Page 75 of Small Town Beast 2: Saverin's Duet

“We worked it out like gentlemen.”

“In other words, you beat his ass?”

Saverin tapped her nose, but there was a cloud behind his eyes. “Not this time.”

“Well, you should have! Fuck that motherfucker. Oh my God. I don’t believe it.” Tanya wiped her eyes with the bedsheet.

“Finish up that hamburger, babe. I’m real sorry you had to starve but I guess my theory was halfway right.”

“What theory?”

“Nevermind. I’ll tell you everything, later.”His phone rang. “Ah— that must be Crash.” He looked at Tanya,hard.“Crash is coming.”

“Okay, honey. You told me that.”

“Mm.”

“Know what, Saverin? In my dream? I was talking to my mother. And I told her I forgave her. And then I whupped her ass.” She put aside the food. “I just lost my appetite. Is there a bathroom?”

Saverin pointed.

In the bathroomTanya washed her face and swished water in her mouth. She came out to see Saverin texting into his phone.

“So why are we in somebody’s bedroom?” she asked, sitting in his lap and putting her arms around his neck. The dream…hadit been a dream? She pulled out Saverin’s hair tie and ran her fingers through his thick dark curls, comforting herself with her lover’s own comfort. Saverin liked when she touched his scalp like that.He groaned and tipped his head back, exposing his powerful neck muscles, which she gently kissed.

“Ah-hem? Any answers for me?” she teased.

“Well, it’s a very nice bedroom,” Saverin said, pretending to think. “Nice down pillows. What do you think of that oil painting there?”

The painting was of a stag in a snowdrift, its six-point antlers raised proudly as it faced the hunter. “It’s beautiful,” said Tanya. She looked at Saverin and saw his evil smile. “Don’t tell meyoupainted that?”

“No, that would be bragging.”

“Saverin, that’s so good. Can you paint people, too?”

“Sure.”

“Can you paint me? Us? I always wanted to get a painting of me and Amari— I guess I can get you and me, first. Since…” She swallowed hard.Amari…Mama…What the hell am I missing?

Saverin stared at her. “Crash is coming up to bring you something.”

“I don’t even know who this ‘Crash’ person is.” The thought nipped at her, then darted away like a fish. “Is he really tall with brown eyes?” She asked slowly.

“I never really checked the color of his eyes, being a straight male, and him being related to me. But he is tall, yes. I’m taller.”

“What was that about bragging?”

“Come here, gorgeous.”

She lay back in the bed and Saverin joined her, holding her close. She took comfort from his body, his love warm and enveloping. Saverin, her love and her protector. Always.

“Tanya,” he murmured. “When I ask for your hand…I want to know if there’s a chance you’ll give it.”

“Of course I will.”

“One year from today,” he said. “We’ll get a prenup. Everything legal so your money stays safe, untouchable. You can leave everything for your kids if you want to; I got enough for all of us.”

“My kids,” Tanya whispered, feeling a deep stab of sadness through the warmth of happiness that surrounded her on all sides.

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