He demanded and she gave willingly, lifting onto her toes to get closer. He nibbled her lower lip then soothed the bite with a swipe of his tongue. She moaned as he worked his way down her jaw and then her neck, to her shoulder and lower. She shivered at each bite, sighed with each soothing caress.
Passion eclipsed common sense as she practically climbed him to deepen the embrace, and he helped by circling her waist with one strong arm and lifting her against him, her feet several inches off the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him carry her to his room. One high heel fell off and she kicked away the other.
“Business is over for the day.”
Once she gained her feet again, she took delight in removing his tie, pulling hand over hand until it hung loose in her fingers. Feeling wicked she tossed it over her shoulder and reached for the buttons of his shirt.
For each one she released, she kissed the warm skin revealed until he lost patience and stripped off the shirt himself. Next he made short work of sliding down her zipper and the little black dress pooled on the floor.
They sank to the bed where the tension smoldering below the surface exploded in sizzling passion.
Some called him cold, unfeeling, but she’d always seen his intensity, his deep sense of duty. It drove his ambition and dedication, which, in turn, fueled his isolation. But cold and unfeeling? Not by a long shot. By turns tender and demanding, he fanned the flames of her desire hotter and hotter.
He was in the shower when she woke up. With mixed feelings, she escaped to her room to shower, dress and complete her packing. And then they were in a taxi on the way to the airport.
In a blink they were back on a plane on the last leg of the flight home. Another red-eye flight. She hoped they didn’t encounter turbulence as bad as on her first flight.
Tired but anxious, she shifted in her seat.
“You’ve been quiet,” Rick said. “Do you think you’ll be able to sleep?”
She blinked at him. “Wow. Déjà vu. I hope that doesn’t mean we’ll have bad turbulence.”
He looked away, and she rolled her eyes in rueful amusement, not surprised by his avoidance of emotional discourse.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to get clingy,” she reassured him. “In fact, I want to thank you for an awesome trip. I had a great time.”
“Yes. It was a very successful trip. Even Rett should be happy.”
“I’m glad it worked out for the company, but I was talking about us. I do understand that it all ends when we touch down in San Diego.”
He turned back to her, relief clear in his eyes. “Oh, I think I can see you to your door.”
“Such a gentleman.” She smiled, careful to keep the growing sorrow from showing. He would have done that anyway. “Your grandmother would be proud of you.”
He flinched slightly, just a quick narrowing of the eyes and she wondered at the moment of vulnerability. Maybe he wasn’t as unmoved by the end of their fling as he wanted her to think.
“I’m going to miss you,” she said softly.
His gaze flicked to hers. “We’ll be working together every day.”
“Of course.” And the proximity would make things harder not easier.
“Are you going to be all right with that?” he pressed.
“Yes.” She nodded, emphatically. “Last night was indescribable, but I’m not really the kind of girl to enjoy flings. And when I find the right man I want to know I’m number one for him. That when it comes to priorities and split loyalties, I come first. I told you about how my father turned to work for solace so maybe you can understand that. I know he loves me. It just doesn’t always feel like it.”
“And you think that’s how I treat the women in my life?” he asked thoughtfully.
“Yes,” she answered honestly and saw that flash of vulnerability in him again. “But it’s okay, because that’s the life you’ve chosen. You’ve said you don’t plan to get married. I respect that. But I also hope you find someone who’ll fulfill you more than well-balanced profit statements.”
“Thanks. I think.”
She forced another smile and lowered her gaze to their hands, separated by several inches on the console between their first-class seats, and thought, That’s the way it has to be. But she closed her eyes, shutting out the sight.
“I think I will try to sleep.”
He said nothing, but a moment later his hand covered hers.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“SAVANNAH, I’LL BE AT the downtown branch for a few hours, and then I’m off the clock until four.” Rick stopped at her desk to give her his schedule. “Call me if you need me.”
“I thought you were attending the meeting with human resources for the proposal from the independent health-care provider this afternoon.”
“I changed my mind.”
“Really?” she blurted in surprise and then quickly tried to recoup. “I mean did you want me to sit in on the meeting and take notes?”
“No. The manager can handle it.” Instead of leaving he stood jiggling the change in his pocket. “Aren’t you having lunch with Jesse today?”
“Yes. How did you know about that?”
He lifted a dark brow, silently reminding her Jesse was family. “Are you going to talk to her about her teacher’s certification?”
“Maybe.”
“You are.”
She looked at him from under her lashes. “Don’t push me.”
“You should talk to human resources. We pay for continuing education for our employees.”
Okay, she just shook her head at that. “I’m a temp, remember? And teaching is not continuing ed for jewelry-making, consumer marketing or retail sales.”
He inclined his head. “There’s design. You have a real talent in that direction.”
“I thought of that, but I want to teach. Plus, I’m still only a temp.”
The man was driving her insane. The stoic, distancing man from before their trip to England had returned with a vengeance upon touchdown in San Diego a month ago. Which she’d expected, of course. And she’d prepared herself for his reappearance. Not that it had been easy to switch gears from lover to assistant when she was suffering from jet lag.
But on odd occasions this solicitous man popped up, and she truly didn’t know what to make of him.
“Unless you’re offering me a permanent position here at Sullivans’?” she prompted.
“A permanent position?” he drawled in speculation.
The expressions fleeting across his face reflected the way she felt, a combination of horror followed by hope replaced by resignation. Which told her his customary cold shoulder was as much a facade as her daily display of disinterest.
The chemistry between them blazed as strongly now as it had in England. And before that if she was honest.
Honest? Who was she kidding? If he were to offer her a permanent job, she’d probably jump on it even though she told herself nightly she’d be out of here and away from the temptation of Rick Sullivan in a heartbeat if it weren’t for her obligation to Mrs. Sullivan to see the job assignment through to the end.
Yep, that’s what she told herself. And at night she meant it, but during the day she longed for the sight of him, shivered at the sound of his deep voice. More than once she’d caught herself leaning closer to get a whiff of his cologne and the underlying scent of man.
When he was around, that is. Since their return to the States, he’d hit the road to visit all the branch offices. This was his second trip downtown.
“I don’t get you, Rick.” Frustration made her speak up. “I can’t tell if you want me to stay or you’re trying to get rid of me.”
He pinned her with an intense, unreadable gaze. “Good question. When I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know.” And flipping the marble hourglass, he turned and walked out of the office.
She glared after his retreating back. No mixed signals there.
And lunch with Jesse only added to her confusi
on. For all his recent travels, it seemed Rick had made time to spend time with his family.
“I don’t know what happened in England.” Jesse flashed Savannah a knowing glance. “But Rick is like a new man.”
“Really?” Savannah twisted her iced-tea glass on the table, avoiding eye contact. “In what way?”
“He’s more visible, more available. This afternoon he’s playing handball with Brock. And it’s been great to have him at Sunday dinners again. I can tell you Gram’s thrilled.”
“Family means a lot to him.” Savannah thought of his willingness to sacrifice a family of his own to protect the interests of the whole. “That’s not new.”
“No, but he’s always been a little aloof. I mean, he makes the big events, but usually only gets to Sunday dinner three or four times a year.” Jesse sat back, allowing the waiter room to deliver her meal. “Something definitely happened to shake him up in England.”
“He’s very excited about the international deal.” Feeling a tad nauseous, Savannah pushed the club salad around on her plate. “It was an important goal for him.”
“Hmm.” Jesse nodded over a bite of Chinese chicken salad. “He’s invited everyone to the London opening in November. I can hardly wait. But enough about Rick, except to say keep on doing whatever you’re doing. Let’s talk about you. I love to teach, so I’m happy to share anything you want to know. Do you have a field of study you want to specialize in?”
The talk turned to education, both learning and teaching, but in the back of Savannah’s mind lurked the thought that his trip to Europe may well have changed Rick. She knew he’d been impressed with Crosse and his style of doing business.
She’d certainly come back a different person, both in heart and spirit. Paulette’s story had inspired Savannah to act on her desire to go back to school. And in giving herself to Rick she’d opened herself to him more than to any other man she’d known.
Too bad she was a woman who needed to know she came first in her man’s life, and he was a man driven by ghosts to see his company succeed.
When it came down to essentials those were two things that weren’t going to change.
She’d be a fool to believe anything else. No matter how much she wished things were different.
Feeling totally sick, she pushed her plate away.
Dazed and confused took on new meaning as Savannah stared at the plus sign on the little white stick. Equally excited and horrified she finally acknowledged her suspicions were correct. Still carrying the stick she moved into her bedroom.
“I’m pregnant.” She tested the words and found they made her knees weak.
“Oh, Savannah.” Claudia was right there lending Savannah strength, walking her to the bed to sit. “It’s going to be okay.”
She sank to the edge of the mattress when she’d rather crawl into the middle and hide her head under the covers.
“I’m expecting the boss’s baby. That’s really not okay,” she said in a strangled voice.
“Don’t panic. That was only one test. Maybe it’s wrong. We’ll get another one, or two. We’ll get three more tests and try again. I’m sure it’s just a mistake.”
“It’s not a mistake. I’ve been sick in the afternoons, and I’m constantly tired. I have to stop pretending it’s not real.”
“The flu is going around. I’ve heard a lot of people misread these tests—”
“Claudia, this is the third test I’ve taken.”
She’d been in denial for nearly a month before buying the first test. She’d honestly thought she had the flu. As Claudia said, there were some nasty ones going around. Plus Savannah had kept reminding herself they’d used protection, and she was on the pill, so she couldn’t be pregnant.
“Oh.” Claudia took in Savannah’s announcement. Then the questions began. “But how? You’re on the pill right?”
“Yes, but I’ve thought about that. I’m usually very good about taking the pills at the same time every day, because the doctor said that was most effective, but with the long flights and time change I figure I missed a whole day and then I was on London time. I’m sure it got messed up.”
“But you said you used protection.”
Savannah bit her lip and looked at Claudia through her lashes. “We talked about using protection. It definitely got mentioned at one point. But I just don’t know.” She rubbed at her temples as if trying to massage the memories back. “After we moved to the bedroom I don’t remember anything but the really hot sex.”
“Now you’re just bragging.” Claudia grinned.
“Really. Hot. Sex. Three times.”
“Savannah!” Claudia exclaimed, happily scandalized. “You’re a red-hot mama. I’m so proud of you.”
“Not exactly the reaction I’m looking for.”
“Sweetie, you’re a bit of a prude, probably because you had to take on the mother’s role with Daniel and me. And we both know you stink at flirting. I’m just happy you found someone that saw beyond all that. You deserve to have fun.”
“I guess I can’t even do fun right, because it sure seems like it comes at a high price.” Savannah swiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
“Well, I see this as a blessing.” Claudia rubbed a soothing hand up and down Savannah’s back. “No one will make a better mother than you.”
“You’re so sweet.” She mustered a smile for her sister. “But I need to get through the panic stage before I can start seeing blessings. I just enrolled at National University. I finally make the decision to go back to school and suddenly I’m back to raising a family again. Oh, God.” Savannah wrung her hands. “How am I going to tell Rick? He is going to freak out.”
“Come on, he’s a stand-up guy. I’m sure he’ll handle this with integrity.”
“Phff,” Savannah huffed. “You got that right. He’s strong on duty and responsibility. I see a marriage proposal coming, and I so don’t want that.”
“Wait. I thought you were worried you’d have to do the whole single-parent thing on your own? You just said you want to continue your schooling. The man has money, looks, and ethics and you don’t want to marry him?” Claudia waved the little stick. “You obviously have chemistry and motivation, so what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I deserve to be loved, to have an equal partner in the marriage. I don’t want to settle for less.”
“No, and you shouldn’t. But do you want to raise this baby alone?” Hearing how that sounded, Claudia quickly added. “I mean, of course, I’ll be there to help.”
“Stop, I know what you mean. The problem is Rick’s sense of duty might prompt him to propose, but I don’t see him being a lot of help. He has issues and work is his coping mechanism. Jesse says he’s changed, but I haven’t seen it. He makes our dad look like a happy homemaker.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a little harsh?”
“No.”
“You’re scared.”
Now there was an understatement. “I really am.” Claudia leaned her head on Savannah’s shoulder. “What are you going to do?”
Good question. Much as she might want to there’d be no burying her head in the covers, no hiding from this. She may not have chosen to have a child, but a life beat within her. It was time to man up.
Savannah patted her belly. “I’m going to have a baby.
But first I’m going to quit my job.”
Savannah felt sick to her stomach. She’d been nauseous all morning. Neither crackers nor soda had helped. Nor had the meager bites of sandwich she’d managed to eat at lunch.
Today she intended to give Rick her notice of resignation. In fact, she’d already printed it out; she just needed to find it. She’d been scatterbrained all morning, stressing over the upcoming confrontation.
In the past month she’d chosen a doctor and had the pregnancy confirmed. And she’d looked for and accepted a new job as a department assistant for a private school.
She’d miss Sullivans’ Jewels, but she fel
t it best to get out from under Rick’s authority before she told him about the baby. He could be ruthless, and she wanted to be in a position of strength, to show him she was capable of providing for her child. Maybe not to the level his money would allow, but then she didn’t intend cutting him out of the child’s life. He could be as involved as he wanted to be.
From a distance.
Not that they’d be having that discussion today. She’d decided to wait to tell him about the baby until she was further along. Yes, it was a selfish decision, but she was the one carrying this baby. In this instance she needed to put herself first.
A baby’s cry gave her an odd sense of déjà vu. The sound came again as she reached Rick’s open door.
He stood at his desk in his shirtsleeves, hands on hips, staring with bemused frustration at the baby kicking in the carrier on his desk.
He looked up as she appeared in the doorway. “Good, you’re back.”
“Is Jesse with Rett again?” she asked.
“Yes. And thanks to you, she seems to think I welcome these opportunities to spend time with Troy.”
“And so you should.” She ventured a step into the room. Considering her current situation, she found the circumstances fascinating. “He’s your nephew and the new addition to the family. How long has he been here?”
“Twenty minutes. He just woke up. And as for being new to the family, now most of my brothers are married new additions pop out on a regular basis.”
She frowned at his cavalier comment. “That doesn’t mean each child isn’t special in his or her own right.”
“No, but they’re all pretty much the same at this age. I usually don’t engage with them until they’re able to talk.”
“You’re wrong. They’re individuals from the moment they’re born.” She rounded the desk to smile down at Troy, who continued to kick at his carrier. “It’s amazing to watch their personalities develop right before your eyes.”
“Huh.” He cocked his head as if acknowledging the info and then stepped back and gestured her forward. “All Troy appears to be developing is a fit.”
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