Free The Boss's Surprise Son by Teresa Carpenter Page B

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 his head. “Sometimes.”
    “Uh-uh, be nice. Here comes the waitress with our food.”
    He lifted one dark brow. “Maybe you’re not so innocent after all. You’ve got a mean streak.”
    “Oh, I bet I’m just a kitten next to the cougar.”
    “Just stay close.”
    “I will, I promise.” She scooted