Read Tropical Storm for Free Online

off to explore. Don’t worry about him though; he has his father’s resourcefulness.”
    “I gotta go. Excuse me.” The mention of Shane’s father effectively ended the conversation. Cairo was not interested in knowing anything about him. Just mentioning him showed Cairo just how insensitive she was. With a fierce scowl knitting his brow and without another word, Cairo turned away to headback to his officebut someone was blocking the way.
    “Good Lord.” He groaned.
    Far from offended, the intruder smiled and waved him closer. Cairo sighed and crouched down.
    “Your name is Shane, isn’t it?” He tried to give the boy a smile but failed.
    Shane’s smile was bigenoughfor both of them.
    Cairo looked over his shoulder. “Where’s the nanny that’s supposed to be watching you?”
    “I gave her the slip.” Shane said without remorse. “She was walking too slow. I don’t want her to show me anything anyhow. She only shows me the boring things. I want you to show me around.” He explained.
    “No!” It was out before he could stop it. Embarrassed, Cairo lowered his voice and tried again. “I’m sorry but I can’t.”
    “Why!” Shane demanded.
    “Because . . . because,” Cairo searched for a reason.
    “Because you hate me?” The child filled in.
    That brought him up short. He looked down at the boy who stared back at him with the maturity of someone twice his age. As they studied each other, Cairo wondered if he did indeed hatehim for being someone else’s son. He alsowondered if he hated him a little because he was Storm’s.
    “I don’t think your mother would appreciate us hanging out together.” Cairo answered, thinking quickly.
    “She won’t mind.” Shane protested. “She loves you.”
    Cairo felt his heart leap at the words before he forced his mind to overrule what his ears had heard. He knew shedidn’t love him, and thatshe never had. “No, she doesn’t, Shane.” He needed to say it out loud.
    “Yes, she does. She told me so.” Shane insisted.
    Cairo couldn’t bear to hear the words repeated so he gave in. “Where would you like to go?”
    Shane’s grin was triumphant. “Anywhere you want to take me.”
     
    It was the most embarrassing moment of his life. Desperate to fill the child’s mouth with a soda to end his chatter, they’d ended up in a shop not far from the hotel. Shane was causing a lot of unnecessary attention in the sea of adults. To prove his point, the cashier tapped his shoulder.
    “Cairo, is that your son?” She asked, her accent creating a melody with the words.
    “No!” Cairo answered quickly.
    Sandy wasn’t convinced. “You sure?” She said hands resting on ample hips. “Despite his coloring, he kind of favors you.”
    “No Sandy, he’s not mine. He belongs to a . . . friend.” It was the best Cairo could do on short notice.
    “Good.” She said leaning down so her elbows rested on the counter’s surface. “I want you for myself, Cairo and I won’t let anyone else take you away from me.” She whispered.
    Cairo flashed her a big white smile. Sandy was beautiful, long-legged, dark and lovely and very much married. He was about to ask her about her husband when he was interrupted.
    “Daddy!” Shane’s words ricocheted off the rafters.
    Cairo felt himself turning red as everyone in the shop turned to stare. He shot the boy a scandalized glare but Shane only smirked wickedly.
    Amidst the knowing nods of the patrons, Cairo yanked him up off the stool and exited the shop as fast as his feet could carry him. When they had gone far enough away, he angrilyturned to face Shane.
    “What are you trying to do? By tonight the lie will be all over the parish!”
    Shane wasn’t contrite. “She’s too pretty,” he said. “I’m saving you for mommy.”
    “The hell you are!” Cairo yelled. “Your mother is the last person I want to be with.”
    At this Shane was silent.
    Turning on his heel, Cairo angrily stalked up a beaten path shielded by