Page 59 of Decker

He smiled at the first small victory as he watched her walk away and resisted the urge to take her in his arms and hold her. He needed to be patient with her. He’d done damage with his words and actions and now he had to show her how sorry he was because words wouldn’t be enough.

Two hours later, at almost two in the morning, he stopped outside Savannah’s home and looked across at the woman who had slain his demons with her sweet nature and fiery determination. Her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks as she woke from her catnap.

She pushed to sitting and blinked slowly. “Are we home already? I must have fallen asleep.”

“Yeah, doc, we’re home.” He’d never felt more at peace than when he was with her. She was home to him. He didn’t say the words though, she needed to sleep more than she needed his word vomit. She was almost cross-eyed with fatigue. He unclipped her seatbelt and walked her to her door, placing his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her.

She turned at the door and faced him. “Thanks for the ride, Deck.”

He hated that she called him that now, that he’d made her raise barriers. He nodded. “When can I see you? We need to talk.”

Savannah crossed her arms defensively over her chest and looked down at her crocs and the clean scrubs she’d worn home. Her hair was wild, and she had bags under her eyes, and he’d never seen her look more beautiful.

“I don’t know, Deck.”

“Mark.” He lifted his hand and then dropped it before he touched her. “To you I’m Mark.”

Savannah scowled. “Fine, Mark. I don’t know when I’m free.”

“What about tomorrow morning? We could get breakfast somewhere.”

“Whatever, although I don’t see the point.”

“Please?”

“Okay, yes. Now can I please go to bed before I fall asleep at this door standing up?”

He grinned. “Sure thing, doc.”

“Goodnight, Mark.”

“Goodnight, doc.”

As she closed the door, he heard her call. “And don’t call me doc. I don’t like it.”

He grinned wider. “You love it.”

He didn’t catch the rest but that was okay. He’d see her tomorrow and it filled his heart with happiness.