Fighting His Love

Safe

**Savannah's POV**

When I opened the door, I was not ready to come face to face with someone as sexy and delicious as my ex-boyfriend Santiago Cruz. When we dated at eighteen, he was about five feet and nine inches, and skinny. His black curly hair was like a wet mop on his head, but is was cute to me. That same kid was not in front of me right now. 

"Santi?" I asked. Surprise evident in my voice.

His light blue eyes met mine, and a gorgeous smile appeared on his face. His full lips made my mouth go dry, and those dimples! How could I forget the dimples! They were like deep craters on both cheeks that gave his perfect smile a boyish charm. He now stood over six feet tall, muscles everywhere! His hair was shorter, but his curls still full and bouncy. Santi now had a well kept beard, and a full sleeve tattoo on his left arm. I don't know how long I was staring, but I think I was embarrassing myself because he started to laugh. 

"Have I really changed that much?" His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine, and my n*****s instantly got hard. I was turned on just by the sound of his voice. "Umm, cold?" He laughed again. 

I snapped out of my daze and looked at him confused. "Cold?"

He was trying to fight a smile as he looked down to my breasts and back up to me. I looked down and saw that my n*****s were very noticeable!!! I blushed and he laughed. He knew he was having an effect on me. So why not play along? 

I welcomed him in, and laughed. "Not cold. Turned on, but can you blame me?"

He turned around quickly and he was no longer laughing, just looking over my body. "I see your body isn't the only thing that changed. You've never been so outspoken." He looked over my body again and my cheeks flared up. 

My body is betraying me in more ways than one. I'm blushing, I have goosebumps everywhere he looks, my heart is racing, and I have a need down below. What is going on with me! I know Bryson never really satisfied me, but why am I all of a sudden horny all the time!!! I am so not this person. When Damon kissed me, I didn't want him to stop, but knew better. Now Santi is here, looking at me with lust, and I can't help but try and imagine what kind of lover he is. 

I cleared my throat and asked him to join me in the kitchen. I served him some coffee, but put mine on ice. I loved ice coffee. He laughed. "Still the same habits."

I shrugged. "And I bet you still haven't tried it."

He took a sip of his coffee and then shook his head. "Coffee is meant to be hot." He eyed me up and down again. "Very hot." He winked. 

I giggled. I loved that he was being flirty, but it was making it hard to tell him the reason I called him. All of a sudden, I felt like I was telling him for the wrong reasons. I wanted to make a report but to keep it quiet. Now I kind of feel like Santi might go a little overboard. 

"I see your game hasn't improved." I joked. He was actually really making me feel something, but I couldn't make it that easy for him. 

He bit his lip and looked at my body again. "You're lying." He whispered. "I can read a woman's body so easily, and your body is telling me so much." He walked over to stand in front of me. He gently stroked my cheek. "You're flushed." His hand traveled down to my neck. "Your pulse is racing and breath is faster." His hand gently stroked down my naked arm. "You have goosebumps everywhere." He leaned down and whispered in my ear. "And you're squeezing your thighs together."

"Santi." I whispered. 

Every cell in my body wanted him to keep touching me. To claim my body right here and now. But again, I know that I can't confuse myself. I just got divorced, and my high school bully is trying to pursue me, and now my ex boyfriend is here, looking sexy as f**k, and touching me. 

I closed my eyes and took a step back. "I can't. Its been a rough week. A rough six months actually." I opened my eyes and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. I immediately felt safe. I have only ever felt safe with my dad, and it was weird to be feeling it now. "Can I trust you to keep what I am about to tell you to yourself? I called for your help." 

He looked at me and smiled. "Of course, Sav. I'm always going to be here for you."

I shook my head and explained further. "I called for your help. A cop's help."

Santi's jaw clenched and he sat down. "Tell me."

I explained everything. From the way Damon looked at me at the event, to the conversation in my room. Him coming to my job, then into my office. Cornering me in the elevator, blocking in my car, kissing me, the emails. By the time I was done, Santi was pacing. 

"Say something." I whispered. 

Santiago rushed to my side and hugged me. "I'll take care of it, don't worry. He won't ever bother you again." He whispered as his grip tightened around me. 

I loved the feeling of being in his strong arms, but I was scared of the meaning behind his words. "Santi, I just want to file a report without my dad knowing. If I ask anyone else, they are going to tell him. I don't want you to handle it in any way except the right way."

"But Sav-"

"No Santiago." I stopped him. "I don't want to give him any reason to report you. Lets handle it the legal way, please."

He took a few deep breaths and finally nodded. "Okay. We'll do this your way. But if he doesn't back off, then we do it my way."

I nodded, hoping it wouldn't come to that. "It's late." I said, pulling away from his embrace. 

He placed his hands on my hips and squeezed lightly. "Savannah." He whispered. "I never stopped having feelings for you. I wrote to you when I was deployed, but I never sent them. I was afraid that you wouldn't write back."

I smiled as I stared up at him. "If you still have them, I would like to read them."

He threw his head back and laughed. "No. I didn't have game like I do now. That would be so embarrassing."

"Please Santi." I smiled and batted my eyes. 

He kissed me softly on my forehead. "Okay. When you go out to dinner with me tomorrow night, I'll bring them."

I smiled big, not being able to hold in my excitement. I know I said I wasn't ready, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see those letters. I also feel safe and comfortable with him, nothing could go wrong. Before dinner, I'll explain that we are just going out as friends, and just to catch up. "Deal."

We said our goodnights and he left. He texted me when he got home, which had me smiling like a fifteen year old texting her crush.

Santi: I am so happy you called. I can't wait to see you again.

Sav: It  was good seeing you. You just saw me, you'll survive until tomorrow.

Santi: I've thought about you so much over the years. When I visit your dad, he talks about you. I should have had the balls to find you a long time ago. You would be mine, and life would be perfect. 

Sav: Life happens. All that matters is that we are still friends. 

I didn't mean to friendzone him over text, but he was already having me try and visualize a future with him. I need time to myself, time to heal. Even though I am not crying over Bryson, it still hurts. 

Santi: Friends? We'll see about that tomorrow night ;)

I am loving his flirtatious banter, but I really do hope he will respect my boundaries. Yes I am very attracted to him, but I was attracted to Damon too. My body just needs release, and to feel good. I can't let my heart get involved, and I definitely cannot let any man think he has a chance to win my heart. Because right now my heart is under lock and key, and I do not plan on handing it out to anyone anytime soon. 

I close my eyes and finally find sleep. The next day, I wake up to a delivery of sunflowers and roses. 

"You'll be mine."  The card read.

I smiled, thinking that it was cute how Santi remembered my favorite flowers. I sent him a quick message but before I could press send, a new email popped up. 

Savannah, I re read my emails and saw how I could come off as creepy and demanding. I did have a few drinks, and I crossed the line. I deeply apologize, but please know that I do have real feelings for you, and would like to talk. After the talk if you still want nothing to do with me, then I'll leave you alone. I promise. Just give me a chance to explain things. My behavior was also over the top, but I honestly couldn't control myself. I'll do better. I hope you enjoy the flowers. 

Damon. 

Damon? He sent the flowers? He's apologizing? Oh my gosh what is going on! Maybe Santi already filed the report or went to tell him himself. Maybe another officer talked to him and he realized he was wrong. There was no way he can just all of a sudden have an epiphany. 

Mr. Fernandez. I accept your apology, and would appreciate it if you kept your distance. I do not wish to hear you out, there is nothing to be said. Please stay away. Thank you. 

Savannah.

Savannah, I will leave you alone AFTER you talk with me. I wasn't the one that started the bullying in high school, I swear. I tried to protect you just like Elliot. Let me explain. 

Damon.

Lunch, tomorrow at 1pm. Same hotel. You have one hour.

Savannah.

Ugh. What was I thinking. I would be lying if I said that my curiosity wasn't getting the best of me. Now I had to figure out a way to tell Santi to hold back on the report. If Damon means his apology, and leaves me alone then there isn't any reason to involve the police. I hope he is sincere in his email, and I hope Santi will understand. 

I go through my day like I originally planned. Went on a morning run at the park, came home and made me an omelet. Cleaned the kitchen then showered. I got dressed in a simple blue jean spaghetti strap dress, white vans, and a white baseball cap. The dress reached just above my knees and flowed from my waist. Even though it wasn't form fitting, you'd have to be blind to still not notice the curves underneath. 

I grabbed my wallet, phone, and keys and headed for the door. I stopped in my tracks when I opened the door to see Damon with his hand up, like he was about to knock.

"Damon?" I cleared my throat. "I mean Mr. Fernandez, what are you doing here? How did you even get my address?"

He smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I was too worried that you would bail on me for lunch tomorrow. I decided to show up and hope we could do lunch now?"

I straightened out my posture and looked up into his eyes. "I have plans already."

He smiled. "Doing?"

I scrunched my eyebrows together and said in a stern voice. "That is none of your concern."

Damon chuckled lightly. "Come on freckles." He hasn't called me that since I was fifteen. I have to admit my heart melted just a little. 

"Don't. You can't call me that." I said through gritted teeth. One thing I liked was my freckles. They were perfectly placed on my cheeks, nose and a little on my forehead. They weren't too dark, and they almost looked like a constellation. 

Damon tapped his index finger on the tip of my nose. "Sure I can. Your freckles are just as beautiful as I remember."

I shook my head and stepped back. "You can't show up to my door and try to sweet talk me."

"Savannah, just come with me. I'll talk to you for an hour, and if you never want to hear from me again then I will leave you alone, I swear." His eyes were pleading and his voice was soft. I can tell he meant what he was saying, but still I hate that he just showed up and thinks he can rearrange my day. 

I guess I can squeeze in lunch between shopping trips, and I can make him carry all the bags. "Fine. I was planning on going shopping so I guess today you will be my driver, and carry all the bags." I walk out my front door, lock it and turn to leave. After a few steps I realize he isn't following. "Let's go before I change my mind." 

He quickly ran up to me and we walked together to the elevators, and left my apartment building. He laughed a little when we climbed into his car and I eyed him confused. "I like the new you."

"Why cause I have a nice body?" I rolled my eyes. That's all he saw when he looked at me anyways. 

He shook his head. "No. Even though you do have a beautiful body, I was talking about the confident you. You're everything I knew you would be one day. You just needed time to see your potential." His voice was hard and sure. Like he wanted to make sure every word he spoke was burned into my brain. 

We drove quietly for about fifteen minutes, when we finally got to the mall. I started walking around, going into stores when something caught my eye. I tried on a few dresses and purposely brought the ones he deemed too revealing. I'll probably return them later, I just enjoyed annoying him. He noticed a few guys checking me out and each time he gave them a death glare. I always told him to calm down, but he insisted that for today I belonged to him. 

When I was getting hungry from all the shopping and walking, we left and found a great place that serves the best steak. He ordered lobster, and I got a medium steak with steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes. After we ordered we caught up on our lives. 

I didn't know that the hotel the reunion was hosted in was HIS hotel. He owns a chain of hotels across the U.S and the restaurants in the hotels are also stand alone restaurants in some states. He has been very successful. He wanted to know about my divorce, but I refused to speak about it. I didn't want him to know anything personal about me. For a moment when we talked I felt something and I didn't like it. I felt comfortable and safe. 

Maybe the divorce made me lose my mind, and I am just lonely. I can't feel safe with both men whom I haven't seen all these years. It's just my v****a trying to get laid. What I am feeling is not real. After we finished our food, he leaned back in his chair and watched me. I stared back, not wanting to give him the upper hand. Again he laughed. 

"You are so different. Its refreshing." He said as he took a drink from his wine. 

I shrugged my shoulders, not wanting to get side tracked from my thoughts. "What is it you want to say?"

He took a deep breath. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, his chin sitting on top of his clasped hands. His eyes bore into mine and I could see that he was thinking about what he wanted to say or maybe how he would say it. 

When he finally opened his mouth and spoke I was in shock. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for what he said. Because it didn't make any sense. 

"What?" I asked, still unable to understand what he had just said. My world felt like it was spinning, my head was dizzy, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. The last thing I heard before losing consciousness was Damon shouting my name.