Page 43 of Rush
‘It’s beautiful. Did you have an interior designer?’ She stepped further into the room, her suitcases already in there thanks to housekeeping. He had noticed she didn’t usually unpack her things, but there was a walk-in wardrobe right there and something told him Savannah didn’t often get the chance to utilise one of those.
‘No, that was all my mum. She did the entire house. She’s spent years curating every room, finding the perfect pieces that suit a specific style. Driving Dad insane in the process.’ He laughed. ‘She’d be glad to know it’s appreciated, because we sure as hell don’t care. The poor woman nearly had a fit when she walked into my all-black gaming room, filled to the brim with technology. She said it was like a dungeon.’
‘Well, I can see where she’s coming from. But I think I want my own set-up to look like yours. It helps draw you in to the simulation, shuts out all the noise.’
‘Sooo… You do want my help?’ He nudged her arm, hoping to score an invitation.
‘Yes. Fine.’ She rolled her eyes playfully, looking sort of pleased that he was coming with her. ‘You can come to Wyoming. But you can’t ride Mocha, and you’ll have to help out around the ranch, and with dinner. Even guests have to get stuck in. It’s the Hart family rule. Plus, cleaning out the stables and fixing up the stall means getting your hands dirty. Literally.’
‘Any other rules I should know about?’ His lip quirked with amusement.
‘Laugh at my dad’s jokes, no matter how bad they are.’
‘Right. I can do that,’ he nodded.
‘Your family seem like a strict, rule-following type of family.’
‘Well, yes and no. No embarrassing the family name in public, so my yacht drama wasn’t well received, but as far as they’re concerned, you and I have made up for that. We all spend time together as a family once every month totwo months, even if it means everyone else must travel for my benefit. Uh, no women were ever allowed in this house growing up and I am still not allowed to bring them back here even as a grown adult.’
‘Do they know I’m here?’ Savannah shot up from her spot on the bed and smoothed out the sheets, looking around like someone was watching.
‘Yes, they do,’ he laughed, mocking her. ‘You’re not just a random woman, Savannah. They think you’re my fully-fledged girlfriend, potential wife-to-be, and even if you weren’t, you’re my teammate and it’s different.’
‘Speaking of the contract…’ she muttered.
‘It still stands if you want it to, Cowgirl.’ He shrugged, not minding in the slightest if they kept up the charade. It benefitted him in the sense that he could keep her close, but it also helped her out. ‘You shouldn’t have to deal with the media onslaught of a fake break-up in public as well as going through a real one behind closed doors. Besides, we don’t really want to be labelled as a short-lived, whirlwind romance, do we? It only adds fuel to the fire for those who bashed you for dating your teammate in your rookie season.’
‘That’s a valid point. Do you mind?’ She looked up at him through big brown eyes, silently pleading and tugging on his heartstrings. ‘I know you’re probably itching to get yourself back out into the dating world.’
‘Not at all. You’ve got me for as long as you need me.’ He offered her a small smile, grateful he was allowed to keep playing one of his favourite roles.
‘Thanks Mars,’ she sighed softly. ‘But still, I hope your parents don’t come home early.’
‘They won’t. I know their schedule like the back of my hand, we have a family calendar, and we all check it every morning for updates. It’s how we all stay in the loop when we don’t have time to talk. Like I know Rafael isn’t working today because he’s taking his oldest to a hospital appointment for his asthma. And Mum and Dad are taking his other kids out for a picnic.’
‘And they know you’re in their house with agirl,’ she teased.
‘It’s my house, too. I pay my way even though I have my own place.’
‘Well, I would hope so with the millions you earn.’
‘I may earn millions, but I don’thavemillions. I donate most of it, as do my parents. We have everything we need and more, no need for the money to just sit there.’ He never talked about money with anyone, nor did he boast about giving it all away. But he wanted Savannah to know the real him and respect the way he handled his finances, not wrongfully judge him. Frankly, the amount of money he earned made him feel nauseous.
‘I like that. I wish my parents would take mine. They think I should keep it all, but despite seeing my contract with their own eyes and knowing the salary I was offered, I don’t think they can quite comprehend how big the number is. I don’t like to see them struggle, but they’re so stubborn. They think it’s wrong to take money from their kid, but if I can’t take care of people, what’s the point in having it at all?’
‘How is it that we can be from two opposite worlds and yet we’re almost the same person?’
‘I’m just you but in cowboy boots,’ she grinned at him.
‘Hey, I’ll have my own pair in a couple of weeks!’ He was genuinely excited for it, to live the stereotypical cowboy life for a week or two. It was worlds away from what he was used to, and more importantly, it was Savannah’s world.
‘I guess I should incorporate that into your grand tour of Sheridan, Wyoming.’
‘Oh,grandtour?’ He raised an eyebrow.
‘That was pure sarcasm, but if you want to be excited then I will try my best not to crush your dreams. Just… don’t expect much. The ranch is old, it needs work, and my family are under a lot of pressure. They won’t like us helping, but I need you to help me fight them on it. They’re very proud people, and they’ll be embarrassed.’
‘Got it. I’ll throw myself in at the deep end, force my love on them.’
