Riding the Storm - Brenda Jackson [50]
At least, that’s what she had assumed.
The moment he had stepped inside her home, he had pulled her into his arms and kissed her, making her realize that although she wished otherwise, there was definitely something going on between them, something that had not ended in New Orleans.
She regarded him with interest and although she knew that she should broach the subject of why they were here, she wasn’t ready to do that yet. Tonight was too beautiful to bring up any unpleasantries just yet. “So, how are things going at work?” she asked, after taking another sip of her wine.
In New Orleans, he had told her that he had made the transition from lieutenant to captain rather well, but hadn’t gone into much detail. Because her father had been a fire captain for years, she was familiar with all the position entailed. She was well aware that today firefighters needed more training to operate increasingly sophisticated equipment and to deal safely with the greater hazards that were associated with fighting fires in larger, more elaborate structures, as well as wild fires.
In her eyes, all firefighters were heroes, but she knew being a fire captain also required strong leadership qualities. A captain had to possess the ability to establish and maintain discipline and efficiency, as well as direct the activities of the firefighters in his company.
“Work is fine, and how are things at Sala Industries?” he asked rousing her from her musings.
She smiled. “Things are great. In addition to working with Tara on the Kids’ World charity benefit, I’m working on another project that involves an environmental agency.”
He nodded. “And what about that project you were excited about? How is it going?”
She swallowed, knowing exactly what project he was referring to. She worked her bottom lip between her teeth several times before responding. “I haven’t started it yet.”
She decided it was time to discuss the reason they were there. They had dodged the subject long enough. She met his eyes and a shiver ran through her when she saw the desire in their dark depths. Wanting to make love with him seemed natural. Too natural. It was a good thing they were in a public place.
Her body continued to stir and an unbearable heat spread through her. Trying to ignore her torment, she considered him for a long moment, then spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “You said you would explain things tonight, Storm.”
I did say that didn’t I? Storm thought as his gaze continued to hold Jayla’s. The only problem was that he wasn’t any closer to answers today than he had been yesterday. The only thing that he was certain of was that he wanted to continue to see Jayla. He enjoyed being with her, taking her out and having fun with her and wanted to continue to do all those things they had done together in New Orleans. For some reason, she had his number and he was helpless to do anything about it.
“Storm?”
He blinked and realized while he’d been thinking that he had been staring at her like some dimwit. He cleared his throat. “Jayla, is there a possibility for us to start seeing each other?”
It was evident from the look on her face that his question surprised her. “Why?” she asked, regarding him as if the question were totally illogical.
“I like you.”
She blinked, then threw him a grin that caught him off guard. “Storm, you like women. I know that much from your reputation.”
He didn’t like hearing her say that. They weren’t talking about other women; they were talking about her. He didn’t place her in the same category with those other women he’d dated before. To him, none of them could be compared to Jayla.
He watched as she leaned over the table and, with a curious arch of her brow, whispered, “It’s the virginity thing, isn’t it?”
Storm nearly stopped breathing. He blinked, not understanding just what she was asking him. Seconds later, it dawned on him just what she’d insinuated and he frowned. “Why would you think something like that?”
She straightened back in her