Taming Her Billionaire Boss(51)

Conversation ceased for a bit, before Melissa said, “I think Blake might be getting used to Erica.”

Samantha wasn’t surprised by the comment. “So you noticed that he said sisters, did you?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Erica’s really nice.”

“I love her already.” Genuine warmth filled Melissa’s voice. “It’s like we’re full sisters, not half sisters. We connected together right from the start.”

“You’ve been really great at welcoming her into the family, Melissa. Erica must have appreciated that, especially when it came to the cool attitudes of her brothers.”

“Those guys are so stubborn at times, and now look at them. They’ll protect her to the death. I suspect even Blake would, too.”

Back to Blake.

It always came back to Blake.

Time to change the subject. “So how is business doing at the spa?”

“Quiet right now, but next month it’ll start picking up. And in December we’ll be run off our feet. Of course, Shane worries about me and the baby, so I’ve promised him I’ll put on extra staff.”

“I can understand that.”

There was a tiny pause. “This baby means so much to us,” she said, with a little catch in her voice that tugged at Samantha’s heartstrings.

“Pregnancy suits you. You’re glowing.”

Melissa cleared her throat. “Thanks. I can highly recommend it.” All at once there was a slight change in the air. “What about you, Samantha? Do you plan on having children one day?”

Samantha swallowed the despair in her throat at the thought of having Blake’s baby. She forced herself to sound natural. “Yes, I’d love to. But only when the time is right and with the right man.”

There was no immediate reply. Then, “Forgive me for saying this, but isn’t Blake the right man for you? Wouldn’t you like to have his baby?”

Samantha’s heart constricted as she was forced to face something she hadn’t dared let herself think about now that she knew she loved Blake. This was dangerous territory for her. Loving him like she did and having his baby would be so absolutely wonderful, but knowing it was never going to happen was like a knife through her heart.#p#分页标题#e#

She swallowed hard again, then somehow said calmly, “You should know your brother by now, Melissa. Blake isn’t into commitment, and having a baby would be a huge commitment.”

Besides, Blake was already a father figure to his brothers and sisters, and he was already married to his job. There wasn’t room for her, even if he actually wanted her to be a part of it all.

“Is that why you’re leaving?”

She didn’t hesitate. She couldn’t afford to. “No. I’m leaving because it’s the best thing for me.”

There was a short silence, then, “I see.”

Much to Samantha’s relief, Melissa changed the subject and they talked about more desultory things on and off until the massage was over.

“Now,” Melissa finally said, after she’d tidied up. “How do you feel?”

“Like I’m about to slither off the bed.”

Melissa laughed. “That’s what we aim for. Right, I’m going to leave you to get dressed. Take your time and don’t rush. And make sure you drink lots of water for the next couple of hours. The massage releases toxins and if you don’t flush them out you’ll end up with a toxic headache.”

“That sounds lethal,” Samantha joked as she managed to push herself into a sitting position and wrapped the sheet around herself. “Thank you so much for this, Melissa,” she said sincerely. “I didn’t know how much I needed it. I really do feel wonderful.”

Melissa smiled as she headed for the door. “Then I’ve done my job.”

Samantha watched her leave, her smile fading as soon as the door closed, leaving her alone. Her body might feel better, but how did a person continue with a broken heart? Unfortunately no one could fix that.





“How was the massage?”

Samantha closed the front door behind her and saw Blake leaning against the kitchen doorjamb, as if he’d been waiting for her to come home. This was how it would be if she were to stay here with him. Yet how long would it last? Certainly not forever. Eventually things would become awkward between them and he would start to avoid her.

And then she’d know he would no longer want her.

“Wonderful,” she said, giving him a smile that somehow felt empty.

“What’s the matter?”

She looked at him and her heart felt sore. She couldn’t seem to shake herself out of her despondency. “I think I need you to hold me, Blake.”