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

I have to hand it to her, Barbara Mullen has the biggest balls on the planet. She doesn’t currently consider me her friend and yet she decides to shack up in my New York City condominium while I battle Edwin. I can’t believe her sometimes. How can anyone in their right mind consider the woman sane?


By evening, Edwin is a category one hurricane, angry as hell and working his way into the Gulf of Mexico. His windspeed careens into one hundred and ten miles per hour, whipping the Coast. Cuba and the Bahamas are currently in a state of panic and wreckage, products of Edwin’s horrendous fury.


Trent finds me at the bungalow, checking up on me. He carries a basket of bottled water, provisions, a blanket, pillow, a portable radio with batteries, and first aid supplies into the house. Upon his arrival, I ask, “You moving in, pal?”


Chapter 27