14. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Savannah
A s soon as I arrive at the cabin that night, I notice someone has left a package on the porch. This is really creeping me out. Who the hell would leave a gift on our steps? Every time something like this happens, I worry Derek has found us and has started playing his head games with us.
Kate likes to give us gifts sometimes. Baked goods, dinner, gifts for Kenzi she’s picked up in town on her days off.
Putting the mysterious package out of my mind for the moment, I focus on getting Kenzi ready for bed. I’m so grateful that Kate already took care of feeding her dinner, as I am absolutely drained. With her sound asleep, I return to the kitchen, where the gift-wrapped box sits patiently, waiting to be opened. Holding my breath, I carefully open it, my heart pounding, hoping this is something from Kate.
My hands tremble as I slowly untie the bow and cautiously remove the lid from the box, treating it as if it holds a potential threat. Then, when I look inside, relief shutters out of me. It’s just a phone, but this cell phone is the latest and most expensive one on the market. Picking up the small note, I unfold it and read the message.
Savannah,
Now you have a phone since you didn’t before. Don’t leave home without it and always answer me when I call and text. I want to know that you and Kenzi are safe always.
Declan
A shiver runs up my spine. I can’t believe that bastard bought me a phone. He has no right to spend that kind of money on me and then order me to answer his calls. Pacing the length of the kitchen, I struggle to process his words.
Soon, my initial anger gives way to something else. As I sit and stare at the note, I can’t help but feel grateful he wants to keep Kenzi and me safe. That will come in handy if Derek ever shows up.
Nope, I shake my head, shutting down that train of thought before it takes me down a path I don’t want to go. Gah! He’s just so damn bossy, and we aren’t his problem.
Then a thought occurs to me. Declan’s house is close enough that, in an emergency, I can run through the woods and reach him to at least get Kenzi safe. Maybe I can hand her off to Declan and he can take her to his mom. I’m going to have to confide in Kate if she’s going to take Kenzi for me when Derek comes for us. Just the idea of it makes my blood run cold. I know that day will be the last day I see my daughter and that is more terrifying than anything Derek will do to me.
Deciding this is a problem for another day, I look back to see what else is inside the gift box. Three pristinely folded T-shirts stare back at me. Men’s T-shirts.
Savannah,
I better not catch you wearing another man’s clothing again. If I do, I will turn you over my knee and spank your ass. I’ve left my shirts so you can wear them to bed. Don’t make me come in there again and burn all of your clothes. I will buy you a whole new wardrobe if that’s what it takes, but you will not be wearing another man’s clothes to bed.
Declan
What. The. Fuck. Make him come in here again? What the hell does he mean by that? Shaking my head in disbelief, I can’t fathom Declan thinking he can come into my house and take clothing that doesn’t belong to him. What the fuck is wrong with him? He’s lost his mind. Running into my bedroom, I check my drawers where the shirts were that I wear to bed. It’s empty. There’s nothing. That fucker stole my shirts!
The worst part is I can’t report him to the police because I’m trying to hide from the police, so Derek can’t find me. Also, his brother is the top law enforcement officer in this town. I feel Mason and Declan are very close knit so I can’t count on Mason.
It’s funny because he thinks they are my ex’s T-shirts. They aren’t. When we fled, I grabbed what I could of Kenzi’s and left most of my belongings. I’ve tried to shop at thrift stores to replace things, but I still don’t have very many clothes. I grabbed the men’s shirts to sleep in because they are comfortable and plentiful in the thrift store near our town.
Picking up one shirt and bringing it to my face, it smells like Declan. Like earth, woods, sawdust, and pine. There’s just a hint of laundry soap scent as well. The fact that he wants me to wear his shirts to bed sends wetness between my legs. What is this man doing to me? Men are off-limits. I have to keep telling myself this because it seems Declan has gotten under my skin and is breaking down my walls.
The strangest part of all of this is that I’m not afraid of him. Okay, I was at first. His size, those tattoos, and that growly demeanor are enough to scare anyone. However, Mason’s uniform seems to be a bigger trigger for me. Out of the two of them, I know which one I’d run to for help. Plus, Declan seems to be obsessed with me, and more importantly, wants to keep Kenzi and me safe. I’m tired and can’t process all this right now, and I’m certainly not going to attempt to comprehend how his brain works. Knowing I should be afraid, I take a quick shower and crawl into bed, but I do not wear that fucker’s shirt.
The next morning, I wake up and look at the clock. It’s 9am. I never sleep this late. It’s my day off, but Kenzi usually wakes me up by now. I hear her giggling, and it sounds like it’s coming from the kitchen. The smell of bacon fills the air. What the hell?
As I walk into the kitchen, I see Kenzi sitting up on the counter and Declan beside her cooking breakfast on my stove. Frozen to the spot, I find myself blinking multiple times because I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“Mama, we took pantakes,” she babbles.
Kenzi’s words move me into action. “I see that, baby. Why didn’t you come wake Mama up? We don’t let strangers into the house, Kenzi,” I reprimand her gently, while side-eying Declan, hoping he takes the hint.
“But, Mama, him not stranwer. Him Deckin.”
“Baby girl, why are you not wearing what you were supposed to?” Declan asks sternly.
Looking down, I forgot I’m in tiny shorts and a tank top. Then I remember the reason for my late-night act of rebellion, and I sass back, “I’m wearing my clothes, Declan.” I know I’m being purposely obtuse, but he deserves it.
It takes him three steps to cross the kitchen, and he grabs my chin and lifts my face until our eyes meet.
“Savannah, when I tell you to wear my shirts to bed, that’s what you do. Are we clear?”
He’s being bossy, but at his command I’m instantly flushed and feel my pussy leaking. I would be embarrassed if Declan could see how wet he’s made me in just a few seconds. What the fuck, Savannah? Stop getting wet from the asshole being bossy.
“No, we aren’t clear. I wear my own clothes, and no man is going to tell me what to wear.” I fake bravado that I don’t feel inside.
“Baby girl, how would you like to be punished?”
“Pft. Punished? I don’t think so, ass—” What the hell am I doing? Whenever I talked to Derek like this, I would always end up hurt, and Declan has at least sixty pounds on Derek. He could annihilate me. Hastily, I avert my eyes, all fight leaving me in a whoosh.
He steps up close until our bodies are touching and bends down until his lips brush the shell of my ear so that Kenzi can’t hear what he’s saying. His hand goes up and grips my throat gently, causing my eyes to shutter. “Next time we’re alone, you are getting turned over my knee, and I can’t wait to see my handprint marking your perfect little ass.” The asshole kisses my neck, and then moves away to finish cooking as if nothing happened.
Unable to open my eyes and see him looking at me, I feel a tremble run through my body. I have goose bumps and that’s never happened to me before.
Not knowing how to respond, I squeak out, “I’m just going to… get changed. Be back in a few,” and I rush out of the kitchen like my ass is on fire.
Once I’m in my bedroom, heart pounding out of my chest, I rest my head back against the closed door and listen to my little girl. She’s babbling on, and Declan is listening and responding. He’s talking to Kenzi so sweetly, and his voice is low and soothing. I’ve never heard Kenzi and her father have a conversation. This man is tearing down my walls faster than I can rebuild them, and the way to my heart is definitely through my daughter.
I can’t resist the onslaught of visions of a future with Declan entering my head. It’s dangerous for me to even consider, but hearing how happy Kenzi is, waking up to someone else cooking and taking care of her, me having some alone time. They are all things I’ve never had before, or at least, not in a very long time.
Even though I fight back against Declan’s bossiness, it’s a relief having someone else take the weight off my shoulders. Him telling me what to do and taking care of me is going to spoil me. It’s so soothing to not have to make all the decisions. Hell, he’s even decided what we’re having for breakfast. It would be nice if I had a partner in life that I could depend on and trust enough to just let them make all the decisions. Most women don’t want a controlling man. I just want one that gives a damn.
Regardless of how comforting his presence feels, I know I can’t allow him to break down my defenses. What if he’s doing it to get inside my head but then turns out like Derek? Screwing other women, hitting me, and worst of all, treating Kenzi badly. I won’t allow that to happen again. Shaking my head to clear it, I take a deep breath and get ready for the day. I’m going to have to be a total bitch to a man that I’m really beginning to like.