Page 44 of Christmas Wish
“Make sure you got enough stuff to decorate that big tree,” he said to Timmy, who pointed at a large one.
“Ryder’s right, honey. Let’s get one that’s a bit smaller.” Savannah walked over to a six-foot Douglas fir. “This one is nice.” Timmy rushed over and jumped up and down in place, making Ryder laugh.
Snowflakes floated down from the cloud-laden sky, dancing and swirling as a cold wind carried them toward the trees and the customers. Savannah tugged on Ryder’s scarf, wrapping it closer around his neck then buttoning up the top of his leather jacket. It was the same thing his mother would have done, and for some reason, Savannah’s thoughtfulness pissed him off. It angered the hell out of him because deep beneath the steel casing of his heart and his rough exterior, her gesture touched some starving part of him, the part that needed the warm and loving arms of a woman he could call his own. It had nothing to do with fucking; it had everything to do with need.
After Dana had shattered his heart, he swore he’d never again care about another woman, but Savannah stirred up feelings inside him that had been dormant for over six years. Ryder couldn’t remember the last time he’d encountered that swell of emotion as he did with Savannah. It was crazy as hell—he’d only known her for ten days—yet his feelings were real, as much as he didn’t want to admit it to anyone, even himself.
“Nice choice,” the cashier said cheerfully as he pulled his cap down over his ears. “That’ll be ninety-five dollars—seventy-five for the tree and twenty for the stand.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ryder saw Savannah opening her purse, so he grabbed her hand.
“I’ll get it,” he said.
“Definitely not. We’re the ones who wanted the tree. I insist on paying.” She pulled her hand away.
“Leave it be, woman.” His voice brooked no argument, stopping the mad rush for her wallet, because she just stared at him and let her purse hang loosely from her shoulder.
Ryder paid the man then hauled the tree over to the jeep. One of the lot boys rushed over and helped him secure it, and in no time, they were headed back to the cabin. Timmy and Savannah chattered the whole drive, and by the time Ryder had opened the garage door, the snow was falling at a very fast clip.
“Let me help you with that,” Savannah said, sliding out of the vehicle.
“I’ve got it. Go inside with Timmy and get warm.”
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”
He grunted and threw her a stern look, and then satisfaction settled on his face when she turned around and walked into the house.
After setting up the tree in front of the picture window, Ryder popped a pain pill into his mouth and sat down on the couch. If he were alone, he’d take off his leg and massage capsaicin cream on his sore stump, but there was no way he was doing that in front of Savannah. Silly? Perhaps, but after Dana had spewed all that hurtful shit, it made him feel like he wasn’t the man he used to be. It took Ryder a few years to shirk off that notion, and he didn’t want to go back to that dark place again if Savannah looked at him with disgust in her eyes.I’m probably being stupid as fuck. She hasn’t even mentioned that night I lost it.That had earned her major points from him, but actuallyseeinghim without his leg was another thing entirely, at least that’s the way he felt about it.
“Timmy was so exhausted that he fell fast asleep. He had such a great day. Thanks for helping to make that happen,” she said.
Savannah was beaming, literally glowing with excitement. Ryder’s heart tripped over itself at the sight of her blonde hair in loose waves around her shoulders, with no makeup, and wrapped in a green robe that hugged all her curves. It took every ounce of restraint not to scoop her up in his arms and whisk her off to the bedroom. Damn, he wanted her. Ryder couldn’t remember ever wanting anyone as much as he wanted Savannah at that moment.
“I’m going to make some hot chocolate. Do you want some?”
“You’re fucking obsessed with that drink.” He chuckled.
She giggled. “I am—I never realized it. Although I think tonight I’ll try it your way with a shot of whiskey.”
“In that case, I’ll have one too, but make it a double shot.”
“You’re so bad.” She ran her fingers through his hair, and he grasped her hand and kissed it.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice thick.
Savannah withdrew her hand gently and smiled. “You’re good for my ego.” He watched while she padded away, groaning as her hips swayed just right in the sexy-as-shit robe.
Actually, it was just a standard flannel robe that he wouldn’t even have looked at twice, but the way it clung around her curves got his dick punching against his jeans. He tossed a throw pillow on his lap and shook his head and smiled.Damn that woman.
When she came back, she put his mug on the end table next to him, and hers on the coffee table. The front of her robe fell open, and he heard her suck in a breath. There was a pause then the slightest quirk to the corner of his mouth as his gaze fixed on the edges of her lacy bra. Savannah quickly pulled the robe together and tied the sash tighter before she sat down.
Ryder grasped Savannah’s arm and jerked her to him, his mouth smothering her words as he kissed her hungrily. He just couldn’t get enough of her tempting lips and addictive scent as her body pressed against his—he couldn’t get enough ofher.
They kissed for a while until Savannah pulled away.
“The cocoa is gonna get cold,” she whispered, pushing her robe together again. As soon as she leaned over, the robe fell open at the bottom and revealed her shapely leg, which made Ryder press the pillow down further onto his lap.
His eyes stayed glued to the flexing muscles of her calf until she cleared her throat, and when his gaze snapped up, he noticed a flush of pink crawling across her cheeks. He’d been staring at her again.Fuck!There was something about Savannah that had him so damn off-center. She picked up her mug from the table then sank back against the couch. After carefully tucking her legs under her ass, she took a sip of the hot chocolate. Ryder watched her movements as they played havoc with his dick and roused his desire even more.
