Page 36 of Savage

When she’d finished using the facilities, including washing her hands and splashing a little water on her face to make sure she didn’t look like she’s rolled in the dirt this morning, she went back out to face the others.

“Sorry,” she said as she stepped over the bench and sank down to sit. “I wasn’t sure if I would make it. I didn’t have time to stop.”

“No worries,” Beth said with a laugh. “Have you eaten yet?” She nodded toward the kitchen area. “There are a few things left, the things that would last. And coffee.”

“Not yet.” Donna glanced toward where the meals were served, wondering if her stomach would rebel again this morning like it had the day, she’d been forced to confess her pregnancy to Savage. And how would she explain it if it did? She and Savage had talked a little about it but not much. She’d told him she’d rather not tell people, at least not yet. Not until she was as far away as from here as she could get. She didn’t want anyone, even semi-local to find out, so Noah could never find out if he came looking for her. Savage had told her it was up to her. He didn’t see any reason anyone needed to know if she didn’t want to tell them.

During the discussion she’d assured him she would never try to tell anyone the baby was his, but she was grateful for everything he’d done for her. At the time he hadn’t said anything, and she hadn’t thought that much about it.

But something he’d said last night, after he’d had his mouth nearly everywhere above her waist and his hands had dipped into her shorts, had her thinking if that was what he wanted. After he’d made her feel the most amazing things she’d felt in her life, she’d been lying limp in his arms, wondering how long it would take for her muscles to work again. Savage had held her in his arms as if she was the most precious thing he’d ever owned.

“What are you thinking?” he’d asked.

“Wondering how long until my muscles work again and if I can do this to you.”

“Hold me while we drift off to sleep?”

“No silly. Make you feel all boneless and happy.”

“Babe, we’ll get there. Tonight, I just want to hold on to my girls and know you’re safe.”

“Your girls?” She’d been unable to keep the confusion from her voice.

“My girls.” He’d lowered one hand to rest low on her belly. It had taken her a moment to realize what he meant.

“But…” She hadn’t known what to say or quite how to say it. “You don’t have to claim the baby. I’m grateful for everything you’re doing but you don’t have to take this on. It’s too much. Besides, what if it’s a boy?”

“Then it’s a boy. But I have a feeling it’s a girl. And I won’t force you to stay with me, but I want you to know that if you do, I’ll never say anything but that she’s mine.”

Donna hadn’t been able to stop the tears that had overflown her eyes. Her chest had ached, and she’d tried to keep him from knowing but Savage had pulled her into his arms and held her while she’d let it all go.

She didn’t know what miracle had put her in his path, but she was thankful for it every day.

“Hey, where’d you go?” London’s voice pulled Donna from her thoughts.

“Oh. Sorry. I’m not awake yet and my mind drifted. I better grab some caffeine. Food would probably be a good idea too.”

“Go, get what you want and come back. The guys will be gone a while longer so we might as well chat a while,” London said.

Donna pushed herself up right, stepped over the bench she’d been sitting on and went fix herself a plate.

Morethantwohourshad passed before the men returned, whooping, and shouting as they rode what seemed to be a huge herd of dirt bikes and four-wheelers up to the barn. She looked around, unsure what she should do, but the other women just grinned and laughed as they continued to watch as the men settled a bit and put the vehicles away.

Slowly, the men began to trickle their way as each got his vehicle parked. Donna watched as they made their way to the group of women, went to whomever they were attached to and gave them a kiss, wrapped their arms around them or some other way of greeting. She couldn’t help either the surprise or the pleasure that washed through her when Savage stepped over the bench where she was, sat beside her and hooked an arm around her neck.

“Hey, babe, how was your morning?”

“Good.” She knew he was asking more than it seemed, but she didn’t get into the details. There were way too many people around for that. “What’s the plan for today?” She dropped her head back to rest on his arm as she watched him.

“Nothing big planned today. Sadist is going to be doing tattoos all afternoon, probably into the evening too, depending on who wants what. I thought we could go into town, if you want.”

She looked at him for a moment, wondering what he wanted to do. Was he looking to spend more money on something she didn’t need or did have something else in mind?

“Maybe. What are you wanting to do in town?” She looked at him with narrowed eyes, hoping he’d would understand she was suspicious of his motives. Not that she had any thought that he would do anything to hurt her. No, she knew better than that, but for some reason she didn’t understand, he seemed determined to spend money on her. And after his claiming the night before, she sensed it might get worse.

But was it really worse? Had she ever had anyone treat her as someone that was as precious to them as Savage did? She didn’t think so, at least not that she could recall. And as much as she knew she should encourage him to do his own thing, that he didn’t need to take on someone else’s problem, she didn’t think she could.

Because he was quickly finding his way through the defenses she’d tried to build. He’d broken through the wall Donna thought she’d built around her heart.

---