Page 20 of Christmas Wish
Chapter Seven
After five snowy,dreary days, the sun finally peeked out from behind gray clouds. Timmy was beside himself and kept begging Savannah to help him build a snowman. The only problem with that was they could barely open the doors due to the high snow drifts.
“When can I go outside?” Timmy whined.
Ryder closed the iron grate, and the fire in the woodstove threw off a warm red glow as he looked over at the boy.
“The snow would swallow you up. I got some friends that’ll be here in a day or two to dig us out.”
“Brutus gets to go out.” Timmy’s bottom lip pushed out in a small pout.
Ryder fought the smile that tried to form on his lips. “That’s different. He’s gotta go outside, and I made an area in the garage for him to do his business. He’s got a lot more insulation than you do. Anyway, he usually comes back in pretty quick ’cause it’s so damn cold out there.”
“I want to go in the garage too, like Brutus.”
Before Ryder could answer, Savannah shook her head. “Timmy stop arguing with Ryder. You’re being rude. It’s too cold out there. I know you’re antsy, honey, but he said things will be cleared soon. I wish we could go out on the front porch, but you can’t even open the front door.” She bent down and pulled out a cast-iron frying pan.
Ryder walked over and stood behind her, reveling in the now familiar scent that was all Savannah. He inhaled deeply then brushed against her, waiting for her body to shiver like it always did when he’d “accidentally” touch her. It was sleazy on his part, but if her body didn’t react like it did, he wouldn’t be doing it. The truth was, they were both damn attracted to each other—he saw it in her eyes, in the way her skin flushed, and her shallow breathing. He wanted to yank her to him and crush his mouth on her delectable lips, but he was afraid if he kissed her once, he’d never be able to let her go. Ryder was the interlude on her journey to a new life and he didn’t want to mess that up. Besides, he didn’t want a woman full-time in his life, but he had to admit that the blonde cutie tugged at something deep inside him. Something that he hadn’t felt since Dana.Why the fuck am I thinking about that bitch? Savannah’s nothing like her.
“Did you want something?” Savannah’s soft voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Yeah … there’s a lot of things I want,” he replied, his gaze locking hers.There’s that adorable pink blush coloring her face. Damn.
She shifted in place then put the frying pan on one of the burners.
Ryder leaned over, loving the small catch of her breath when his arm brushed against the side of one of her breasts, and grabbed the handle of the pan. “I told you I was making breakfast. Go sit down and we can talk.”
Savannah threw him one of her megawatt smiles—the ones that were slowly chipping away at the ice encasing his heart.
“Yes, sir.” She touched her hand to her temple in a mock salute.
“Smartass,” he mumbled as visions of her bent over his lap while he spanked her naked, round ass filled his head.
“Is this like the worst blizzard in Colorado history?” she asked as she slid onto one of the stools and watched him.
“Pretty much.” He turned away and took out eggs, bacon, and a couple of potatoes from the refrigerator.
“Mommy, Brutus is kissing my hands.”
Ryder glanced over and smiled; Brutus had really taken to the kid. “If you want to give him a treat, the dog biscuits are in the pantry.” Watching Savannah pad over with Timmy at her heels touched him in ways he didn’t want to think about. Ever since he’d lost everything, he’d shut himself away from the world, not wanting anyone to get close to him, especially women. His parents and siblings had finally caught on that he wasn’t the same person who’d left for his last tour of duty a few years before. That man had a son who he adored, a beautiful and strong woman by his side, and a shitload of hope for the future. That man was gone, and the one who replaced him lived a solitary life caring only about meeting his basic needs. The only person he was close to was Hawk, and the last person he’d let into his life was a woman, but Savannah and her young son were wreaking all kinds of havoc on his emotions and his life. It surprised him because they’d only come into his world a short five days before.
It must be due to the snow and that we’re housebound. Being in such close quarters messes with you.Ryder peeled the potatoes then grated them into a bowl.And she’s fucking hot.He glanced over his shoulder and saw Savannah sitting on her haunches next to Brutus and Timmy.Damn she’s got a fine ass.Timmy prattled and she laughed while running her hands over Brutus’s thick fur. She was a picture of beauty and sexy femininity, and Ryder was mesmerized.
Then suddenly, as if sensing his gaze, Savannah craned her neck and looked him right in the eyes. A warm smile swept across her face, and he picked up a glint of desire in those sparkling blues.Oh yeah, darlin’.Timmy’s chattering grew quiet in Ryder’s ears, and everything around him seemed to slow down and fade. At that moment, the only thing that existed to him was her face and that smile. Ryder wasn’t sure how long they held each other’s gaze, but he didn’t care because he was lost in it … inher.
“It smells funny in here.” Timmy holding his nose plummeted Ryder back to reality and he looked down at the burnt bacon.
“Fuck!” He grabbed the handle of the skillet and moved it off the burner to avoid a grease fire. He switched on the overhead fan then stalked over to the garage door and opened it to try and clear the smoky haze.I need to stop this shit and focus. It’s like I’m some horny eighteen-year-old. Fuck.
“What happened?” Timmy asked as Savannah tried to shush him.
“I burned the damn bacon.” Ryder opened the fridge and took out another slab.
“Do you need any help? I can clean the frying pan,” Savannah offered.
He gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m good,” he snapped then felt a tinge of regret when he saw her face fall as she slinked away from him. After cutting the slices again, he placed them in another sizzling pan and refused to look or even think about the sexy woman as the rush of desire mixed with anger coursed through his body.
By the time they were ready to sit at the table, the anger had subsided inside him, but the desire was still there, always bubbling just beneath the surface, ready to boil over whenever Savannah was near.
