Taming Her Billionaire Boss(45)

Blake shook his head. “Can’t do, I’m afraid. I have a prior commitment tonight.”

“Then how about a cup of coffee now?” the woman said, not giving up. “I have a free morning. In fact, I’m free for the whole day. I’m looking for someone to take me for a drive to Independence Pass.”

“Sorry, but I have to get to work.”

Clarice gave a tinkle of a laugh that grated on Samantha’s nerves. “But you’re the boss.”

“Which is exactly why I’d better do some work,” he said smoothly, then put his hand under Samantha’s elbow. “If you’ll excuse us.”

“Oh. Of course,” Clarice said, but Samantha saw her mouth purse with irritation as they walked away.

Then she realized Blake was walking her to the elevator instead of the eatery. “Aren’t we having breakfast?”

“We’ll get something sent up.”

She gave a soft laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of Mrs. Richardson?”

He shot her a wry look that said he wasn’t scared of anyone. “No, but I don’t want to deal with her.”

“She’s persistent, that’s for sure.” Samantha paused, thinking about something as they stepped inside the elevator and the doors shut. “So you’re going out tonight?” She didn’t want to sound demanding like Clarice, but as his lover she hoped she had a temporary claim on his time right now.#p#分页标题#e#

“No, I’m staying home. You’re my prior commitment.”

“I am?” Relief went through her.

He slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her hip against his. “And if I go for a drive to Independence Pass it will be with only one lady.”

“Melissa?” she teased.

“You.” He kissed her quickly on the mouth just as the doors started to open.

They met Erica as they stepped out of the elevator and into the corridor. She came hurrying forward with a big smile on her face. “Samantha, I want to thank you once again for the fabulous job you did last night.”

Samantha returned the smile. “You’re very welcome, Erica. I enjoyed it.”

Erica considered her. “You know, I’ve already had a call from the president of the local music school. They heard about you and want to meet with you,” she said enthusiastically, making Samantha’s heart sink. “They have this huge summer festival where nearly a thousand students and faculty come together from far and wide. There’s orchestral concerts and chamber music and—”

Samantha had to stop her there. “I’m sorry, Erica. It wouldn’t be any use. I’m leaving soon.” She felt Blake stiffen beside her.

Erica’s eyes widened. “Oh, I thought—”

Blake muttered something about starting work and stalked off. For a moment Samantha wondered if he was still thinking about her not taking her piano playing seriously, but she soon dismissed it. This wasn’t about her not playing the piano. It was about her leaving.

Erica looked at her and winced. “Sorry if I said something out of place.”

Samantha tried to smile. “You didn’t.” She started to follow him. “But I’d better get to work.”

Blake was closing his door behind him as she entered her office, and Samantha’s heart sank. So. They were back to that again. Talk about a temperamental boss!

Shortly after, he buzzed her for coffee. When she took it into him he seemed okay if a little preoccupied, and she realized she was reading more into this than she should. He had the resort issues to concentrate on and was trying to get the feel for it, that’s all. Besides, just because she was now his lover, it shouldn’t upgrade her status from his assistant. On the contrary, here at work she’d be upset if it did.

Around eleven he opened his door and strode through her office, scowling. “I’ll be with Trevor in his office.” He left before she could make any acknowledgement.

Getting to her feet, she went to empty Blake’s out tray. There were some letters he’d signed and…all at once she noticed he’d been reading through the files with the résumés. Her heart dropped. That file had sat on his desk untouched all day yesterday, but now he must be thinking ahead.

She should be pleased he wouldn’t be left without an assistant, but she could only feel upset. And that was made worse as she went back to her desk and opened the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting and saw one of the items was to discuss her replacement.

Oh, God.

So she didn’t need Clarice to make a sudden appearance in her office about fifteen minutes later. “Mrs. Richardson, how did you get up here?” she asked, as the woman came toward her desk. A card key was needed for both the private elevator and the back stairs.