Ryder on the Storm: Emerald Seer I by Violet Patterson Page A

and he took her elbow gently. Both men were so close, she could smell them, sweet and spicy.
     
    “No, I just wondered what kind of powers I might have, what I might be capable of. I think Shane’s plan is a good one. Let’s get ready and head out. How about Il Bistro?” A new restaurant that had just gone in, it seemed a good choice to try out her new checking account. She’d read a few reviews and it seemed the food and atmosphere were just what they needed.
     
    “Ooh la la, the lady has a taste for fancy today.” The trio erupted in smiles, mood lightened instantly, and they split up to shower.
     
    Storm stopped outside her bedroom door and turned back to her companions. “Hey, guys, what are you going to wear? I don’t think mesh shorts are allowed in Il Bistro.”
     
    “Oh, Dan ran out while you were sleeping and packed a few bags for us. We sort of moved in. Hope you don’t mind, babe.”
     
    “No, of course not. This house was big and empty when I lived here with Aunt Trin, I don’t really want to stay here alone now.” It wasn’t a lie. She’d never felt comfortable in the big house. Dan and Shane had stayed over regularly when she was younger to ease her mind. Storm realized now that they’d kept the nightmares away, the weird feeling of being watched, all of the things that made her uncomfortable in Willow Wood. A shiver rippled down her spine. She was missing something. Storm shrugged it off and pushed open her bedroom door instead.
     
    “Great, roomies again – and without the sneaking around.” Dan’s smiled broadly before walking into the room he’d selected to stay in, the one next to Trin’s.
     
    “We never snuck around. Trin always knew, bro.” Shane smiled and raised an eyebrow at Storm. “You realize she knew all along, right, babe?”
     
    Storm rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Of course. She never cared that you guys stayed, remember, she just loved you. I guess I know why now. She knew about you all along, huh?”
     
    “Yeah, babe. Yeah she did. Why don’t you go get ready, put on something sexy.” Shane turned toward the bathroom, dropping his drawers has he went, what a butt. Wow. Were all seraphs that gorgeous? She’d only met half a dozen other than Dan and Shane and they had all been lovely, males and females. As much time as Storm has spent around supernaturals it seemed she still had a lot to learn.
     
    Storm forced herself to undress and slip into the shower. She thought about the guys, even if she couldn’t get into them sexually she could appreciate their fine bodies from an artist’s perspective. Maybe she could coerce them into posing for her. That thought kept her smiling as she showered and prepped. As it turned out, there were some new items in her closet, tags still attached. Storm shook her head. They had gone shopping for her.
     
    Hair blow-dried and straightened, light makeup, simple knee-length, emerald green sheath dress and a pair of black boots made Storm feel like a different person.
     
    Storm descended the staircase and found the guys waiting in the foyer, arguing over which car to take. They wore complimenting outfits as usual, black pants and stylishly cut jackets but Dan had selected a mint green shirt and Shane sported a soft blue-grey one. Halfway down the lower flight she stopped and cleared her throat. Dan and Shane stopped fighting and drank her in, toes all the way up to her loose locks. Dan’s mouth went slightly agape and Shane let out an appreciative cat call.
     
    Storm nodded and settled the argument. “I think we will take the Hummer tonight. It seems safer and while it may be more conspicuous than my Beetle, it is a little less so than the Lamborghini.”
     
    Dan stepped forward and offered his arm for her to take. “I just made that same argument to my dear brother. Might I say, you look stunning.”
     
    Shane, not to be out done, took her free hand and laid a gentle kiss across the back of it. “You are truly