• I turned and hoped my robe was shut in the back. It was. Ryder stood at the door, dressed in sweat pants and a t shirt. He looked strange and oddly not himself. His hands were almost all healed from the glass. They had tiny little red dots all over his palms. He had a couple scrapes and bruises but he was a lot better then me.

    “Ryder,” I said quietly. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. I shed his and mine together. He ran forward and embraced me. I cried but it hurt so I tried to stop. He smelled of soap and his body was warm against mine. He was quiet, trying to get a hold of himself. He finally pulled back and I wished he hadn’t. He put his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes.

    “Are you okay?” He asked sternly. I nodded. His black hair was just normal looking, no Mohawk. I put my hands up his neck and in his hair, trying to feel more of him. The small hair growing on his neck prickled my fingers. I liked it. Ryder was searching my face looking for anything that said I was in pain. I wasn’t really. Not with him here. “Are you sure? I think—“

    “Just kiss me,” I said. He was stunned but he leaned down and kissed me. His lips were warm and silky and I finally knew he was fully okay. I had been so worried about him. He pulled back and I breathed and winced. I held my hand under my breast.

    “What’s wrong?” he demanded. I smiled.

    “Its fine, Ryder. I just broke a rip but they fixed it so it’s just bruised.” He frowned but nodded. He gentle took me in his arms then we sat down on the bed.

    “What all happened?” I asked looking up into his purple eyes gray eyes. He rubbed his forehead.

    “Well, Wal-Mart came tumbling down and then a couple hours later they found us.” He looked at me with sad eyes. “They told me an F-7 tornado hit us. It’s the biggest on record. They couldn’t believe we survived it. We were in the eye of the tornado Trinity.” I looked down at our enclosed hands.

    “I saw it. It was frightening,” Then something else came into mind. Before I blacked out. Ryder’s words. The three words. I looked up at Ryder and like he could read my mind his cheeks grew a little red and he looked out toward the window. He cleared his throat.

    “Their sending us home tomorrow because their trying to get all of the people from the tornado in and healed then out again. They called my parents and yours and everyone’s alright.” he said a smile spreading across his face. I smiled too, relief filling my heart knowing my parents were okay.

    “I’m glad their okay. And no one was hurt? Did they get The Shutters up in time?” I asked concerned. He nodded.

    “They didn’t tell me a whole lot but I think some scrapes and bruises but other then that their fine. They put the Shutters up just in time. I figure Meeka and my mom rounded up all the little guys and put them in the tub with blankets and pillows….” Ryder started to frown. “I should have been there.” I put my hand on his cheek and rubbed my thumb over his chin.

    “Hey, hey, we both couldn’t be home. Don’t put yourself out because of that. We got stuck in Wal-Mart. There was nothing we could do, so don’t.” I was starting to feel what he felt and it broke my heart when I saw his eyes start to glisten. Him thinking of his family made me think of…my brother. Was Titan okay? Wherever the hell he was?

    “You’re right, I guess.” I nodded.

    “Aren’t I always?” I asked trying to lighten the mood. He smiled and wiped a finger across my mouth.

    “Yeah, and you make sure I know it too.” I laughed and so did he. He stared me for a couple minutes just watching me.

    “I want you to meet my family,” he said suddenly. I raised an eyebrow. His family? How would his family react if they knew me? Would they like me? Jeez, I’ve never really cared if anyone liked me before and now all I sudden I care if Ryder’s family does? Did the doctors say I got a concussion? I hope they did.

    “Your family?” He nodded with a grin spreading across his face.

    “Yeah, everyone. Once things get settle down of course. Trinity, if you’re up for it I still want things to stay the way they are between us. Only if that’s what you want?” Ryder said, his eyes searching my face, waiting for my reply. I smiled.

    “Y-y-yeah, I definitely want that. For things to stay the way they were in Wal-Mart.” I said stuttering a little. Ryder grinned goofy at me and leaned down to give me a kiss. His lips tasted so good and I couldn’t help but lean in and wrap my hands around his neck. The kiss became heated, not just a simple thank you kiss. But a needful kiss. I breathe deeply when we both opened our mouths together. I didn’t want to stop! His teeth nibble my bottom lip and I forced back a moan. Oh my! These feelings felt so good!

    I touched my tongue to his front teeth and his hands on my waist tightened and he lifted me up and onto his lap. I gasped with surprise and winced from my rips. Ryder didn’t seem to notice but just wrapped his arms around me and pressed me intimately close to him. His chest was so nice! I thought like a giggling girl. I put my hands on his chest and explored. We had done this before but this was a little different. His lips would press hard on mine then loosen up and nibble somewhere else or let his tongue snake out and touch me. I kissed down onto his jaw and down to his neck.

    He let out a groan as I suckled on his collar bone. He brought my lips back up to him to kiss me passionately. As his hands caught the back of my gown and found skin, I shivered. His hands were warm on my cold skin and my body tingled. That’s when I remembered we were in a hospital and my IV was about to get pulled out again. I pulled back and looked at Ryder. His eyes opened but his pupils were dilated but became smaller. I grinned at him. “I think we both got a little carried away and didn’t remember we were in a hospital,” I said with a laugh. Ryder nodded with a chuckle.

    “Yeah, sorry about that.”

    I shrugged and kissed his lips lightly. “I liked it.”

    He just grinned.