Storm Warning - By Kadi Dillon Page 0,15

It touched him that she was trying to prevent him from spending more time alone. “Don’t really know. That’s how it’s always been for me. Why don’t you sleep well?”

She shrugged and focused her gaze in her cup, changing the subject smoothly. “Storms moving in pretty quick. We’re going to set up tomorrow morning and get some readings. You’ll probably get some good pictures with this one.”

“That’s good.”

“Adam is really excited you’re here. I don’t know if you know, but he’s really in to photography. Maybe you could give him a few pointers. He really looks up to you.”

“He’s into photography?” Gabe asked both amused and moved by her simple request made on her brother’s behalf. Compassionate, he thought again. There was a whole different side to Tory he didn’t mind learning about.

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “He’s pretty good at it.”

“I’ll have to see some of his work.”

“That’s really nice of you.”

He debated to himself on how to handle this situation. For one, Tory was beginning to see him as a person. And two, he was growing more and more attracted to her by the second. There was chemistry. She couldn’t deny the heat between them—and if she did, he’d only have to prove it by kissing her again. She shifted uncomfortably and he realized he’d been staring at her.

“You’ll find I can be a very nice person if I want to be.”

She cleared her throat and glanced up at him, then away. “We’re going to head out the day after tomorrow instead of waiting. The storm gained intensity and speed since this morning, so it’ll be long gone by then. The hotel’s going to refund the other four days.”

“All right.”

She stared down at her cup again. “I know I acted stupid earlier today. I really do appreciate the room and everything.”

“Will you tell me what your aversion is to me?”

To his surprise, she nodded and rose to pace.

“Storm chasing season begins in May for us. It ends in August at the earliest. During the rest of the year, I work really hard and save every penny I can to put into the next chase. Last year,” she paused and sucked in a deep breath. “Last year, we barely made it. One of our radars malfunctioned. It took everything I had in the business account and my personal account to get it fixed.”

She looked at him and smiled. “I don’t mind working for this. I really don’t. Adam helps too, but there’s a lot that goes into a chase.”

Gabe nodded. He was clearly beginning to see. She had personally carried the team for eight years and now he was succeeding where she imagined she’d failed. He didn’t see it that way, but he understood why she did. Understanding would be more important to Tory than agreeing.

“Well,” she continued, “I had enough for this chase and then it was going to be over. I couldn’t carry the team anymore. Equipments getting more expensive, gas prices are ridiculous.” She shrugged. “Bills to pay, debts to clear. It’s really hard.”

“You should have gotten a sponsor instead of using your own money.”

“There aren’t many businesses that would do that. The café did, only because I’ve worked for them since I was fifteen. I wouldn’t ask them again.”

Gabe’s eyes widened. He couldn’t imagine those dainty arms lifting and carrying heavy trays over her shoulder—let alone a fifteen year old Tory doing it.

“I put a lot into this team. I accepted it when it was over. Then you came along and everyone was so happy. You’re giving them what I never could. Never can,” she amended.

“It’s just business, Tory.”

“Oh, I know it is.” She sat down in the chair next to him and without thinking, placed her hand over his arm. “And I’m past my own self pity and I can finally be grateful for what you’re doing. Chasing is my life.”

“But you hate it.”

“What?” She snatched her hand back.

Layers, Gabe thought. Tory had many layers. And he couldn’t be satisfied with only what he had seen thus far. He hadn’t known her long, yet she pulled at him. He was through analyzing his feelings about her. He wanted her, and life was too short not to go after what you wanted—he had right to know.

“Adam told me what happened with your parents.” She started to rise. He could see the fury in her eyes, but he was quicker than she was. He placed his hands on either side of her and gripped the chair arms.

“He had