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

Hurricane Edwin doesn’t seem to matter to Trent as he leads me to the stretching beach, swings me in a gentle circle around him, and yells at the top of his voice through the pounding rain, “I have fallen in love with you, Storm Darlington!”


Piercing rain melts against my naked torso as I circle his body. A feeling of elation surfaces on every pore and raises my temperature. My heart flutters within my chest, captivated by the moment and past days with him. Ripples of euphoria covet my body and warm my insides from head to toe. I too have fallen in love with the lifeguard, unconditionally and quickly. My heart has unexpectedly opened to his emotional tugging, and I have become enamored with him on so many different levels of joy. In such a short period of time, nineteen days of a heated Florida summer, my life feels as if it has changed forever. Every breathing moment feels as if it is for Trent: morning, noon, and night.


Chapter 28