Page 29 of Savage

Donna shook her head. “No. I’m not afraid you would hurt me, and I don’t think it will make you mad. I guess I think it will make you think less of me.”

His hand on her belly started moving, he made slow, gentle circles as if trying to soothe her. “Babe, the only way I could think less of you or be disappointed in you in anyway is if you’re going to tell me you want to go back to that fucker. Everything else we can work with.”

He paused, as if waiting for something, but since he couldn’t see her face any more than she could see his, she didn’t know what. His hand never stopped moving though, and for that she was grateful. She liked it when he touched her. Hell, she wished he would touch her more. And there was the problem.

“I don’t want to go back to Noah. Never. I don’t ever want to have to see him again.”

“Good. I don’t want you to ever have to see him again. I’ll do what I can to prevent you from having to, as much as you will let me.” His hand continued to make little circles on her belly. “Now that we know what’s it not. Will you please tell me what you want that has you afraid of how I’ll react?” His voice dropped to barely more than a whisper again.

Donna wondered why but didn’t want to ask. She was too busy trying to build the nerve to tell him what she wanted.

That lump formed in her throat again. She forced herself to swallow, once, twice, until it was gone, and she could speak.

“You.” The word came out as a whisper. She was afraid he wouldn’t know what she meant. But the hand that had been making slow circles on her belly froze.

He’d heard her all right.

“Donna?” His voice was louder than hers, startling her and making her flinch. He never called her that. He always called her babe. His calling her by her name couldn’t be good.

“Yes?” She couldn’t seem to get more than a whisper to come out.

“I want to make sure I’m one hundred percent clear on what you’re telling me. Did I just hear you tell me that you are afraid of what I think about you because you want me?” The way they’d been talking so quietly made it difficult for her to read his tone.

Had she been wrong to tell him? Her heart thundered in her chest and the lump seemed to be back in her throat again. She couldn’t swallow enough to force it down so she nodded, even though she knew he couldn’t see it.

“Babe, I need you to say it. I can’t see you.” His voice was a little louder and from what she could tell, a little desperate? That was odd. Why would he be desperate? No. That wasn’t the right word. But she couldn’t find the right one.

She tried swallowing several times, but the lump in her throat wouldn’t let her speak. Finally, her brain kicked in and she could think enough to grab his hand from where it still sat, still, on her tummy, and lift it to her face. She laid his hand alongside her cheek and nodded again.

“Yes?” he asked.

She nodded again, still holding his hand along her cheek.

“I don’t know why you would think I’d think badly about that. I’ve already told you I want you. Just like I told you I wouldn’t push for more than you’re ready for. If you’re afraid of that, I would never—”

Donna shook her head, stopping his rambling.

“Babe, I need you to talk to me.” This time the pleading in his voice was clear.

Donna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He knew and wasn’t judging her. She could do this. It took several breaths but finally, the lump seemed to shrink enough so she could speak.

“I know you won’t push.” Her voice sounded raspy and hoarse, at least to her, but at least it was working. “I was afraid you would think I’m a slut.”

“Babe.” His voice had dropped to a whisper as he cupped her cheek and lowered his head until his forehead rested on hers. “I would never do that, babe. I want you to know that. I know we haven’t known each other that long. You don’t know me well enough to know I would never do that. I hate that word and I never want to hear you use it to describe yourself again.” His voice grew stronger, but only slightly louder as he continued, “And it makes me want to beat the living crap out of that fucker even more. But at the same time, in a twisted way I’m also grateful. Because without him, and his being the shithead he is, I would never have met you and I’m starting to think that may have been the most fortuitous moment of my life.” He held her gently in the dark.

Donna’s heart seemed to overflow. She couldn’t help the tears that pooled in her eyes. And was again grateful for the darkness so Savage couldn’t see them.

“I’m sorry. I can’t always help it.”

“Shh. I know you can’t. I don’t blame you. I blame him. But let’s not think about him anymore tonight. I want to know more about what it is you’re wanting from me.” His lips pressed against her forehead.

Who had known men like this existed? Until Savage, Donna hadn’t.

25

Savagebattledhisneedto find her ex and beat the ever-loving fuck out of him for the job he’d done on the sweet girl in his arms. From everything Savage had seen from her, she did whatever she was asked, even volunteering to help or doing whatever she saw that needed doing.

She and the rest of the women seemed to have hit it off. At least from what he’d seen.

---