Page 50 of Torn
I spent the days and nights in bed, recovering from the torture known as oral surgery and then getting a cold. My father, my grandmother, and Chloe each took turns visiting me and bringing me soft food. My grandmother dropped off a bag of new romance paperbacks to keep me busy—some her own books, others by her favorite authors. Buried under my cuddliest comforter, I spent those two weeks napping, reading, and thinking about Tor. And missing Tor more than I should. We texted a few times when he said he hoped I felt better soon, and told me he adopted the dog. I replied back that I wanted to come see the dog, to which he replied “anytime.” And that was it. At first, I thought it was best for us to just ignore the fact that we kissed, go about ourlives as if it never happened, and accept that it was an accident of sorts.
But then I dreamed of him. I’m not sure if it was the painkillers from the surgery making me crazy, the cold meds making me loopy, or if reading erotica romance books every night had my imagination in overdrive, but whatever the reason, this was a dream like no other. It was one of those super-special dreams that feel so incredibly real that when you wake up, you’re not quite sure if it was a dream or if it actuallydidhappen. And then you want to try to fall asleep really fast again and somehow find your way back into that dream and live in it.Make it real.
He kissed me in the dream like he did that day on the side of the road, rough and demanding, overpowering all of my senses. Only in the dream kiss, he didn’t stop there. His lips moved down to my throat, and his hands gripped my waist, pulling my body against his. And in the dream I wasn’t afraid to touch him. I wrapped my arms around him and let my hands roam all over those beautiful muscles he has, and every inch of me that his lips touched burned and tingled and begged for more. And now Idowant more. I want that dream to not be a dream at all.
“What are you doing?”
My dad’s voice startles me out of my daydream and I realize I’m staring at myself in my bathroom mirror with my toothbrush hanging out of my mouth, blue foamy gel all over my lips. I quickly rinse my mouth and wipe it with a washcloth.
“Dad… I was just getting ready to leave.”Jesus.I can feel heat rising to my face, and I’m sure I’m blushing.
His eyes narrow at me like he does when he’s trying to read me, his hand reaching out to touch my forehead. “You look weird. Are you still feeling sick?”
Yes. I’m sick. I can’t stop thinking about Toren and his lips and his hands and his muscles and his voice and his—
“Kenzi?”
I shake my muddled head and force a smile before putting a quick coat of lip gloss on.
“I’m fine, I was just thinking.”
“You looked like you were on another planet.”
“I’m just excited to finally drive my new car today!” I do a little happy hop and give him a hug. “Thank you so much for getting it for me.”
His face is still all concern and worry as he follows me into my room and watches me put my shoes on. “Are you sure you feel okay? I’m worried about you driving after you’ve been sick.”
I cock my head at him. “Dad. This has nothing to do with me having a cold and everything to do with you worried about me being in a car alone.”
“Driving is dangerous.”
“So is walking. And stairs. People die in their sleep! Or choking on food!”
He rubs his head and stares at me. “Yeah… true. I knew that bubble I wanted to put you in was a good idea. It’s not too late, ya know,” he says with a smirk.
“Dad, stop. I’ll be fine. You said yourself all the times you took me out to practice that I’m a good driver.”
Sighing, he crosses his arms and leans against my dresser. “You’re right. Just pay attention. I want your phone on the passenger seat next to you and not in your hand. At all. Don’t even look at it.”
“I promise.”
“And don’t blast the music too loud; you won’t be able to hear the cars around you.”
I quirk an eyebrow at him. “Seriously? This coming from a rock god? Loud music is in my blood.”
“Fine. Just nottooloud, then. And make sure it’s good music and not shit.”
Laughing, I agree. “Okay. I promise. Please don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you with any bad music choices.”
“Where are you going? I don’t want you to go too far your first time alone. And make sure you have a full tank of gas.”
“I’m only going to Tor’s to see the dog. I’m so glad he kept him; he’s the sweetest dog ever. Do you think we can get a dog?” I ask for what must be the millionth time since I was about ten years old. “There are so many at Mrs. Grace’s shelter…”
“No, you have a rabbit that’s almost a hundred years old.” He glances over at Snuggles in her cage. “I travel too much to have a dog and I don’t want you strapped down with another pet right now while you’re figuring out what you want to do next. I want you to be free to do whatever you want. You can go and love on Tor’s dog anytime you want.”
WhatdoI want to do next? I still have no idea.
I snatch up my phone and my new shiny keyring and head downstairs with him right behind me. When we reach the foyer, I turn to face him and he practically slams right into me. He’s severely hovering.