Read Online Firestorm by Brenda Joyce - Free Book Online Page A

hurt.”
    â€œI can take care of myself. Just go away.” Tears welled up in her eyes. She turned her back on him, and moments later, heard him stride away. She felt relief—and disappointment.
    â€œStorm?” It was Randolph.
    She wiped her eyes with a knuckle, not turning to him because she didn’t want anyone to see she was crying.
    But he saw. “What’s wrong?” he asked, genuinely concerned.
    â€œCould we take that walk now?”
    He set down the glass of water, took her arm, and led her outside through the French doors, ignoring the shocked stares that followed them. Outside, the night was cool, and she immediately shivered.
    â€œYou need your cloak,” Randolph said. “I’ll get it.”
    â€œNo, it’s wonderful,” she said, taking in deep breaths of the night air. She started to breathe more easily.
    He led her down the steps into the garden, where the wonderful fragrance of honeysuckle assailed them. “Do we have to walk?” Storm said. “I hate to say this but my feet are killing me.”
    â€œYou should have told me,” he said, instantly stopping. They stood and looked up at the crescent moon. Storm shivered again, and Randolph put his arm around her shoulders. She tensed. He was immensely disappointed. He wanted to kiss her, but he knew with certainty that she wouldn’t be receptive. Instead, he settled for just having her near him. “Tell me why you’re upset,” he said softly.
    â€œI’m not upset anymore.”
    At the sound of soft voices behind them they both turned. From the shadows emerged the dark form of a couple, then, as they moved into the lights cast by the house, Brett and Leanne became distinguishable. Brett stared at them, not smiling but apparently not surprised to see them.
    â€œFancy meeting you here, Randy,” he said, his eyes on Storm.
    Storm didn’t like the way he was looking at her. She was suddenly aware of how close she was standing to Randolph, and that he had one arm draped casually over her shoulders. She had the insane feeling that Brett had followed them out here. For a long moment Brett and Randolph stared hard at each other, like two stallions ready to do battle.
    Storm sighed and moved away from Randolph, limpingto the stone bench and sinking down on it. She moaned and began to unlace her shoes.
    â€œStorm,” Randolph said, moving to her, “let me do that.”
    â€œI can’t stand it another minute,” she cried, letting him kneel before her and pull off one shoe. “Oh!”
    He rubbed her foot between two large hands. “Better?”
    Tears came to her eyes. “I don’t think I’ll ever walk again.” They both suddenly smiled, and as Randolph removed the other shoe, Storm looked up to see Brett and Leanne staring at them. Brett looked furious, Leanne incredulous. Her heart began to pound.
    â€œBrett, I think they want to be alone,” Leanne said suggestively, holding on to his arm.
    â€œProbably so, but it wouldn’t do to allow Storm to ruin her reputation—not at this early stage,” Brett drawled.
    Storm gasped. “What?”
    Randolph was instantly on his feet. “Brett! You know me better than that. If you weren’t such a good friend, I’d knock you down right now!”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry,” Brett said smoothly, sarcastically. “You came out here for the air—not for the lady’s kisses?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Randolph said between gritted teeth.
    â€œLet’s go, Brett,” Leanne said. “It’s not your place to interfere.”
    â€œPut on your shoes, Storm,” Brett ordered harshly. He didn’t dare analyze why he was raging with anger. “You’re going inside.”
    She was stunned, then furious, and stood abruptly. “How dare you order me around!”
    Leanne gasped.
    Brett smiled. “Put on your shoes,” he