“Oh, no, you’re not using me to misdirect him.”
“How delightful.” Paulette clapped her hands, drawing Savannah and Rick’s attention.
Both the Crosses smiled at them. Paulette shared a laughing glance with Albert. “Don’t they make a lovely couple? Remember when we used to bicker like that? Oh, you loved to give me a bad time.”
Crosse winked at his wife. “Spot-on. You rose so beautifully to the bait.” Nodding to Savannah and Rick, Albert said, “She still does.”
“Oh, no.” Savannah jumped in to correct the wrong impression. “I’m just Rick’s assistant.”
“And I was in the secretarial queue when Albert found me,” Paulette said.
Startled by that revelation, Savannah blurted, “But you went to college, right?”
Paulette shook her blond head. “I started in reception right out of school. My family had no funds for university. But that didn’t matter to Albert.”
“I never went to university. Why should it matter to me if she did? After our boys were out of nappies, she got her degree in art history. Now she’s assistant curator at the Museum of Modern Art.”
“Albert, stop.” Paulette flushed with pleasure. “They’re not interested in hearing about me.”
Actually, Savannah found it very intriguing. She’d been thinking of going back to school, and here was a beautiful, intelligent woman who had got her degree after she began her family. It motivated Savannah to act on her dream.
Working at Sullivans’ with Rick gave her a sense of confidence she’d lacked for a long time. It had brought her to this fabulous restaurant with these gracious, sophisticated people. How much further could it take her?
“It’s an amazing accomplishment.” She smiled at Paulette. “Was it hard?”
The older woman winced, but there was pride in her expression, as well. “It was worth it,” she said. “But we were talking about you two.”
“No, really—”
“It’s obvious you have feelings for each other.” Albert patted his wife’s hand fondly. “We’ve been together for thirty-two years. Good years. The heart of your family comes from your commitment to each other. But I’m here to tell you the key to any successful relationship is compromise.”
“It’s true,” Paulette confirmed softly. “The love you share creates the core of your family. The heart comes from working together, supporting each other.”
They were so sweet, so earnest, Savannah bit her lip to keep from blurting out the truth. Or laughing out loud at their mistake. She wasn’t sure which would come out if she let go. She didn’t dare meet Rick’s gaze.
“Don’t be fooled—it takes work. Sometimes it’s really difficult, but the kids, and always having someone there for you, make the journey worth it.” Dignified and proud, Albert stood and helped his wife to her feet. “And I know what hard workers you are, so you’re halfway there.”
Savannah shook her head.
“There’s no use denying it, dear.” Paulette graced both Savannah and Rick with a smile as she joined her husband. “I can see you’re meant for each other.”
Albert glanced between the two of them and nodded. “She’s rarely wrong about these things.” He reached for his wife’s hand. “Rick, I know you have something planned, so we’ll leave you here.” The men shook hands. “I look forward to working with you both.”
“It was lovely meeting you.” Savannah stood to give Paulette a friendly hug. “Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us.”
“My pleasure. You’re such a charming couple. I’m sure we will all work well together.”
“Paulette—”
“We’re grateful for your well wishes. Aren’t we, darling?” Rick picked her hand up from the table and carried it to his mouth. The heat of his breath on her skin, then the touch of his lips caused her mouth to go dry.
Vaguely, she heard Paulette giggle in delight as she walked away.
Savannah cleared her throat, made a tentative effort to pull her hand free. “Why?”
He retained his grip on her; in fact, he turned her hand over and pressed his lips to the sensitive skin of her wrist.
Oh my.
Unprepared for his sensual assault, she yanked her hand away and buried it along with her other hand in her lap. “What are you doing?”
Happy with life, no doubt helped along by the wine and brandy, he grinned. “Come on, we made her day.”
Enough already. She found the constant buzz of sexual tension between her and Rick exhausting. And he thought it would be amusing to play sensual games?
He wanted to play? Well, she’d show him she knew how to throw a hardball.
“I understand.” She drained the last sip of wine. “You were just flirting for your audience.”
He inclined his head, the overhead light gleaming in the dark sheen of his hair. Humor lit his blue eyes, inviting her to enjoy the moment. “They wanted lovers, I gave them lovers. It ends things on a positive note.”
“I see.” Beyond being amused, she stood and slowly leaned toward him. The closer she got, the more wary his gaze became.
Wise man.
The kiss they’d shared on the plane never strayed far from her mind, and her inner diva demanded she remind him exactly why it was dangerous to play with fire. Standing over him, she cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his.
Slowly, softly, she kissed him.
Oh my, indeed.
When she raised her head, desire burned in his eyes. He reached for her. She stepped back, then licked her lips.
Yeah, she’d shown him.
She turned to find the whole room watching. She literally felt the pink rush to her face. Passion made her movements sluggish as she picked up her purse and jacket. “Good night. Darling.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
OF COURSE, HE RUINED her great exit by following her. Savannah dodged him by stepping into the restroom. Good night. Darling. Right. What had she been thinking?
Obviously, she hadn’t thought. She’d reacted.
He’d looked so pleased with himself. Sitting there so calm and composed with no hint that his outrageous gesture had shaken him at all when it had rocked her to the very core. Now she just felt foolish.
But she couldn’t hide forever.
She left the restroom. Rick stood in the lobby, holding her coat and scarf.
“That was a miserable end to an otherwise delightful dinner.” Even to her it sounded like an accusation. She cocked her head and decided that suited her just fine.
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” he countered.
“No. What did Crosse mean you have something planned? Should I make my own way back to the hotel?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I have a surprise for our last night here.” He helped her into her coat.
She scowled, in no mood to go anywhere with him. “I don’t like surprises.”
“Really? I thought you’d love surprises.” Undeterred, he swept her along, ushering her outside into the crisp night air.
“I used to.”
“You’ll like this one,” he insisted as he hailed a taxi.
A short while later she slowly climbed out of the car, her gaze locked on the huge Millennium Wheel. “Okay, I’m surprised.”
“They say at night it’s like you’re right in the middle of the stars,” he said, excitement obvious in his voice.
It caused her to stop and really look at him. He’d removed his jacket and stood there looking a little rumpled, his hair slightly disheveled, his eyes shining with anticipation.
“I’ve rented a private flight for us.” Rubbing his hands together, he led the way into the terminal.
With a sigh, she put aside her embarrassment and annoyance, unable to deflate his rare show of enthusiasm.
Still, nerves got the better of her as the time came to board. “Oh, Rick. I don’t know. I’m not sure I’m this brave.”
He simply held out his hand for hers. “
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, Savannah, it’s that you’re fearless.”
She looked at his outstretched hand. Did he really believe that? How she wished it were true. She wasn’t fear-less; she just didn’t let her fears stop her. Except when it came to school—maybe because she wanted it so badly? Another hint it was time to stop procrastinating.
She bit her lip. Not so fearless when it came to flying either.
“Do you trust me?” he asked softly.
“Oh.” She released her pent-up breath in a resigned sigh. “Yes, of course.”
“Then let me give you the stars.”
Oh, man. How did she resist that?
“Okay, but if you have to carry me around tomorrow because of my shattered knees, just remember you insisted.”
“I’ll keep you safe.”
The promise issued in his forthright manner was enough to cause her knees to melt, so maybe she wouldn’t have any problems after all.
The trip more than lived up to his claims. An attendant accompanied them yet stayed discreetly in the background. Champagne and strawberries immediately helped to lighten her tension.
Rick stood directly behind her, close enough to touch yet always at a distance. Quietly keeping his word.
“It’s so quiet,” she observed.
“That’s probably because there are no other people around,” he said dryly.
She flicked him a reproachful gaze. “It’s not that. There’s a stillness up here.”
He moved to her side. “Yeah. I feel it, too.”
“The view is magnificent.” Watching the lights of the city expand outward made the gradual rise into the dark an exciting adventure. “It’s like we’re flying among the stars.”
“When I promise a woman the stars, I deliver.”
“Yes, you do.” She laughed up into his blue eyes. “Thank you for insisting.”
Desire flared between them, practically sizzling in the air.
A finger under her chin lifted her head up to his, and he fitted his mouth to hers. Closing her eyes she saw more stars as he made her world twirl in wild abandon.
This night was a dream come true even while she knew it was too good to be true. She knew she should question his uncharacteristic change of attitude. But it felt too wonderful standing in the middle of the heavens with her head on his chest.
So she wouldn’t ask, wouldn’t question. She’d simply hold on tight and live in the moment. And when they left England tomorrow, she’d have an unbelievable memory of more than this fabulous city that had captured her heart.
He spun her around so her back snugged against his front and they both faced the view.
“So, what put you off surprises?” he asked huskily.
Oh. The question brought up painful memories of promises made and broken, of surprises dangled but never coming to fruition. She loved her father, but she’d been disappointed so many times she’d lost her faith in him, and she didn’t know if she’d ever get it back, which saddened her. She refused to be sad tonight; she’d just vowed to live in the moment. And this was where it had taken her.
“Experience,” she answered softly. “When they don’t come off, it’s more painful and disappointing than if you’d never gotten your hopes up in the first place.”
“Ouch. Your dad?”
She nodded. “When my mom got sick my dad disappeared from our lives. Not literally—he came home each night, but emotionally he was disconnected.” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “Actually I give him credit—he was there for Mom right through to the end. But it took all he had. He shut the rest of us out.”
“Rough times. I know from Gram your mom has been gone for a while. You must have been very young.”
“Fourteen when she got sick, seventeen when she passed. Dad didn’t even make my high-school graduation. He just buried himself in work.”
His arms tightened around her. “The workaholic you once mentioned.”
“Yes. Claudia and Daniel were younger, four and five years younger than me, but it didn’t take them long to figure out Dad was unavailable.”
“It was different for them. They had you. I know what a difference that makes because we had Gram.”
“Thank you, that helps a lot.”
Tonight was turning into so much more than she’d ever anticipated. She felt closer to Rick than ever before. They talked about everything and nothing. He made her laugh, he made her want, and when he talked of his father, he nearly made her cry.
“We went fishing and he played ball with us. He came to our games when he could. I thought he was the best dad in the world.”
“Sure sounds like it.” It made her remember the early days, when her own father made time to be with the family.
“Yeah, I only learned the truth about the business failing when I watched Gram pick up the pieces after he and my mom died. If she weren’t such a cagey old gal, we would have lost everything.”
“So you’re complaining because he spent time with you?”
“He should have taken care of business instead. Sure, it was fun to play catch. It wouldn’t have been fun to lose our house.” He released her to grab them two glasses of champagne. “We were two payments behind on the mortgage payments when he died. We went to live with Gram and she sold the house, put the money into the business. It saved us.”
And changed him forever. At the age of nine or ten he’d lost the man he’d worshipped and learned that he’d been a dreamer rather than a businessman. The worst of all possible sins to Rick. No wonder he worked so hard. It was in compensation for the damage done by his father, and a tribute to the sacrifices made by his grandmother.
“He loved you. Chose you and your brothers over his job.” She laid a hand over his. “That says a lot.”
“It says he was weak.”
“No,” she said softly, “it says you were more important to him than a store.”
“It was our livelihood. And the store had been in my family for over seventy years. Built on the sweat of my father’s father, grandfather and great-grandfather.” He turned his hand over to lace his fingers with hers. “You’re too easy to talk to, and I’ve revealed too much. No one knows about the late mortgage but Gram and I.”
“Your secret is safe with me.” She focused on her wineglass, circling the rim with a fingertip. “Divided loyalties—that’s a hard lesson to learn so young. Have you never wanted more from life then? Never believed you could fall in love and run a successful business?”
Rick took the question on the chin. He should have known when he took the conversation to a personal level that Savannah would draw more from him than he found comfortable. For some reason he felt compelled to know more about her, to ferret out her secrets. It was only fair to give up some of his own in return.
He knew love; his family abounded in it. Yet he’d always felt apart from the closeness that held them all together. Perhaps his resentment for their father had something to do with it. Or maybe he just feared losing anyone else.
“No. I haven’t always been so resistant to relationships. In college a pretty little blonde from Boston caught my attention enough that I asked her to marry me. She accepted, but in the end she missed her family and chose to return east.”
Savannah turned in his arms to look up at him. He saw a hundred more questions in her eyes and braced himself.
“Did you consider going after her?”
“I thought about it. But it came down to this—she didn’t love me enough to stay. I didn’t love her enough to follow. The breakup still hurt, though.”
“I’m sure it did. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, Rick, it’s that you feel things deeper than you let on.”
How could she possibly know that? It was something he’d buried long ago. Feelings were messy and distracting. He preferred things simple and straightforward and that’s how he’d built his life.
“I’m sorry you gave up on love. I think you have a lot to offer.”
Rick nodded and the man returned to his station. They’d been so intent on each other, they hadn’t noticed the flight was over. And so was their time alone.
Tomorrow it would be back to business.
Back in the hotel suite, Savannah pulled off her gloves and scarf. She glanced at Rick through her lashes. He was much closer than she’d expected and she had to run her gaze over his broad chest to reach his eyes.
“Thank you for the lovely surprise. I’ll never forget tonight.”
“I’m not ready for it to end.” He caught her hand and pulled her to him. Slowly, he lowered his head, his lips settling softly against hers.
Oh my. She held still, afraid to move, not because she feared him, but because she didn’t want him to stop. Giving in to the temptation of his mouth on hers, she touched the tip of her tongue to his bottom lip. Immediately he angled his head and took the kiss to a new level. He tasted of man and champagne, an intoxicating mix.
And a potent reminder of the alcohol he’d consumed through dinner and the flight. That they’d both consumed.
Regretfully, she turned her head, breaking off contact. “We should stop.”
“Do you want to stop?” His breath heated the skin of her temple.
No, not at all, her heart cried, though her head said different. “You won’t be happy about this in the morning.”
“Define happy. Life is mostly the same old, same old with rare moments of extreme pleasure.” He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue. “I think we can reach new levels of extreme.”
As skillful fingers played down her sides, she fully believed him. He whispered in her ear that he had protection.
“This is so wrong.” But she lifted her mouth to his, meeting him halfway, threading her fingers through the short strands of his dark hair.
“Yeah, but it feels so right.” He sealed his mouth over hers, ending the conversation.
Opening her mouth under his, she let him in, let him sweep away her protests. She held him to her, breathing in his scent, man and soap with a hint of spice. He smelled as good as he tasted.
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