Chapter 59: Aftermath

STORM'S P.O.V

Anders scent hit me despite the prevailing smell of blood on him. His face nuzzled straight into my neck, and he held me tight like I had slipped away from him and had somehow managed to return.

He slowly leaned away, cupping my face, his eyes holding none of the usual coldness from after that slap.

Just concerned. Just worry and a bit of panic.

"I am fine, sweetheart," I whispered, letting him kiss my face all over. "I just.... I just missed you."

He broke into a laugh and shook his head, his eyes holding mine. "You are the one who was all bloodg in a hospital bed. Hoe are you the one missing me?"

"I mean it," I said, holding his hand even tighter. "When the other car slammed into me, glass, blood, pain... your eyes were the very last thing I could see. I hoped you would forgive me. I prayed you would even if it meant I was hurt."

"Stop." His voice broke, and he kissed my face, then leaned forward till every breath I took was something I shared with him.

My heart felt like it was home. Not because I felt better but because he was right bere.

"I was so scared," I admitted, my hand running up and down his face, my chest heaving. "When you wouldn't look at me. No matter what happened, you always looked at me. I was afraid I had lost you. I was afraid I would never hear the things you whisper to me when you are deep inside me again. The way you used to tell me thank you for letting you back home."

He leaned up and gently kissed my cheeks, his fingers slightly trembling against my face. "You remember that? While you were crashing?"

"You were the only thing I could remember," I whispered, kissing his forehead. "I am so sorry. Please tell me you are no longer angry with me."

He broke into a laugh. "Shut up and recover. Okay? One set of cupcakes can't be enough, right?"

"It isn't, " I said, nodding. "I want more. But I also... I also want more of your hurting the people who hurt me. You are karma. My own karma. I think I might be getting comfortable with that."