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.
Having the meeting with Crosse in the hotel was convenient, allowing them to leave their room at ten to ten and simply ride the elevator down. But that was the end of her peaceful morning.
The meeting was the crash and burn they had narrowly missed the day before, or it would be if Savannah didn’t act fast.
True to form, Rick masterfully presented the numbers and projections, but his confidence and all-business approach came across as arrogant. Albert Crosse, a fit man in his early sixties, flanked by his two sons, listened but seemed restless. And the more Rick pushed, the further apart the two got.
She tried to catch Rick’s eye more than once, but he ignored her, so she took matters into her own hands.
“Mr. Crosse.” She spoke into a tense silence. “I was wondering which property you would suggest for the joint venture? “
Rick shot her a repressive glance. “Ms. Jones, this isn’t the time—”
“Please.” Crosse waved Rick off. “I don’t mind, though you must remember to call me Albert.”
“Of course, Albert.”
Short and compact, Crosse exuded a charm and charisma that exceeded his stature. His presence demanded attention, and, though his sons were present, it was obvious Crosse ruled.
He leaned forward and clasped his hands on the table. “Actually, I believe this property would be spot-on for your purposes. This location runs at seventy-five percent or more capacity for most of the year. We’ve already converted first-level offices into retail space and have leases with a full-service day spa and a coffeehouse. There are two more spaces available.”
Perfect. This was better than she’d hoped for when she’d taken the discussion off topic. A field trip would change the current dynamic and, she hoped, get the negotiations flowing again.
“Gracious, right here in the hotel? Can we go see the space? After the long flight yesterday and sitting most of the morning I’m a bit stiff and would welcome a chance to stretch my legs.”
“Ms. Jones—”
Savannah turned so only Rick could see her and silently mouthed, “We’re losing him.” Aloud, she said, “I know we have an appointment with the property manager later, but I’m sure Albert will be an excellent guide.”
“Splendid idea. It would be my pleasure.” Crosse talked right over Rick’s objections. “I’ll have the property manager meet us there. I was scheduled to inspect the conversions today, but agreed to take this meeting instead.”
“Will we have an opportunity to finish our meeting?” Rick asked as everyone stood.
“I have some thinking to do tonight,” Crosse advised him stiffly. “I’ll have my assistant call you with a time for tomorrow.”
When they reached the lobby, Crosse stopped to talk briefly with his sons who were taking this opportunity to break away.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rick demanded, pulling Savannah aside.
“We were losing him.” She moved to watch the Crosses so Albert couldn’t walk up on their conversation. “We needed a distraction.”
“That’s ludicrous.” He dismissed her claim. “This is a solid proposition.”
“Yes, but he was already sold on the numbers—you sold him on those before. And then you chose to go with someone else. Now he’s wondering what’s to keep you from jumping again if a better deal comes along.”
“Sullivans’ Jewels has a solid reputation. And we made concessions.”
“On paper.” How could such a brilliant man be so dense? “You are an exceptional business strategist, but in this instance you need to read the man. It’s a matter of loyalty, of pride. Think how you’d feel if the situation were reversed.”
He frowned, but she’d caught his attention. Seeing Crosse’s conversation was breaking up,
