The Boss's Surprise Son by Teresa Carpenter

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 planepicked 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 getthrough 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 reallyneeded 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