After the Storm by M. Stratton Read Free Book Online Page A

That’s where she said she felt closest to God. Just her, the vast sky, and endless ocean. I feel like she’s still watching over me every time I look at that picture of her sitting on the beach.”
    He crossed the room in a few long strides and gave her a hug. “It sounds like you were very lucky to have her in your life and I can tell you still miss her. This rough time you mentioned, is it still going on?” He rubbed her back as she laid her head on his chest.
    She could feel him get all puffed up like a bull protecting its territory. It was both annoying and kind of sexy. “Yes and no, but I really don’t want to get into it tonight.” She gently pushed away from him to put the food on the table.
    “I understand. Can I see more of your pictures?”
    She pulled a couple photo albums off the bookshelf and set them on the coffee table while he settled down on the couch. One of the first pictures was the one she took the morning they met.
    “Wow. This is beautiful. And quick, when did you have time to do this?”
    She shrugged, “When the photo is that good to begin with, there really isn’t much editing to do, plus I have a monster of a photo printer in my office closet. I can’t do large prints from here like the one over the fireplace, but I can do standard sizes.” She always felt nervous when people looked at her pictures, and for some reason, she was more nervous with Noah looking through them.
    “These photos are amazing. So then, this is your work? Are you able to make a good living at it?” He moved onto the next book.
    “I do it because I love it.” She shrugged and made sure everything they needed was on the table. “I’ve sold some prints around town and on the internet. My grandmother was a very smart woman and left me enough money so I can do whatever I want. Dinner is ready.”
    He got up to sit down at the table with her, taking a deep inhale “Dinner smells delicious. How did you know lasagna is my favorite? Are you trying to woo me?” He looked at her with a hopeful expression.
    She sputtered as she passed the bread to him, “Woo you? Seriously, Mr. Rock Star?” She paused for a moment trying not to laugh and looked up at the ceiling. “No, Noah, I was already planning on having lasagna today, which is my favorite recipe, plus homemade bread and strawberry shortcake for desert. You just got lucky.” She tried not to smile as she said the last sentence.
    “That I did. Do you want to talk about whether I am going to get even luckier tonight?” He leaned in.
    She put her hand on his chest to move him back, “I wouldn’t push it if I were you, Romeo. I don’t know if I want to know the answer to this, but do you always flirt this much?” She spread some butter on her bread.
    “Good question. You already know I always find something beautiful about a woman. All too often, women in today’s society aren’t made to feel special. So yes, I do flirt a lot, but that doesn’t mean I’m not being genuine when I say I’d really like to get to know you better.” He paused as he took a bite of the lasagna. “Oh, man, this is great. Did I tell you I met your grandmother briefly when I purchased my home? She talked about you a lot. I got the feeling she wanted to do some matchmaking.”
    “She never said anything to me.”
    “What? She never told you she met me? I’m heartbroken, Lexi.” He shrugged, “Despite my love of them, I don’t know if I have ever been this intrigued over a woman. I know you’re a girl who’s not going to jump into bed with me so let’s take the time and see what happens. Maybe we can at least become besties,” he said with a grin.
    “Besties?” she raised an eyebrow at him.
    “Sure, we can go to movies, hang out, talk on the phone, I can paint your toenails, we can have pillow fights. You know, the usual.” He flashed her a sexy smile.
    “Really, Noah?” She closed her eyes trying not to think. Pillows. Bed. Sex.
    “What? You don’t want to