Chapter 26
“Hey,” I greeted with a smile as I strode across the parking lot toward Savage.
He was leaning against the SUV, looking casually bored. “Hey.”
I stopped walking. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Not nothing. What is it?”
“Get in the car.”
“No.”
He sighed. “Get in the car and we’ll talk.”
“I’d rather talk out here,” I said, taking a step back.
“I’m scaring you. Fuck. I said I wouldn’t scare you.” He unclenched his hands. “Can we talk in the car? I want privacy. I promise we won’t drive anywhere until you’re ready. Please?”
“All right,” I said finally.
He went around to the passenger side door and opened it for me. I trailed behind him slowly, with heavy steps, but I was determined to override my trepidation.
After I got in, Savage closed the door and then went around to the driver’s side. He climbed in, shut the door, and sat in silence for a moment.
“Savage?” I prodded.
“I’ve been in a mood all damn day,” he said softly. “All because you hugged Roman.”
I frowned. “You’re upset because I hugged someone else?”
“I’m upset because I’m jealous,” he stated, looking at me, a wry smile finally crossing his face. “And I’ve never been jealous over anyone.”
“You have no reason to be jealous,” I stated. “Yesterday I wanted chocolate milk, and we didn’t have any. Roman bought a carton for me today. That’s why I hugged him. That’s all.”
He let out a groan.
“What?” I demanded. “What did I say?”
“I’m a complete ass. I know it. But now I’m jealous that he brought you something just because you wanted it. I wish it had been me.”
“You didn’t know,” I said. “And you can’t be responsible for seeing to every one of my needs.”
“I can sure as hell try,” he growled.
“Savage,” I began, reaching out and cradling his cheek in my hand. I ran a finger across his stubble. The feel of it against my skin caused me to shiver in pleasure. “Roman views me as a little sister. Like he sees Brielle. And I see him, Virgil, and Homer in a fraternal light. Okay?”
He turned his head and kissed my palm. “Okay.”
“I only want you.”
“You want me?”
I met his bold gaze and nodded.
He sighed and kissed my palm again before taking it in his own hand. “This is new territory for me.”
“What is?”
“Feeling possessive.”
Nerves skated through my belly. “Randall was a possessive man. I’m not sure how I feel about you being possessive, too.”
He squeezed my hand and let it go. “This is my own shit. You don’t need to worry about me being like your husband.”
I nodded and finally buckled myself in.
“I have an idea,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“Tonight, we’ll order in. And after dinner, I’ll get on my knees and beg your forgiveness.”
“On your knees, huh?”
“With my tongue between your legs.” He grinned wickedly.
I pressed the start button for him. “What are you waiting for?”
“Tell me about your childhood,” Savage commanded as he dug his thumb into the arch of my left foot.
I flipped the page of the baby book I was reading and pretended I hadn’t heard him.
When I didn’t reply, he pressed his finger between the book and forced it lower.
I looked at him. “Sorry, did you ask me something?”
“I asked about your childhood.”
I frowned. “What about it? I told you I lived on a farm.”
“Yeah. But you never talk about your parents. All you told me about them was they died when you were eighteen.”
“They did.” My gaze dropped back to the book.
Savage wrenched it from my hands and tossed it to the floor.
“Hey!” I made a move to get up, but he tightened his hand around my foot. “You’re holding my foot hostage.”
“Why won’t you talk about your childhood?”
“Why won’t you?”
“What do you mean? I told you about my history with Willa and Duke and how I grew up.”
“Hmm. Not really. You glossed over everything else.” I cocked my head to the side. “Do you talk about the losses you’ve suffered? Or do you bury them deep and try to forget?”
“Is that what you do?”
“Why do you answer a question with a question?”
“Why do you?”
We stared at one another. We were at an impasse.
A vibrating buzz of a cell phone broke the moment.
Savage reached into his jeans pocket for it and looked at the screen. “Damn, I gotta take this.” He answered the phone with a brusque, “Yeah? Fuck. Yeah, okay. I’ll take care of it.” He ended the call and set his phone on the arm of the couch. “I’ve got to go.”
“Oh. Okay.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Hey,” Savage commanded. “Don’t think for a second that we’re done with this conversation.” He stood up and leaned down to kiss me. “I won’t forget about this. I want answers, Evie.”
For the next few days, our schedules didn’t align. Savage was gone before I woke up, and I was in bed before he got home. He crawled into bed and made love to me before pulling me close and falling asleep.
I had a prospect take me to work in the mornings and one of the Jackson siblings drive me home. Savage regularly checked in via text, but they were quick as though he was too busy to put much thought into them.
Because he’d been busy with the club, it meant he didn’t have the ability to ask me more about my childhood and upbringing. I hoped enough time had passed that he’d forgotten about it entirely and that we could continue sailing along in a blissful state of desire and growing intimacy.
“Stop fidgeting, you look beautiful,” Savage said as he closed the passenger door.
“I can’t help it. I’m nervous,” I admitted.
“There’s no reason to be nervous,” Savage said.
He opened the back door of the SUV and pulled out my gifts.
“They’re your family,” I said. “I want to make a good impression.”
“Then just be yourself.” He hugged me to him, and I immediately collapsed against his side, seeking his reassurance.
He took my hand and led me toward the door.
“You didn’t tell me they lived in the country,” I said with a smile.
“I wanted it to be a surprise. After dinner, I’ll take you to meet the neighbor’s horse.”
“I’d like that.”
I thought we’d get to the front porch and Savage would knock, but he surprised me when he walked into the house without invitation. I was immediately assaulted by the scent of garlic and tomato.
“We’re here!” he called.
A man with dark hair strode out of the kitchen, holding a bottle of beer. He clapped Savage on the back in greeting and then turned to me. “Hi, I’m Duke. Nice to finally meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” I said shyly.
“Willa’s in the kitchen and she just put the meatballs in the oven,” Duke said. “Come on, let’s get you guys some drinks.”
Duke turned and we followed him down the hallway. Willa stood at the oven; a dishrag slung over her shoulder.
“Hi!” Willa chirped, a huge smile on her face as she turned to us. She embraced Savage quickly and before I knew it, she was hugging me too.
“What can I get you guys to drink?” Duke asked.
“Beer for me,” Savage said. “Evie?”
“Water’s fine,” I said. “I brought you some things.”
Savage handed Willa the tote bag. She reached into it and pulled out the loaf of bread. “Is this homemade?”
“Yeah, it’s sourdough,” I said. “I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it, thank you.” She beamed. “I heard about your breadmaking skills from Brooklyn, actually.”
“Oh.” I felt my cheeks heat. “You did?”
“There’s also homemade pear jam in there,” Savage commented.
“Willa, what can I do to help?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she announced. “The meatballs just went in, I’ll put the noodles on in a bit, and I’m going to have Sailor and Waverly make the salad.”
“Where are the co-conspirators?” Savage took a drink of his beer.
“Out in the shop. They found a dresser on the side of the road, and they were giving it a good cleaning,” Willa said. To me she explained, “Waverly and Sailor are big into furniture flipping. Duke, will you get them?”
“Sure thing.” Duke headed for the back door and disappeared.
“Oh, damn it,” Willa said. “I forgot to get a baguette for garlic bread.”
“Just use the sourdough,” Savage said.
“Good idea.” Willa smiled at me. “Evie, would you slice it?”
“Sure.” I detached from Savage’s side and went to the sink to wash my hands.
“Savage, grab her a cutting board.”
“Yes, Commander,” Savage quipped.
“Did you explain about Sailor?” Willa asked.
“Yes, he told me on the way over,” I said. “I love your house.”
“Thanks. I can give you a tour later if you want.”
“That sounds great.”
The back door opened, and two teenagers tromped in. Duke came in behind them and shut the door.
“Evie!” Waverly greeted me with exuberance. She looked me up and down. “Why does that outfit look familiar?”
I smiled. “Because it once belonged to Brooklyn.”
“Ah,” Waverly said. “Well, it looks great on you.”
“Thanks.”
“As does my jacket,” she quipped.
“Are you going to continue ignoring me?” Savage asked her.
“You’re way less interesting than your girlfriend,” Waverly said.
He wrapped an arm around her and ruffled her hair before releasing her. “Hey, Sailor.”
“Hi, Savage,” she said with a smile. “I’ll forgo the hair ruffling if you don’t mind.”
“Your loss.” Savage shrugged.
“She’s right, her jacket does look good on you,” Sailor said to me. “But I’m kind of jealous because she promised that jacket to me.”
“In a few months I’ll be too big for it. And then I’ll give it to you,” I stated.
“Will you guys make the salad?” Willa asked.
“But I want to ply Evie with questions,” Waverly said. “Like is Savage a total simp? He’s a total simp, isn’t he?”
“Don’t answer that,” Savage said to me. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”
“Yeah, he’s a total simp,” Sailor said with a nod.
“I need help lighting the patio lamps,” Duke said to Savage.
“Let’s do it.”
“Are you okay if we eat outside?” Willa asked me. “The heat lamps will take away the chill in the air. And the sky is clear so there’s no chance of rain.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“So, you’ve worked at Three Kings for a couple of weeks now,” Waverly said as she opened the fridge. “Have you gotten Homer to smile yet?”