Out of the Storm - COMPLETE

Chapter 10

Theo

"WHAT'S THAT CHEESY grin for?"

"Nothing." I cut the ignition, unbuckle, and watch as she undoes hers, longing to do it for her. "You're going to love the food here."

"That's it? You like the food that much?"

The food and you, Jules. I just hope you're not going to put a sour taste in my mouth by the end of the night. "Yeah. Just the food."

She smoothes the red fabric of her dress. "It's all wrinkled now."

"Please." I laugh. She's cute, picking at it. There's something else bothering her. "We were barely in here. If it got them that quickly, they'll fall out before you even get to the entrance. Let's go. You're dying to eat, and I'm dying to talk."

She bites her bottom lip and does this sideways wicked grin.

"What?"

"That's so not the way it's supposed to go."

I scrunch my face, totally confused as to what she's talking about. "Huh?"

"Girls are supposed to be the ones who like to talk. Guys are the ones who usually like to eat."

"Yeah. Well, I guess I'm hoping you're going to do both. And I plan to do a little of each too."

She quits picking. "About investments."

I turn my head. "Inside, Jules. It's gettin' cold in here."

"Right."

I frown. "Where's your fucking coat? It's the middle of winter in Amberton."

We get out, and she glances over the car at me. "In my car, asshole."

Rolling my eyes, I shrug out of my jacket. "It's not my fault you left it in your vehicle this morning. I'm not sure what possessed you to do that, though. But here."

She shakes her head. "I'm fine."

"Jules." I drop my head. "It's below freezing. It's just an article of clothing. Take it."

"No. Shut up and walk. It's not that far, right?"

Is she usually this bossy? To Charlie? I wonder how well he submits to that. Pointing to the alley, I lean down to her ear. "It's up there to the right. You smell it?"

"I don't know what I smell, but whatever it is has me wanting to grow fangs and attack."

I chuckle. "You can attack me anytime."

She elbows me. "Are you always horny like a teenage boy?"

"Are you always bossy? Do you always leave your coat in your car when it's supposed to be an ice box outside?" I gravitate toward her, nudging her back. The reality being that I can't keep my fucking hands to myself. "Are you always stubborn when people offer you something that's intended to give you comfort?"

"You and your jacket don't bring me comfort, Theo."

"Burn." I put my coat back on. If she's not going to wear it, I'm not wasting the little bit of warmth it provides.

A loud boom explodes. "Fuck." I grab her and pull her against me, dragging her behind one of the buildings. "Shh."

She jumps initially, but then she starts to giggle. Giggle. As rain starts to fall from the sky. Her eyes are totally amused. And I feel like a fucking idiot. "Seriously? Get your hands off me, Theo. And someone's a little jumpy," she says before making a mad dash past me and back into the alley. She looks back over her shoulder. "Let's go. Or you're going to owe me a dry cleaning and shoe allowance in addition to dinner."