Savanah walked into the woods, needing some time to calm her thoughts down. Everything was so confusing. Taking a deep breath, she slumped down and let her back rest against a tree trunk, closing her eyes. She let her mind drift, pushing away any thought of Tom and Dan or Lucas. Instead, she just listened to the sound of the birds chirping and the wind in the trees. The familiar sounds calmed her frantically thumping heart, and let her mind clear.
“Is everything okay?”
Her eyes flew open. Tom was standing right in front of her, looking down with confusion in his eyes. She’d not heard him come into the woods. The man knew how to be stealthy, that was for sure.
“Savannah?”
Tom watched as she sighed, her eyes closing again. Her skin was pale and he could almost hear the fast beat of her heart. Everything about her was telling him she was confused about something, but he didn’t know what. Was this the reason she’d run away from him last night? “Won’t you tell me what’s going on?” he asked, quietly, bending down beside her.
Savannah let out a long sigh. “I’m just a bit confused, Tom.”
His dark eyes flickered. “Yes, I can tell.”
She looked at him then, swallowing hard. There was no way she could tell him the truth about Lucas or Dan, as much as she wanted to be honest with him. “I’m sorry, Tom.”
He frowned. “What for?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “For everything. For running away from you last night.”
Sitting down on the ground, Tom looked deeply into her eyes. He wasn’t angry any more, not even frustrated. The way she’d walked out of the office, clearly upset, had made something break in his chest. She was hurting and he didn’t know why. He wanted to find out so he could help her. Tom knew he was beginning to care for Savannah, and that didn’t frighten him as much as it once had. She was the picture of misery and Tom felt his heart almost break for her. “Why did you run away, Savannah?” he asked, quietly.
“Because I was afraid,” she answered, honestly. “I’m afraid of what’s going on between us, of what I feel.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t meant to start falling for you.”
He frowned, not sure what she meant. Had someone warned her about him or was it just a something she had promised herself?
“I can’t help what I feel,” Savannah continued, her voice barely loud enough for him to hear. “I want to be with you, Tom.” Her eyes suddenly flooded as she admitted to herself what she honestly, truly, wanted. She didn’t want to be anywhere near Lucas, she wanted to stay here with Tom. In the few weeks she’d known him, he’d shown her how different things could be. There was no fear in this pack, no demands for respect or punishment for stepping out of line. Instead, there was respect and consideration. Tom would never hurt her, but Lucas wouldn’t hesitate to if she crossed him.
“I want to be with you too, Savannah,” Tom murmured, running his fingers down her arm. “I’m not going to lie, Savannah, I’m pretty scared too.”
“You are?” she asked, wiping her eyes hurriedly. “Of what?”
“Look,” Tom explained, dropping his head as a slight rush of embarrassment filled him. “I’m not the romantic type. I don’t do the ‘falling in love’ stuff. I mean, I never have before. I don’t know how to do this,” he continued, reaching for her hand. “That’s what scares me.”
Savannah couldn't do anything except lean forward and kiss him. Tears fell down her cheeks as their lips met, as she finally let her emotions run free. There was something between her and Tom that was going to grow if she'd let it, something that might develop into love. That scared her, but Tom had just told her it scared him too. His honesty and openness had let her really see him for the first time – vulnerable but sincere. She couldn't stop her arms going around his neck as she pulled him closer, wanting to hold onto every inch of him.
“Savannah,” Tom growled, tearing his mouth from hers and looking into her eyes. “Don’t run away from me again.”
“I won’t,” she promised, as he gently brushed tears away from her cheek. “I won’t run again, Tom.”
Later that afternoon, Savannah was back at her desk, working hard. She and Tom had shared more than a few kisses out in the woods and had been on the verge of taking things further before Nick had begun shouting for them both. He'd been a bit worried, apparently, although Tom's growl had let them both know that he wasn't exactly happy at being called back.
Savannah felt a shiver of delight rush through her as she remembered the hopeful gleam in his eye. The next time they were alone, she wasn’t going to run. She was going to give herself completely to Tom, knowing that she’d made her decision. There was no chance of her going back to Lucas, not now. Savannah had made her choice, as she was choosing Tom.
“Savannah?”
Turning in her chair, Savannah gave Jo a quick smile.
“Listen,” Jo began. “Nick and I have to make a quick trip out of town. We won’t be gone long, it’s just to pick up some specialist parts.”
“Okay, no problem,” Savannah replied, feeling a quick rush of excitement at the thought of being alone with Tom.
“Dan will still be here,” Jo continued – as Savannah felt her excitement die away. She’d forgotten about him. “But Tom’s around too. If you like, I can put the lock back on the room. Dan won’t hurt you but I want you to feel safe.”
“No, no, I’ll be fine,” Savannah replied, quickly.
“Are you sure?”
Savannah nodded, her smile becoming a little strained. She was going to have to talk to Dan at some point and hope that he’d understand her reasons for not coming back to the Northern Wind pack. And, if he didn’t, she was going to have to tell Tom the truth. She couldn’t risk Dan attacking Tom, Nick or Jo.
“Okay, see you later,” Jo smiled, lifting a hand before she left the office.
Savannah let out a long breath, hearing the door to Dan’s room open as Jo’s car pulled away.
“Are they gone?”
“Yes,” Savannah whispered, fully aware that Tom was still outside working somewhere.
“Great,” Dan replied, limping over to throw his arms around her. “I can’t believe you’re here, Savannah! What’s going on?”
Savannah gave him a quick hug, before stepping back. “We have a lot to talk about, Dan,” she replied, sitting back down in her chair. “I’m not sure you’re going to like all of it.”