Page 1 of Decker

Chapter One

Savannah smiledto herself as she watched Astrid and Jack dance, surrounded by their friends and family, especially Adeline and Lopez, who after a very rough start had found love. It filled her bruised heart with hope that maybe one day she’d find that same kind of love. Not the fake façade her ex-husband had offered her before deciding monogamy wasn’t for him and forgetting to let her know.

Leaning against the wall of the beautiful castle, a sigh escaped her as she sipped on her champagne. It had been a day of surprises, especially as the actual Queen had attended the ceremony, and her now friend and former patient, Adeline, getting a surprise proposal followed by a dance from Jack and his friends that had finished off a wonderful day.

She felt him before she saw him. Something about the cool, clever, handsome profiler who seemed to dislike her immensely rattled her. Perhaps because it was unusual for someone to dislike her so much when she’d done nothing wrong to them that she was aware of, or maybe it was because she found him so damned attractive that her heart sped up at the sight of him, despite the unnecessary barbs he threw her way.

Savannah refused to turn and acknowledge his presence. She was there first and if he wanted to disturb her peace then he could make the first move at conversation.

“I suppose you buy into all this happily ever after nonsense too?”

Savannah hid the smile at her tiny victory and turned, her eyebrow raised in question. “Nonsense?”

“That mystical happy ever after.”

Savannah ran a critical eye over Mark Decker, who looked as delectably unattainable as ever in his three-piece grey suit that fit like it was made for him, which it most likely was. He was beyond handsome, tall, his dark hair swept back from his forehead, and if she guessed correctly, it had a slight wave in it. Deep brown eyes that seemed to hold a wealth of secrets, long, inky black lashes and high cheekbones that complimented a jaw cut from marble, which was probably cut from the same template that had been used on Michelangelo’s David.

Savannah had no idea why he was so damn off with her when he was perfectly delightful with everyone else. Especially when his eyes swept over her from head to toe, a hot look of desire in them. It gave her a giddy feeling to be wanted by him when it was clear he didn’t want to want her.

Turning away and back to the scene on the dance floor, she cocked her head at his question. Watching the love before her it was hard to understand how he could think that way.

Looking up at him again she was struck by how tall he was. She was five feet seven so by no means short, but he towered over her, his shoulders wide and powerful. She knew he was built, had seen him after a training session in the gym at his work and still had fantasies about it.

He continued to watch the floor not looking at her.

“I think the people in front of us are proof it’s real, Mark.”

She saw his jaw flex and wondered what she’d said this time to upset him.

“It never lasts, that’s the problem with perfection.”

“I don’t think any of them would say it’s perfect, but it’s perfect for them and that’s what counts. Have you never been in love, Mark?” She didn’t know what made her ask the question, whether it was the champagne or the atmosphere, but he almost winced at her words, and she knew she’d hit a tender spot.

“Once.”

He said no more, and she regretted asking, knowing she’d caused him pain and that had never been her plan. She was a healer at heart, always had been, and still was, her goal always to help not harm.

“Tell me, Dr Sankey, do you get a kick out of poking your nose in where it’s not wanted?”

Savannah sucked in a breath at the hurtful comment she knew was said for that very reason. Mark Decker was acting like a wounded bear and lashing out. As much as she wanted to be the bigger person, she wouldn’t be an emotional punching bag for him or anyone else.

“I think this little discussion, if you can call it that, is over. If you’ll excuse me, I need some air.” Without waiting for his reply, she pulled her wrap tighter around her shoulders and walked onto the balcony behind her, leaving Mark Decker to his own misery.

The night was clear, the sky obsidian with millions of stars twinkling above her. Savannah sucked in a breath of the cool, fresh air and let it out slowly. She loved nights like this when it felt like the sky was the limit and endless possibilities were laid out. Seeing the love surrounding her today reminded her of her own solitary existence.

She’d put everything into her mission to become the best neurosurgeon she could be, and had made so many sacrifices, none of which she regretted. Her marriage had been a sham from the very beginning. Andy Farr was one of the top neurosurgeons in the country. He was also arrogant, conceited, and in the beginning, charming. She’d mistaken his late nights and missed dinners as a commitment to his job. God knew she was the same but while she was working, he was screwing around.

She gave a shake of her head, banishing thoughts of the man who’d broken her heart. He didn’t deserve the head room she was giving him. It was almost two years now and their divorce had been finalised the previous week. Andy had been hell-bent on winning her back, blocking the divorce at every turn until he’d gotten one of the scrub nurses pregnant and she’d forced his hand. Savannah actually felt sorry for her. Andy would never stay faithful, and she knew now what she’d thought was love was more hero worship. For all his faults, and there were many, he was a wonderful surgeon.

Savannah felt movement behind her and knew who it was without turning around. His cologne was distinctive to him, and she hated the fact she could pick it out after he’d been such a jerk to her before. She turned to leave, not wanting another sparring session with Mark Decker, and avoided eye contact.

“Don’t go.” A firm hand landed on her forearm, stopping her momentum and she glanced up at him. He really was sinfully handsome yet so distant and guarded. “Please. I’m sorry I was rude to you earlier.”

Her lips twitched with a smile, knowing that the apology must have cost him. He didn’t strike her as a man who easily admitted when he was wrong. No, Mark Decker was a man with exacting standards for himself and those around him. Savannah resumed her place, looking out over the beautifully lit gardens of the Castle with the stars above and the backdrop of laughter and music coming from behind them.

Savannah sipped her champagne and angled slightly towards Mark. He was looking out over the landscape, and it gave her a moment to study the sexy yet unreadable man, to wonder what made him the person he was, what secrets he held. He looked so proud and strong, like a warrior of old and she knew he must have scars inside to have earned the pain she saw deep within him. His dark hair was combed perfectly, and she had the urge to run her fingers through it and mess him up a bit, just to see his reaction. The image of him sweaty and unguarded the one time she’d seen him with his friends popped into her thoughts, and she wondered what kind of woman would be able to make a man like him love her and what had happened to make him so cold.

“Why don’t you like me?”