Chapter 44
HUNTER
The hot pad holders do little to shield my skin from the heat as I strain the penne noodles over the kitchen sink. A rich, buttery aroma wafts in the air from the alfredo sauce on the stove.
Savannah wanders into the kitchen wearing nothing but a tiny pair of shorts and one of my crewnecks. “Mmm. What’s that smell?” Her eyes widen when she sees the pot in my hands. “Oh my God. Are you cooking?”
“Chicken Alfredo,” I answer, then nod to the window. “Luke’s almost done grilling the chicken outside on the terrace.”
Savannah’s attention turns toward Luke, then back to me. “I was starting to think your kitchen was just for show.”
Setting the hot pot on the opposite side of the sink from the strainer, I fling a hot pad holder at Savannah. “Smart ass.” I move back to the stove to check on the sauce. “I enjoy cooking, but I don’t usually have the time.”
Strong, delicate arms wrap around my middle. “Poor billionaire has to pay other people to make his meals.”
Setting down the wooden spoon and turning off the burner, I spin in her arms. “Don’t push it, Heartbreaker. You’re already on thin ice walking around looking like that.”
Savannah smirks up at me. “Looking like what?”
“You.” Grabbing her by the hips, I hold Savannah in place as I devour her, plunging my tongue into her mouth to get a taste. Savannah sighs into my mouth.
Her sounds are like a siren’s call, beckoning Rory and Luke to join. I don’t know how they know. Maybe we’re all developing a sixth sense that tells us when it’s time for hot sex.
“What’s going on in here?” Rory asks mischievously.
Breaking the kiss, I play along with Rory. “Savannah was making fun of my hobbies.”
“No, I wasn’t,” Savannah denies.
Luke sets the plate of chicken on the counter and crosses his arms, ready to watch the show. “Sounds like someone is behaving like a brat.”
Rory moves to stand behind Savannah, caging her in between the two of us. “You know what happens to brats?” His hands slide up her stomach under her top and cup her breasts.
“No. What?” Savannah moans as Rory begins playing with her nipples.
“They get fucked. Hard,” I growl.
Luke stalks forward, and just as he gets his hands on Rory, a voice off to my left exclaims, “What. The. Fuck!”
My son stands at the edge of the kitchen with his jaw slack.
“Shit,” I mutter.
Savannah jumps out of my arms and in the opposite direction of Nate. “Oh my God!” She fixes her shirt, and her face turns red.
“This isn’t good,” Luke states in a low voice.
Nate’s eye bounce between the four of us. “Savannah, how—But—Dad, what the hell is going on here?”
Stepping in front of Savannah, I shield her. “Nate, I didn’t know you were coming over.”
“I didn’t think I needed an invitation,” Nate bites back.
This is not going to go over well.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sigh. “You know that’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised.”
Nate folds his arms. “As am I.”
“Rory. Luke,” I address, “Take Savannah upstairs.”
They both nod and guide Savannah to the stairs, keeping her from Nate’s view. We all know how he can lash out when he’s angry.
Nate sneers. “Yeah, take the homewrecker upstairs.”
Point proven.
“Hey!” I practically bark at him.
Rory and Savannah continue up the stairs as Luke spins on his heel. “What did you just say?”
I hold my hand up, signaling Luke to stop. “I got this.” My attention goes back to Nate when Luke continues behind Rory. “Watch your mouth.”
Nate waves his hand in the direction Savannah went. “That’s my—”
“Nothing,” I interrupt. “She’s nothing to you. You barely even dated.”
“Is that supposed to make this whole situation better?” Nate seethes.
I can’t keep coddling him. “I don’t need to make this better. You just have to accept it.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry you found out this way. I wanted to talk to you about it first.” Sighing, I relax my shoulders.
Nate throws his hands out at his sides as he says, “Well, we are where we are.”
He has every right to be upset, but that doesn’t mean I have to take the brunt of it.
I make my voice firm. “You’re an adult, Nate, so act like one. It’s not as if she cheated on you or as if she planned this. It was a coincidence.”
“Some fucking coincidence,” Nate retorts.
“It is,” I state again. “Look, Nate. I love you. You’re my son, and Savannah is important to me.”
“It looks like she’s important to Rory and Luke, too,” he interjects.
I nod, confirming his observation. “She is.”
Nate’s nostrils flare. “And I’m just supposed to be okay with this?”
Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t expect you to right away, but I do expect you to try at least.”
Nate’s eyes fall to the floor, but remain heated. “I need time.”
“That’s perfectly reasonable,” I validate.
Nate looks at me one more time, then marches toward the exit. When the elevator arrives to take him away, he turns back. “I’ll call you when I’m ready to talk.” He leaves without waiting for my response.
That didn’t go according to plan, but then again, it never does.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I search for Savannah. I find her, Rory, and Luke in the upstairs living room. Luke paces back and forth while Savannah and Rory sit on the couch. Savannah is tense, and Rory sits close to her but still gives her space to breathe.
When Savannah notices me, she jumps to her feet and rushes toward me. I open my arms, and she jumps. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers.
“You did nothing wrong,” I whisper back.
She pulls back, shaking her head. “I don’t want to come between you and Nate. You’re his dad.”
Adjusting my hold, I lift Savannah higher, and she wraps her legs around my waist. “That won’t happen. He’s just shocked, but he’ll come around.” I use the back of my fingers to brush against her cheek. “Trust me.”
Rory pops up off the couch, clapping his hands. “How about we eat the delicious dinner Hunter made, then cuddle on the couch and watch a movie?”
I wait for a cue from Savannah. I won’t do anything she doesn’t want to. If she wants to scream, then we’ll scream. If she wants to go out, then we’ll go out.
When Savannah relaxes a fraction in my arms, I reply. “Sounds perfect to me.”
We all go back to the kitchen, dish up our food, and settle in front of the big TV. I pick a spot next to Savannah so I can keep an eye on her.
I need her to know that she’s the most important person in my life.
I need her to believe that everything will be okay.
For the rest of the evening, there’s a strain between her brows. It’s small, but it’s there. I reassure her with soft touches and simple kisses, but she remains tense.
I feel helpless, and I don’t like it.