A Promise of Thunder

complained. “The least you could do is show some gratitude.”
    “Gratitude isn’t exactly what I would call my feelings for you, Mr. Stryker.”
    “I can think of at least a half dozen things I’drather you felt for me,” Grady answered, surprising himself with his reply. “And a half dozen more pleasant things we could do besides fight.”
    His voice was a raspy growl, sending chills up and down Storm’s spine. Never before had a man’s words or tone of voice affected her the way Grady’s did now. She felt all tingly inside, like her innards were melting. She was no virgin, for heaven’s sake; why should she act like an innocent schoolgirl who didn’t know what went on between men and women? And why hadn’t she felt like this with Buddy? Her longstanding relationship with Buddy had been comfortable, almost like that of brother and sister. It wasn’t right that this man—this arrogant, dangerous man—should make her feel as if there were so much more to life than she’d ever dreamed. His words made a sudden mockery of life as she once knew it, and it frightened her.
    “Keep your opinions to yourself, Grady Stryker! When I want your help I’ll ask for it, but don’t hold your breath. I suppose you came here for some reason, so you might as well spit it out before I close the door in your face.”
    “You’re a hard woman for one so young, Storm Kennedy,” Grady said with a hint of amusement. “I’ve tried my damnedest to be helpful, feeling responsible for you and all, but you won’t let me help you. I just stopped by to see if you need anything from town. I’m going to Guthrie for more nails to put the finishing touches on my cabin. I’ve already moved in,but it lacks a few amenities.”
    A dull red crept up Storm’s neck. Perhaps Grady
was
trying to be neighborly, but he had no call to be rude to her visitors. Nat Turner was merely being thoughtful by bringing her a gift of flowers for her new cabin. She couldn’t fault him for wanting to buy her land, and she thought it commendable that he didn’t persist or become angry when she refused.
    “I—I appreciate your offer, but I don’t need a thing. And I’ll no longer need to draw water from the river,” she added. “My well was finished yesterday.”
    “I’m going to start digging my own well once my cabin is built,” Grady said. “I hope it’s finished before the ground freezes.”
    “Feel free to draw water from mine if you aren’t able to complete the task before winter,” Storm heard herself saying. “It’s the least I could do since you allowed me to cross your land to reach the river. I’ll show it to you.”
    While she spoke, Grady’s eyes were strangely drawn to Storm’s mouth. She had the sweetest mouth—succulent, soft, made for kissing, he thought as he stared at the lush contours and imagined himself sipping from the heady nectar of her lips. He couldn’t recall when he’d seen lips so pink and inviting. He took an unconscious step forward, and at the same time, unaware of his intention, Storm started forward, intending to show him the well. They collided, their bodies coming together with a soft thud.
    “Oh.” Her eyes flew open as his arms came around her.
    “Oh, lady.” There was no way Grady could keep from kissing her since his arms were already around her and their bodies were pasted together from breast to thigh. “I don’t even care if you did that by accident or merely to taunt me.” His eyes narrowed to a hard glitter.
    “I didn’t—”
    The words died in her throat as Grady’s mouth covered hers and the tip of his tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips. A warm, heady sensation spread through her body as he suddenly forced her mouth open with the thrust of his tongue, claiming her in a way Buddy never had. She was just recovering from the hunger of his kiss when abruptly his lips turned hard and searching, demanding a response she wanted desperately to withhold. Then, just as abruptly, he broke off the kiss and stared into her eyes, leaving her mouth burning and her knees weak.
    “Kiss me back.” The plea left his mouth in a throaty growl.
    “No, I—”
    “If you don’t, I’ll kiss you until you grow too weary to resist.”
    “Grady, why are you doing this to me?” She licked her lips, tasting him on her tongue.
    “Damned if I know.”
    Then his lips recaptured hers, even more demanding this time. When Storm tried to pullaway his hands flew up to tunnel into her