Chapter 30 Savannah #2
“But she wouldn’t want any of this either. My father tarnished her company too far, and I don’t want to deal with the mess. If she were alive, she would tell me that it’s okay to run away because I have someone to love, and I won’t let anything happen to that person or the people around her.”
A wave of softness goes through my body, of hope. But the waves constantly crash. “It doesn’t change the fact of what is going to happen to the Riverbell.” I somberly drop my view to the ground.
“Listen to me, you’re wrong. The board has already been flipped, and I went even further to find a way to force my father to resign.”
I give all of my attention to him. “What do you mean?”
He steps closer and swoops up my hands. His touch keeps me grounded, and it also sends me a message of optimism. “When I discovered that Davenport was trying to take the Riverbell, I went through a thousand scenarios of how to fix it. The solution was found, but I needed time.”
My face contorts into complete confusion. “You’re not making sense.”
He scans the area around us, and we see everyone’s eyes watching us, including my aunt, who is standing next to Elodie.
My aunt gives a gentle nod, indicating that I should listen.
Julian moves to ensure there is barely any air between us, and he quickly places a delicate kiss on my forehead before he moves his mouth closer to my ear.
His breath along my skin tingles every nerve, awakening the power within me, and I am unable to deny him.
“I managed to flip the board because I had someone following my dad.” His voice is low and quiet so that nobody can hear it outside our little bubble.
“And?”
His deep chuckle under his breath feels steeped with confidence, but it’s sinister. “Let’s just say there’s a video with a woman in a compromising position that isn’t his current wife.”
I jut my chin up. “So, you blackmailed him?” I’m neither surprised nor impressed. This should be a red flag, but selfishly and oddly, I grasp that it’s how he does protectiveness, and when it comes to his dad, I would never expect the situation to be clean.
Julian bobbles his head side to side, unfazed. “I mean, when you state it like that, I guess that is how you could label it.”
I rub my temples. “I’m trying to follow. You sold your shares and have zero connection to your grandmother’s company anymore, you blackmailed your own father, and flipped the board to kill the deal?”
“Yep. Your aunt no longer needs to worry. You no longer need to worry.”
All I do is gingerly shake my head to myself and begin to grasp the facts. The balloon of concern I’ve been carrying around for my aunt begins to deflate, and I do feel my smile appear because of it. But it doesn’t grow, because on the other side of the equation is Julian, standing right before me.
He searches my eyes, and I have to admit it uplifts me, and I can’t push the hope for us away.
It’s a lot of overwhelming emotions. He’s intoxicating. Takes over my heart and controls my breath, and it’s all because of a simple fact, and it causes me to step aside and begin to walk away.
“Savannah, I love you in every way that I’m supposed to love someone.
We bicker, you invade every part of my body, you see inside of me the way nobody else can.
Hell, you keep me in check and call me out because you believe I am a better version of myself.
I’m only ever going to have this with one person, and it’s you. ”
My cheeks grow tight, and my throat cracks, and a tear fills the corner of my eye, threatening to drop. Every word is true because I feel it, too.
Turning to face him, I meet his eyes. “You love me?”
“Yes.”
That three-letter word tips me, and the tear falls as everything inside of me gushes open into the air, and I feel light. There are still, however, a few bricks on my wall.
“Everything with you has been one game after another. Compromising positions, withholding information, blackmail, blowing up my career, and ooh, a bonus, you made my life miserable at the start, and I’ve been pretty miserable lately.
Did I mention blackmail? Because that was mentioned again today as a tactic. I’m not a game.”
Instantly, he pulls me close, his hands frame my face, with his thumbprints stamped on my cheeks, our eyes locked.
“You are not. You were an intriguing thrill until you became someone I care for, want to protect, and keep you as mine, all because I want you happy, and I believe I’m the man for that.
I love you, and I’m well aware I need to learn how to do it all better.
But you make me a better person. And you have me. Let me love you.”
His thumb swipes away my tear droplet. “We’re doing this while I’m in a crown and sash,” I weep humorously and briefly look away.
His grin is wickedly sexy. “Even better.”
Giving myself a long pause, I double-check with myself what my mind has decided and what my heart feels.
I give up because it’s right.
“I love you, too,” I admit.
“You asked me once about my company name. We reach crossroads in life when you have to make a decision to lead to the right path. You are my crossroad. Changing my direction straight to everything I need and want. I won’t need any other way.”
Another tear slides down my cheek because it’s poetic and defines where we are together. Incredibly cheesy, too. My smile grows, as I bring out that side of him.
He sweeps my hand up and rests it under his palm on his heart. “I was about to tear the world apart because I need you, Savannah.”
I recall the last few weeks, and without him, it was the true cause of my misery. “Me too.”
It happens, like my body knows before my mind catches up.
One second we’re staring at each other, disbelief and relief tangled between us, and the next my mouth is finally on his again.
The world shrinks, and so does the ache in my chest. Everything was lost and now found again.
A kiss can be an apology, and I’ll take it instead of words.
Our lips continue to press until we pull back.
He kisses my forehead one last time and creates space between us.
In the depths within me, it finally releases the simple fact; distance never really stood a chance between us.
He dips his hand into his pocket, and for a second, I panic because if he does what I think he’s about to do, then it’s too soon. Instead, he smirks and presents me with the box with the necklace.
“It’s been waiting for you. You lost your necklace once because you were meant to have only a key from me. Take it.”
I playfully slap his shoulder, amused. “Did you practice that line in the car? It’s smooth.”
“It’s true and will have to do until I slip a ring on your finger one day. Apparently, push presents are a thing, so if I get you pregnant, you’ll get one of those, too.”
He’s thinking the long game.
I loop my arms around his middle, and he jerks me tight to him. I’ve missed the way his fingers brush strands of my hair behind my ear.
“Big plans, Mr. Haven.” I can’t stop beaming because my emotions have returned to the peaceful state they were in before this whole situation happened. “What happens now?” I wonder. Do we pick up where we left off?
“We’ll find a way to make it work in the office.” His face strains. “I should probably tell you that the blackmail material kind of had to do with my dad and his intern at his office.”
I roll my eyes. “Great. Now you probably have to enter therapy because of the similarities,” I say, sarcastic.
“Nah. I’m okay,” he grins comfortably, then turns serious. “We’ll go at whatever pace you want. I will be a better man because of you. I hope you realize that.”
I’m confident when I say, “I do.” Another moment is lost between us as we soak one another in. Extending this moment between us as we enter a new phase of our relationship.
He examines me differently this time, his face breaking the seriousness. “The crown and Miss Everhope sash… do you get to keep it?” His eyes flash with complete innuendo.
“If I say yes, I have a feeling you will throw me over your shoulder, and I actually need to pick a pie winner.”
“Fine.” He exaggerates his sigh. “I’ll wait to make up for lost time.”
I smile, and we kiss once more before I shake him away.
Clicking my tongue, I hitch my thumb over my shoulder. “Gotta go. Responsibilities and all.”
I begin to walk away, but he catches my fingers, reeling me back in. “I’ll be waiting. I’ll go check out the state cow winner. And only you would ever cause me to say that sentence.”
I sputter a laugh. “City boy.”
“I’ll enjoy it because I love you.”
I take a second and let out a serene breath. “I like hearing that.”
He lets me go, and I begin to continue my task of the day. I notice my aunt knowingly smiling at me. She quickly joins me and gives me a hard side-hug.
“He came to see me this morning.”
Does that surprise me? No. Julian will take any means necessary to get what he wants.
“You found someone,” she says.
“I did.”
And finally, I feel safe for the long road ahead.
With him.
We walk into his room at the inn, hand in hand. I’m surprised Julian didn’t yank me in. Instead, he’s letting me lead the way. We talked on our walk from the festival, and I get to set the pace even if we both agree that what’s between us is real and the future.
With the door closed, we finally meet for a kiss that nobody can see. A kiss for us. It’s endearing and soft, then deeper.
“I love you,” he whispers again as his mouth trails along my jawline.
“And I love you. I believe we have to make up properly.” My fingers begin to claw at his chest near his buttons.
“Couldn’t agree more.” His hands travel between us, and the click of his belt triggers a thought in my mind.
Julian isn’t the man I imagined when I was summoned to work for him. Nor am I the woman I was. My confidence never left me, but my desire for his control only grew.
“Julian,” I purr as his lips kiss the corner of my mouth.
“Yes.”
“Your belt. Let’s use it.” His head retreats in surprise. “You tied me with a ribbon, but a belt is stronger.” I step forward to close our space, and my fingers find the clasp of his belt.
His face floods with understanding. “And I’ll never let you escape from me again.”
“And I wouldn’t want you to let me go.”
This is sentimental in our own way.
“If you’re sure.”
I nod as I thread his belt out of the loops with firmness and confidence. Walking backward, the back of my knees hit the edge of the bed, and I sink down, our eyes staying intact. I quickly discard my dress while he undresses. We meet right by the headboard.
Slowly with purpose, I lie down and stretch my arms over my head against the pillow. He loops the belt around the bars of the headboard, bringing it through to bind me tightly, and I flinch slightly.
We hold our gaze and get lost in one another’s eyes.
"Safe word," he reminds me.
“I trust you.”
His thumb does that thing where he caresses my cheek, so delicately, reminding me of the soft side of him that is overflowing with care.
“You may be tied up right now, but I want to make love to you long and slow.”
My heart blooms from his wish. I thought for sure he would take the opportunity to fuck me hard for lost time.
“Deep, too,” I add with a half-smile, and he has a crooked grin. I want him to make me come undone. He has the power to do that.
He kisses me again before he plants his forearm on the mattress next to my head, and his other hand travels along my body, moving lower. “Whatever you desire, you get.”
His heart.
That’s what I desired.
And it’s what I already have.