Page 96 of Bursting With Love
“I want nothing more than to be a family again, Mom. I promise you that I’m done with the anger. I’m feeling a lot like my old self again, and it feels too good to ever go back.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
SAVANNAH WAS ON the phone with Josh when her apartment door opened and Jack walked in. He held up the key and mouthed, It worked. He set a number of packages on the floor and joined Savannah on the couch. She held up one finger and blew him a kiss while listening to Josh.
“Okay, so we’ll see you and Riley tomorrow night. Yeah. I can’t wait. Love you, too.” She ended the call and was surprised to see how many shopping bags Jack had. “Wow, you guys really did go shopping. How fun.”
“Fun? You’ve never shopped with Siena and my mother. Siena wants to dress me like I’m a twentysomething skater, and my mother has strong opinions of her own. I did enjoy spending the day with them, though.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Sorry I’m so late. I spent a little time getting reacquainted with the city.”
“You did? With all those eyes on you?” she teased.
He kissed her again, and Savannah deepened the kiss. She’d been thinking about him all afternoon, and just the thought that he now had a key to her apartment kicked up her excitement. She’d never left a man alone in her apartment before, much less given one a key, and with Jack she didn’t have one second of unease about either.
“I’m so glad you were able to spend time with them.” The way he looked at her, the way he moved, even the way he spoke was more at ease. Savannah had a feeling that she was finally seeing the real Jack Remington—and she loved him even more than she did the day before.
“Actually, I got you a few things, too.” He retrieved the packages and brought them to the couch.
“You didn’t need to get me anything.” Savannah loved gifts as much as any woman, and her stomach jumped with anticipation to see what he’d picked out for her.
“I noticed that you had on cowgirl boots when we were in the mountains, and while they were extremely sexy, I thought you might want something a little more sturdy. That is, assuming you’ll want to spend any time at all at my cabin.” He handed her a beautiful pair of leather hiking boots.
“Oh, Jack. That was so thoughtful. How did you know my size?” She ran her fingers over the soft leather.
“I might have peeked in your closet, but I promise I didn’t snoop at anything personal.”
She wrapped him in a tight hug. “I love these, and I would love to spend time at your cabin. I’d spend time anywhere with you.”
“Well, that’s good, because I have a few more things for you. They’re not as exciting, but I think you’ll appreciate them.” He handed her a bag, and Savannah withdrew the contents.
“Toilet paper? Body wipes? Flannel pajamas? A bathrobe. Indoor-outdoor slippers? Are you trying to tell me something?”
Jack smiled. “Only that I love you. I know how you hate going to the bathroom in the woods, and you can’t always shower in the stream. If you’re going to come on any survival weekends with me, I want you to be comfortable. The toilet paper and wipes are biodegradable, and the bathrobe is in case you do decide to take a dip in the stream. It’ll keep you warm afterward. And these…” He held up the pajamas and slippers. “Are for when you get cold at night. Although you’ll be in my tent, and I plan on keeping you very, very warm.”
The seduction in his voice and the hungry look in his eyes drew her lips to his.
“You’re so thoughtful. I love everything. Thank you.”
Jack kissed her again. “After Siena and my mother left, I had time to do some thinking.”
Savannah’s pulse sped up at the mix of sensuality in his eyes and the seriousness in his voice. Before she could decipher what it might mean, there was a knock at the door.
“Are you expecting someone?” Jack asked.
Savannah went to answer it. “No.” She looked through the peephole. “I don’t know who it is. A man.”
In a few quick steps, Jack was between Savannah and the door. He pulled it open, and Savannah saw his body stiffen. She peered around him, and the resemblance between the two men was undeniable. The same dark eyes, the same high cheekbones, the same broad chest.
“HELLO, JACK.”
His father stood before him in a gray suit and tie, and for a breath, Jack’s world stood still. “Dad,” was all he could say. How did you find me? Why are you here? He felt Savannah’s hand on his lower back, and he stood between the two of them. His father could hurt him with his harsh stares and whatever else he had in store, but he wouldn’t allow any of that nonsense toward Savannah. He put his arm around her and, feeling torn between pride for his strong, war-hero father and remembering how much it had hurt the evening before when he hadn’t accepted his apology, Jack raised his chin and did the only thing he could—he showed Savannah that despite what might happen in the next ten minutes, he was proud of her and proud of himself.
