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Chapter Five

Cat

I had hoped once I saw him that all I would feel would be rage. Instead, all I feel is an overwhelming love. -Cat

I lean into his back and wrap my arms tighter around his waist. I’ve never been on the back of a motorcycle before. I can’t resist laying my head on Tor’s back and closing my eyes. Wind rushes past us, rustling my hair and making me feel something…different.Free…I feel free.

Is this feeling why Tornado left me behind? Did he need this more than he needed me? Again, even when I thought it couldn’t break anymore, my heart crumbles in my chest. I snuggle my nose into his back, breathing in his scent. He smells the same. Even over the lingering scent of beer and cigarettes from the bar, I can inhale that same masculine spicy scent of his cologne. He’s still my Tornado, at least in some small way.

He makes a sharp turn and I look up. He comes to a stop in front of a small brick house with a large garage attached. The house is pretty non-descript, but the garage has three or four cars sitting in front of the two bays. Above the garage, there’s white lettering proclaiming the garage as Tornado’s.He fixes cars and motorcycles?I thinkback, remembering him always tinkering with everything, taking small toys apart and putting them back together. And his fascination with every kind of car. He never mentioned fixing them, but it fits.

“You have your own garage, Tor. That’s amazing,” I say in a voice filled with awe and respect.

He shrugs. “It’s no big deal. I took some classes at the local tech school and then the guys started coming to me…so, I built a place.” He tries to sound so damn nonchalant, but I can hear the tinge of pride in his voice.

He swings his leg over the bike and holds out a hand to me. I look up into his face, his dark hair mussed by the helmet, and his grey eyes looking at me with that familiar gleam. He’s the same, but he’s not. He’s a man now. A man with his own business and a man that has his own life.Was I wrong to come here?

I hesitantly put my hand in his. His large hand engulfs mine, making me feel small and delicate. There’s a spark of pure electricity as skin meets skin. I take a deep breath and look up into Tor’s eyes. There’s heat there. Recognition.Maybe I’m right where I should be.

Tornado lets me into his house with a snort. “Welcome to my humble abode, princess. It’s not exactly what you’re used to.”

He throws his keys on a table next to the door and faces me with a sour expression. I feel like he expects me to say something derisive, but instead I just gaze around, feeling proud of my friend. His house is small, but it’s clean and more importantly…his. Despair swirls in my gut again. I have nothing of my own. Nothing that I can call mine.

“I love it,” I say softly. “It’s perfect.”

His eyes soften and he places a hand under my chin. “What happened, Cat? What has you so scared?”

His gentle words break something inside me. I don’t want to cry again. I don’t want to yell at the fates. I just want to be with my sweetTor. I never could hold onto being angry with him. Whatever his reasons for leaving, they must have been good.

He holds out his arms and again I step into them. I snuggle into his chest and close my eyes. I’m so damn tired.

“Tomorrow, Cat. You can tell me tomorrow. Let’s get you to bed.”

I gasp as he lifts me up into his arms. He cradles me like I’m precious, like I’m breakable. Hell, I feel like I am right now.

I simply keep my eyes closed and enjoy the feeling of being in his arms. I only open them again when he lays me down in what I assume is his bed. I want to bury my face in the navy covers just to see if they have his scent too.

He strokes my cheek and I lean into his hand. I kiss his palm and feel a shudder run through him.

I’m so damn tired. I’m so tired of running, of not feeling loved. Here I feel something I’ve been searching for. Something that’s been missing.

He starts to take his hand away. I grab it and hold tightly. “Why did you leave, Tor? It’s okay if you didn’t love me, but why did you have to go? How could we spend all that time together and you just vanish?” I ask sleepily.

There’s so much pain in his eyes at my questions. I hold a finger to his lips and shake my head.

“Never mind. Lay next to me, Tor. I just need sleep now. Sleep with me.” I turn on my side and give him my best beguiling smile. “Please.”

He shakes his head. “You don’t ask for much, do you princess?”

He’s the only one that ever called me that. I told him that it bothered me, but in truth the nickname made me feel like I was his. And that’s all I’ve ever really wanted.

But he takes his boots off and slides into bed with me, tucking me under the covers while he stays on the outside in all of his clothes.Ever the gentleman he is,I think drowsily,even when I wishhe wasn’t.

I reach for his hand and hold on tight. I feel no anger, no sadness, no anxiety as I drift into sleep.Peace. All I feel is peace.

Chapter Six

Tornado