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And next to him, my mother. With her mahogany brown skin, wild curls like mine, but tighter, huge doe eyes, button nose and high cheeks. I took after her way more than my father, while Cris looked like Dad, minus the lumberjack beard. Seeing my parents together, you wouldn’t think they matched, but they were perfect for each other. My dad was so gentle, soft-spoken, and funny, completely different from what his appearance would lead people to believe. Probably one of the reasons I didn’t think Savage’s scars were who he was.
My mother had a dry humor, much like me, and she was more assertive than my dad without overshadowing him. In everything they did, you could see that they were in love and they belonged together. When I thought about love, I thought about what I saw with my parents. And I wanted it.
With Savage, I have that. Some things he’s done for me were things I saw my dad do for my mother. The dinners, surprising me with things, like shopping and Pogo, cuddling up to me while we read a book. Looking at me with a smile on his face, like I hang the moon. It’s all there. I won’t go so far as to say he loves me back but he feels something. I’ll hold on to that.
Behind me, the door opens and I raise my eyelids and glance over my shoulder. Savage steps out, looking adorable and sleep rumpled. He gives me a tired smile while I move the blanket and slide forward on the lawn chair, careful not to drop Pogo. Sav slides behind me and wraps his arms around me. “Couldn’t sleep?” I ask when I’m settled against his chest.
“You didn’t come back.” He breathes me in, then kisses my hair. “I felt you get up, but you took forever to come back to bed. I got cold.”
I laugh because he came outside with a thin shirt and pajama pants on a chilly night. I’m sure he’s cold now. “Sorry, baby. I was thinking. It’s a pretty night and Pogo was having a good time smelling shit on the terrace.”
Savage reaches down to pet a sleepy Pogo, who barely raises his head and gives his hand a halfhearted lick. Dropping his hand, Sav wraps his arms around me. “It is a nice night. Well, morning. It’s two a.m.”
“Do we have plans tomorrow?” I ask, absently petting Pogo.
“Dinner. We can lounge around during the day or do whatever you want to do. It’s your weekend.”
I shake my head. “Lounging is good. Anything is good.” I take a deep breath and add, “With you, anything is good.”
Kissing the top of my head, Savage says, “I feel the same way.” We spend a few more minutes sitting outside, enjoying the feel of the night air and the small puppy breaths Pogo is taking. When I start to drift off, Savage tells me it’s time to go back to bed.
After putting Pogo back in his doggy bed, I drag myself behind Savage to get back to sleep. He pulls the blanket back and I climb in. Savage gets in behind me and pulls me to his chest. “Good night, Abel.”
“Night, baby.” I feel so warm and happy when I drift off, thinking about the love of my parents and how it emulates how strongly I feel about my Sav.
We wake up before Pogo, so he grumbles in his little doggy yips while Savage is cooking breakfast, begging me to take him out. I chuckle at him and open the door for him to run out. He happily goes to the patch of grass and circles around before taking care of business. He trots back over to me, looking extremely proud of himself. I squat down to him, tickling under his little chin—do dogs have chins?—and he rolls over, giving me his belly. Laughing, I give him what he wants and I watch how his front and hind legs pinwheel in glee. God, I really love this rolly fucker already.
“Come on, you,” I tell him, patting my leg when I stand. Pogo circles my feet, running around and nipping at my slippers. When we get inside, I give him one and let him use it as a chew toy since Sav didn’t think to pack any. He got me all kinds of clothes, panties, and shoes, but nothing but food, doggie clean up bags, and pup treats for Pogo. It’s obvious he’s never had a pet before.
Looking over his shoulder, Savage smiles at me when I sit on a stool at the kitchen bar. “You’re in love, huh?” he asks and I jerk. Does he know? Is it that obvious? Will he say it back if I tell him?
Wait, is he talking about him or Pogo? “Huh?” I ask intelligently.
Savage gives me an indulgent smile. “With Pogo. You haven’t stopped smiling since yesterday.”
Letting out an awkward—and slightly hurt—laugh, I rub the back of my neck. “A little …” I stop to chuckle when he gives me a deadpan look. “Okay, yes. I am. He’s perfect. He looks just like Gogo.” I lean on the counter and put my chin on my palm. Then I sit up straight. “Did you do that on purpose?”
Savage stares at me for a few seconds, then turns the stove off. He moves the pan of eggs from the burner, then turns to look at me. “Does that make you upset? That wasn’t my intention. I just wanted you to be happy. And you asked for a puppy for your gift.”
Throwing caution to the wind, I lean back on my hand and look at him with all the emotion I can muster. On a sigh, I say, “I love you.” He stiffens and I get a sinking feeling in my stomach. Oh fuck. I read it wrong. It’s just me. I’m the only one that fell in love. Fuck fuckfuck.Stammering, I say, “I’m sorry—I didn’t—I mean I do—but I should … not have … you know … said anything.” My cheeks are hot and I hop down from the stool to make my way to the couch. To get away from his shocked face and wide eyes.
An arm wraps around my waist, and Savage hauls me back to him. “Uh uh. Don’t run from me.” He turns me around and looks me directly in the eye. Putting a hand on my cheek, he tips my head up. “Why did you run?”
I open my mouth to speak, but I’m cut off by his phone ringing. He looks up at the loft, where his phone is, and shakes his head. His phone stops ringing, and Savage says, “Now—” He gets cut off when his phone rings again. He frowns. “I told Quin not to call.” He lets me go, then jogs up the stairs. I hear him answer his phone and bark something into the receiver. Sitting on the couch, I stretch out and flip through channels until Savage comes back.
Maybe he’ll drop the fact that I told him I love him, like a fucking idiot. I don’t regret saying it because I feel it, but I probably could have said it with more finesse. I probably freaked him the fuck out and he was coming over to protect my feelings. That’s just like Savage, not wanting me to be upset.
When I hear him thundering down the stairs, I turn around to see him fully dressed. I look at him quizzically, and he gives me a sad look. “I’m sorry, baby. I have to meet somebody back at the docks. I have to go.” I hop up to get dressed, but he grabs my arm. “No, I’ll be back in a few hours. Stay here where it’s safe, please.”
“Is it bad?” I probably shouldn’t ask questions about what’s going on, but I need to know that he’s not in any direct danger. I know I can’t do anything if he is, but I need to know he’ll take care of himself.
“One of my clients needs an emergency delivery. Remember I told you about Paddy?” I nod, remembering the Irishman he told me about once. “Some shit is going down in his camp with the same people we’re having issues with. I’ve been working with him for years, so if he calls me outside of the six months we usually chat, he really needs help.” He kisses my forehead and says, “I’ll be back before it gets too late. I’m sorry, Abel.”
I shrug, even though I’d rather he stay, but he still has to wrap things up with his business. I can’t be too upset because I knew what he was involved with before I fell in love with him. It’ll all be over soon and if I have my way, we’ll be free of this life. If he ever fucking asks me to come with him. “It’s okay, Sav. Go. Me and Pogo will be fine.”
“You, Pogo, and Michael,” he corrects. “He and Quin are in an apartment downstairs.” I give him a look and he gives it back. “It’s their job, Abel. Stop being weird.” I laugh suddenly, loving how it seems that I’m rubbing off on Sav. I’m sure before he met me, he wouldn’t have said that to anyone.
“Fine. Me, Pogo, and Michael.” I stand on my tiptoes and pull his mouth down to mine. “Be safe, please.”
