Taming Her Billionaire Boss(39)

“Maybe.” Maybe not. “I’ll find him an excellent replacement.”

“It won’t be the same.”

Her throat constricted. “He’ll get over it.” She stood up. “You’ll have to excuse me, Guy. I need to start work. There’s a lot to do.”

Guy stepped back and let her pass, but he was frowning and she could feel his eyes on her all the way out the eatery. Thankfully she had a few moments of privacy as the elevator took her to the top floor.

If only Blake wanted her to stay because he loved her, then things would be perfect. But for him this was only about two things—the job and sex. It wasn’t about love. She sighed. She’d have to be crazy to think he would make a commitment. And she hadn’t wanted a commitment before anyway, so why the heck was she even considering it now?#p#分页标题#e#

She must have rocks in her head.

Or have been hit on the head with a rock. It must have caused more damage than she’d thought. Why else would she be unwise enough to love a man who wouldn’t let himself love in return? That bruise must have addled more than her brain. It had addled her heart.

Thankfully Blake’s door was shut when she entered her office so she sat at her desk. Come to think of it, she felt a little better knowing she had hoisted Blake with his own petard. That was rather clever of her. He’d sprouted all that talk about not getting emotionally involved, but clearly his emotions were involved, albeit not enough and not the ones that mattered most to her.

They didn’t entail love.

God was merciful just then, when not only did the phone start to ring but one of the staff who had a meeting with Blake walked into her office. Samantha got busy, putting on her professional persona as she placed the caller on hold, buzzing Blake on the intercom to tell him his first appointment was here. At his request, she ushered the staff member into his office, all the while keeping her face neutral whenever she looked at her boss. He seemed equally as disinterested in her, though she knew otherwise. What he was and what he seemed were two different things. She could recognize that in another person. After all, wasn’t she an expert at the same thing?

Midmorning while Blake was busy at a staff meeting in the Great Room, Samantha picked up the telephone with a heavy heart and did what she had to do. She called Mary Wentworth back and spoke to her about a replacement. The other woman was surprised to hear she was leaving, but was more than happy to help. Mary promised she would e-mail some résumés of suitable applicants within a few hours.

Blake returned after the meeting, formally asked if there were any messages, then strode straight into his office. Samantha’s heart sank at how cold he was, but there was nothing she could do about it. She still had to leave.

At lunchtime she had some sandwiches sent up from the kitchen, and Blake made it apparent that he preferred to eat at his desk by himself, with his door closed between them. Usually they ate together while discussing work. Or if they ate at their own desks, the door remained open.

Not this time.

And that was fine with her, she decided, growing more and more upset. She needed a filter to stop the waves of anger coming out of his office anyway. To clear her head, she went for a walk in the fresh air. Blake didn’t ask where she’d been when she returned and she didn’t offer. It was plain to see he was no longer concerned about her.

By late afternoon, Samantha had had enough of his attitude. He’d chastised her after she’d put through a call he hadn’t wanted to take. He’d found fault with a letter she’d typed up for his signature. And he’d told her to go recheck some figures on a report that she knew were correct.

When she brought the report back, she deliberately placed another folder on top of it.

His head shot up. “What’s this?”

“Résumés. They all come highly recommended.”

His lips flattened. “I didn’t ask you to do this.”

She angled her chin. “It’s what you pay me to do.”

“I pay you to do what you’re told.”

She gasped, then held herself rigid. “That’s unfair of you. You don’t mind me being proactive in other things with my job. It’s why I’m such a good assistant and you know it.”

“We’re talking fairness now, are we? You’re the one leaving me. How fair is that?”

“I’m not leaving you, Blake,” she lied. “Anyway, don’t take it personally, remember? That’s what you said to me when you reminded me of my contract obligations.”#p#分页标题#e#

He muttered a curse, but for Samantha the last straw had already broken the camel’s back. “I can’t continue under these conditions, Blake. If you won’t treat me right, then I’ll pack my things and leave tonight. And I don’t care if you take me to court for breach of contract either.” She hesitated, but only for a second. “I believe I could make a good case for justifying my leaving anyway, considering the personal turn our relationship has taken.”