His to Claim #5: Breaking Storm (5 page)

As they traveled, she stared out the window, confusion swirling through her. She knew she was just feeling insecure. Even if Storm had been angry or upset after their foursome, deep in her heart she felt he would talk to her about it, not just walk away without a word. That’s not the type of man he was.

After about a half hour, Diego stopped by to see her.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

“No, I’d like that.” She did not want to be left alone with her thoughts.

“How are you doing?”

“I don’t know. I don’t understand why he didn’t show up.”

“It’s not like him, but maybe he needed to blow off some steam,” Diego said. “Go for a long ride on his bike to clear his head, then lost track of the time.”

She gazed at him, searching his warm, brown eyes. “He’s been acting so strange.” Her fingers twined together as she stared at him. “I think he’s upset after our … uh … special night together.”

He smiled. “It was special,
belleza.
Don’t let anyone else’s attitude make you feel bad about that. We all agreed to the experience and everyone, including Storm, enjoyed it.” He smiled and stroked her cheek. “It was sensational. You did nothing wrong.”

“So you think that’s why he left, too.”

He shrugged again. “I really don’t know. He’s been struggling with some shit for a long time now. Who knows what set him off?” He shook his head. “Just don’t take the blame on yourself. Okay?”

She sucked in a deep breath as he sent her a reassuring smile. “Okay.”

But it was an empty word. She couldn’t help feeling that she’d driven him away.

“Yeah. I understand,” Travis said into his cell as he walked along the aisle of the bus toward her and Diego. “Thanks for letting us know.” He shoved his phone into his pocket, then stared at her with a grim expression.

“Melanie, that was about Storm.”

Her stomach dropped like a rock. She stared at him, barely able to breathe.

“What is it?” she finally managed to utter.

“That was Storm’s brother. Storm’s been in an accident.”

Bliss

Secret Ties

Six

Blush

Swing

Twin Fantasies

Pleasure Bound

Total Abandon

Secret Weapon

Insatiable

Illicit

His to Command

His to Possess

Opal Carew is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of fourteen previous erotic romances for St. Martin’s Press. To learn more, visit her on the Web at
www.opalcarew.com
.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

HIS TO CLAIM: BREAKING STORM.
Copyright © 2014 by Opal Carew. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

Cover design by Patricia “Pickyme” Schmitt

eISBN 978-1-4668-5761-2

First Edition: June 2014

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