he lifted her off the ground and lowered them to the bed together. Theyremained locked in each other's arms and locked in a kiss. Storm didn't want it to end.His hand stroked her back and slipped down over her backside, which he gently squeezed and moved her up more firmly against him.

She felt all of him and she relished the thought of his strength penetrating her, filling her, bringing her

pleasure.

She moved against him in a provocative invitation.

His lips drifted to her ear in kisses along her cheek. "This is your choice?"

"It is," she said.

"You are sure?"

"I have not a doubt."

His hand moved to her waist, working to free her s.h.i.+rt, while his lips returned to hers. This time Storm

was the impatient one and her hand joined his pulling her s.h.i.+rt out of her trousers.

"Storm!"

The shout broke them apart and had them jumping off the bed. Storm shoved her s.h.i.+rt back in her