And so damn beautiful.
Something snapped inside him right then. “I’m sure whatever Mrs. Richardson has to say can wait. Please keep any other messages for us until we finish this meeting,” he dismissed, hearing himself talk in that harsh tone like he was listening to someone else talk to her.
Samantha flinched, then went to leave but turned back and squared her shoulders, a rebuke in her eyes. “Of course, Mr. Jarrod,” she said primly and left the room with quiet dignity.#p#分页标题#e#
The door closed behind her.
All eyes were turned on him.
“I don’t think there was any need for that, Blake,” Guy said quietly.
Blake felt bad. If she hadn’t come in at that moment then he wouldn’t have verbally attacked her. It had been a reaction to her leaving him, not a reaction to her.
He looked at them. They were staring back at him with reproachful eyes that reminded him of Samantha. His mouth tightened. “I know, I know. I’ll apologize later.” He put thoughts of that to the side. “Now. Speaking of Samantha, as you know she’s leaving. I’m looking at other applicants and I think one of them will be eminently suitable to replace her.”
Guy arched a brow. “Can anyone replace her?”
“Guy,” Blake growled.
“Blake,” Melissa began, “don’t you think—”
“No, Melissa,” he said firmly, without being rude, knowing what she was going to say. “All of you listen to me. This is private between Samantha and myself. It’s none of your business. Now. Let’s talk about finding me a new assistant so that we can end this meeting and get on with other things.”
The tension in the air was palpable, but he ignored both it and the looks on their faces. He owed no one any explanation. Hell, what explanation could there be anyway?
Samantha wanted to leave.
Samantha was leaving.
And he hated himself for embarrassing her just now.
“I apologize, Samantha.”
Samantha had heard him enter the office but she’d ignored him. Now she lifted her head to find Blake standing in front of her desk. Anger and hurt rioted inside her. She had to keep busy.
She rose to her feet and went to put some papers in the filing cabinet. “I’m glad I’m leaving now.”
“Don’t be like that.”
She spun around. “Like what, Blake? Standing up for myself?”
His eyes clouded over. “Look, I know I embarrassed you in front of the family. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”
She lifted her chin. “I was only doing my job. I’m not a novice at this. The woman said it was urgent, and seeing that her proposal was on the agenda for the meeting, I assumed you’d want to know any important developments.”
“I know. And you’re right. You did the right thing.” His expression turned sincere. “You may not believe this, but the reason I snapped was because of you. I was angry because I had to bring up mention of your replacement. I don’t want a replacement. I want you.”
Her heart skipped a beat and she began to soften. She didn’t doubt him. She never doubted what he said. If he said something, he meant it. He wasn’t manipulating her. He’d accepted that she was leaving and he had nothing to lose by being honest. Why fight with him when time was so precious between them?
She thawed. “Oh, Blake.”
He came toward her and slipped his arms around her waist. “Forgive me for being a pig? The others know I feel bad. Their sympathy was all on your side, believe me.”
“Let’s forget it.” But it was nice to know his family had stuck up for her, especially against their big brother.
He lifted his hand and stroked her cheek. “Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind about leaving? It would be good between us.”
She drew a painful breath. “No, I can’t.” He wanted short-term. She wanted forever. And he wasn’t a forever type of guy.
His eyes shadowed with regret and he lowered his head and kissed her. She opened her mouth to him, knowing this was the only way she could let him inside herself.#p#分页标题#e#
The telephone rang just then and they both ignored it.
It stopped, then rang again.
She pulled back. “I should get that,” she said, and Blake nodded with a grimace.
It was Clarice.
Samantha looked at Blake as she listened. Then, “Yes, I passed the message on, Mrs. Richardson.”
Blake’s mouth tightened and he held his hand out for the phone. “What’s the problem, Clarice?” he said, after she handed it to him. There was a pause as he listened. “Look, I’m pretty busy right now.” He winked at Samantha and her heart soared with love.