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"You–you called Chad? Why would you do such a thing?" she moved away, because being this close to him was unbearable, and yet exciting in the same breath.
He went back to the fire, as though he knew she was upset with him and he couldn't tolerate her being upset with him. "Because I had to know what you are all about. Because you stirred things in me, I couldn't face. Because I care about you, and I wanted to know the truth."
"And...did he tell you?" she held her breath again.
"Yeah, he told me," his voice rattled with strange emotions.
"He must hate me," Savannah closed her eyes and tried to keep her tears from falling at the same time.
"Quite the contrary, he loves you. You're easy to love Savannah."
When she didn't say anything he went on, "He told me he was gay, and that he was so happy that he was finally able to say it aloud."
Savannah opened her eyes and looked at the glowing fire, and when she did she saw Ben's face, so serious, and yet so handsome. "He's happy...now?"
"I think he is. He said once he was able to say it aloud, he felt freed."
Savannah smiled sadly, "Thank God...."
"I'm sorry I called him in a way, but the way it turned out, it seems it was for the best."
She nodded slowly, "You actually helped him through a difficult time."
"Yeah, well, he helped me a bit too."
Savannah moved closer to the fire now, "How?"
He didn't look at her, "I've been struggling with my own feelings, Savannah. I've known for some time, just how much I wanted you...but the things you've done, the way you've been, I wasn't sure about getting involved. We haven't known each other very long."
When she didn't say anything he continued with mock seriousness, "You seemed quite the little nymph, to me."
"The saloon thing, you mean?"
"That...and getting on that bus, in practically nothing, trying to walk down the aisle with that camera equipment, cleaning your teeth in broad daylight," his voice seemed to suppress laughter.
"Well...I was running away, and trying to look at least as though I had a brain functioning at the time. Although, I'll admit I wasn't really thinking at all." she defended coming to stand just in front of him.
He took her hand, and gently pulled her down so he could look into her eyes. He studied her intently.
"I knew you were trouble the minute I laid eyes on you," he teased her gently.
"Trouble? I didn't know what trouble was, until I met you!" she firmed her lips and pretended an anger she was far from feeling.
"Really?" his voice softened.
"You hand cuffed me, remember?" she made a mock frown.
His eyes raked her entire form, taking in the sundress he had admired earlier in the day. His finger began to play against the softness of her skin, first down her arm, then down her cheek.
"I didn't know what else to do with you. There you stood in all your glory announcing how you were going to get your car fixed, have something to eat, and go to your aunt's house."
She rolled her eyes, and his nose met hers, his lips were a mere breath away. She didn't breathe, didn't move. She was mesmerized first by the look in those oh so brown eyes, then by the sound of his soft, gentle voice.
"You were trouble..." he saw the smile that quickly faded, and he grinned, "But you were my trouble. From the very beginning."
The intensity of his gaze warmed her.
"When you walked into that saloon, and brazenly flirted with those boys, I wanted to take you over my knee and spank you good. Then...I wanted to take you to my bed and make you realize I was the only man you needed to flirt with."
