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Because you fucking belong to me, and I’ll call you whatever the hell I want.
“Because I want to.”
She nods, like I gave her a real answer.
“Come on,” I move to hook my hands under her armpits, but she shrieks and slams her elbows to her side.
“Don’t tickle me!”
Snickers sound around the fire.
“I’m not going to tickle you. I’m going to help you up.” Though now I am thinking about tickling her. And it has its merits.
Tickles already forgotten, Savannah blinks up at me. “Can Duke come with us?”
I don‘t know if I want to pinch the bridge of my nose or laugh. “Yeah, Duke is coming with us.”
“But I mean, like all the way to bed. Can he sleep with us?”
I swear Duke is giving me the side-eye, and I’m certain my stoner staff are all eavesdropping.
“We’ll see,” I lie. I have zero intentions of letting anyone, or anything, come between me and a cuddly Savannah. “Now come on, let’s go.”
This time she lets me tuck my hands under her arms, so as I stand, she does too.
“Good?” I ask. I don’t want to let go and have her fall over.
“Good,” she parrots.
There’s a loose piece of grass in her ponytail, so I let go of her with one hand and carefully pluck it free.
“Can you walk?” I know high people can walk, but I don’t know just how high she is.
Savannah turns her head, looking toward the illuminated outline of the house. Probably measuring how far away it is. “Can you give me a piggyback ride?”
More poorly covered snickers.
When she turns back to me, she has such a pleading look on her face I just sigh, “Fine.”
Her smile is pure. And it makes me feel like an absolute asshole.
She’s so lovely. Pretty. Friendly. Kind. And I basically stole her. Literally kidnapped her. Forced her to marry me.
I don’t deserve her smiles.
Unaware of my growing self-hatred, Savannah reaches out, placing her palm on my chest.
With her wide eyes gazing up at me, she breathes, “Awesome.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head, not missing the practically constant chuckles across the fire.
“Step up here,” I gesture to a sturdy wooden chair, then help Savannah climb on. “Put your hands on my shoulders.” She does. “Don’t let go. I’m gonna turn around.” Her hands trail across my shoulders as I turn.
I bend my knees, lowering myself, then reach back to grip one of her thighs and pull it around my waist. “Get on.”
Her arms go around my neck next, then I reach back and pull her other leg around me.
Savannah squeaks when I stand to my full height. And with my hands still reached back around her thighs, I boost her up, and she tightens her legs around me.