Page 26 of Christmas Wish
Timmy froze in his tracks and stared at Savannah. “I forgot to take my boots and jacket off.” He spun around and quickly followed Brutus.
“Do you want me to help you?” she asked.
“I can do it alone, Mommy.”
“All right, but if you need help with your boots, let me know.” Savannah grabbed a bunch of paper towels and wiped away the tracks the two had left on the floor. By the time she’d finished, Timmy, Ryder, and Brutus traipsed in. She glanced at Ryder and his gaze latched onto hers.
“Who wants hot cocoa?” she asked, looking at him.
“I don’t, Mommy. I’m gonna play my game.” Timmy yawned.
Breaking contact with Ryder, Savannah smiled at her son. “Building a snowman is hard work, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.”
Savannah laughed and watched him shuffle toward his room with Brutus following him. “Would you like some hot chocolate?” she asked him.
Shaking his head, he fixed her with an unwavering stare.
“What about some tea?”
This time, a slight shake of the head.
“I think I’ll make myself a chai latte. I love the blend of spices.” She opened a small cupboard and pulled out a box of chai teabags she’d brought with her from the trailer, then took out a carton of milk from the fridge. “There’s something comforting about a cup of hot tea. All I need is a good book, and I’ll be set.” She giggled softly and glanced at him.
Ryder’s tongue glided slowly across his bottom lip as the naked heat in his stare seared her. Muscles deep inside tightened as a thousand butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
The shrill whistle of the boiling teapot pierced the air. Savannah jumped and clutched at her throat as she tore her gaze away from Ryder and looked at the billowing steam above the screeching kettle. A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she removed it from the burner.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Ryder watching her as she poured hot water into the mug. “Dammit,” she said as some of it spilled on the counter. Glancing up at him, Savannah froze as his eyes smoldered with lust. She put the tea kettle down, then picked up a napkin to wipe up the spill and turned toward him, her heart slamming against her ribcage. Savannah was pretty sure that Ryder could shatter her heart in pieces if she wasn’t careful. She was more fragile than he knew, but he tempted her in ways she wasn’t willing to admit.
“I don’t bite,” he said gruffly.
“It’s not that,” she replied, throwing the dirty napkin in the trash. “I just don’t want to be hurt.”
“I’m not gonna hurt you—I’d never do that.”
“Famous last words of men.” She hadn’t meant to sound so bitter.
Ryder reached out and grabbed her arm and gently tugged her to him. “I’m notmen, I’m me, and I’d never hurt you.”
Savannah pressed her lips together as she stared at him, resisting for one long pause, her emotions tangled in a ball of confusion by this brooding and mysterious man. Then she leaned into him wanting his touch and so much more than she could articulate.
“You know we both feel it, Savannah—this fucking deep attraction between us. I’ve been trying to fight it, too, but it hasn’t done any damn good. You’re the most beautiful and genuine woman I’ve ever met, and the way you love your son is”—he ran his fingers through his hair—“so fucking honest and unconditional.”
Savannah fixed her gaze on Ryder’s brown eyes, the scowl that darkened his features, and the ever-present haunted look which kept his secrets at bay.
“I’ve never met such an intriguing man before,” she murmured.
His grip on her tightened, and his hand burned into her skin, making her nerves snap and sizzle.
Ryder’s thumb traced along her jawline and then her lower lip. “You feel the pull … the connection, don’t you?” he asked, his voice was rough as sandpaper, a sexy rasp that sent tingles down her spine.
Savannah swallowed, trying to moisten her dry mouth. “Yes,” she said in a breathy voice. Her knees wobbled and she gripped the counter to stop herself from keeling over. She felt like all the strain of the past few years was draining out of her.
Ryder’s thumb stroked her cheek, and her insides turned to mush. Her pulse thundered in her head as she leaned in slightly and inhaled his earthy male scent and the spicy aroma of his cologne. He placed his hands on each side of her face and looked deeply into her eyes.
“I’m fucked up real bad,” he said, his hot breath dancing across her cheeks.
