Page 48 of Freeing Savannah

“I know,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple. “It’s over now.”

She pulled back enough to look at him. A bruise bloomed along his jawline, his lip was split, and there was a weariness in his eyes.

“You’re hurt.”

He shrugged, the barest of smiles twitching at the corner of his mouth. “You should see the other guy.”

Despite everything, she let out a broken laugh, half-sob, half-relief. Her fingertips ghosted across his cheek. “I was so scared.”

“I was, too. I’m so sorry I left you alone. It killed me to do it. But I knew I couldn’t take them on alone. I had to get backup. But I left you. I’m sorry. Forgive me. Please.” His words were a jumbled, hurried mess, but the desperation behind them wounded her.

The look in his eyes cracked something open in her chest. He thought he was going to lose her over this. She cupped both his cheeks, forcing him to meet her eyes. “Sawyer. You have nothing to be sorry for. I always knew you were coming. I knew you’d never leave me. I . . .” She paused, emotion choking the rest ofher words. She wasn’t ready to say what was pressing against her ribs, but she knew it now. Knew it in her bones.

“I’ve got you, Savi,” he said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She leaned into him again, letting the quiet stretch between them, his heartbeat strong against her cheek.

For the first time in days, maybe even years, she let herself believe that maybe . . . just maybe . . . she didn’t have to be strong alone anymore.

“Let’s get you up to your room and cleaned up,” he said, drawing her to the door. Still unsteady, she stumbled. Voodoo didn’t hesitate. He swept her up into his arms, carrying her bridal style through the luxurious hotel until they were finally ensconced in her suite. Just the two of them.

The hush of the room wrapped around her like a balm after the chaos. Gilded mirrors, soft lamplight, and plush velvet furnishings filled the space. Opulence and calm, a world away from gunfire and terror.

He closed the door behind them, making sure to lock the deadbolt, and turned to her, his expression gentle, his stormy eyes scanning her face like he needed to see she was still whole. “Let me take care of you,” he said softly.

She gave the smallest nod.

He took her hand and walked her into the bathroom. He stepped forward, his fingers brushing the strap of her dress, his touch reverent as he helped her out of the floor-length gown. Not rushed. Not impatient. Just Sawyer, grounding her, and dare she say, loving her in silence. The fabric whispered to the floor, and he kissed her bare shoulder.

He turned on the water, adjusting it with careful precision before offering her his hand. The marble bathroom was all warm light and steam, gold fixtures gleaming under the soft glow. He gently grasped her hips, his gaze locked on her as if taking measure of her mental state. Then, having obviously seen whathe wanted, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs.

He released her and gave her a gentle nudge toward the shower. She stepped in first and the heat rushing over her skin was like a cleansing rain.

Then he joined her.

Under the cascade of water, they moved slowly. His hands glided over her arms, her back, her hair. She returned the gesture, her fingertips gentle over the powerful lines of his body. Her breath caught when she saw the angry bruise spreading over his ribs.

“God, Sawyer,” she whispered, pressing her hand lightly to it.

“I’m fine,” he murmured, cupping her jaw. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

But she hated it. Hated that he’d gotten hurt. Hated that she couldn’t shield him the way he shielded her.

Still, neither of them spoke more about it. The moment was too fragile, too sacred. They stood forehead to forehead beneath the spray. His arms wrapped around her, while her fingers rested over his heart. Despite the fact that they were naked in front of each other for the first time, this wasn’t about sex.

It was about care. Comfort. And even love.

Afterward, he dried her gently, like she might break, then helped her into one of the hotel’s thick robes. She sank into the bed, the soft linens welcoming her exhausted body. Sawyer followed her, settling in behind her, one strong arm wrapped around her waist, his chest pressed to her back.

She sighed, her heart finally slowing.

“You’re not going anywhere, right?” she murmured.

He tightened his hold and promised, “Never.”

She fell asleep to the feel of his heartbeat steady against her spine, unaware that the depth of his promise extended far beyond the one night.

CHAPTER 19

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