Page 23 of Decker

A wife. He’d been married and had a son! It was hard for her to think of him as a father, but she knew like everything else he’d be a wonderful dad. Decker had more heart than he showed anyone, and she wondered if he hid it even from himself.

A knock on the door brought food, and the conversation soon turned to the wedding and Javier’s proposal and Addie’s wedding plans. The wine flowed and so did the conversation until Savannah began to yawn. She’d stopped drinking two hours earlier and had switched to water. Her tolerance was low at the best of times but when she was dead on her feet it was worse.

“Sorry, guys, it’s all catching up with me.”

“I’m not surprised after the last few days.” Out of the Zenobi gang, Laverne was the one she knew the least. She was tall, slim, with golden blonde hair and deep blue eyes and she had what looked to be a permanent smirk on her face. Savannah knew that it was caused by Bell’s Palsy and usually caused by an infection. It left patients with one-sided facial paralysis that once treated would get better but could leave a minimal amount of paralysis. She was a beauty with or without it and had a quiet confidence that made Savannah feel like she could handle any situation.

She wished she had even a third of that belief when it came to her personal life. Give her a scalpel and she was the best in her field, take it away and she was still the awkward girl she’d been in school.

“Waggs should be here in a minute and Gunner is coming for Lacey and me.”

“Are they together?”

“Yeah, they had a boy’s night at the pub, probably yapping about their cars and bikes and boring old man shit.” Addie laughed and leaned against Lacey, who was as drunk as she was. The pair were going to have horrible hangovers in the morning, but life was for the living, and they were happy.

A horn beeped outside, and Savannah stood to go to the door, while Addie and Lacey giggled as they tried to find their bags and jackets. She pulled open the door, expecting Waggs or Gunner, and instead was greeted with the sight of Mark Decker.

“Mark, what are you doing here?”

He swept past her, and she caught the scent of musk and him, and inhaled without thinking. The effect was almost dizzying, and she swayed.

Strong hands caught her by the arms and he studied her. He looked down into her eyes, the intensity overwhelming. “Are you okay?”

She shook off the effect he had on her and pasted a wide smile on her face. “Yes, of course, just a little tired.”

“Savannah.” Waggs nodded as he moved past her and Decker in the doorway with Gunner behind him, both in search of their wives.

“Why are you here?”

“I offered to pick Addie up so Lopez could have a beer.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I’m not much of a drinker so it was no trouble.”

Savannah tried not to smile at the white lie, knowing Gunner was coming for Addie and Lacey.

He released her arms, and she felt the loss of his touch instantly. Oh, how she wished he could be here because he couldn’t think of anyone else except her. That was fanciful and not in keeping with their arrangement and she had to remember that.

“Well, she’s through there.” She pointed toward the living room as Addie and Lacey came out with Gunner behind them looking amused.

Addie hugged her. “Thanks for a great night. Gunner is going to give me a lift home.”

“Oh, I thought Decker was taking you home?”

Addie patted Decker’s arm. “Be a doll and help Savannah clear up would you, please?”

She quickly intervened, not wanting him to think this was a set-up. “No, it’s fine. I can manage, there’s no need for Mark to help.” She glared at Addie who just winked at her.

Decker cast her a look she couldn’t read. “I’d be happy to stay and help you.”

Savannah rubbed her hands together not sure what to do with them and worried if she didn’t keep them busy, she’d launch herself at Mark. He looked hot tonight in his black t-shirt and dark jeans, his collarless leather jacket hugging his strong shoulders.

“See, he’d be happy to help you.” Addie giggled and Savannah, now sober as a judge, tried not to roll her eyes and die of embarrassment.

“Come on you two, let’s get you home before Savannah decides you need a frontal lobotomy for your craziness.” Gunner ushered them out the door, followed by Waggs and the others.

She stood and waved them off for as long as she could, feeling the heat and presence of the man behind her the entire time. Finally, not able to avoid it any longer she turned, about to say he didn’t need to stay but the look in his delicious brown eyes stopped her dead.

His hand on the door, as he closed it behind her and locked it tight, caged her body. His other hand cupped her neck and he pulled her to his chest, her palms landing flat against solid muscle.

A pulse in her neck pounded and she knew he could feel it against the thumb that swept over her throat. He looked like a caged predator, all hunger and heat, his natural dominance seemingly slipping the leash of his control, and she felt like prey.

“Are you drunk?”

Savannah closed her eyes at the demand, unable to speak past the desire flooding her veins.

“Look at me.”

Her eyes shot open at his order, and she answered on an exhale. “No.”

“Thank fuck.”