Twenty-four-year-old Storm Darlington, wealthy mogul of Darlington Securities, decides to remove himself from his heavy workload in New York City and spend a month in Barefoot Beach, Florida. In Barefoot Beach, Trent Long is happy with his lifeguarding duties. He enjoys the sun, taking photos, and saving lives. But his world is turned upside down when Storm enters it. Sparks ignite the moment their two worlds collide. The only fly in the sunscreen ointment is Storm’s best friend, and retired Wall Street stock broker, Barbara Mullen. Storm is forced to rethink his romantic feelings for the sexy lifeguard when Barbara reveals some of Trent’s secrets. But there’s very little time to think because Barefoot Beach is threatened by hurricane Edwin. Threats also come from Barbara, who insists she’ll end her friendship with Storm if he doesn’t dump Trent. During the hurricane’s fury, Storm questions his relationship with Barbara, his busy life of finances in New York City, and the secrets he’s learned about Trent. Can Storm come to terms with all three? Will he be able to navigate the stormy waters of love, loss, and a possible future in Barefoot Beach?

Barefoot Storm

He leans back in my sofa, resting. He has his eyes closed and his right leg is propped up on a plush ottoman that has seen better days and probably needs to be thrown in the trash. “I think I really twisted it. The pain is excruciating.”


“Do you want me to drive you to the hospital so you can have it checked out?”


“Of course not. Those places kill people. They reek of bacteria and flesh eating diseases. I’m better off here, in your hands.”


“I’m not a doctor, though. What if it’s fractured? What if it needs to be amputated?”


He provides me with an adorable smile, playing along with my joke. “Why don’t you just gnaw it off with your teeth, hungry man?”


I’d like to gnaw on something else on his body, I think, but I have manners and keep my comment to myself, and my composure. Rather, I say, “We’ll save that for later. Just relax and I’ll hold the ice against your ankle.”


Chapter 17