The Boss's Surprise Son / Doctoring the Single Dad: The Boss's Surprise Son / Doctoring the Single Dad

“Oh, my God.” Appalled, Savannah rounded the rack and caught Claudia’s arm. “Is that what it sounded like to you?”

“Calm down.” Claudia pried Savannah’s fingers loose. “I was just kidding.”

“No, you’re right.” Weak as the events of last night replayed through her head, Savannah sank into a chair outside the fitting room. “I was trying for light and sophisticated, but it sounded like a proposition.” She mimicked a stab to the heart. “Just kill me now.”

“Such drama. That’s more me than you.” Claudia squeezed Savannah’s shoulder. “Sister mine, I love you, but we both know the flirting gene skipped you.”

Tragic, but true. Still Savannah shook her head. “He doesn’t know that.”

“Okay, so what did he say? What are these famous rules?”

“He didn’t answer. The waiter came with the check and the moment was lost. And that was the end of dinner.”

“He just left?” The notion clearly outraged her younger sister, who’d been wrapping men around her little finger since infancy. Even their father responded to Claudia. Of course she was the shining image of their mother, which helped.

“No. Rick is too much of a gentleman to do that. He walked me to my car. Oh, gosh, and then told me I could have today off and he’d see me at the airport. Oh, this is bad. First the kiss and now I’ve propositioned him. I’ll probably get home and find a message telling me I’ve been traded with Tammy from accounting.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop right there.” Claudia dropped to the floor to sit cross-legged in front of Savannah. “You never mentioned a kiss. Spill! I want all the details.”

Heat rose in a tide from Savannah’s chest to her hairline. “It’s your fault. You told me to thank him for the extra money from the scholarship.”

“You actually kissed him?” Claudia demanded. “On the mouth?“

Savannah blinked at her. “Of course not, on the cheek, but you’re missing the point here.”

“Right, right. I see the problem. In the last two days you’ve kissed him and hit on him.”

Savannah groaned. “That’s it. I’ve cost myself the perfect job. And a trip to Europe.”

“He’s really got you twisted up. I’ve never seen you so flustered over a man.”

“He’s not a man. He’s my boss.”

“Oh, sweetie,” Claudia admonished her. “He’s all man and if you’re trying to ignore that, no wonder you’re in trouble.”

“You’re not helping,” Savannah said.

“Helping? Right, you want to know if he realized you were hitting on him.”

Savannah gritted her teeth.

“Hmm.” Claudia tapped her lip while she thought. “Did he revert back to business?”

“No.” Savannah perked up, seeing where her sister was going. Work would be an instinctive barrier for Rick to throw between them if he felt she’d gotten too familiar. “He asked how the plans were going for his grandmother’s birthday. That’s good, right?”

“Yeah, I think you’re safe. He’d have played the work card if he wanted to shut you down. He probably just didn’t want to talk about his love life.”

“There’s no love in his relationships.” With a relieved breath Savannah pushed to her feet, helped Claudia to hers. “That’s what the rules are about.”

“Another reason for him not to answer you. Nobody that knows you could see you in a loveless relationship.”

Savannah’s plan as she strapped herself into her business-class seat on the airplane was to act as if it were business as usual when Rick arrived. No talk of rules or relationships. Or anything else. She’d guard her tongue if she had to bite it off.

This was one time when his lack of talking would be welcome.

Where was he anyway? She leaned over the aisle seat to glance up the companionway but there was no sign of her stalwart boss. She’d been surprised when he wasn’t waiting for her in the departure area, but as the boarding passengers began to dwindle, she began to worry.

There shouldn’t be any traffic at this time of night. They were taking the red-eye to New York and would catch an international flight out of JFK in the morning.

Frowning, she looked at her watch. Oh, God, what if he didn’t show? Did she fly or get off the plane?

Just as she reached to ring the flight attendant to ask if he’d checked in, he strolled through the door.

And— oh my.

Rick in a business suit was controlled elegance, a man who knew what he wanted and how to get it. Rick in jeans and a navy T-shirt was big and broad and just a little rough around the edges, a man who took what he wanted and enjoyed the challenge.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him the whole time he stowed his gear and took his seat.

When he met her stare with his take-no-prisoners blue eyes, she blurted, “I was about to flip a coin to see if I should fly without you or get off the plane.”

He didn’t apologize, simply said, “Rett drove me to the airport.”

“Oh. And he was late?”

“He wouldn’t think so.” Rick grimly stated what sounded like an age-old argument between the brothers. He tucked a newspaper in the seat back in front of him. “Rett and I have a difference of opinion about how much lead time you need when you’re flying.”

“Why do you let him drive you then?”

“As he pointed out, I haven’t missed a plane yet.”

“Well, this wasn’t the one to start with,” she informed him, still a little on edge at the close call, a feeling that nudged up a few notches when the plane door closed.

“Settle down, Ms. Jones. I’m here safe and sound.”

“Let’s hope you stay that way,” she muttered under her breath.

“What does that mean?” Of course he’d heard her.

“Nothing,” she evaded, her attention focused out the window at the city lights as the plane began to roll.

Now Rick had arrived, there was nothing to distract her from the fact she’d soon be taking to the air in a very heavy object. Biting on her lower lip, she reminded herself thousands of people flew across the country every day.

Suddenly a strong, warm hand closed over hers on the armrest, stilling her tapping fingers.

She followed the reverse angle from hand to hair-dusted forearm, to muscular biceps, to strong neck, stubborn chin and eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Don’t tell me you’re a nervous flyer,” he accused.

“I don’t know.” She pulled her hand free. “This is my first time flying. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but right at the moment, yes, I’m a little nervous.”

“Huh.” The suspicion backed down to mild irritation. “Don’t you have a Valium or something you can take?”

Now that was just rude.

“I don’t need to be medicated. I need a distraction.” She almost changed her mind about that as the plane picked up speed rushing down the runway and she felt the wheels lift.

Okay, oblivion may not be such a bad thing.

She cleared her throat and concentrated on the conversation. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to jump into your lap or anything.”

“That’s good to know,” he said as he dug her nails out of his arm.

“Sorry.” She smiled weakly, and, reclaiming her hand, she sought her own distraction in her carry-on. The first thing she pulled out was a plastic zip bag of home-baked chocolate chip cookies—nothing distracted or soothed as well as chocolate—and the second thing was the newest novel by one of her favorite authors. Rick had his paper so she didn’t need to feel bad about reading her book. And once she started reading, she’d get caught up in the characters, mystery and romance.

After tucking her tote back under the seat in front of her, she dug out a chocolate chip cookie. Taking a healthy bite, she settled back in her seat and sighed, feeling the tension leave her body as she chewed.

Next to her she heard Rick sniff the air. From the corner of her eye she saw him slowly turn in her direction.

“Are those chocolate chip cookies?”

“Yes. But you wouldn’t hold my hand so you can’t have any.”

“A tad cranky tonight, aren’t you?”

“It’s the nerves. I want to fix it, but I just have to get through it.” Because she wasn’t mean, she turned the open bag of cookies toward him. “Peace offering?”

He took a cookie. “You still can’t jump in my lap.”

She grinned. “Spoilsport.”

“But I suppose I can sacrifice a hand occasionally if you feel the need.”

Her insides warmed at the offer, evidence the grouch did have a heart. But, oh, not good. Warm feelings for Rick were too much of a distraction. She’d better stick to the chocolate.

“Thanks.” She held up a second cookie. “But I’m feeling better already.”

“Good. Because it’s a long flight. Do you think you’ll be able to sleep?” He licked a smear of chocolate off his finger, a sensuous move she followed with her eyes.

This relaxed Rick fascinated her, which made him very dangerous indeed.

“Savannah?”

“Huh?”

“Do you think you’ll sleep?” he repeated.

“Oh. Eventually. I can sleep anywhere.” She zipped the bag of cookies and tucked it in the seat back in front of her. “How about you?”

“I’ll doze.”

“Maybe you need the Valium.”

He laughed. A hearty sound she realized she’d not heard from him before.

How sad, she’d worked closely with the man for close to two months and had never heard him laugh. She immediately wanted to make him laugh again. He really needed lightness in his life, but this was another thing she couldn’t fix, not without putting herself on the line emotionally, something she couldn’t risk. And it didn’t even have to do with the job.

She couldn’t risk opening her heart to a man obsessed with work.

The loneliness, the lack of support, the disappointments—she wouldn’t, couldn’t go through that again.

So, instead of continuing the conversation and coaxing another laugh from him, she said, “Do you mind if I read for a while? I think it’ll relax me.”

The laughter faded from his eyes and he shook his head. “Go ahead. Will it bother you if I work?”

“Not at all.”

With a curious sense of letdown, she lowered her tray table and opened the hardback to page one. Luckily, the characters soon drew her into the action and before long she was caught up. Flying, Rick, the sound of him typing all faded to the background as she outright giggled at what she was reading.

Rick couldn’t sleep. Not with the soft scent of honeysuckle tickling his senses, a constant reminder of the woman occupying his companion seat.

At least she finally slept. She’d read for a while, and had a great time of it, too, if the musical sound of her laughter was any indication.

He glanced at the book, wondering again what she found so amusing. Since she appeared dead to the world, he reached for the book and read the front blurb—and then the first page.

An enjoyable hour had passed when he next looked at his watch. Stifling a yawn, he returned the book to where she’d had it stowed.

To stretch his legs he walked to the restroom at the far end of the plane. When he got back, he stood looking down on Savannah.

She sat half-turned toward him, a hand tucked under her cheek, so young, so sweet, so lovely. Cinnamon curls caressed creamy-white skin while dark lashes fanned over her cheeks. She shifted in her sleep and a pretty pink tongue swept over full, bare lips leaving them damp and as inviting as the smudge of chocolate above the corner of her mouth.

Fatigue must be getting to him because he wanted to lick her, first to eat the chocolate beckoning to him and next to taste the plump line of her lips, to sink inside and share the treat with her.

What on earth?

He rubbed his eyes. Pull it together, man.

To escape further temptation he slid into his seat and stared at the boring weave of the blue-and-gray fabric of the seat in front of him.

What had possessed him to bring her on this trip? He’d have been better off with someone from legal, someone fifty and comfortably thick.

Okay, so she’d been a great help prepping for the upcoming meeting, but she was still more optimistic than organized, totally unpredictable and distressingly unafraid of anything. A little healthy trepidation would make her so much easier to control.

She had yet to meet a stranger. The woman made friends wherever she went.

When was the last time a woman had made him laugh? He couldn’t remember. More importantly, when had he become such a staid old man? So he cared about the business, cared about providing for his family. Did that have to mean he gave up on fun, gave up chasing all the enjoyable pursuits life had to offer?

Of course not. He determined to broaden his horizons when he got back. Spend more time with his brothers, read for pleasure and find a new woman friend.

Right. He closed his eyes and hoped by the time he got home—with the international deal sealed—the idea would hold more appeal.

The plane suddenly shook and then dropped, startling Rick out of a light doze. Instinctively, he grabbed the armrest before he even opened his eyes. His fingers closed around flesh and bone rather than hard plastic.

Savannah. Concerned, he glanced her way. She slept on but a slight furrow creased the fine porcelain of her brow. He pulled his hand back, granting her use of the armrest. She immediately became restless and the frown deepened.

He covered her hand again, twining his fingers with hers and she stilled and settled back into slumber.

She was as soft as he’d known she would be. Not that he allowed himself thoughts of her.

Another shake, a lift and then a sharp drop. Someone screamed and Savannah came awake with a start. She blinked at him.

“What happened?” Husky from sleep, her voice stroked along fine nerves, causing the hair on the back of his neck to tingle in aroused awareness.

“Just a little turbulence.”

“So I didn’t dream a scream or that the plane was shaking?”

“Ladies and gentlemen.” A calm voice came over the public-announcement system. “We are experiencing some heavy turbulence and the pilot has turned on the seat-belt light. Please remain buckled in your seats until he turns off the seat-belt light. Thank you.”

Savannah’s trembling fingers tightened on his. “Are we going to be okay?”

“I’ve heard no plane has ever gone down because of turbulence.”

“Really?”

“That’s what I’ve heard,” he said reassuringly.

“Right. Oh, gosh.” They were thrown back in their seats as the aircraft dipped and swayed.

“It shouldn’t last long.” He sought to relieve her distress. “The pilot will try to get either above or below the problem area.”

“That would be good.” Her agitation showed in the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. “That would be really good.”

She fell silent as the plane continued to rock and roll. And he watched her to make sure she didn’t hyperventilate. White knuckles defined the clasp of their hands, but neither fought to ease the hold one had on the other. He didn’t expect the plane to crash, but he wouldn’t deny he took comfort from the connection.

The flight evened out for about ten minutes, just long enough for everyone to begin to relax, when the shaking began again.

The drastic drop in altitude got to him, but the distressed whimper from the seat next to him was like a fist to the gut. Acting on impulse, he lifted the armrest between them and pulled her into his arms.

She clung to him and, lifting tearful eyes to his, pleaded, “Can’t you make it stop?”

In that moment he’d give anything to fix it, to bring the laughter back to her eyes. He couldn’t stop the turbulence, but perhaps he could take her mind off it.

“You have some chocolate on your face.”

She blinked. “Huh?”

“Right here.” He lowered his head and licked the corner of her mouth, sweeping the chocolate up with a flick of his tongue.

CHAPTER FIVE

SAVANNAH FELT AS IF the plane had done a loop-the-loop, turning her world upside down. She went still as Rick’s mouth teased her, his tongue swirling over her skin.

Snug in the warm clasp of his arms, her existence narrowed to just the two of them. Strong and solid, he made her feel safe, protected. The scent of him, familiar and all male, surrounded her. And she wanted more of him; she wanted that mobile mouth on hers. But he continued to flick and nibble at the edge of her lips, close but not close enough.

With a low growl of need she turned her head and found his mouth with hers. Yum.

As if he’d been waiting for just that, he opened his mouth over hers and took control of the kiss, plundering her mouth with deft finesse, stealing her ability to think.

Sensation took over. Chocolate, hot and sweet, exploded over her tastebuds. She hummed with approval and met his tongue in a passionate tango of thrust and retreat. He lifted her, half pulling her into his lap, only her seat belt hampering him from completing the action.

Oh, better. Looping her arms around his neck, she threaded her fingers through his short, mink-soft hair, holding him to her, drawing his essence in and giving herself back.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the pilot has turned off the seat-belt sign. You are now free to move about the cabin.”

The announcement washed over them like a bucket of cold water. They broke apart, and Savannah buried her face against Rick’s chest.

The world came rushing back—the plane, other passengers, the near-death experience. For a while none of it had mattered; now it all did.

She bit back a groan as her brain reengaged and she realized where she was. In the boss’s arms. This was not good, not good at all. It helped only slightly that Rick’s heartbeat matched the racing pace of her own.

How to extricate herself?

“Restroom.” She fumbled for her seat belt. “I’ve got to go.” Once she found the release, she bolted to her feet and escaped down the aisle. Luckily, there was a line of people waiting. Maybe it would last until they reached New York.

Five people and two hours to kill? Not even she was that optimistic. Which meant she’d have to sit next to him with the blood still speeding way too fast through her system. Thank goodness her jacket hid the aroused state of her nipples because if it was cold in here, she didn’t feel it.

All too soon she was sitting in her seat again, her jacket wrapped around her, staring at the gray hair of the man seated in front of her while Rick focused his attention on the ceiling.

Not comfortable with being uncomfortable, she said, “Thank you. I was scared and you … helped me. It was very kind of you.”

He made a choking sound. “Don’t mention it. Please.”

“I wasn’t propositioning you.”

He turned his head slowly and pinned her with an intense stare. “What are you going on about now?”

“The other night at dinner when I asked about your dating rules. I wasn’t propositioning you.” She cleared her throat and dropped her eyes. “In case you think I’ve been throwing myself at you.”

“I didn’t.” He went back to his contemplation of the ceiling. “I don’t.”

Instead of reassuring Savannah, his simple dismissal struck a contrary chord. It wasn’t as if there was no chemistry between them. The last few minutes had proved that conclusively.

“Well, all right then.” She let silence fall between them, telling herself she should be glad to have that worry gone. But she couldn’t help herself. “Why not?”

Her pique must have sounded in her voice because he sighed.

“I know when I’m being propositioned. And flirting isn’t your style. You’re too straightforward.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me the rules?”

“Because there isn’t a hope in hell you’d ever abide by them.”

“I don’t know how you can know that,” she retorted, stung.

“The rules are about establishing personal boundaries to prevent expectations of a deeper relationship from forming. You have personal relationships with everyone.”

“Not everyone.”

“Everyone,” he insisted. “Including the mail boy.”

“He goes to State, which is where my sister attends college. So yeah, we’ve chatted a few times.”

“What’s his girlfriend’s name?”

“Amber.”

“I rest my case.”

“That only proves I’m a good listener.”

“I’ve worked with Molly for twelve years and I don’t even know her daughter’s name.”

“Oh. Well.” His confession stunned her so she had no argument for him. “What was your point again?”

“That my rules aren’t meant for you.”

For a moment it sounded as if he meant that his rules didn’t apply to her, and a wild rush of pleasure bloomed in her. She quickly squashed it, first because she knew how he intended what he’d said, and second because he wasn’t for her.

Anyone who worked with someone for twelve years and didn’t know something as intimate as her daughter’s name was too impersonal for Savannah.

She could never be with someone who believed that work was more important than people. And that described Rick to a T.

“You’re right,” she conceded. “Your rules aren’t for me.”

To Savannah’s relief the trip concluded without further incident and they arrived in London exhausted but ready for the upcoming meeting. After spending fifteen hours practically joined at the thigh with Rick, she was ready to retreat to her own room.

“Beautiful hotel,” she commented on the way to the elevator, admiring the large leather furnishings and dark woods amidst marble and crystal. “I see now why you were drawn to Crosse International.”

“What do you mean?” he asked as they boarded the elevator.

“The ambience. A modern feel in a traditional setting. You know, kind of a comfortable chic.”

Rick simply nodded and she wondered if he was even listening. Except for business, he’d kept conversation between them to a minimum ever since the embrace on the flight to New York.

Savannah closed her eyes and sighed at the thought of stretching out in a bed. She was so ready for some alone time.

“It reminds me of the store back home,” she muttered.

“What does? “Rick held the elevator door for her to exit.

“The hotel. Oh, we’re right here.” Savannah had never been so happy to reach a destination. She slid her key card into the slot. “See you in the morning.”

As she closed her bedroom door, she almost had herself convinced she was pleased by his impersonal attitude.

Almost.

So call her crazy. She wanted to have her cake and to eat it, too. Working so closely with Rick these last few days had twisted her emotions in a knot. His drive and dedication challenged her while his intelligence and dry sense of humor made the long hours speed by.

Not to mention every little touch tested her ability to remain unaffected, from the accidental brush of skin against skin to the warmth of his breath on her cheek as they bent over the proposed contract.

All in all, her feelings for him weren’t as easy to ignore as she’d hoped. And the awareness growing between them buzzed like static in the air.

But if he could pretend indifference to the passionate kiss they’d shared, so could she.

Right.

Savannah slept like the dead, waking only when her alarm went off. She showered and dressed in her navy suit with the gold scoop-neck blouse. She wanted to look good and the outfit made her feel confident and professional.

When she entered the parlor suite connecting her room to Rick’s, she found him already sitting at the dining table reading the paper. He’d ordered coffee along with an array of muffins, yogurt and fruit.

“Good morning,” he greeted her, his glance up from the paper slightly leery as if he feared what she might say, or perhaps it was that she might start chattering.

He needn’t worry; she liked to ease her way into the day. After helping herself to coffee and fruit, she took a discarded section of his paper and enjoyed the quiet and the view.