“I was so worried about you.” She gently wraps her arms around me and rests her head against my chest. “I couldn’t get near you with Sydni there, and Tesla had your cell phone. I didn’t know she knew about us.”

“Yeah, I told her. I’m sorry about Sydni, Kenzi. I didn’t know how to get rid of her without causing a scene.”

“It’s okay. I’m just so glad you’re okay and you’re home.”

“You have no idea how much I missed you.”

She peeks up at me. “Yeah, I might have a good idea.”

I lean down to kiss her but she pulls back from me and looks down at the floor.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as worry settles in my gut. She’s never backed away from me before. “Why are you pulling away from me?”

“I saw Sydni kissing you, Tor. I know you were hurt and not even really awake, but I wasn’t there much. She was.” She swallows hard. “I need to know if that kept happening.”

“Absolutely not. I couldn’t stop her from coming every day. My head was fucked at first from the concussion but I definitely did not kiss her. I could barely move, Kenz. I just told her in the car two seconds ago that I appreciate her visiting and driving me but that we are completely over and I’m in love with someone else.” I wish I could tell her about the ring and how Sydni assumed that it was for her but I refuse to wreck anything to do with my proposal to her just because Sydni was an idiot. I have no idea when I’ll be proposing. It could be two months or ten years, but I wanted to have the ring in case I decide to be spontaneous. I don’t care if we’re engaged for years, I want her and the rest of the world to know I’m serious about spending my life with her.

“I believe you. I’m sorry I even asked, it was just upsetting to see her touching you and I wasn’t able to even talk to you.”

“I wanted to call you from my room but I didn’t have your number memorized. Do you believe that shit? I just sat there staring at the phone like an idiot.”

“Oh! Why didn’t I think to call your room after visiting hours? I totally forgot there was a phone there. I’m so stupid!”

I laugh and kiss the top of her head. “No, you’re not. We were both stressed. I just want to put this crap behind us.” I take her hand and lead her over to the couch so I can sit and rest. My back is already starting to hurt again. “Thanks for taking care of these guys for me.”

“Don’t thank me. I love them.”

“We love you, too. More than you know.”

She smiles at me and I wish I could push her back on the couch, kiss her everywhere and make love to her for hours but with my wrist and my ribs being all fucked up I can’t. Laying in the hospital all banged up sucked but it sucked even worse not being able to be close to her.

I lean back against the couch and let out a sigh. “It’s good to be home. I’m going to be home for at least a week before I go back to work. Maybe two.”

She kneels on the floor in front of me and takes my boots off for me, and it’s a mix of sweet and sexy as hell watching her do it.

“You need to rest. Your brothers all said they would take care of the shop for you.”

“Good. Ya know what I want?”

She puts her hands on my legs and looks up at me. “Tell me.”

“I want you here with me every day while I’m resting.”

“Ooh. Can I play nurse?” Her playful, sensual voice wakes up my cock, which thankfully escaped getting road rash.

I touch her cheek affectionately. “I was hoping you would.”

“I can kiss all your boo boos better.”

“I have a lot.”

“That’s okay.”

I cup my hand behind her neck and pull her up to my lips. “I really want to spend as much time with you as possible. I missed you like fuckin’ crazy.”

“Then I’ll be here every day. I can’t stay overnight, though, even though I want to more than anything. Sleeping here without you was like torture. Now that my Dad knows you’re home, I can’t.”

“I know.” I sigh. “And I’ll deal with it. I’ll take what I can get.”

32

Kenzi

Kenzi ~ age ten

Tor ~ age twenty-five

“Uncle Tor?” She’s standing next to the couch, gently pulling on the sleeve of my shirt.

“Yes, love?”

“Can you read to me?”

I lower the volume on the movie I’m watching and turn to face her. She’s wearing her pajamas and holding onto an old book I used to read to her when she was little.