Savannah watched as Ryder kicked Bret’s ass good, happy that her man stopped when it was obvious that Bret was defeated. Ryder picked up the cell phones and it seemed like he was checking them out, and then he lifted the shotgun and waved it at the hired hand.
“Pick that piece of shit up and get the fuck off my land. If you come back, I won’t be talking, just shooting.” Ryder tossed the phones at him.
The man glared at him and then at her before he bent down and helped Bret to his feet then to the car. Bret didn’t even glance at her, and a thread of relief wove through her. It’s finally over. She and Ryder stood on the porch until long after the SUV disappeared from sight.
“I don’t think they’ll be coming back,” Savannah said.
“They better not. Are you okay?” He draped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her.
“More than better—it’s finally over.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Why were you so interested in their cell phones?”
“I wanted to make sure they weren’t filming anything to use against you in the divorce.” He whistled for Brutus and the dog came bounding up the road.
“I love you,” she said. “Thank you for being my rock.”
“I love you too, baby.” He spun her around and kissed her deeply.
Then she saw the redness forming under his right eye. “You’re hurt,” she said, running her fingers over the place where Bret landed a punch.
Ryder chuckled. “A lucky shot. Damn, that pussy couldn’t fight for shit.”
“I don’t think he’s ever been in a fight. Thanks for not overdoing it.”
They walked into the house and the warmth from the fire surrounded them.
“I’ve gotta admit it was hard to stop. I kept thinking of what he did to you, and I wanted to kill him. But then I thought of Timmy and how the fuck’s still his dad, and that’s what made me stop.”
Savannah hugged him and his arms folded around her, and she never wanted to let go. “You’re the best,” she whispered.
They walked into the kitchen, and Savannah took out two dog treats and Brutus went wild with excitement. “You did a good job watching over us,” she said as Brutus took the treats from her palm and crunched them while looking at her.
“I want to show you something,” Ryder said as he handed her an envelope.
She opened it up and took out a piece of paper then looked up at him. “What’s this?”
“I got tested. I’m clean. I just wanted to share that with you because I’d like to really feel you, baby.”
She giggled then poked him playfully. “That’s good to know. I started on the pill. Clotille told me about this clinic in town, and I went to it last week.”
A frown creased his brows. “You weren’t on it before?”
“No. There wasn’t any reason to be.” When his eyes widened, she patted his forearm. “I know … I was scared about STDs and getting pregnant when Bret forced himself on me. I got tested as soon as I could while Timmy and I were on the road, and I’m good. The week after we left, I got my period—I was never so happy to get it in my life.”
He chuckled and pivoted her into his arms. “You’re really something special, darlin’.” He pressed his lips on hers. “I want to be inside you and fill you up,” he said.
“I want to really feel you,” she replied as she looped her arms around his neck and tugged him closer to her.
Ryder kissed her again—hard and hungry, then pulled her sweater above her head, and tossed it on the floor. He stepped back and his gaze lingered on her ivory sheer bra. “Fuck, you look beautiful. I’ll never get enough of your tits, baby.” He grabbed her hand and led her over to the table then reached behind her and undid the hooks. The straps slipped down and he pushed them off and flung the bra off then bent down and swiped his tongue over her nipples.
Arousal flashed hot through her system and she sank her fingers into his hair and pulled it hard. The way he played with her breasts drove her crazy with wanton desire, and she threw her head back, pushing her breasts into his face.
“Oh, darlin’,” he rasped.
Then Ryder slowly turned her around so that she was facing the table, and his hands slid over her back, around her waist, to her belly, and into the waistband of her leggings. She held her breath, her body trembling, as he pushed aside the crotch of her panties and buried one finger between her folds.
“So damn wet,” he murmured.
Savannah leaned across the table, her hands gripping the edges of it to steady herself. She heard the familiar sound of Ryder unbuckling his belt and unzipping his jeans and heat pulsed between her legs. She felt his weight as he bent over her then the warmth of his hand as he swept her hair to one side. His mouth was on her ear, her neck. “You drive me fucking crazy, woman,” he rasped.
“Ryder,” she moaned.
He pulled her leggings and panties down, spread her legs wide, and slid his finger between her folds. She knew she was sopping wet; she could feel it, hear it as his finger moved back and forth slowly. Then he pressed another finger into her, and his low, hungry grunt drove her arousal higher.
Ryder reached down between her open thighs and cupped his hand over her sex. “This is mine. Only mine,” he said, as his other hand smoothed over her butt.
There was something incredibly sexy about the way that sounded. “Only yours,” she breathed as she parted her legs wider and ground into his hand. “Please…Please take me,” she said in a thick voice.
“Fuck, woman,” he growled. His fingers dug into her fleshy behind as he thrust into her.
Savannah let out a long, breathy sigh, and then groaned, grasping at the table as he began to move in her, his dick pushing in and out, his finger stroking her clit.
It was rough, deep, and quick—Ryder was soon thrusting harder, smacking her ass, rubbing her sweet spot—and she bucked against him, urging him, barely able to contain herself.
“You feel amazing, woman,” he grunted.
A tidal wave of pleasure overtook her as she spasmed her release. She felt him bucking into her and heard him grunt as he found his pleasure, the warm rush filling her.
They stayed bent over the kitchen table for a moment, spent and gasping. Savannah turned her head to smile at him. “What the hell did you just do to me?”
Ryder pressed his face in her hair then trailed his lips to her mouth and kissed her softly. “I could ask you the same thing.” His hands were warm and tight around her until he patted her ass and moved away, letting her get up.
When she stood up, he handed her clothing to her and she gave him a quick kiss and dashed off to her room to wash up and get dressed before Rock brought Timmy back; she’d dropped him off earlier that morning at Rock and Clotille’s house to play with James.
Savannah walked backed into the family room and sat down next to Ryder on the couch. “I hope you like lamb stew—that’s what I’m making for dinner.”
He kissed the side of her head. “I love it. You’ll find I’m not a picky eater.” He pulled away and took her hands in his. “I want to make sure you understand what you’re getting into.”
Savannah cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“My disability is an added responsibility I have to consider every day, and I’ll never be as carefree as if I was able-bodied. Sometimes I’m gonna be pissed as hell and my patience is gonna be shit because my muscles burn or I got sores on my stump from wearing the prosthesis too damn long.” He scrubbed his face. “All I’m saying is that it can be fucking challenging to live with an amputee. I just want to make sure you get that.”
She tucked his hand in hers and rubbed it gently. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m sure there will be challenges for both of us. I’m not always on the upswing, and can be a downright crazy bitch sometimes during my period. If I don’t understand for whatever reason, remind me what you’re feeling, okay? The best thing is for us to be open and communicate so if you’re in pain or feeling shitt
y because you hate not having your leg, tell me. I promise not to analyze you. I’ll give you your space—I know you like alone time. We’re both starting on level ground and there will be some adjustment period, but we have to be open about what we’re feeling and what we want and need.”
“I agree.” He leaned over and kissed her.
A car door slammed and Savannah ran her hand down his rugged face and smiled. “I think Timmy’s home.” She stood up and ambled to the window and saw Timmy running up the porch steps and swung open the door.
“Mommy!” Timmy hugged her legs then rushed into the house, the sound of his laughter wrapping around her heart.
Rock lifted his chin at her as he walked inside, the chains hanging down from his pockets jingling. He bumped fists with Ryder then sat on the chair across from him. Savannah scampered into the kitchen and took out two tumblers and the bottle of Jack and brought them into the room, setting them on the table. Ryder tilted his head at her as he brushed his fingers across hers, and then he reached over and picked up the bottle.
“Timmy, come into the kitchen and tell me all about your day while I make dinner,” she said.
And as her son knelt next to Brutus, excitedly telling her all the things he did, she heard Ryder’s deep, steady voice as he visited with Rock and she knew that she’d finally found the man she was supposed to be with and the home in which she was supposed to be.
Chapter Twenty-One
Christmas Day
Ryder watched Timmy’s face scrunched in concentration as his nimble fingers ripped off the red shiny wrapping paper. The boy stared at the big box, his eyes wide then he turned to Savannah.
“Go ahead and take the lid off,” she urged.
Timmy giggled and placed his small hand over his mouth for a second then gripped the sides of the top and lifted it up. For a few seconds he just stared without moving then he took out the painted train cars. “It’s a train set!” He turned his head to Ryder. “You made it for me. You really fooled me!”
Ryder smiled and leaned back in the chair and enjoyed watching Timmy take out the forty pieces he’d crafted. Savannah gazed at him, her blue eyes brimming with love and tears as she knelt by her son and helped him put the tracks together.
“Ryder told me it was for the other kids, but it was for me.” He kept turning the locomotive’s lights on and off then he pushed the button and it whistled. “It really works, Mommy.”
“It’s a beautiful train set. Did you thank Ryder?”
The boy put the wooden piece down and leaped up and dashed over to him. He climbed up on Ryder’s lap and flung his arms around his neck. “Thank you. It’s what I really, really wanted,” Timmy said hugging him tightly.
He paused for a moment, a flood of emotion whirling though him then he wrapped his arms around Timmy and held him tight. “I knew that, little buddy.” He darted his eyes to Savannah and she leaned back on her haunches a big-ass smile plastered over her face.
Timmy squirmed and Ryder let go and plopped him on the floor, and the boy crawled back over to the gift.
“Are you finished with it yet, Mommy?”
“Almost,” she said, ruffling her hand through his hair.
Ryder watched the two of them as they set up the track and village, and he let the good feelings of the moment wash over him. How in the fuck did I make it without them in my life? He’d lived in darkness for so long, that he’d forgotten what brightness felt like; life’s deceit had broken him, and from the pain that bore it, came an honest, bright love which consumed him. And that was the way he’d fallen in love with Savannah—all at once, as if struck by a gun shot.
Savannah stood up and walked over to him and he tugged her down on his lap then nuzzled her neck. “You’re my passion, my love, and my life,” he whispered.
“I didn’t know it was possible to love someone as much as I do you,” she whispered back.
“The lights go on in the houses … and the church … and the buildings!” Timmy clapped his hands and laughed, and Ryder and Savannah joined in the laughter with him.
Ryder held her tight as they watched Timmy and listened to the crackling fire and Brutus gnawing on the bone he’d received for Christmas.
The minutes turned into hours, and soon they were seated around the table at Ryder’s parents’ house—Savannah in the middle between him and Timmy. Ryder inched his fingers up her leg, underneath her skirt, and let them rest on her thigh—he loved the softness of her skin.
Ryder’s mother patted his other hand and then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You gave me the best Christmas present—the light back in your eyes,” she said softly.
“Savannah and Timmy are the ones who gave you that gift, Ma,” he replied.
“She’s a beautiful woman and the little boy is adorable. I’m happy for you, tesoro.”
All through dinner, Savannah kept pressing her leg into his, brushing his arm with her fingers, squeezing his biceps, and a whole bunch of other things that made him feel like he was the most important man in her life, and he loved her for it.
Ryder glanced down at the skull bracelet she’d given him, and tenderness wove through him again just like it had when he’d first opened the gift. What had surprised him was how well she knew him, and even though she’d downplayed it, he knew that she took a lot of time in finding such a unique gift, especially in Pinewood Springs.
During dessert, Savannah kept fingering the necklace hanging about her neck, the diamond pendant shimmering in the chandelier’s light. It was his gift to her, and for the past several Christmases, he’d never contemplated buying anyone a gift, or putting up a tree, or drinking hot chocolate, but here he was, embracing the whole damn thing like a reformed man. Life can be too fucking strange sometimes, but also wonderful.
After several hours of eating and talking, Ryder noticed the glazed look in Timmy’s eyes and the yawns Savannah tried to stifle. He rose to his feet, taking her with him, and walked over to his mom and kissed her on the cheek.
“We gotta go, Ma. It’s been a long day and Timmy’s tired as hell.”
“Thank you for having us,” Savannah said as she hugged his mom briefly.
“I’m very happy to meet you and your little one. You’ve made me so happy, and I can see how happy you make my son.”
Savannah blushed, and Ryder thought he was going to lose it. There was something about the way her cheeks flushed pinkish red that turned him the hell on. It was probably some kinky thing with him, but he loved the flush of color on her cheeks, neck, tits, and ass. Those streak marks did it for him every time. He chuckled and Savannah looked up at him, her forehead creased in puzzlement.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“You … but not funny—just fucking adorable,” he whispered in her ear. “I gotta get you home now, woman.”
Timmy fell asleep on the drive back and Savannah rested her head on his shoulder while they listened to Twisted Sister’s rendition of Christmas carols on the radio. Ryder craned his neck and brushed his lips across her forehead.
“Did you have a good time?” he asked.
“Yes, it was wonderful. I’m glad I came from a big family, otherwise I never would’ve been able to keep up with all of you.” She laughed.
“Yeah, we’re a pretty rowdy bunch. It probably also helped that you worked in an Italian restaurant.”
“It definitely did with the food. I’d forgotten about how much of it there is at Italian get-togethers.”
“My mom loves it. My sisters come over along with my aunts and cousins and they bring out the Chianti, gossip, and bake or peel peppers or do whatever they do. By the end of the afternoon, they’re drunker than fuck.” Ryder laughed as an endearing memory from his childhood played through his mind: his grandma, mother, and aunts elbow high in flour, kneading pasta dough and filling the pizzelle iron.
“My mom’s the same. My aunts come over and we all spend all afternoon baking, although our drink of choice is Bailey’s.”
She chortled.
“You must miss your family like hell, especially today.” He pressed his lips on her forehead again.
“I do. It was good that Timmy got to talk to them this morning. I have to admit that it feels a little weird not being with my family on Christmas. Do you know this is the first one I haven’t been with them?”
“We’ll go to Boston next year for the holiday,” he said.
Savannah tilted her head up and tugged his face toward her. With his eyes fixed on the road, he met her lips. “Thank you,” she said after breaking away.
The garage door opened, and Brutus’s steady barking welcomed them home. Savannah slipped out of the car, and Ryder unbuckled Timmy and scooped him up in his arms and took the tired boy straight to his bedroom.
A half hour later, Savannah came into the room wearing that clingy, fuzzy robe that drove him fucking crazy with lust the second day she and Timmy were with him—it now seemed like that was a lifetime ago.
“Come to me, darlin’,” he said, and she pressed next to him, her legs tucked under her ass.
He’d changed into a pair of flannel pajama bottoms—a gift from Timmy—and a long-sleeved T-shirt. He’d taken off his prosthesis and Savannah’s hand rested on his limb. I never thought I’d allow a woman to touch me the way Savannah does, or to see me with all my faults and fucking demons. But he had, and she’d let him in too. They both had suffered in their lives before becoming each other’s comfort from the storm of life. Ryder loved Savannah with all his heart and he knew she loved him. They came together on a dark, snowy night: a meeting of two souls who fully accepted the dark and the light within each other. They were bound by the commitment and courage to grow and support one another through struggle into bliss.
Ryder squeezed her hard and she yelped. “Sorry, baby, I just can’t help myself.” He chuckled.
Savannah lightly swatted his hand. “I’m breakable you know.”
“I’m here to pick up the pieces.”
She sighed. “It’s going to be quite the fight.”
“It’ll be worth it, and you won’t be fighting the battle alone—I’ve got your back … always.”
Christmas Wish Page 22