“He liked you, too.” That was the second time in two days he’d said a man liked her. Knowing she shouldn’t go there, she couldn’t prevent the question from popping out.
“Do you?” she asked.
“Yes. I was being honest with him. I really do think I can learn from him.”
“No,” she corrected, “do you like me?“
His profile froze before he slowly turned and shot her a harassed glare. “What do you mean?”
“Never mind, it doesn’t matter.” What was she thinking asking such a personal question? Other than that somehow his answer mattered a great deal to her.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, genuine puzzlement in his tone. “Everyone likes you.”
“So you seem to think.” Stop this now, she pleaded with herself. But she didn’t care about everyone; she cared about him. “But what about you? I know you think I talk too much.”
“You do,” he said with casual ease. “But I’m getting used to it. I even learn things, like ‘comfortable chic.’”
She grinned. His announcement had both surprised and pleased her. “I noticed how you used that.” And how he’d skipped over her question.
“I meant what I said. You changed the direction of the meeting today. Thank you.”
“I’m sure you would have noticed before it was too late.”
“Don’t start lying to me now, Savannah. I like to think I would have caught on eventually, but you don’t think so or you wouldn’t have interrupted.”
“Well, you were overexcited—”
He laughed. “Now that’s something I’ve never been accused of before.”
“It’s not a bad thing. And you’re entitled. Oh look, it’s the guards with the bearskin hats. And, oh, the palace.”
The view was out Rick’s window and she had to lean forward and toward him to catch sight of the grand palace. Even in her excitement she noticed how good he smelled, clean with a hint of spice. It made her want to snuggle close, and she’d already practically climbed in his lap in order to see better.
“Savannah.” He ground out the throaty protest.
And, of course, he was right. The one time under extreme conditions on the plane could be excused; twice and it was getting to be a bad habit.
“Sorry.” She eased back into her own space and lost all sight of the palace. “Driver, please stop,” she called.
“What are you doing?” Rick demanded.
“I’m getting out. I can’t come to London and not see the palace. I’ll find my own way back.”
“It’s freezing out there. Literally.”
“I’ll be fine. I may even find a shop to buy some gloves.”
She reached for her purse and when she looked up she saw an odd flash of emotion cross Rick’s face. The vulnerability in his hooded gaze stunned her, brought a lump to her throat. For a moment, the strong, confident man looked lonely.
“You should come with me,” she heard herself say. “We can find a pub and have some fish and chips.”
He hesitated, then surprised her by nodding. “Sure. I could eat.”
CHAPTER SIX
AS A DISTRACTION, Buckingham Palace ranked right up there with chocolate and shopping in Savannah’s estimation. In fact, having a studly companion as she strolled the block fronting the majestic building and grounds didn’t suck either.
The snow-drenched grounds were well-lit, as was the massive building with majestic columns and row upon row of windows. And, of course, the beautiful Nash statue of Queen Victoria. It was awe-inspiring to consider the longevity and history incorporated in this palace. She definitely needed to come back for a tour.
“Thanks,” she said to Rick, blowing on her hands to warm them as the cold finally drove her to leave. “Ready for the fish and chips now?”
“You bet.” Rick stopped a local to ask after a good pub, and minutes later they were seated at a scarred wooden table in a room crowded with tables and people. Soccer and rugby equipment along with player jerseys lined the walls while a rugby game played on several mounted TVs. In a back room a rowdy group erupted with cheers and groans.
“Dart tournament tonight, folks,” a dark-haired waitress said as she stopped by the table. In her mid-forties, she was comfortably lush in a green T-shirt and blue jeans. “It’ll be pretty loud.”
“It’s perfect.” Savannah grinned at her. “I flat-out confess to being a tourist, so it’s all part of the experience for me.”
“Aye, and my guess is you’ll be wanting some fish and chips and a pint. Where do you come to us from?”
“San Diego.” Savannah rubbed her hands together. “Where it’s much warmer this time of year. And yes, I’m going to be totally typical and get the fish and chips. And what the heck, I’ll try the pint, too.”
“You got it, doll. I’ll bring you something pale.” She turned her attention to Rick. Friendly when she spoke to Savannah, her gaze turned downright predatory as it ran over his body. “How about you, sweet thing?”
Savannah hid a smile behind her hand as red color flooded his cheeks.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll have the same.”
“Aye, and I’ll bring you something dark.” She shifted closer to him with a roll of well-rounded hips. “You look man enough to handle it.”
With a lingering backward glance she disappeared into the crowd.
“Oh, she likes you,” Savannah teased him. “Just let me know if you need me to make myself scarce.”
“That woman just ate me alive with her eyes.” He shook his finger at Savannah. “Under no circumstances are you to leave me alone with that cougar.”
“Cougar?” She laughed. “Oh my, does she scare you?”
“I’m an intelligent man, so hell yeah.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect your virtue—or should I say manhood? I mean really, what if we were a couple?”
He pinned her with an intent stare. “Sweetheart, for the next hour, we are.”
“What? You don’t think she’d play by your rules?” How dangerous to play with him like this, but she couldn’t resist.
“The rules are there so no one gets hurt.” He defended his system with a flick of his eyes toward the bar and the woman under discussion. “She doesn’t look like she’s afraid of pain.”
“It hurts so good?” she teased provocatively.
His gaze flashed back to her. “You’re shocking me, Ms. Jones.”
Yeah, she’d rather shocked herself. “You brought it up. Besides, I’m not as innocent as you seem to think.”
“Sure you are,” he assured her, certainty clear as crystal in his tone, “and it has nothing to do with how many lovers you’ve had. You’re caring and giving. Genuine. You bring everyone around you to a higher level.”
“Wow,” she breathed, inordinately pleased by his assessment. She knew she got on his nerves sometimes and she was nowhere near his intellectual equal, so his comment touched her deeply. About to gush, she pulled herself back. He’d hate that. Instead she blessed him with a cheeky smile. “So you do like me.”
He grinned and shook