by Rachel Angel
“That was incredible,” she said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I needed you to save your energy for this,” he said. He stood up, stripped off his clothes, acting like he was a Chippendale’s dancer doing a strip tease, and then went on top of her and continued where he’d left off a time or two already that day.
Nothing pleased Savannah more than when she realized that he was done with the teasing and sliding into her to give her a release with his hard-on that she had been so longing for. She came…and then she came again.
For the next two days, Savannah and Ryland were no holds barred, taking each other any chance they could get and enjoying their physical connection. Neither really knew what it meant, but they couldn’t deny the pleasure that it gave them to please the other sexually. It felt right and it also felt good.
Chapter 13
Ryland finally had a day off that he was going to devote to Savannah and trying to alleviate some of her discontent about her immobility problems. He put her in the Jeep, along with a great picnic lunch, and the two made their way to one of the furthest corners of the island, one where the wild horses liked to be during midday due to the shade.
Savannah looked around excitedly, only wincing once or twice at unexpected bumps that jolted her ankle on the rough island roads.
“I really love this place,” Savannah said. She truly did think it was the most special place she’d ever seen. Then she got worried, hoping that it didn’t sound like a hint and added, “You are lucky that you were able to get it.”
“It only made sense. After all, I love being around animals far more than people. That makes a private island pretty ideal.”
“Don’t you like it when your family comes out to visit? That is, unless they never want to leave,” Savannah asked.
“I don’t have any family. Not a real family, one that loves you and cares about you anyway. That’s why I have such an affinity for animals; they need you and aren’t cruel to you,” Ryland said.
Savannah looked at him, surprised by his honesty and feeling sad for him all at the same time. “That must be hard, Ryland.”
“Not as hard as you’d think. Why have people in your life that aren’t good for you? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Did you live with your parents growing up?”
“No, I was in and out of foster homes for most of my childhood. That’s where I’d met Sylvain actually. Kind of the same story.”
“How did you know how to get started with what you wanted to do? Did you know you’d be good at it?” Savannah asked again. She had so many questions and Ryland seemed open to talking so she wanted to take advantage to learn more about him and what made him tick. She was so curious…loving a great rags to riches story like everyone else. Only this one was coming from a man that she was really drawn to.
“I was lucky that I have always been determined and focused. At first it was just to survive day to day, and eventually it became something I used toward getting the grades to attend a good school for business management. It was general, but I found that I had a knack for recognizing a good deal plus some natural smarts in knowing who was conning me or being honest.”
“That’s really admirable; knowing that you could make a change. Not everyone is like that,” Savannah said, feeling a small lump in her throat. He spoke so humbly, yet his confidence really could not be squelched.
“I suppose, but I don’t really care about those things,” Ryland commented.
“What was your first business venture?”
“I started to buy farms and commodities, part because I love animals and the land, and part because I saw that there was a lack of knowledgeable people in those areas. I knew that I could get my start there…my seed money to do bigger things if you will.”
“Well, obviously it worked. You’ve come far; that’s easy to tell.”
“You’re kind…and inquisitive. What’s with all these questions? I had taken you on this picnic to coyly find out more about you.”
“Well, I beat you to it. From the way I look at it, you have a lot to be thankful for and you found a formula that works for you as a person, as well as you the business man.”
“Socially conscious, huh?” Ryland commented, laughing softly.
“People who love animals usually are, whether that’s their intention or not. You just don’t want anything to happen to environments or areas that would negatively impact an animal’s habitat.”
“Very astute, Savannah.”
“And easy. After all, I’m here because of concerns about your horses. I wish I’d be further along in finding an answer.”
“It’ll come,” Ryland said, patting her leg. “Should we picnic here?”
Savannah looked around and saw a beautiful cliff with a small grove of trees on it that would provide shade, as well as a fairytale like setting. “Looks like a great place to be.”
After the picnic was set-up and Ryland had Savannah on the blanket, lounging casually he began his line of questioning.
“So, tell me again why you broke off your engagement? It must have been a very bold thing to do.”
“I guess some may consider it bold, but happiness and a true partner were far more important to me than the Blackworth money. That really sums it up. Trust me…it’s not that interesting of a story.”
“Date anyone since?”
“No, not seriously. Too much going on. Someday I will, but it’s not the right time.” Savannah looked at Ryland, who was leaning in close to her, hanging on her every word. “So Ryland, how about you? Have you ever dated anyone seriously?”
“No, not seriously. It’s not that I’m opposed, but I’ve just never found the right woman to make me want to do it.”
“None of those models and actresses? They’re gorgeous.”
“Gorgeous is nice, but it’s not everything. I need to be around people with substance if I’m going to be around them for any length of time. Otherwise, I might as well hang around with animals.”
“So, you just hang out with your friends when you want to socialize and that’s about it?”
“Basically.”
“What’s this BBC thing that I heard Taryn talk about? She said that both you and Sylvain are a part of it.”
“It’s a group of successful single men that are like minded. We can go to events and not have to worry about prying eyes, people bombarding us with requests for money, things like that.”
“An elite club.”
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. I really like my friends from there, but I’m more of a loner than most of them. I am okay being alone, whereas most of them prefer to be jet setting and constantly on the move. I’ve carefully orchestrated my business to do as much as it from possible places I love. If I travel, I want it to be for pleasure first and foremost.”
“That sounds like a nice plan to me,” Savannah said. The more Ryland opened up, the more he appealed to Savannah. She knew that her feelings were definitely in territory beyond lust. She was starting to feel the spark of another L word…love.
“So, is there a BMMC for guys like Sylvain?”
“BMMC? What do you mean?”
“Billionaire Married Man’s Club. Can’t be in the bachelor club if you’re married, can you?”
“Well, that’s a good point, but one that hasn’t been addressed to the best of my knowledge,” Ryland said. He leaned over and caressed Savannah’s cheek gently with his pointer finger. “So, I don’t know how you got me talking about me again, but I don’t like it. I guess there’s only one way to get you to stop that,” Ryland said suddenly.
“And how’s that?”
“To kiss you.” Ryland did just that, leaning in and tenderly kissing Savannah so passionately that her knees would have buckled if she’d been standing.
Chapter 14
Savannah was happy that her ankle was finally better. No more crutches were necessary and she just had a little bit of stiffness that went away with some movement. It
was a huge relief because she was so distracted. She couldn’t stop thinking about Ryland and how her feelings were growing for him. Did he feel the same way? She felt like he did, but he certainly hadn’t indicated it. Now he was gone to the mainland for a few days, leaving Savannah to work on solving the mystery of the illness that had gotten to the horses. Poor little Street Smarts was better some days, worse others. It was challenging to figure out. Furthermore, calls to various vets, including her father, didn’t lead to any clues that were helpful.
One day Savannah was sitting in the living room reading over some information and waiting for a phone call from another vet friend from college. The doorbell rang and she was surprised. After all, it wasn’t particularly easy to just get to the island and ring the door bell.
“Miss Baker…someone’s at the door,” she called out.
There was no response. The doorbell rang again and Savannah decided that she’d just get up and answer it herself, hoping it didn’t ruffle Miss Baker’s feathers.
She was holding her phone and looking down at the screen, willing it to ring and she opened the door, looking up casually, already saying, “Hi, may I…” She didn’t get help you out because her jaw dropped instantly.
“Robert, what are you doing here?” she asked. Was she hallucinating? How could she be on Ryland’s island staring at her old fiancé? It just didn’t seem possible.
“Savannah, it’s so great to see you. You look…fabulous,” Robert said.
“Thanks, I guess. So, I can only assume that you are here for something specific since this is a private island.”
“Well, I did have some business with Ryland Roth, but I’ll confess that I’m really here to see you first and foremost.”
“Me? Why?”
“To tell you what a jerk I was letting you go.”
“Okay,” Savannah replied suspiciously.
“Can I come in?” Robert asked.
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” Savannah said.
Miss Baker came up next to Savannah and had an odd look on her face. “Are you Mr. Blackworth?” she asked, standing in front of Savannah.
“That’s me,” Robert replied. Savannah looked at Miss Baker’s face and she looked like a wild tiger that had just hit the jackpot by getting a raw steak tossed to them.
Well, if she wants Robert she is welcomed to have him – by all means, Savannah thought.
Miss Baker looked at Savannah and innocently asked, “Do you two know each other?”
“We sure do. We used to be engaged,” Robert said. He said it innocently enough, but he didn’t realize that he’d just given Miss Baker some serious ammunition to make Savannah’s relationship with her even worse.
“Oh, well I’m sure you have some things you’d like to catch up on then,” Miss Baker said. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
Savannah went and sat down in the living room, choosing a single chair so she wouldn’t even be next to Robert on the couch. Miss Baker seemed to be up to something and she was not going to help her if at all possible.
“So far away? Is that how you treat an old friend?”
“Just where I’m comfortable,” Savannah said. “Look Robert, what is it you want exactly? To do business with Ryland Roth or to see me?”
“It is both. I assure you that the family stables are definitely interested in purchasing some of the trained wild thoroughbreds from the island, knowing they’d add strength to certain blood lines that we are interested in. However, it’s my own legacy that’s my primary objective. I want you back and I swear to you…you can have whatever career you want if you say you want me back too. No interference and no expectations; other than us loving each other, raising a family, and growing old together.”
“That’s some expectation. The problem is that I’ve moved on Robert. I’m sorry if you haven’t. It’s a tempting offer, but one that I decline.”
“Nobody makes you feel better than me, babe. You know it,” Robert said, leaning forward. His long arm reached out and touched Savannah’s leg, squeezing it gently.
She put her hand on his and moved it away. “I am feeling fine. Thanks for your concern.”
Robert looked at her and squinted his eyes, a gesture he always did when he wanted to act like he was analyzing something or show he was having a revelation. “I’ll be damned. You’re sleeping with Roth, aren’t you?”
“That is none of your business,” Savannah replied defensively.
“Come on…just give me a chance to remind you how good we were together. Just for old time’s sake, if anything. You look so good…better than ever. And I know you think I’m attractive too.”
“Being attractive and wanting sex are two different things, Robert. Now knock it off. I know that Ryland is supposed to be back later this afternoon. You’ll just have to wait for him. I have some work to go do.”
Robert stood up and lunged toward Savannah, planting a big kiss on her. She was stunned, but the set of prying eyes from around the corner were delightfully satisfied. Miss Baker grinned and turned around. If her gaze would have lingered just a few seconds longer she would have seen Savannah pull away from Robert and slap him across the face – so hard that it stung her hand terribly.
“Ow…why the hell did you do that, Sav?”
“Because you shouldn’t have done that,” she replied.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I just thought that…”
“…That I’d be missing you and so eager to run back into your arms. Sorry, it’s not happening. My life is perfectly great right now. Never been better.”
“You may say that, but I know you, Savannah. You like to have someone in your life and while you may have found your business and whatnot to keep you busy, it’s not going to last forever. When you realize that you do want a relationship again, I am going to be there and I’ll be waiting for you. I guarantee it. So, it’s a good thing I’m a patient man. I’m a man willing to wait for you, don’t forget that.”
“You’re going to be waiting a long time,” Savannah said. With that she walked out of the room and passed by Miss Baker. She smiled at her, “Mr. Roth’s guest is in the living room. I’m going to go do some work.”
As soon as Savannah got to her room she shut the door and pressed her body against the back of it. Her heart was pounding and her head was spinning. She had no idea why Robert had just showed up and proclaimed what he had, but she didn’t like it. If he would have said those things a year ago, when she’d left him, she would have believed it, but too much time had passed without so much as a word from him. It was all too…convenient.
Chapter 15
Savannah recomposed herself from the surprising visit by Robert and knew she couldn’t hide in her room forever. As fate would have it, she’d be called out by Miss Baker.
There was a soft knock on the bedroom door, followed by a more cheery than usual voice. “Miss Milo.”
Savannah put on her best smile possible at the moment, swinging open the door. “Yes Miss Baker.”
“I just received word from Mr. Roth that he likely cannot make it back to the island to have his meeting with Mr. Blackworth. Would you mind terribly if you showed him around the stables and the horses?”
Ugh!
Savannah smiled softly. “Yes, I can do that. Thank you Miss Baker. Please have Mr. Blackworth wait up front by the Jeep. I’ll take that.”
“I’ll let him know,” she said. She began walking away and turned back one more time, “Thank you. I truly do appreciate it.”
Savannah was taken aback by the sincerity in her tone and eyes. Was she finally warming up to her? It seemed like a quick turn of events, but perhaps Ryland said something to her. After all, he was her boss. But then again…she hardly needed someone to go to bat for her because she was perfectly capable of doing it herself.
With her brave face on and a determination to be slightly aloof with Robert, Savannah and he headed out toward the stables to look at all the magnificent thoro
ughbreds that Ryland’s stables had acquired over the years. One thing was for certain, it made perfect sense to want one of those horses for your own – they were brilliant, strong, and spirited.
“So Sav, do you recall that time when we went to the horse auction in up-state New York? That was quite the weekend, wasn’t it?” Robert inquired.
