CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

RYDER

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I pull up outside Savannah's front door and rest my arm on the steering wheel. The tattoos on my arm remind me of where I've come from and who she is.

A movie star.

One of the most popular women in the world right now.

Last night, I turned on the TV to stop thinking about her, and twenty minutes later her movie was promoted. Images of her beautiful face filled the screen, and I just shook my head.

Well, that and did finger guns at Nick's face.

Then I got obsessed, wondering if the two of them have slept together. I don't think so, but for a moment I had to tamper down my fury.

If I have my way, he will never touch her for real again.

Today I'm not worried about him.

I've made plans.

For a moment, doubts plow through me. I know Savannah is as sexually needy for me as I am for her, but I might have gone too far with my plans. We aren't dating.

I don't even know why I've done it, only that... fuck, I just wanted to. I want to see her smile and feel seen and appreciated.

Cared for.

Climbing out, I slide my sunglasses onto my head and stride toward the front door.

I knock.

"You have a key," Savannah says when she opens the door. Heat fills her eyes as they roam the length of my body.

I step in.

Close the door and take her in my arms.

"I know," I say before my mouth takes hers as I tip her backward.

Goddamn, she tastes incredible.

And looks sexy as hell.

It took seconds for me to appreciate the blue jeans and a crisp white cotton shirt which is unbuttoned to the bottom of her white lacy bra before stealing her lips.

"You smell nice," she purrs up at me when I lift my lips off hers.

I let out a growl in response and notice her feet are bare. How am I turned on by her little toes?

But I am.

I slide my fingers through her long dark hair, which is freshly washed and falling around her shoulders in big waves.

A fresh spring scent has me leaning into her neck as my cock thickens.

"Are you ready to leave?" I ask before I start tearing her clothes off.

We straighten and my hands go to her hips.

"I thought you were joining me in bed?" She runs her hands up my bare forearms and I watch how she studies them. Then her eyes lift to mine.

"I've made plans."

God, I'm like a caveman. Grabbing her. Grunting. No more than five-word sentences.

Savannah blinks.

"We will be in private," I say to reassure her.

Again, five fucking words.

"Where are we going?"

I reach for her ass and tug her against me. Then with my mouth on hers, I growl softly. "It's a surprise. Get your damn bag or I'll carry you out to my car."

She breaks out into a huge smile.

Then runs upstairs.

Fuck, I nearly chase her.

––––––––

I OPEN THE passenger door of my black F-TYPE Jaguar and Savannah climbs in.

"Nice car," she says and shoots me a sexy grin as I close the door.

It will be a miracle if I don't pull over and make her suck my cock before we get to our destination.

Miracle? Or shame if I don't?

Damn her for being a famous actress.

I climb in and start the engine. It roars and I slide it into drive, then circle the driveway and wave to the BHS guys at the gate as we exit.

"So can you give me a hint?" Savannah asks.

"No." Then I ask, "How was your day?"

I love that I'm in control. Usually, her schedule dominates her life. My life. Today I'm surprising her and she has to surrender completely to me. In more ways than one when I get her naked.

"It was fine. No one ever surprises me. I guess it's lucky you're my bodyguard, so I know I'm safe with you."

I frown as I face the road.

I'm not her fucking bodyguard today. Today was supposed to be about us. What was I fucking thinking? God, I'm a damn idiot. She just sees me as her employee.

I grit my teeth, but the words fall out anyway. "Yeah, you know, this was a mistake. I should take you home." I steer the car over and look for a turn.

"What?" she cries. "Ryder. No."

"I'm a fucking idiot," I mutter, completely losing control of my emotions.

She grabs my arm. "What are you doing?"

"Taking you home." I pull into a road and then a driveway and shove the car into reverse.

"Stop!" she cries. I spin my head and look at her. "What did I say?"

The tension in the cab of the car is thick. I'm dizzy and can't get clear on what the hell I'm doing. I'm never this emotional. I need to get a hold of myself.

"Nothing." I rub my forehead. "This. Fuck. Savannah, I'm sorry. I need to take you home."

"But I don't want to go home," Savannah says, and I hear the emotion in her voice. "I want to go with you."

The car starts moving as I press the gas and she unlocks her door, then begins to climb out.

"Stop. What are you doing?" I press the brake.

The door slams behind her.

The fuck?

I scramble to open my door and tear out of the car then whip around the back to find her standing on the sidewalk with her arms crossed.

The first thing I do is survey the surroundings looking for danger. Like a bear. Or the media who somehow has a psychic who predicted Savannah Sinclair was going to climb out of my car on this very street.

In other words, I've fucking lost it.

I plant my hands on my hips. "What the hell, Savannah. Get in the car."

"Nope." She shakes her head.

I narrow my eyes. "Get. In. The Car."

"No." She starts to walk off.

I watch her while my mouth falls open. Then glance between my brand-new Jaguar as it rumbles in the driveway, keys in the fucking ignition, and the woman striding away.

"Savannah!" I yell.

She keeps walking.

Jesus.

"I'm not going home. So you either take me to whatever we are doing, or I'm going for a walk."

I sprint after her.

Fuck the car.

I stop in front of her, and she abruptly stops. "Walk off like that again and I will—"

"Spank me?" She blinks innocently.

I dip my shoulder and toss her over my body, then stomp back to the vehicle. A few people are watching, and I swear to god we are going to have our photos on social media within the hour.

"Sit. Stay." I say as I slam the door.

When I climb back in, she smiles at me.

"Two rules..." I glare at her as I put the gearstick back in reverse and start moving out onto the road. "One: today I am not your bodyguard."

Her eyes sparkle.

"Two: take off like that again and I will quit."

Savannah glances away, but her voice is emotional when she says, "Please don't do that."

Jesus.

This woman.

I press the gas, and we start moving. Then I reach over and take her hand.

Damn her.

Twenty minutes later, I turn into a driveway and push the button in my car to shut the gates.

She stares at the house then at me. "This is your home."

"Yes."