Page 42 of Christmas Wish
Chapter Twelve
All through dinner,Ryder couldn’t keep his damn eyes off Savannah no matter how hard he’d tried. There was no way Hawk and Banger didn’t notice it, and he braced himself for the ribbing that would follow when the men retreated to the den while the women cleaned up.
What the hell am I doing? I don’t need a woman and her boy to muddle up my life.He speared a piece of sausage with his fork and placed it in his mouth, chewing slowly.She’s a great kisser, I’ll give her that, but it’d be a lot easier for me to pay Brandi a visit next time I go to the clubhouse.Brandi. The memory of Savannah’s jealousy over the club girl made him chuckle.
“You want to let us in on it?” Banger asked.
Ryder looked at the Insurgents’ president and shook his head. “It’s nothing. Just thinking about something Brutus did earlier today.” He looked down at his plate and twirled the spaghetti around his fork.
“That’s why we should get a dog,” Cara said. “Braxton’s been dying for one, and I think it would be good for him to have a pet. It helps a child be responsible.”
“Can I have one, Daddy? Please … can I?” Braxton’s dark eyes sparkled.
“Harley loves Patches to death, doesn’t he?” Belle said, looking at Banger, who nodded.
Hawk shook his head slightly. “It seems like I’m being ganged up on.”
Ryder glanced at his buddy and it seemed like he was trying to suppress a smile. “I’ve always had a dog. It’s a good thing for a kid.” He picked up his beer, and his eyes locked with Savannah’s.Beautiful. Damn. She gets to me.
“Well … we’ll see,” Hawk replied, but Ryder knew that meant Braxton was probably getting a puppy for Christmas. When Cara leaned over and kissed Hawk deeply, a pain stabbed at Ryder’s heart.I almost had a family, but Dana crushed all that.
A slight nudge against his leg made Dana fly out of his mind, and he snapped his gaze to Savannah, who licked her lips while running her foot up and down his calf.Fuck, woman.Ryder shifted in his seat and adjusted his jeans the best he could without being caught with a burgeoning hard-on. Savannah had the uncanny skill of making him so damn hard whether she was around or not, and it made him feel like a damn teenager—raging hormones and all.Double fuck.
“Did you see the Christmas tree?” Timmy asked Savannah.
“Yes, it’s beautiful. Ryder’s promised to take us to get a tree later tonight,” Savannah answered.
Ryder’s muscles stiffened, Hawk choked on his beer, and Banger clucked his tongue.Triple fuck!
“That’s wonderful,” Cara replied.
“Are you going to Holly’s Christmas Trees?” Belle asked.
“They have gorgeous ones. That’s where we bought ours,” Cara chimed in.
“I’m not sure …” Savannah said. “Ryder?”
“Yeah, that’s where we’re going. Can you pass me another roll, Belle?” Ryder was stuffed to the gills, but he wanted the tree conversation to end, so he buttered the roll and forced it down his throat.
After dinner, Timmy, Braxton, and Harley ran off to play a video game with a curly-haired Isa toddling after them. Belle, Cara, and Savannah cleared the dishes and disappeared into the kitchen, and Hawk motioned Ryder and Banger to follow him to the den.
A fire crackled in the fireplace, and Hawk poured each of them a couple shots of whiskey. Ryder settled back on the leather couch while Hawk and Banger each sat down on the wing chairs.
“So you’re doing Christmas this year?” Banger asked, a twinkle in his eye.
Ryder took a sip of the premium whiskey. “Before you guys start your shit, I’m only doing this for Timmy. He’s only six fucking years old, and he’s away from his grandparents and cousins. I feel for the kid.”
“And the mom?” Hawk asked.
“She made the choice to leave, not Timmy.”
Banger set his tumbler down. “Let me get this straight. This sudden interest in decorating has everything to do with the boy and nothing to do with the sexy mom?”
“You got it.” Ryder downed the rest of his drink.
“What a load of shit,” Banger said while Hawk guffawed. “Just admit you got the hots for the mom. It’s natural as fuck. Two good-looking people.” Banger paused and looked intently at Ryder’s face. “Well …onegood-looking person and one not so much, stranded in a cabin in a snowstorm. Hell, it’s right from one of those fuckin’ sappy movies Belle watches this time of year.”
Hawk busted out laughing, then stood up and brought the whiskey bottle over to fill up the glasses. “It’s okay to want to fuck her, dude. I see the way you’re both hot for each other. You deserve this.”
