Storm Warning

CHAPTER Four





Tory crossed the parking lot of the El Presidente, smiling. The bank where the team kept their account had just called to confirm a deposit of five thousand dollars. Ruthlessly, she kept Gabe’s involvement out of her mind and mentally ticked off all the things they needed for the season to make their chase easier.

At least they had earned the money by acting as a guide and babysitting service, she mused. The café had sponsored their first year of chasing, but Tory hadn’t felt right about it. She had a change of heart when she realized how much business had increased at Sam and Lou’s. Pirates still carried their business cards with them, but Tory would no longer accept their charity.

She was relieved that some of the financial problems were solved. If Gabe stayed the entire season, Tory might even be able to skip out on overtime at the diner during off-season. The thought put an extra wide grin on her face.

Her smile faded when she saw Gabe stroll out of the hotel and head straight toward her. She opened the truck door and climbed inside. Leaving the door open, she waited.

“Hey,” he greeted and braced tanned forearms on the opened door.

“Hello.”

“Wanna go grab some lunch?”

Tory looked forward. No, she would not admit she was starving from skipping breakfast. But she did have to eat, didn’t she? And this would give her a chance to clear the air—to let him know where they stood.

“Sure.” She grabbed her wallet from the glove compartment, and slid down on to the ground. She tensed when she landed mere inches from Gabe, but he made no point in moving.

“That café over there work for you?” He indicated a small diner across the high way.

“Works fine.”

They didn’t speak again until the waitress sat them in a corner booth.

Once the waitress delivered their food and left them in privacy, a comfortable silence ensued while they ate their lunch. A little too comfortable.

She hadn’t realized how hungry she actually was. She forced herself to pace her bites, but none the less finished her plate about the same time as Gabe did. The small talk during the meal was pleasant enough, but Tory could sense Gabe had an ulterior motive for taking her to lunch.

When Tory finally pushed her plate away, she sat back against the booth and crossed her arms.

“All right, Wills. Spill it.”





Gabe smiled.

He’d noticed her eye-balling him throughout the meal. She’d been suspicious of the idle chit chat, but had played along, commenting neutrally on the paintings hanging throughout the diner. Not only had she surprised him by knowing the artists, but also some of the stories and facts behind them.

Now, she sat back with her chin held high and her arms crossed over her chest, her wild tawny hair falling everywhere. And she couldn’t have been more attractive.

“Spill what?”

“What do you want?” she asked and narrowed her chocolate eyes.

“I guess I just wanted to get to know you a little better. I think we did get off on the wrong foot. And I know you don’t like me, but I fail to see what’s not to like. I can be very agreeable.”

“So you say.”

“You hated me before we even met. Why?” He could all but see her shutting down. No, she would not tell him. Yet.

“Does it really matter why?” She waited a beat and continued when he merely raised his brows at her. “Let’s just say I’m very dedicated to my work and you have a high potential of being in my way.”

“You’re dedicated to you career. Good.” He smiled and spread his fingers out. “Then you can surely understand where I’m coming from. I’m a very devoted photographer and this chase is just as important to my career as it is to yours.” He held up a hand to shush her when her mouth opened. He had to smile at the way she snapped it shut and glared at him, but he wasn’t finished. “It is. And you being the scientist, you should also understand that I am relying on you to help me find the shot I’m looking for. You see, Tory.” He sat back now and casually drummed his fingers on the table in front of him. “We have quite a bit in common, you and I.”

“I fail to see how that’s relevant. So we both need this chase for our jobs, that’s obvious. But this is my team and you just waltz in here with—” She stopped short and he recognized it again. She was closing up.

“No, please finish. I came here with what? Money?” When he saw her eyes blaze, he pushed further. “I came here and saved your team so you can chase tornados for another year or two without pinching pennies and you hate me for it. Doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“We don’t need your money.” she lied between her teeth and rose to leave.

“What do you need, Tory?” he asked before she could walk away.

“I need you to leave my team alone. We don’t need your fancy hotel rooms or your stupid publicity. I sleep fine in my truck and I work all damn year to provide for my team. Pack up your camera, take your money, and get the hell away from us. That’s what I need.” With that, she laid a twenty on the table and walked out.

Gabe scooped up the twenty, then paid their bill with his credit card and followed her across the street. She shot him a fuming glare when he caught up with her clipped strides.

“You let that café sponsor you. What difference does it make that I’m doing it?”

She shook her head and kept walking.

“Come on, Tory. Tell me what the difference is.”

She veered off and started for the trucks, but Gabe grabbed her arm. She gasped and jerked, but he kept his blazing eyes fixed on hers.

“Where are you going?”

“To my truck.”

He took out her twenty dollar bill and crammed it in her jean pocket. She dropped her mouth open to shout at him, maybe curse him, but any words she would have thrown at him were smothered with his mouth.

He hadn’t meant to kiss her. He was simply going to use his unfailing charm and talk her into taking the room key. But something happened every time he saw that defiant look in her eyes. Something physical seemed to pull him to her and he was powerless to stop it.

His lips were not gentle, but they weren’t punishing either. Even through the sense of urgency, he controlled himself. One of his arms locked around her waist and pulled her firmly up against him. His other hand moved to the back of her neck, touching the tender nerves there. She shivered and he felt dark satisfaction.

He deepened the kiss when he felt her body relax in his arms, tasting the sweet corners of her mouth. He wasn’t thinking. He still didn’t know when his brain had registered the kiss. It was an involuntary and shockingly automatic response on his part. He had never been demanding with a woman like he was demanding now.

When his head floated back down to his body, Gabe pulled his mouth back slightly and found himself staring into a pair of heavy lidded, confused brown eyes. She trembled again, just like she did in his hotel room that morning.

What was it about her that left him aching? Wanting more? Keeping his arm around her waist, Gabe dug in his pocket and pulled out a key to the hotel suite that was next to his.

“Your room key,” he said, inches from her kiss-bruised mouth and placed it in her hand.

“What?” she asked dazed. “No.” She pushed herself away from him and took a deep gulp of air. “I’m staying in the truck.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m staying in my truck like I always do. I don’t need a room.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Because he needed a moment to settle, he stepped back and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

“I always stay in my truck. I hate hotel rooms.”

“There is no way I’m letting you stay in a truck.” He reached for her hand, but she snatched it back instantly.

“I’m staying in my truck.”

“Oh, no you’re not.” He made a grab for her.

“Yes I am. There’s nothing you can do about it.” She whirled around and started for the truck and yelped again when Gabe plucked her off the ground.

“What the hell are you doing? Put me down this instant!” she fumed, kicking and clawing at whatever she could.

“You said there was nothing I could do about it,” he explained calmly. “And you’re wrong.”

“Put me—oh, oh!”

He threw her over his shoulder and started walking to the hotel. He clamped his arm around the back of her knees when she bucked. She squirmed, but he carried her—butt in the air—up a staircase, through a hall, and into the elevator.

She balled up her fist and starting pounding on his lower back. He didn’t budge.

“I mean it! Put me down!” She growled, low and furious.

The elevator dinged and Gabe strolled out into the hallway. He had her key in his hand ready to unlock her door. He dipped his head to Billy, who was standing in his doorway with a dumbfounded look on his face.

“Oh, you are going to pay for this!” she warned whoever would listen. “I swear to God!”

Gabe unlocked her door and strolled in, kicking the door shut behind him.

“I mean it, Gabe! Put me down, right now!”

He plopped her down unceremoniously on the bed. She scrambled to her knees, but Gabe shoved her back down on the bed.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” she demanded, her chest heaving in pure fury.

“You know who I am, Tory.” He tossed her key on a dresser. “And if you think for one minute that you’re sleeping in the truck, just remember this. I can and I will haul your stubborn ass back up here again and again. Hell, maybe you’ll just stay in my room and save me the trouble.” He made another grab for her, but she threw herself out of his reach.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Fine. You stay in here or I’ll lock you in my room. Your choice.”

With that, he strolled out of the room.

He nodded at all of the smiling faces, keeping his own expression placid as he unlocked the door to his own room. Once inside, Gabe sank down on his California-King bed and laughed. He had never been so barbaric as to carry a screeching woman to where he wanted her, but he had to admit that with this particular woman, he enjoyed it immensely.





He couldn’t sleep that night. The clock on his nightstand told him it was nearly one o’clock in the morning.

Restless, Gabe opened his laptop and transferred all his files from his camera to the hard drive. Pictures of the rolling planes of Nebraska and Kansas flashed on the screen as one by one they were saved one by one into various folders. He was amazed by the shots he had taken so far. Nothing special, he mused. Unless you were there to feel the wind whooshing and hear the birds singing. Then, there were the stories behind those photographs.

On film, the planes looked like flat fields. Sure they were beautiful, but nothing beat being there, watching the wheat dance and shine. Tory’s photo came up and Gabe pressed pause, freezing it on the screen. He had snapped a picture of her after laying her down in her hotel room the previous night.

It was an unprofessional picture with terrible lighting, but she looked absolutely stunning. Her glorious hair was spread out on the pillow. There were no lines between her brows to show her stubborn defiance or anger.

Her face was smooth and angelic in sleep. There was something about that face that took his breath away. And when she slept, she was gorgeous. Her lips were full and generous. In her sleep, they were pale and slightly parted.

And he knew what they tasted like—wanted to taste them again and again.

Gabe shook his head to clear it, clicked continue, and her photo vanished from the screen. It left the room feeling oddly empty.

“Get a hold on yourself, man.” He picked his coffee cup up to drain it, groaning when he found it empty. He checked the pot, it was empty as well.

“Damn.” He grabbed his jacket. Since it was too late for room service, he figured he could purchase decent coffee at the gas station down the road. Besides, he thought bleakly, a nice long walk might help to ease his sexual frustration.

He walked out the main entrance and turned toward the gas station. A low, sexy and familiar voice had him stopping in his tracks. Lounging on the deck of the hotel was Tory. Her hair was down and curled at the ends as it hung over the patio chair she sat in. Her feet were propped up on the table in front of her and she was still fully dressed.

She was talking on her cell phone.

Gabe debated on whether he should leave her alone and go about his business, but the distress in her voice convinced him to step back in the shadows.

“If you would just listen to me,” she pleaded into the phone. “No, no. Well, what did you expect me to do? You hit me first. We had this conversation already. I’m finished.”

She muttered something unintelligible, dropping her feet to the ground in frustration.

“No, Adam doesn’t even know I’m talking to you. Vance, please don’t be like this. You were never serious about us, anyway.”

Gabe clenched his fist and shoved them down in his pockets. How could she be so stupid as to be talking with Vance? She was just asking for trouble. Didn’t the woman have any brains?

“Fine,” she bit out. “No, I won’t be around. This is it for us.” She slammed the phone down on the table and with a muttered curse, placed her head in her hands.

Satisfied that it was over between them, Gabe turned back toward the gas station.

“Were you listening to that?”

Since cursing was pointless, he slowly turned. She stood at the edge of the patio, her arms wrapped around herself. Her hair moved with the wind and her eyes were glistened with unshed tears. With the street light behind her casting pale light over her slim body, she looked like a fallen angel.

“I caught some of it, yeah.” He made his way up the three steps and stopped in front of her. “But I was just on my way to get some coffee.”

She stared at him for a minute, then shrugged. “I have some in my room if you want it.”

Gabe forced a smile, feeling his stomach drop to the floor. He was still a little raw, but how could he pass up a peace offering? His palms itched as he remembered the feel of her shapely legs as he’d carried her over his shoulder. Again, he tucked his hands in his pockets. “Beats hiking half a mile to the gas station, I suppose.”

She didn’t return the smile but walked past him back into the hotel. He followed her in silence and waited while she unlocked her door. When he stepped in, she waited at the door. He turned to look at her and was amazed at what he saw.

Tory stood, holding on to the door and she had her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Not only was it the first nervous gesture he had seen from her, but she was almost smiling.

“It’s on the counter.” She pointed to the small kitchen area of the suite. “I just brewed it before Vance called so it’s fresh.”

Intrigued, he realized he wasn’t quite ready to go back to his lonely room yet. “Mind if I have it in here or are you turning in?”

She hesitated, which also spoke of nerves. Fascinating. “You can have it in here.” She clicked the door shut behind her.

She poured two cups and passed one to him. Gabe took a seat in one of the chairs at the table and Tory settled on the edge of her bed.

“Why were you brewing coffee at one in the morning?” he asked her one she was settled.

“Why were you walking half a mile to go buy some?” Her tone was as dry as the Sahara, but amusement twinkled in her eyes.

“Touche,” he saluted her with his mug. “So I take it you are Vance are—”

“Over,” she clarified. “He was fine with it when we talked earlier, then he just called me out of the blue to bitch. And I ended it again. I’m actually fine with it. I didn’t think I would be, but I am.”

“He’s an a*shole.”

She smirked at that. “Anyone in his profession is. I just wish we could have gotten along better. We had a great run, I suppose.”

“What profession is he in?”

Tory stole a glance at him under her lashes. “Modeling.”

She smiled when he choked back a laugh.

“You don’t sleep either?” Tory asked him as she sipped her coffee.

“Not like I should,” he said composed, but he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. He pictured Vance posing for a picture with the black eye and fat lip Adam had given him.

“Why not?”

Gabe leaned forward, sobering. He could tell she was uncomfortable carrying on a conversation with him and was touched that she would do it anyway. She might be a wildcat, but she also had a compassionate nature. 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 no business telling you that,” she bit out.

“Maybe not. But he did and now I’m curious.”

“Take your curiosity and—”

“Why do you chase if you don’t like to? What do you get out of it?

Her eyes were narrowed into slits. He could feel her vibrating beneath him with her fury. The lips he was so fond of were pinched in a grim line. Angry at her for shutting him out, he took her arms and lifted her out of her chair, tearing a small gasp from her. “Why do you do it? What are you trying to accomplish?”

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what? Don’t ask you personal questions?” He tightened his grip when she began to squirm. “Well, too bad. I’m asking you, Tory. Why?”

“Stop.” She pushed hard against him. He was like a stone—hard and unmoving. Too many emotions were churning her up, was all he could think. He watched her struggle with herself. She wanted to tell him, he knew, and that brought on her panic and desperation.

“Stop what, Tory?” he asked, struggling for calm. His grip loosened but he still held her firm. His thumb made circular motions on her arms. “Stop what?”





Tory brought her gaze to his. She couldn’t understand why he made her feel furious one moment, then comforted the next. She didn’t like what she couldn’t understand.

She shook her head at a loss for words. How could she tell him she felt responsible for her parent’s death? That by seeing the very thing that killed them every year, she was punishing herself for not being able to help them?

It was nobody’s business but hers, after all. She didn’t need anyone to talk to. She was dealing with it, wasn’t she?

“Tory.” His voice was gruff, his eyes were dark. Tory met his stormy gaze again and she saw what would happen next. She watched his dark eyes sharpen. She felt it when his fingers tensed on her arms, but she could never brace herself for the swell of passion that exploded when his lips touched hers.

There was no gentleness, no tenderness. There was a hungry, demanding kiss that stole her breath and had her aching for things she’d never wanted before. She understood how it was to desire and need. But this… This wasn’t as simple as desire, not as basic as need. This was vital.

Her hands shook as they came up to rest on his broad shoulders. She had no recollection of when it happened exactly, but she’d lost herself in his kiss, gave as much as she could, and matched the passionate caress.

His tongue shot out to seek and find all the dark corners of her mouth. His hands slid down and grasped her narrow waist. In a quick movement, he lifted her up and in reflex, she wrapped her legs around him.

Fire, was all she could think of. She was burning up.

She heard herself moan when he took the kiss even deeper than before. One of his arms were hooked around her waist, his other hand framed the side of her face, his fingers teasing the sensitive skin on the nape of her neck. She ran her hands through his silky hair.

If this was passion, she could clearly see why people were paid thousands of dollars to write about it. If this was rage, she wanted to be revel in the fury.

She was vaguely aware of his fingers diving in hair. Almost brutally, he yanked her head back and plundered her throat.

She moaned softly at the pure pleasure of it. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he continued to caress the side of her neck with hot, open mouthed kisses.

Only when she felt the cold sheets of her bed against her back where her shirt had ridden up did she open her eyes. Reality intruded and interrupted. Letting out a stream of curses, she pushed him off of her and rolled out from under him.

She could hear nothing but the blood rushing through her ears. Everything was throbbing. She touched her swollen lips and stared at Gabe who was sitting on her bed trying to catch his breath. His broad shoulders shook with effort.

“What the hell?” he managed.

“You have to go. That shouldn’t have happened.” She was breathless now as her lungs struggled to keep up with her racing heart.

He was up and crossing the room before she could finish her sentence. Abandoning all pride, she retreated three steps before she collided with the wall.

“Gabe, don’t.” She pushed her hands out to stop him.

He stopped a mere inch from her hands. She watched his grey eyes go from dark to ice in an instant. She had never seen a man contain his fury so well. It chilled her to the bone.

“Why?”

“I can’t. I’m not—” She shook her head, unable to form the words. She could see the visible effort it took for him to control his fury.

“This,” he hissed in an awful voice, “is not over.”

“No,” she agreed cautiously. “It isn’t. But you need to leave now.” Her voice was surprisingly stronger now and she forced herself to stand up straight. She met his gaze.

“You want this as much as I do,” he accused, shoving his balled fists in his pockets.

“You need to go,” she repeated and pointed to the door.

“Another time, Tory,” he warned silkily. He jerked his body toward the door and stormed out of her room. Only when she heard the door to the room next to hers slam shut did she sink to the floor.