Page 13 of Savage

“Yes and no. I mean yeah. I’ve had a good time and no, I don’t need anything to drink. I was just looking for you to let you know I’m going to go lay down for a while.”

“Are you okay? It’s still early. Do you want me to come with you to make sure you’re okay?” He looked instantly concerned.

“I’m fine. Yes, it’s still early, but I didn’t sleep much last night. I’m sure I’m just tired. You stay and enjoy yourself. There’s no reason for you not to. I’m sure after a good night’s sleep I’ll be fine.”

He watched her a moment, then nodded. “All right. If you’re sure. I’ll be along later. I don’t know how late I’ll be. If you need anything, call me okay? Did I give you my number?”

“No. No need. I’m just going to sleep.” She didn’t want to tell him there was no point in giving her his number, she didn’t have a phone to call him with.

“If you’re sure.”

He tugged her close, wrapped an arm around her and just held her for a moment. She stood stiff for a moment, but it felt so good that after a moment she relaxed against him. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had held her like this, just wanting to be close and make her feel better. After a few moments, he loosened his hold, then to her surprise, dropped a gentle kiss on top of her head.

“Sleep well. I’ll try not to wake you when I come in.”

Donna didn’t know how to respond to that, so she nodded, then reluctantly stepped out of his arms. Once away from him, she didn’t hesitate to go back to the tent they would be sharing. She hadn’t lied about being tired, she just hadn’t been entirely honest about why.

15

SavagewatchedDonnaasshe headed off toward the field where the tents were set up. He didn’t doubt that she was tired. He would be too if he’d spent the night before the way she had. But he suspected there was something more to it. Something she wasn’t telling him. He moved to the picnic table and sat. He faced away from the table, leaning back against it, elbows resting on the surface.

Not that he expected her to tell him all her secrets. No. they were barely getting to know each other, she had no reason to trust him, at least not yet. Did he want to get where she trusted him like that? Yeah. He liked that idea.

“What’s up with you?” Jake asked as he sat down beside him. “You look like someone just slapped you upside the head with a dead fish.”

Savage turned and stared at the man he’d only been getting to know when he’d left several months before. “Where do you come up with these things?”

“What things?” Jake said, looking as if he had no idea what Savage meant. “I don’t say anything weird, but back to my original question. What’s got you looking so shocked?”

Savage shook his head, remembering what he’d been thinking about when this friend had come up and pulled his mind away from her. Donna. Not just her but that he wanted her to trust him with her secrets. When had he decided he wanted that? from anyone?

“Just thinking.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to look too clearly at where his thoughts had come from, much less what they might mean. He sure as hell didn’t want to talk about it, or worse, his feelings. He tipped his bottle back and took a long pull, hoping Jake would let it go, but suspecting that wouldn’t happen.

“If I had to make a bet, I’d say it had to do with that piece of ass you brought in with you today. A couple of the others told me you picked her up in Casper this morning. But you know this isn’t an event for a casual backpack, so there’s got to be more to it that I’m not seeing. Especially since none of the older brothers seem to care. Then there’s the women. they seem to have taken her in like she’s one of them.” Jake tilted his head and watched Savage from the corner of his eye.

Savage clenched his teeth and fought the urge to go after Jake for calling Donna a piece of ass. He had no way of knowing different. “Never call her that again. And I’m not sleeping with her.”

Jake turned to stare at him, one brow lifted. “I know I saw you haul two sleeping bags into your tent this afternoon.”

“I didn’t say we aren’t sharing a tent, I said I’m not sleeping with her. She needs help. She’s running from something, more than she’s told me about yet.” He told Jake about how he’d found her that morning, but he didn’t mention that his gut wouldn’t let him leave her behind, not if she was willing to go with him. He wouldn’t have forced her, but he wouldn’t have liked leaving her behind either.

Jake looked like he wanted to say more about Donna, or Savage’s reaction to what he’d said about her but thankfully, he changed the subject.

“I hear Sadist is giving some ink while he’s here.”

“I don’t know that anything is set in stone, but we brought what he said he needs to do it. Are you looking to have something done?”

“I don’t know. I was thinking about it, but we’ve got a couple of newer brothers who want to get their colors done. I think they were waiting for this, or to have the time to go see him. This works better, at least when it comes to running this place.”

“Speaking of running this place, how’s it been? You ever worked a ranch before coming up here?”

“I like it. It’s different, and no. I’d never been on a ranch, or a horse before. But I like it. I do wish there was a bit more on the tech side, but we’ll get there. There’s talk of adding to that barn,” he tilted his head toward the large building where they’d parked the bikes, “and making it a club house but there’s other shit that’s more important. Maybe next summer? I don’t know.”

“You think you’ll stay up here? Or are you looking forward to getting back to Tucson?”

“I don’t know. I’m not going back this trip, I know that much for sure. I’m going to stay here, help Lurch and the others get this chapter up and running a little better. I honestly don’t have any plans past that.” Jake drained the bottle in his hand, then gave Savage’s a pointed look. “I’m going for another, you want one while I’m up?”

“Sure.” Savage scanned the gathering and wondered what was planned for the next few days. Maybe he’d have a chance to take Donna into town. He didn’t know what Gillette, the nearest town to the ranch, had to offer, but he’d find out and see if she wanted to go do something. From what little he’d told her about where she’d been living, he thought maybe she’d like to go see a movie. He didn’t know what else she might enjoy, not yet but he’d find out.

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