Page 63 of Ruthless Salvation
Why had Torin brought me my cat? It was incredibly sweet, but he had no idea I was going to run. As far as he was concerned, I’d return to my place as soon as possible.
My eyes landed on my suitcase—another surprise. He hadn’t just brought me a toothbrush and pajamas. The man had packed an entire suitcase—a big one.
Intrigued, I gingerly scooted off the bed and sat on the ground next to my bright-green luggage. He hadn’t exactly folded anything but had done a surprisingly good job of including everything I would have chosen.
As I sifted through the contents, my hand bumped something hard. I lifted the clothes to reveal the one and only framed photo I’d had in my apartment. A small photo of me and my parents. Together and happy. It had been safely tucked away in my nightstand drawer, but Torin had seen it, known it was important, and brought it to me.
A shuddering breath brought instant tears to my eyes.
I’d thought that having Blue Bell with me was everything I needed, but this photo was beyond precious to me. How had he known that I’d needed this?
Emotions bombarded me from every direction. I wiped at my rapidly filling eyes.
“Shit, Storm. Don’t cry,” Torin said from the doorway behind me.
Surprised to hear him, I took a quick calming breath. “I just didn’t expect this.” I held up the framed photo. “Any of this. I don’t know what to say.”
“No need to say anything, but you do need to get dressed and eat some breakfast because the doctor will be here in thirty minutes.”
“A doctor?”
“I want those ribs checked. Now, you comin’? Eggs are getting cold, and I hate cold eggs.”
“Yeah, let me just step into the restroom, and I’ll be right there.” I rose slowly, doing my best to look unimpaired. Judging by Torin’s frown, I wasn’t as convincing as I’d hoped.
I ignored him and closed myself in the bathroom. He had my toothbrush and other toiletries already laid out next to one of the two sinks. I relieved my aching bladder, then freshened up. Torin had given me one of his undershirts the night before, which I kept on, but I swapped out my undies for a fresh pair.
On my way out of the bathroom, I lifted the neck of the shirt to my nose and confirmed it still smelled like him—a rich masculine scent that heated my insides like a shot of Fireball.
I slammed the door on my rioting hormones and joined Torin in the kitchen, where a very different but equally delicious combination of smells greeted me. He had heaped a mountain of food onto two plates at the bar—eggs, sausage, toast, and he’d even peeled an orange and placed a half on each of our plates. Honey, butter, and jelly sat on the counter with two steaming cups of coffee.
“I make them scrambled. Anything else is a pain in the ass. And I wasn’t sure how you like your coffee.”
“A dab of milk or cream would be great if you have it.” I smiled shyly, touched at the trouble he’d gone to. “All of this is amazing. You really didn’t have to.”
“Wouldn’t do it if I didn’t want to,” he said matter-of-factly as he slid the salt and pepper my way. “Eat.” He sat in a bar chair and motioned for me to do the same.
Considering the Thanksgiving meal I’d had the day before, I shouldn't have been hungry, but I suddenly felt ravenous. We ate in silence—not totally uncomfortable, but not companionable either. It was hard to feel at ease when uncertainty perched like a greedy vulture over my shoulder.
“Guess I ought to get dressed,” I said, standing after finishing.
Torin stacked my plate on his, then swiveled to face me, his hand casually lifting to hook into the hem of my shirt. Well, his shirt. I watched, a breathless anticipation filling my chest, wondering what he might do next.
“I had no idea,” he finally said almost to himself.
A tendril of worry stiffened my spine. Had he learned something about my past?
“About what?” I hazarded to ask.
“That I’d like it so much.”
“Like what?”
“Having you here in my space.”
My head tilted a fraction as confusion set in. “Did you think it would bother you for me to be here?”
His electric-blue stare speared me in place. “I wasn’t sure. I’ve never let anyone but family come over.” His naked truth was spoken with such raw transparency, there was no room for doubt. He wasn’t even exaggerating. I was the first outsider he’d let into his home.