A Promise of Thunder

says you are a cold woman. Did you know he is thinking of making me his second wife?”
    Her face flaming, Storm withheld comment. What could she say? With studied indifference she tested the water in one bucket, found it comfortably warm, and carried it into the bedroom she would be sharing with Grady. She had to admit that being able to close the door on Laughing Brook gave her enormous pleasure. Too bad she couldn’t do the same with Grady and banish him from their bedroom.
    Earlier, Grady had placed the large brass tubStorm had purchased in town in the center of the room. All Storm had to do was fill it with the buckets of warm water. Undressing quickly, she eased into the tub and let the heady warmth envelop her. Aware that Grady would return at any moment, she picked up the soap and began to wash. She gave a squeak of dismay when Grady entered the room a few minutes later and quietly shut the door behind him.
    His breath caught in his throat when he saw her, and he leaned against the door, looking his fill. Storm felt the effect of his potent stare in the way her body warmed and tingled wherever his gaze touched.
    “I’ve waited forever for this night.” His voice had a certain gravel roughness that Storm recognized immediately. Her knees jerked upright to her chest and she hugged them tightly, exposing as little of herself as possible. Grady grinned in wry amusement. “If that’s meant to discourage me, it’s not working, lady.”
    “I—I’m not through bathing yet.”
    “I’d hoped you wouldn’t be. Let me scrub your back.”
    She offered a feeble protest when he took the washcloth from her hand and moved behind her. When she felt the cloth touch her back and the gentle motion of his hand against her sensitive skin, a shudder raced down her spine. The musky, masculine scent of him filled her nostrils and she gave a breathless murmur of pleasure. When Grady bent to touch his lips to her bare shoulder, she nearly jumped out of herskin. Suddenly the washcloth hit the water and Grady leaped to his feet, a growl of impatience rumbling from his throat.
    “Bath time is over, lady,” he said harshly. His chest was heaving, as if each breath was raw agony, and his face was stark with raw need.
    When Storm failed to move he scooped her out of the water and carried her dripping to the bed. “Grady!”
    “Tonight I’m going to love you the way I’ve wanted to, the way I’ve dreamed of since the day I arrived home.”
    When she tried to jump from the bed, he pinned her down with his body. “You’re not going anywhere, lady.”
    “Isn’t one woman a night enough for you?” Storm hissed from between clenched teeth.
    “What in the hell are you talking about?”
    “Weren’t you at the river with Laughing Brook tonight?”
    Grady went still. “How did you know that?”
    Storm snorted derisively. “It wasn’t difficult to guess what went on when you both came in dripping wet.”
    “I admit Laughing Brook found me at the river tonight, but nothing happened.”
    “Ha! You expect me to believe that? I know she’s served as your mistress since you brought her here, and probably before that. You warned me you’d find another woman to take my place in your bed and you did. All you wanted me for was to raise your son. What I don’t understand is why you didn’t let Laughing Brook raise Tim.Things were fine before I came into the picture. Tim will always resent me and love Laughing Brook.”
    Grady’s expression hardened as he raised himself on his elbows and stared down at Storm. “Is that what you think? That Laughing Brook is my mistress? I told you my reasons for bringing her home with me. Didn’t you believe me?”
    “How could I believe you when I saw and heard Laughing Brook in your bed?” Storm said with brutal honesty. “She told me herself that you—you made love to her tonight. Do you think I’m a fool? Laughing Brook is smitten with you and obviously you like what she gives you. Wouldn’t it be better if I left the three of you alone?”
    “Lakota warriors do not lie,” Grady said gravely. “If I say Laughing Brook is not my mistress, it is the truth. If I tell you I have
never
bedded her, you must accept my word.”
    Storm stared at him. His expression was harsh in the flickering lamplight. Though his blue eyes blazed hotly, she saw nothing in their azure depths to indicate he was lying or attempting to deceive her.
    “But I know for a fact Laughing Brook was in your pallet