“That’s what I said, Mr. Ridge. Is she your cigarette lover?”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret since it’s just us men talking,” Ridge told Leo with very manly seriousness to his face. Even Quad stepped closer to make sure he heard the gossip. “I think she’s the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen, and I hope she does become my significant other.”
Leo nodded solemnly. “I swear I won’t tell anyone but my momma. She told me I’m never ever allowed to keep secrets from her.”
“That’s a very good rule,” Quad told him. “And I’m sure Mr. Ridge agrees.”
“Very much. Why don’t you go whisper it to her now?” Ridge set Leo down and watched him bulldoze his way through the crowded bar. “Did you tell your mom everything?”
“Hell no,” Quad laughed. “She’d send me out to pick a switch right now if she knew half the stuff I’ve done.”
Quad looked nervously over at his mother. Quad’s mother wore her black hair short and natural. Her dark skin was still smooth even in her late forties. She was in a suit, having just come from her job at the bank and didn’t look like someone who could control a six foot, seven inch athletic high school boy.
“Your mom is so nice. She wouldn’t do that,” Ridge said with a laugh.
Quad’s eyes went large. “Are you kidding me? She scares the bejeezus out of me. She gets this look and I tell you, it’ll will make your balls shrivel up and drop off.”
Ridge laughed and then looked over at Savannah.
“Man, you have it bad,” Quad said, shaking his head. “That’s the way all the girls look at me.”
Ridge rolled his eyes and Quad laughed. “I’ll tell your mom you’re making fun of me.”
Quad’s laughter died instantly. “Not cool. Don’t scare a man like that.”
It was Ridge’s turn to laugh. “Make sure you tell me when the first game of the season is. I think I’m going to take my girl home. Something you mom won’t let you do yet.”
“That’s so cold,” Quad chuckled. “I’ll text ya the game schedule.”
Ridge smiled at the people he passed but his eyes were locked on Savannah. As soon as he reached her he slipped his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Are you ready to go home?” he whispered into her ear. There was nothing better than the feeling of her in his arms.
“More than ready.”
Ridge was sure even Mrs. Clemmons’s famous glare wouldn’t cause him to shrivel at this moment.
20
Ridge opened the door to his house for Savannah as they walked into the kitchen from the garage. She turned on the lights and went to open a bottle of wine. She fit so perfectly here, in his kitchen and in his life.
The only thing holding him back from making a move was his worry that it wasn’t the right time. And yet, the events of the past week had shown him that you had to live in the now because you never knew what was going to happen. If something did happen to him, would he wish he’d had even one day with Savannah? Yes.
“Savannah,” Ridge said as he took down two glasses and set them on the island next to where she fiddled with the bottle of wine.
“Ridge,” Savannah said at the same time as they both laughed.
“Go ahead,” Ridge offered. He could admit to himself he was nervous and every second gave him the chance to come up with the best speech possible to make Savannah see him as something more than only a man who was good with a hammer.
Savannah was quiet as she poured the two glasses of wine and then handed him one. Ridge waited patiently as he thought of a million things to say to her but they all fell short.
“Will you spend the night with me?” Savannah finally asked.
Ridge almost sighed. He couldn’t. It was torture to hold her when he wanted to tell her how he felt. What he thought of her. What he hoped they could have together. But he’d never deny her anything for as much as he was tortured to hold her, he was equally tortured not to have his arms around her.
“Of course. You’re afraid to be alone after this week. I completely understand.”
Savannah shook her head. “I’m not afraid to be alone. And I don’t need comforting. I need you, Ridge. After the other night, you have to know how I feel about you. I don’t want you to stop tonight. I want you, Ridge. All of you.”
Ridge almost choked on his wine. Words fled from his mind as he set his wine glass down and stepped forward until they were toe to toe. Savannah nibbled nervously on her lower lip and Ridge reached up and brushed his thumb softly against it. When her mouth opened in a silent gasp, Ridge moved his thumb to her chin and raised her lips to his.
It started off slowly. A brush of the lips to give her time to back away, but she didn’t. Instead, Savannah reached up and ran her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck and pulled him closer. Ridge didn’t hold back. He used his body to guide Savannah’s against the kitchen island as his lips never left hers.
Her hands moved from his neck to his shirt, and he broke free of the kiss as she yanked his shirt off over his head.
“Ridge, tell me I’m not the only one who has these feelings.” Savannah’s hands were running down his muscled chest as she spoke. And while Ridge had to rein in his control, he heard the vulnerability in her voice.
Ridge reached down and cupped her cheeks in his hands. She looked up at him and he was lost. “You’re never alone. Not with me. We can stop if you’d like. I should wait a while, give you time.”
Savannah shook her head. “No, I don’t want more time. I’ve had years of misery and loneliness. But with you there’s only happiness. Even with all that has happened. It’s taught me to never take tomorrow for granted.”
Ridged nodded and instead of nerves he felt joy as he brushed his thumb over her cheek and smiled down at the woman who had his heart. “I’ll never take you or our time together for granted. Savannah, I love you.”
Tears filled her eyes and Ridge’s nerves came racing back. Shoot, he should have waited to tell her. He was just living in the here and now and she was so beautiful as she opened herself to him.
“I’m sorry,” he rushed to say.
Savannah grabbed his wrists as she barely shook her head in his hands. “Oh, Ridge. I love you too. With how my life is going, I just thought I didn’t deserve such happiness. But I do. And so do you. I love you, Ridge Faulkner, with all my heart.”
Ridge was sure his heart was going to swell right out of his chest, but sometimes words were not needed. This was one of those times. He tilted Savannah’s face up toward his and kissed her reverently. But when her tongue slid across the crease of his lips, Ridge was lost.
He’d planned for a slow, sweet worshipping of her, but Savannah had other plans and he would not deny her. Her hand ran down his chest, over his abs, and then she unbuttoned his pants as he kicked off his shoes while fumbling with the buttons on her shirt.
The kiss became more demanding the longer it took to remove all their clothes. And by the time they were both naked, they were breathing heavily as he picked her up and placed her on the counter.
Savannah didn’t even notice the cold stone against her skin when Ridge lifted her onto the kitchen island. She was too lost in the heat of the moment. The love in her heart and the passion they shared consumed her. Ridge was making love to her mouth with his tongue as he pulled her closer to the edge of the island and laid her back. His hands ran up her rib cage and cupped her breasts, his fingers rolling her nipples until she was arching off the counter.
Savannah moaned into his mouth as he leaned over her. His fingers wreaked havoc upon her senses before pulling back. She opened her eyes that she didn’t realize she’d closed and saw Ridge opening the drawer of a built-in desk. He pulled out a condom and then turned to her with a questioning look.
In answer Savannah held out her arms to him.
“Love me, Ridge,” she told him as he stepped between her legs.
“I already do.”
Ridge had to
leave. Tinsley was at an art gallery that was interested in displaying her work. Trent was busy putting the finishing touches on some pieces of new furniture that were being featured in some big magazine. Ryker was in Charleston. Gavin had patients. Ellery was at her gallery in Charleston. Wade and Darcy were still on their honeymoon, and Ryker’s security team was coming any moment.
“Harper,” he said as his cousin sleepily answered her phone. “Can you come over and stay with Savannah while I go to Mount Pleasant for a meeting I’ve put off as long as I can?”
Harper snorted. “Ridge, Savannah beat the shit out of an assassin and literally scared him so much he jumped out of a window to get away from her. I think she’s fine. She’s not a child nor is she a poodle that needs to be house sat.”
“Maybe it’s not for her,” Ridge confessed even though Harper made him feel like a total heel for it.
“You’ll have to leave her at some point. No relationship can work if you’re attached at the hip every minute of every day.”
Maybe she had a point, but he wasn’t going to admit that to Harper. “As if you have relationship experience.”
Harper sighed. “I know you’re worried about her. I know you like her. I know all of that, but Ridge, her ex was a dick who didn’t let her decide anything. So, how about this? You ask her if she wants me there. If she does, all she has to do is call me and I’ll be right over. Deal?”
Ridge was quiet for a moment as he looked out of his office and saw Savannah sipping on her coffee. He hated it when he was wrong, but he was man enough to admit when he was. “You’re right.” Ridge let out a sigh and sat down in his office chair. “I just want to protect her.”
“I know you do. Your intentions were good. It’s just your execution that’s sloppy,” Harper told him.
“I can’t wait until a man comes along and makes you all starry-eyed. It’s going to be fun to see,” Ridge said as he smiled and chuckled softly.
“Not going to happen. I like being in control too much.”
“There is that dominatrix club—”
Harper snorted. “I also don’t see me with a man crawling around on his hands and knees asking to be spanked.”
“To each her own,” Ridge said, laughing now.
“As long as he’s not mine.”
“You know, Granger —”
“Seriously?” Harper cut him off. “Granger is like a brother to us. Just, no. Eww. And stop playing matchmaker. Just because you’re all lovey-dovey doesn’t mean I need to be. I am happy for you. I like Savannah.”
“Me too. I’ll have her call you if she needs you. Thanks, Harp.”
“What are cousins for?”
Ridge smiled as he hung up and walked to the kitchen. Savannah was looking out the windows while wearing one of his old T-shirts. The sun shone on her red hair, making it glow as if it were gold. It was an image he’d remember all day while he was away. Especially when Savannah looked up at him and smiled.
“I have a confession to make,” Ridge confided as he leaned against the same island he’d made love to her on last night. “I asked Harper to come stay with you while I’m away today.”
“Okay,” Savannah said slowly.
“I was so concerned about protecting you that I didn’t think to ask what you wanted. All my instincts say to protect you at all costs, but I forgot to ask you. I’m sorry.”
Savannah blinked. There were no words. Instead she sprang up, sloshing her coffee over the rim as she set it down and flung herself at Ridge. He instantly caught her as she squeezed him tight.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You shouldn’t thank me.”
But she should. “I really appreciate it. You didn’t have to tell me. But I’m so glad you did. We’re learning this new relationship together, and I want nothing but honesty between us.”
“Then I should tell you I’m scared to death to leave you.” Ridge kissed her forehead and pulled her tight against his chest.
“I know, but I’m not, not anymore. I’m not afraid. I’ve been thinking about it. First I was so upset that I killed someone. But I didn’t. I didn’t push him out that window. And he was trying to kill me! Should I have let him so I wouldn’t feel bad that he might be hurt when I was defending myself?” Savannah pulled away from Ridge. This had been on her mind most of the night. Well, when they weren’t making love. “And what I’ve decided is I’m not sorry. He was a bad person who has killed people before and would continue to do so if I hadn’t stopped him.”
“You did nothing wrong,” Ridge said, but she didn’t need to hear it because she finally knew it.
“I know. And that’s why I don’t want Harper or anyone else here with me. I want to study up on Darcy’s treasure so I can be ready for an interview when she gets home, and I can oversee the security installation too.”
Ridge nodded, but he didn’t tell her no. Instead, he pulled out his phone. “I’m texting you the security information Ryker sent me—names and photos of the people doing the installation. Make sure you have them teach you how to use it so you can teach me. And make sure you get two keys, know the codes, and so on. I want this to be your place for as long as you want it to be.”
The way his voice trailed off, Savannah knew there was more he wanted to say but had stopped himself from doing so. “Honesty, remember. What else?”
“If you could, I’d appreciate a text or two from you today. Not because I want to know where you are, but because I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
Savannah rose up on her toes and placed a kiss on his lips. “I know. And I’ll text you. Maybe even something extra special.”
“I’d like that,” Ridge said before bending down and kissing her deeply, then pulled away. “I have to go. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.” And just like that, Savannah felt their relationship change. Not in a bad way. Just as if they took a step closer to something permanent. She waved goodbye as he drove off while her mind and heart processed the shift. Then with a smile, she closed the garage door and walked back into the house. It felt right. She was afraid it was too soon, but it didn’t feel rushed. It felt right. Like she had a partner standing beside her now. She didn’t have much time to think about it, though, as Ryker’s security team showed up before she could finish her coffee.
21
The security people had gone over the system until Savannah was completely comfortable with it and could explain it just as well as they did. It gave her confidence as she closed the door on them and armed it.
Taking a deep breath, she felt powerful. She knew what she wanted and she was going after it. Savannah took her laptop out into the back garden. Her phone buzzed, an alert that the security camera sensed motion. No one was going to sneak up on her, that was for sure.
Savannah opened her laptop and got to work reading about the shipwreck and the treasure found, and was soon lost in the history of it all. She didn’t know how long she’d been working when the phone buzzed again.
There was a notification of motion near the front door. Savannah tapped it and up came a live feed of the front yard and a second close-up view of the front door. Miss Winnie, Miss Ruby, and a man who looked to be in his late forties were getting out of their cars. Looked like it was time for a break.
Savannah arrived at the front door the same time they did. “Good morning.” Savannah smiled out to them after she opened the door.
“Oh, you poor dearie,” Miss Winnie clucked. “You’re nothing but skin and bones.”
“Isn’t Ridge feeding you?” Miss Ruby asked as they walked right on by and headed for the kitchen.
Savannah looked down at herself and was pretty sure she’d put on ten pounds since moving to Shadows Landing. She looked up and her eyes met the kindest pair of deep brown eyes she’d ever seen. The man wasn’t overly tall. His black hair was in soft coils on the top of his head and the sides were shaved, making it seem as if they fade
d right into his umber skin.
“I hope you don’t mind that I came along. I’m Reverend Floyd Winston,” he said as he shook her hand. “I thought after going through what you did, you might want to talk about it.”
Savannah didn’t really want to talk about it, but this was a new Savannah. She was going to be open. Be trusting. Not hide things when they or she weren’t perfect. In short, Savannah was going to be herself.
“That would be nice, thank you.” Savannah looked into the kitchen where Miss Winnie and Miss Ruby were pulling out things from the pantry. “Do I need to help them?”
“Oh no. They’re just making you a little something. Come, let’s sit out in the garden and talk.”
It felt strange unburdening herself to a stranger, but Reverend Winston made her feel safe instantly. He wasn’t judgmental, even when she told him about Ridge and her taking their relationship to the next level. Finally, she took a deep breath and let it out. “I think that’s everything.”
Reverend Winston smiled kindly and reached over to rest his hand on hers. “I feel very strongly you are where you’re supposed to be. You’re a very brave woman, Savannah. It’s not easy leaving a relationship as you did, but you’re spreading your wings now. You’re taking control of your life and that should be commended.”
The reverend paused, and she thanked him for listening.
“Have you heard the story of Shadows Landing?” he asked.
“I’ve read some of it. About how the pirates settled the town and turned it into a haven of sorts,” she told him. She’d been reading about it this morning.
“That’s right. And it’s not just a haven for pirates. It’s a haven for all who need it. You’ve found us just as you’re getting ready to fly on your own, I have just the thing to help you take off.”
“What’s that?” Savannah asked as she leaned forward.
“What do you know about weaponry?” Reverend Winston asked seriously.
Lasting Shadows: Shadows Landing #3 Page 13