Page 7 of Day of the Storm

“We should make noise, let someone know we’re down here,” Sean said.

“How bad do you think the damage is?” There were a lot of people, her friends out there right now. She prayed they’d gotten to the center of the building in time.

“I don’t know. I’m not going to think about that. I’m just going to concentrate on keeping you calm. I know how you can be.”

“And just how is that?” It took her a moment, but she finally caught on. Sean was teasing. “Perfect and beautiful?”

“Something like that.”

“How’s your head?”

“Hurts like a bitch, but I’ve had worse. Turn on your side; we might as well do what we can to get comfortable. I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a while.”

“Should we try to make noise?”

“I don’t know that it will do much good right now. There’s more storm coming. No one will hear us through all of this.”

“What if they don’t find us?” A. J. asked as she slipped to her other side. Sean curled up around her, his strong chest right at her back. Some of the chill shaking her subsided.

Just some.

“Look, why don’t you try to rest for a while? I’ll listen. Once the storm subsides, we can yell.” His hand stroked down her side.

A. J. leaned back slightly. Just enough to press closer.

Of all the men she could have gotten trapped with, at least, it was Sean. It felt so familiar to have him close. It seemed like he’d been around forever, and it had been. Half her life. He’d been around for almost exactly half her life.

It was like he was a real part of her world. She’d never thought of him like that before.

But he didn’t feel like her brothers. Not at all.

His arm tightened around her waist, and he pulled her even closer. “It’ll be ok, Autumn Jane. I promise.”

“Why do you do that? Call me Autumn Jane all the time?” No one else did. It had always been A. J. Always.

Except Sean. He’d started calling her Autumn Jane around the time she’d graduated with her first degree.

Probably because he knew it got under her skin. He loved to needle her whenever he could.

“I’ve known three other guys named A. J. You are not an A. J. And I like Autumn Jane best.”

His hand tangled in her hair. Sean kissed her temple. “I always think of you as Autumn Jane, and that’s what comes out.”

“I see.” She wrapped her hand around his muscled forearm. He was really well-built; he felt warm and solid and strong behind her.

“I’m scared. Really scared, Sean.” She hated appearing weak in front of him. Anyone really, especially her brothers. For so long, she’d seen him as just an extension of Mike. Annoying, arrogant, far too handsome for his own good, and…safe.

He’d been just another one of her brothers’ best friends.

He kissed her one more time and that was all it took.

She didn’t think she’d ever see Sean Callum assafeever again.

In an entirely feminine way.

“I know baby. I know.” His arms tightened around her. “They’ll be coming for us, soon.”

All they could do was wait.