Into the Storm by Melanie Moreland Read Free Book Online Page A

at least another day, maybe longer. People were stranded at airports, train stations, all over the place. There were massive power outages and abandoned cars on the highways. But there was no announcement about a missing woman. Sitting beside her on the couch, I looked over at Rabbit, but I wasn’t sure what she was thinking. Her troubled eyes lifted to me.
    “ Sorry,” she whispered, before lowering her eyes again.
    “ Hey.” I leaned over and lifted her chin. ”We covered this last night, okay? You’re safe here. You aren`t disrupting anything.”
    Her eyes remained troubled. Wanting to see her smile, I winked at her. “Besides, if you keep cooking like you have been? Maybe I’ll just keep you.”
    Her quiet giggle made me smile and I watched her relax a little. Without any thought, my fingers stroked her soft cheek. Our eyes locked again and I could feel myself being drawn into the depths of her gaze. Slowly, I leaned forward, Rabbit meeting me halfway. Our mouths met sweetly, lips pressing and moving together. My hand wound itself into her hair, holding her close. Before we could get carried away, I pulled back, resting my forehead against hers. Neither of us said anything for a minute. I moved away and looked at her. Her gaze was questioning, but still warm.
    I shook my head. I had no idea what there was about this woman that was causing the reactions I was having to her. But I needed to stop the responses. I reminded myself that nothing was going to happen between us.
    I stood up abruptly. “Let’s go have a look in the garage, okay? See if that shakes anything in your memory.”
    She stood up and accepted my proffered hand. But, I saw the flicker of sadness and confusion that passed across her face.
    Knowing it was me that put it there, I hated it.

Chapter Seven
    Joshua
    I watched silently as Rabbit walked awkwardly around the car. I saw her study the license plate, her brow furrowed in concentration, but no sign of recognition passed over her features. I opened the driver’s side door and she gingerly sat down and again looked around slowly. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she struggled to get out. Leaning down, I helped her stand, then immediately dropped her hand. I had to stop touching her.
    “ Nothing?” I asked.
    “ No.”
    We both stood looking at the car. “There are snow tires on it,” she observed.
    “ Yeah, I noticed that. That probably helped you stay on the road longer than you would have been able to.”
    “ Would the reading on the odometer help?”
    I was impressed with her logical thinking. “No, the tank is pretty full and I think it was reset when you filled up. The mileage is about right for the distance from the closest town.”
    “ Oh. No receipt?”
    I shook my head. “You probably paid cash. You know, from your last heist.”
    Her lips twitched and I heard her sweet giggle. I smiled; glad the tension that had sat between us since we kissed had eased a little.
    Realizing there was nothing to be achieved here, I pulled up my hood. “Come on; let’s head back to the house.”
    I walked over and opened the door and waited for her to catch up. She was walking slower than ever, thanks to the huge boots and my coat, which I had insisted she put on. I had tightened the boots as tight as I could make them, but she was an amusing sight as she attempted to walk, lifting her feet in clumsy-looking steps. As she drew near, I flicked up her hood. “Stay close,” I instructed.
    The wind had picked up again and the swirling snow was almost blinding at times. I walked in front of her, trying to block the wind, checking over my shoulder every few feet to make sure she was still behind me. We were close to the house when I heard a gasp behind me and I spun around to see Rabbit lying face down in the snow, her shoulders shaking. Thinking she had somehow hurt herself, I quickly kneeled down and gently turned her over. “What? Are you hurt?” I asked anxiously, my eyes scanning her for