If only I believed me.
11
Savvy
The next morning, Savvy pulled Rory aside while the kids were occupied with breakfast. “Would it be okay if I take the kids to Beth’s and Conner’s ranch? The kids really loved Taryn, and she has a very gentle horse, named Pegasus, that they could ride.”
Savvy chose not to tell him that not only was the horse gentle by nature but also because Taryn could communicate directly with the horse. Not only was she a wolf shifter, but her special witchy talent was the ability to talk to, calm, and control any animal.
“Sure. I trust you and I trust Conner,” he said.
“Terrific. I wanted to ask you before I said anything to them.”
“I appreciate that,” he said, briefly putting his hand on her arm.
A shock wave exploded inside of her, nearly knocking her down. It had been so hard for her, because every time she looked at Rory, she saw him naked and felt his hands on her body. If she closed her eyes for a second, she could feel him inside of her, bringing her to the edge of being completely consumed by fire.
Savvy quickly turned back toward the kids and said, “I have a surprise for you. Taryn asked if you could go to the ranch and maybe ride a horse.”
“Really?” Cat asked excitedly. “I love horses.”
“I want to ride a horse,” Drake said.
“Are you coming, Daddy?” Cat asked.
“No, baby girl. I have to work. I’m sorry.”
Both of the kids looked disappointed but didn’t argue with him. Savvy saw a shadow pass over Rory’s face and knew he hated not being able to go with the kids. It was one of the aspects about Rory that made him so easy to love – he was an incredible father who adored his children.
Savvy shook her head. She didn’t love Rory. She was just attracted to him. He was sexy, and he was her boss. They had sex once and that was all. It was a one-time deal that would never happen again.
Taryn was as excited to see the kids as they were to see her. Savvy had to remind them to wait until the truck was at a complete stop before they unbuckled their seatbelts and jumped out. They ran over to Taryn and hugged her, one on each side. She giggled and hugged the kids back.
“Do we really get to ride a horse today?” Cat asked breathlessly.
“I love horses,” Drake said.
“Yes. I have Pegasus saddled and waiting for you,” Taryn said. “Before you get on him and start riding, though, you have to introduce yourselves and get to know him. I have some apple slices you can give him that will make him love you.”
Drake jumped up and down and clapped his hands. Cat giggled. The two kids followed Taryn to the barn, telling her everything they knew about horses.
Beth handed Savvy a glass of sweet iced tea and they sat on the front porch so they could watch the kids. Taryn led the horse out of the barn with both kids sitting on its back. Then, after walking them around the corral for a few minutes, she helped Cat off and then got up behind Drake. They galloped around for a couple of minutes, and then they switched so that Cat had a chance to ride. Taryn’s smile was as big as her younger friends’.
“How are things going between you and Rory?” Beth asked as they watched Taryn, Cat, and Drake.
“Well, I guess that all depends on how you look at it,” Savvy said. “We had sex the other night.”
“What?” Beth asked shocked. “You had sex with him?”
“Yeah. It felt right. He kissed me and I can’t even begin to explain the fire and heat that exploded inside of me. It was like nothing else in the world mattered. I needed him so badly that I was afraid that I would die if we didn’t connect.”
“You gave your virginity to your boss?” Beth asked.
“I know. It’s crazy. But as I said, it felt right. And it was incredible.”
“I’m glad that you enjoyed your first time. So, what now?”
“Nothing. We talked about the fact that I was a virgin right after we did the deed. Then, I went upstairs, took a shower, and went to bed. The next day, we just acted like nothing happened.”