Page 98 of Ruthless Salvation
I grinned wide enough for a red carpet photo shoot. “Kiss me, Tor.”
The aqua and azure swirled in his eyes with heat as he leaned in and did as he was told. First gently, then more ardently. Soon, it was no longer a kiss; it was a reassurance, an oath, a benediction, and everything between. By the time we separated and Tor lay his forehead against mine, we were both out of breath.
“Tell me you’re mine, Stormy.” His voice was so raw and vulnerable that I wanted to wrap him in my arms and never let go.
What we had wasn’t conventional or even rational, but I felt more secure and free with Torin than I ever had before. My heart found its home in him before I even knew what was happening.
“I owe you my life,” I started quietly. “But you stole my heart long before that. I love you, Torin Byrne, and I’m yours so long as you’ll have me.”
“Fuck.” The single exhaled curse bore such emotion that I would have thought he was in pain had his eyes not bore into mine with exalted joy. “Love doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel for you. You’re my fucking everything, and I’ll want you with me every damn day of my life.”
He kissed me again, but only briefly, thanks to a not-so-subtle cough announcing the arrival of the new shift nurse.
“It’s time to get you on your feet and test out a trip to the bathroom.” She arched a brow at Torin. “You can wait in the hall if you’d like.”
He didn’t budge an inch. “I’m good.” Somehow, in two short words, what he really conveyed was “I’d like to see you try to force me out of here.”
I bit back a grin. “He can stay.” And I had no doubt he would.
He’d stand by me through every trial and tribulation and celebrate each of my victories as though they were his own. He’d be by my side, figuratively and literally, devoted to the end.
It was a good thing patience was my strong suit.
I giggled to myself.
Tor narrowed his eyes at me.
“It’s the drugs,” I replied with a shrug. “They must have given me the good stuff.” I wasn’t sure he bought it, but he let it slide when the nurse stepped between us to lower the bed.
I stayed in the hospital for two more days before they agreed with much persuading to release me. Torin had told me we were going to his place, which made sense because it would be easier for him to care for me there, and that’s where Blue Bell was. I didn’t expect to find all my things already moved.
“This is my stuff,” I said dumbly, staring at a box labeled “kitchen shit.” “Did you move me in with you while I was in the hospital?” My tone was incredulous, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. If I’d thought about it at all, I could have guessed he’d do something like this.
“Sure did.”
“But you didn’t think to mention it?”
“Seemed obvious.” He shrugged. “My girl isn’t living anywhere but with me.”
Hearing him call me his girl had me melting into a gooey puddle on the floor. “Okay,” I whispered.
His heated gaze snapped to mine as he peeled back the flip top of a can. I was immediately distracted when Blue Bell came running, meowing loudly.
“Hey, boy! Mama missed you.” I gingerly lowered myself to one knee only to have my cat run straight past me and into the kitchen. “What the …?” I watched in shock as Torin set down a plate of wet cat food andcooedat my cat. Yes, cooed.
“What on earth is going on here?” I gaped.
“He didn’t like that dry crap you were giving him.”
“Oh really? Did he tell you that?” I got back to my feet, the hand of my good arm propped on my hip.
“He didn’t have to,” Tor said gruffly. “I could just tell.”
“Torin Byrne, are you stealing my cat?” I shot at him in mock outrage. If only he knew.
“I wouldn’t have to if you’d treat him right.”
I shook my head. “No respect.” Karma was a bitch.