Turbulent Intentions(71)

Stormy had a look of disgust on her beautiful face, making him laugh all that much harder. This woman was so honest with her emotions—an open book for the world to read if only they took the time to look.

He shifted, realizing that’s why he was able to trust her whereas he’d never trusted another woman. She was brutally honest and he felt his guard chipping away more and more each time he was in her presence.

“I don’t see how this is—” she stopped mid-sentence, realizing that standing in the pouring rain to have a discussion was only making matters worse. But how could it be worse? They were absolutely soaked to the bone, and she was concerned about getting her feet wet. She cracked a smile—a smile that turned into full-blown laughter as she joined him. “You’re not so dry either,” she made sure to tell him.

“Well, if you don’t want to get your feet wet, then I’m going to carry you.”

Before Stormy could respond, Cooper swooped her into his arms and flung her over his shoulder before sprinting toward the terminal door.

Cooper nudged it open with his foot; the wind caught it and it burst open as he ran through. They knew they made an amusing sight: Stormy in his arms and the two of them still roaring with laughter.

He stopped in his tracks, his smile starting to deflate as he noticed the room was silent and all the patrons were staring at them. There he stood, dripping water on the pristine floor, holding a woman over his shoulder, while laughing almost hysterically.

Cooper gently slid Stormy down his body, making sure she was steady on her feet before he let go. She turned to see all eyes trained on them. Her laughter soon slowed to complete silence and he watched her as she nervously brushed the wet hair from her eyes. They began walking, slowly; the only sound that could be heard was the squishing of water from Cooper’s wet shoes.

“Ahem . . . evening, gentlemen,” Cooper said while clearing his throat and nodding his head.

Cooper and Stormy approached the front desk, where a spunky and attractive secretary couldn’t wait to greet them.

“Well, good evening, Captain Armstrong,” she paused slightly as she focused on their watered-down state.

“Good evening, Andrea. Could you have the guys top off the plane, and tow it back to the hangar for the night?”

“Absolutely, Captain Armstrong,” Andrea responded, grabbing the radio to relay the order. “. . . and your limo is waiting out front.”

He saw the surprised delight on Stormy’s face, and felt a moment of triumph at getting their date right.

With a smile to Andrea, Cooper then locked arms with Stormy and escorted her to the door. A jet-black limo sat parked in front of them with glistening chrome wheels and soft yellow courtesy lights.

“I thought we could ride to our destination in style.” Cooper opened the back door and motioned with his hand, “After you.” Stormy climbed inside the limo with Cooper shutting the door behind them.

“Where are we going?” Stormy questioned as they got situated.

“That’s a surprise.”

Stormy looked nervously at her appearance in a compact mirror she pulled from her purse. “I can’t go anywhere nice looking like this,” she replied, her words tripping over themselves.

“You told me you trusted me, so keep doing that.” Cooper smiled as the car began moving.

The hour-long ride seemed to end far too quickly as Stormy desperately finger-combed her hair and tried repairing her makeup. It was no use. She was a drowned rat.

When the door opened, swinging outward, the driver standing beside it, she thought about refusing to exit. But she’d promised to trust Cooper.

Stepping out, she smiled as she looked at the front doors to what had to be a hotel.

“Welcome to Allison Inn and Spa,” a uniformed man said, taking her hand.

“Thank you,” she told him, feeling terrible in her wet clothing.

“You are gorgeous,” Cooper assured her. “Let’s get you inside.”

“Do you have bags, sir?” the man asked.

“They’ve already been delivered,” he told him.

When Cooper gave his name, the man seemed to stand a bit more at attention and immediately took them inside, bypassing the normal check-in. Stormy didn’t know what to think about that.

The man boasted of the hotel’s spa and told them to call if they needed anything at all, but that according to Cooper’s instructions, they wouldn’t be disturbed at any time during their stay.

He quickly slipped away as soon as Cooper and Stormy stepped into the penthouse suite that had her gasping in delight. Before she was able to look at all the space, Cooper grabbed her, pulling her tightly against him.