Page 44 of Seductive Swimmer
20
Alex
Shit, I feel awful. Even though Savannah said we’re fine, I can tell we aren’t, not really. Thanks to my insatiable need for her, I struck a nerve, and the worst part is, I didn’t even know until it was too late. It makes me realize just how little I know about Savannah. For someone who’s coming to mean such a great deal to me, this is something I need to rectify.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, pulling at my hair with my hands. She should be with someone who isn’t such an idiot with no bloody clue how to behave in a proper relationship. What right do I have, allowing her to put up with my bumbling ineptness as I try to figure out how to be the man she deserves? I’ll be damned if I know the answer to that question, just the same as I’ll be damned if I’m going to let her go without a fight. I’ll just have to work harder to be the right man for her. If only I had the first fucking clue as to how to be that man.
Like an angel answering my prayers, Brayden knocks on my door, interrupting me from my self-loathing.
“Lorelai wants to know if you’ve got dinner plans tomorrow. She told me to tell you it’s been too long since she heard, and I quote, ‘that delicious accent’.” Brayden grimaces as I chuckle. “Swear to God, man. She made me say that.”
“Right, B. I know you can’t resist my sexy voice.” I can’t resist teasing him. Lorelai is a fantastic woman, and I’m honored to have her as a friend. Dinner with her and Brayden could be exactly what I need right now.
“I’d love to come. Mind if Savannah joins us?” I ask casually.
Brayden puts his hands in his pockets and stares at me. “Is she coming as our co-worker, or as your something more?”
“Something more,” I answer honestly, meeting his gaze head-on. After a second of contemplation, Brayden nods.
“See you at six. Bring that wine Lorelai likes.”
He walks out of my office, and I lean back in my chair, feeling good about the fact that Brayden has given his blessing to me and Savannah being together. Opening my phone, I send a message to Savannah.
ALEX: Are you home yet?
SAVANNAH: Just walked in the door. I’m sorry for my freak-out.
Oh fuck no, that just won’t do. I immediately call her, walking to close my office door as the phone rings. When I hear the call connect, I don’t give her any time to say a word.
“Savannah do not apologize, please. I’m the one who screwed up. Me. Not you. I am the one who is so fucking sorry. I had no idea, and if I had, I never would have insinuated anything.”
When she replies, Savannah’s voice is quiet. Too quiet. I can tell she’s still feeling guilty over the way she responded, and I hate the fact that I’m not there to hold her.
“Still, I should be over it. I should be—“
“Savannah Reese,” I say sternly, “don’t you dare say another word except ‘I accept your apology, Alex, and yes, you may give me multiple orgasms to make up for it’. Do you understand?”
Her sweet laugh fills me with relief.
“Multiple, huh?”
“Yes, love. I’m coming over after work, and when I spread those luscious legs of yours and feast on you, I’m going to make you see stars.” The dirty words come out more gruffly than I intended, but Savannah’s quick intake of air tells me she likes it.
“What time will you be here?”
“As soon as I finish reviewing some reports. I want you waiting for me, wearing something lacey. Or nothing at all.”
“Hurry.”
The lights are dim in Savannah’s apartment when I let myself in later that night. When I texted to say I was on my way, and she said she’d leave the door unlocked, I must admit to some concern. If anything, it made me even more impatient with Manhattan traffic as I worried about her alone in an unsecure apartment. Why else did I bother to have those better locks installed? I want her to be safe. My concern for her well-being goes far beyond the reasonable consideration I would have for any other woman. No, with Savannah, the very thought of someone hurting her makes my blood boil. It is all I could do this afternoon not to look up the asshole in Nebraska who disrespected her and make him pay somehow.
But here and now, she’s waiting for me somewhere in this apartment. The couch is empty, and I can see a soft flicker of light coming from her bedroom. As I walk that way, I swiftly remove my shoes, socks, jacket, and tie. I’m unbuttoning my shirt when I stop in the doorway to her room.
“Holy fuck, Savannah.”
Her hair is spread in waves over her pillow, and I’m seized by a desperate need to wrap my hands up in the long silken strands and hold her to me. Her luscious pink lips are parted, and she’s looking at me with such desire in her eyes, it’s all I can do not to dive onto the bed and take her right this second. But there’s more to see, and I plan on stoking the arousal between us to a fever pitch.
As I asked, she’s wearing lingerie. Which, it turns out, is even sexier than her waiting for me naked. Black satin cups her curves. My tongue darts out to wet my lips as I imagine pulling the fabric off her body and letting my mouth follow.
