Grasping For Freedom Read Online Free

protection they offered her helped settle her nerves.
    She went through her tasks to close for the night step by step, and deposited the money in the office the way Rain instructed. In the hall, she yelled, "Bruce, I'm heading out."
    Bruce pushed through the swinging doors from the kitchen and held up his hand. "Hang on, and I'll find you a chaperone."
    She shook her head. "I'm good. I'll see you tomorrow."
    Taylor smiled goodbye and Ginger shrugged and turned away when she waved goodbye to the other employees. She picked up her leather bag out of the backroom and walked out the backdoor. Determined not to let the other girls' attitude bother her, she shook off the coldness left over from their treatment. All they had to do was work together, not become best friends.
    Outside, the cool damp air tickled her bare arms. She paused, tilted her face to the sky, and inhaled the fresh air. Running a bar was something she was good at and had come second nature to her. By the time she was eight, she was serving dinner, wiping tables, and pocketing the tips the customers left her while working in her parents' bar. When she reached her teen years, she'd taken over for her mom when she became unable to run the business. Then shit happened, and she put everything she had into keeping her head above water. She scoffed, shaking her head at the turn of events and bad luck.
    A motorcyclist rode past her and stopped at the cabin on the end. She walked across the gravel parking lot, ignoring the activity. Once the motorcycle shut off, the sound of footsteps in the gravel behind her came closer. She sped up, not wanting to come face to face with one of the bikers.
    "Hey," a male voice said.
    She glanced behind her without stopping and found Torque following her. "Work's over and the bar is closed."
    He kept coming toward her. Her heart raced. Ten more feet and she'd hit the porch of the cabin. Thankfully, she left the light on like Rain suggested or she'd be stuck out in the dark with Torque.
    She had her key out of her pocket and in the lock before Torque joined her on the porch. She squeezed the life out of the handle trying to get inside, but the door wouldn't open even though she'd turned the key.
    "Dammit," she muttered, jiggling the handle.
    Torque's arm came in front of her and he banged his fist on the door right in front of her at eye level. The door swung open on its own. She exhaled and turned to look at him. "How'd you do that?"
    "Doors warped. Press up high and turn the handle at the same time." Torque reached in and flipped the light switch. "It rains a lot here and the doors made out of cheap wood. I'll talk to Rain tomorrow, and have a new door installed."
    "Oh, no, that's okay. I'll figure it out." She stepped inside and turned around, blocking him from following her into the cabin. "Was there a reason you followed me home?"
    "Just protecting Bantorus property." Torque shoved his hands in his back pockets and stepped off the porch. "Night."
    She stood in the doorway, watching him walk away. Unsure if she was impressed with his manners or disappointed that he didn't try to kiss her again, she said, "Hey, Torque."
    He turned around not saying a word. She shrugged. "Thanks for, you know, what happened in the bar."
    Torque's head tilted. "The kiss?"
    She moistened her lips, wanting to smile. "No. For punching that guy who called me a bitch and making him apologize. You didn't have to do that, but it was...nice."
    "I'm not nice, sunshine," he said, turning around and this time he kept walking until he disappeared out of view.
    She inhaled deeply and closed the door. He was probably right, but she didn't see anyone else standing up for her in the bar or kissing her until she lost her breath. She leaned against the cabin door. Her emotions were playing mind games with her. Normally, she wouldn't be attracted to Torque.
    Even though he was gorgeous and bossy in a way that made her feel special for being singled out, she had bigger things