Reese Ryan - Savannah's Secrets

“You don’t really have another choice, Savannah.” He studied her as she weighed the options.

She pulled the jacket around her tightly as she assessed the road in front of them, then the road behind them. “Seems I don’t have much of a choice.”

A knot tightened in the pit of Blake’s stomach. He’d hoped that she would be stubborn enough to insist on returning to the office. That he wouldn’t be tortured by Savannah Carlisle being off-limits and sleeping under his roof.

“Okay then.” He shifted the truck into Reverse, turned around and headed back to the narrow road that led to the exclusive community where he and Zora owned homes.

As they ascended the hill, the handful of houses around the lake came into view. A bolt of lightning arced in the sky.

Savannah flinched once, then again at the deafening thunder. She was trying to play it cool, but her hands were clenched into fists. She probably had nail prints on her palms.

Why was she so frightened by the storm?

He wanted to know, but the question felt too personal. And everything about Savannah Carlisle indicated she didn’t do personal. She kept people at a safe distance.

She’d politely refused every social invitation extended to her since she’d joined the company. Some of his employees hadn’t taken her repeated rejections so well.

He’d tried not to do the same. After all, distance from her was exactly what he needed.

When they arrived at his house, he pulled inside the garage.

“You’re sure this won’t cause trouble? I mean, if anyone found out...” A fresh wave of panic bloomed across her beautiful face. “It wouldn’t look good for either of us.”

“No one else knows. Besides, any decent human being would do the same,” he assured her. “Would you prefer I’d left you in the parking lot on your own?”

“I’m grateful you didn’t.” Her warm gaze met his. “I just don’t want to cause trouble...for either of us.”

“It’s no trouble,” Blake lied. He hopped down from the cab of the truck, then opened her door.

She regarded his extended hand reluctantly. Finally, she placed her palm in his and allowed him to help her down.

Blake stilled for a moment, his brain refusing to function properly. Savannah was sopping wet. Her makeup was washed away by the rain, with the exception of the black mascara running down her face. Yet she looked no worse for the wear.

Her tawny skin was punctuated by a series of freckles splashed across her nose and cheeks.

Something about the discovery of that small detail she’d hidden from the world thrilled him.

His gaze dropped to her lips, and a single, inappropriate thought filled his brain.

Kiss her. Now.

She slipped her icy hand from his, slid the jacket from her shoulders and returned it to him.

“Thank you.” He tossed it into the back seat and shut the door.

When he turned to Savannah she was shivering again.

He rubbed his hands up and down her arms to warm her before his brain could remind him that was an inappropriate gesture, too.

Her searing gaze made the point clear.

“Sorry... I...” Blake stepped away, his face heated. He ran a hand through his wet hair.

“I appreciate the gesture. But what I’d really love is a hot shower and a place to sleep.”

“Of course.” Blake shrugged off his wet rain slicker. He hung it on a hook, then closed the garage door. “Hope you’re not afraid of dogs.”

“Not particularly.”

“Good.” Blake dropped his waterlogged shoes by the door to the house. When he opened it, his two dogs surrounded him, yapping until he petted each of their heads. They quickly turned their attention to Savannah.

“Savannah Carlisle, meet Sam—” He indicated the lean Italian greyhound who, while peering intently at Savannah, hadn’t left his side. “He’s a retired racing greyhound I rescued about five years ago.”

“Hello, Sam.”

“And that nosy fella there is Benny the labradoodle.” Blake indicated the rust-and-beige dog yapping at her feet, demanding her attention.

“Hi, Benny.” Savannah leaned down and let the dog sniff her hand, then petted his head. “Pleasure to meet you.”

Benny seemed satisfied with her greeting. He ran back inside with Sam on his heels.

“Did you rescue Benny, too?”

“No.” Blake swallowed past the knot that formed in his throat when he remembered the day he’d brought Benny home as a pup.

He’d bought Benny as a surprise for his ex. Only she’d had a surprise of her own. She was leaving him for someone else.

“Oh.” Savannah didn’t inquire any further, for which he was grateful.

Blake turned on the lights and gestured inside. “After you.”

Seven

Stop behaving like the poor girl who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. Even if you are.

Savannah’s wide eyes and slack mouth were a dead giveaway as Blake gave her an informal tour of his beautiful home.

She realized the Abbotts were wealthy. Still, she’d expected a log cabin with simple country decor. Maybe even a luxurious bachelor pad filled with gaming tables and the latest sound equipment.

She certainly hadn’t expected this gorgeous, timber-built home overlooking a picturesque lake and offering breathtaking mountain vistas. The wall of windows made the pastoral setting as much a feature of the home as the wide plank floors and shiplap walls.

Rustic charm with a modern twist.

It was the kind of place she could imagine herself living in. The kind of home she would be living in, if not for the greed and betrayal of Joseph Abbott.

Her shoulders tensed and her hands balled into fists at her sides.

“You must be tired.” Blake seemed to sense the shift in her demeanor. “I’ll show you to your room. We can finish the tour another time.”

Blake always seemed attuned to how she was feeling. A trait that would be endearing if they were a couple. Or even friends.

But they weren’t. It was a reality she couldn’t lose sight of, no matter how kind and generous Blake Abbott appeared on the surface.

She was here for one reason. But she’d learned little about Joseph Abbott and nothing of his history with her grandfather. If she opened up a little with Blake, perhaps he’d do the same, and reveal something useful about his family.

Maybe Blake didn’t know exactly what his grandfather had done. But he might still provide some small clue that could direct her to someone who did know and was willing to talk.

But none of that would happen if she couldn’t keep her temper in check. She had to swallow the bitterness and pain that bubbled to the surface whenever she thought of Joseph Abbott’s cruel betrayal.

At least for now.

“I’m tired. And wet. And cold. So I’m sorry if I’m cranky.” Her explanation seemed to put him at ease.

“Of course.” He led the way through the house and up an open staircase to the second floor. Sam and Benny were on his heels.

“I hate to ask this, but do you think I could borrow a T-shirt and some shorts?”

“Don’t think I have anything that’ll fit you.” Blake stopped in front of a closed door. His gaze raked over her body-conscious, black rayon dress. Soaked through, the material shrank, making it fit like a second skin. Blake made a valiant effort to hold back a smirk.

He failed miserably.

“I’ll see what I can find.”

He opened the door to a spacious guest room with a terrace. The crisp, white bedding made the queen-size bed look inviting, and the room’s neutral colors were warm and soothing. The angle of the windows provided a better view of a docked boat and an amphibious plane.

Maybe being a guest chez Blake won’t be so bad after all.

“Thanks, Blake. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can, I promise.”