Riding the Storm - Brenda Jackson [52]
“No, there’s no reason,” she finally said. “But you will have to promise me something, Storm.”
He kissed her hand again before asking. “What?”
“When I say it’s over, then it’s over. You won’t drop by and you won’t call.”
He shook his head. “I can’t agree to that, Jayla. I promised your father that I would periodically check on you and—”
“I’m not talking about that, Storm. I’m taking about you dropping by or calling with the intention of us becoming involved again. You have to promise me when I say it’s over, that it will be over. No questions asked.”
Storm stared at her for a long moment as emotions tumbled inside of him. They were feelings he didn’t understand, but he knew that no matter what, things would never be over between them, project or no project. He would see to it.
“All right,” he agreed. “You’ll be calling the shots and I’ll abide by your wishes.”
“Hey, Storm, are you in this game or not?”
Storm glanced over at Thorn and frowned. “Yes, I’m in.”
“Well, keep your mind on the game. You’re daydreaming again.”
Storm’s frown deepened. “Yeah, whatever.” He glanced across the table at his four brothers who had smirks on their faces. “What’s so funny?”
It was the oldest brother, Dare, who answered. “Word’s out on the streets that some woman has finally caught the eye of the Storm. I pulled old man Johnson over the other day for running a Stop sign, and he said that he’d heard you were so besotted with some gal that you can’t pee straight.”
When Storm narrowed his eyes, Dare held up his hand. “Hey, those were Mr. Johnson’s words, not mine.”
Chase chuckled. “And I’ve heard that you’re sending so many flowers to this woman that the money Coleman Florist is making off you is the reason Mrs. Luanne has that new swing on her front porch.”
“And I heard,” Stone piped in, as a huge smile touched his lips, “that you’ve been seen all over Atlanta with her and that she’s a beauty. Funny that we haven’t met her yet.”
Thorn added, “Hey, Storm, what happened to your ‘love them and leave them’ policy?”
Storm leaned back in his chair thinking that Thorn’s question was a good one, but one he didn’t intend to answer.
“I’ve seen her,” Chase said grinning. “She came into the restaurant one day to have lunch with Tara.”
“Tara?” Thorn asked, raising a curious brow. “Tara knows her?”
Chase nodded. “Evidently, since they had lunch together that day. However, I don’t know if Tara knows that Storm has the hots for her.”
“Excuse me, guys,” Storm said interrupting his brothers’ conversation. “I don’t appreciate you discussing my business like I’m not here.”
Stone chuckled. “All right, then we’ll discuss your business like you’re here.” He then looked at Chase. “So, is she as good-looking as everyone claims she is?”
Chase grinned. “Yeah. She’s Adam’s daughter all grown up.”
Thorn frowned. “Adam? Adam Cole, Storm’s boss who died a few months back?”
“Yep.”
Stone glanced over at Storm. A curious glint shone in his eyes. “You’re actually seeing Adam Cole’s girl?”
Angrily, Storm stood and threw down his cards. “That’s it. I’m out of the game.”
Dare stared up at his youngest brother. Being the oldest, he had to occasionally bring about peace…and in some situations, order. “Sit back down, Storm, you’re getting overheated for nothing. And to be quite honest with you, for all intents and purposes, you’ve been out of the game since you got here. You haven’t been concentrating worth a damn all night.”
One of Dare’s dark eyebrows lifted. “And what’s wrong with us wanting to know about this woman that you’re seeing? As your brothers, don’t you think we have a right to at least be curious?”
Storm inhaled deeply as he glanced around the table and glared. “I don’t appreciate any of you discussing her as if she’s like the other women I’ve dated.”
Dare nodded.