Page 17 of Decker

“That good. And what about you? How are you doing?”

“Honestly, I’m okay. It might hit me later but at the moment it’s just one more thing from my ex to deal with.”

“I can’t believe you were married to that guy.”

Savannah snorted. “Me either.”

“So, not sure if you’ve checked your phone but Aubrey has a big mouth and I’ve been fielding questions all morning from the team about us.”

Savannah’s eyes widened. “Really? All those big alpha males are gossiping?”

Mark laughed and it did funny things to her belly, making her heart beat faster and her brain wish for things she couldn’t have. “Oh, they are the worst. They’re like the worst sewing circle ever.”

“So, what did you tell them?”

He glanced around the room before his dark, sultry gaze landed on her again. “That we’re friends and that the rest is none of their business.”

“Umm, wonder if that will work on Addie. I’m meant to be seeing her later but will need to cancel if Percy can’t find someone to cover for me.”

“Probably not. Women are much better at finding shit out than men.”

“True, but it’s the truth. We’re friends and if we ever get a second of peace, we may be fuck buddies.”

“Hey, don’t call it that.” He reached for her hand and twined his fingers through hers. “We may not be the next big love but don’t denigrate it with those words.”

“Fine, what would you call it?”

“Two adults who want to explore their mutual attraction without the constraints of expectation.”

“Okay. It’s a bit long-winded though, don’t you think?”

Mark chuckled. “Maybe. So, are you busy tomorrow night?”

“I honestly don’t know, but if we can get cover then I should be off.”

“Great. How about we grab dinner at my place?”

Savannah felt her belly flutter with excitement and knew she needed to rein it in around him. It would be all too easy to fall for Mark when he was being sweet like he had been the last few days, but that wasn’t all he was. He had another side that cut like a blade and that was the edge she should guard against.

“I can eat before I come over. No need to make this something it’s not.”

Mark stood abruptly and she got the feeling she’d angered him in some way and regretted it. He moved behind her and leaned over her chair, placing one hand on the table in front of her and the other on the back of her chair. He bent close and she could feel his warm, minty breath on her neck.

“Dinner at my place, seven pm. Don’t be late. I’ll text you the address.”

Savannah shivered at his words that weren’t a request but a command. From any other man, it was one that would have her bristling but from him it made her insides turn to jelly. Her breath came fast, and her heart slammed into her too-dry throat. She swallowed and nodded, not able to get the words out, but it seemed to be enough because she felt the brief brush of his lips against her hair and then he was striding for the exit.

She sat unmoving as she watched the perfect fit of his suit flex over strong shoulders as he strode with confidence toward the door as if he owned the room and everyone in it. He sure owned her body right this moment.

Taking a shaky breath and the last sip of her smoothie, she grasped hold of her equilibrium and stood. She still had work to do and cover to find because come what may, she’d be on his doorstep tomorrow night. Nothing would stop her from feeling all that tightly leashed control focused on her pleasure, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that Mark Decker was a man who made sure a woman was satisfied in bed.

The rest of her day was an exercise in control as she battled patient care and heads of department meetings with Percy. The hospital had some serious damage control to do after last night.

She was at the boardroom table, seconds from banging her head in frustration when she got a text from Addie.

Addie: Can’t do lunch, want to grab dinner tonight instead?

Hell, yes, she wanted to grab dinner with her friend and preferably a bottle of wine.