Page 33 of Day of the Storm

Daryn wasn’t lost to the irony of that.

Shelby headed to one of the bedrooms.Leaving Daryn facing Mike.

They were both clean. Dry. Safe. Together.

Daryn just stared at him as she started shaking. As everything she had seen and done tonight threatened to rip her apart.

15

There werehard male arms wrapped around her, keeping her tight against an equally hard male chest when she woke the next morning. Right there on a dark brown leather couch. With his hands…in interesting places.

“Enjoying yourself, you little badge bunny hussy?” a quiet voice asked.

Daryn turned her head quickly. A tall, dark-haired woman stood in the door—dressed in the familiar dark green polo of the TSP sheriff’s division. “Very much so. He smells wonderful. Feels wonderful, too.”

She wanted to bury her face against him and just breathe him in.

Daryn had woke a few times in the night herself. Neither of them had been in a big hurry to let go of the other. Not after last night.

“Probably Logan’s? Big surprise. I got up here as soon as I could. To help with recovery. I called Shelby. I’m going to be staying herewith her for a few days while Pen stays with family here in town. Help her…deal. Help her get this place ready to move into, too. Make it look less like it does, and moreShelby.Take charge of her life now that the TSP has given this place back.”

“It’s time.” Daryn wanted to sit up, but Mike’s arms were pretty tight. His heat scorched her. He had his head thrown back and was sound asleep. Snoring lightly. There were bruises on his face. His arms.

But he was alive.

“So how did you end up wrapped up in this guy’s arms? Not that he’s not a really pretty one and those muscled arms are rather yummy looking, but…as far as I knew, you weren’t involved with anyone yesterday. Now here you are. And I think I recognize him. He’s the last guy I would expect to find here.”

“He saved my life.”

“Is that worth giving him a little cuddle-cuddle?” Zoey stepped closer to the couch and stared down at Mike, a smirk on her lips.

Daryn just smiled. It feltright.Exactly where she was. “Maybe.”

“Then enjoy. I’m going to check on Shel, then I’m heading out. Seeing if I can connect with that hot sexy brother of yours, and make myself useful. You ok?”

“I’m good. And don’t say sexy and Darrell in the same sentence again, ok? That’s just totally wrong.”

Zoey gave a secretive smile. “You stay with Shel?”

Daryn looked at the man sleeping next to her. “Of course. What time is it?”

“Not quite five a.m.”

“Thanks.”

After Zoey left, Daryn knew she had a choice to make.

She could move away from the man holding her. Probably do the smart thing. Or she could stay just where she was and see what happened between them next. The decision seemedeasy enough. Daryn rested her head against his strong chest and drifted back to sleep, his heartbeat next to her cheek.

And his arms tight around her like he’d never let her go. No. She wasn’t ready to let go, either.

Mike wokearound nine the next morning, his leg feeling like it was on fire, and a beautiful pixie snuggled into his arms. He buried his face in her hair and just took the scent of her in. He wanted to remember her scent forever. He’d gladly take the fire in his knee if that was the price of having Daryn in his arms.

Big dark eyes opened. She blinked at him, gave a secretive smile. He smiled. “Hey.”

“It wasn’t a bad dream.”

“No, it wasn’t.”