LITMIR.BIZ

       Nine

      They dined together back at Pine Lodge, then made love again that night, and when Samantha woke the next morning she lay there and wallowed in a sense of occasion. Her memories of them together like this were all she could take away with her. Her heart, she would leave with Blake.

      He woke up then and made slow love to her again. Afterward she put on a bright face and they went about their business as usual, neither of them showing any outward sign to the others that they were lovers. They hadn’t discussed it, but Samantha was glad about it. Already his family seemed to have taken a special interest in them, and she didn’t want anyone guessing she loved him.

      Late morning, Samantha left her office and went down to the hotel kitchen to get some fresh milk for their coffee. She could have phoned down for it but she needed to stretch her legs.

      In the hallway, she ran into Erica. They chatted a few moments but Samantha could see the other woman was preoccupied. “Erica, is something wrong?”

      Erica wrinkled her nose. “Yes, unfortunately. I’ve been arranging a surprise party for tonight for this man who lives in town. It’s for his wife’s fortieth birthday and she thinks she’s coming here for dinner.” She clicked her tongue. “I’ve been working on this for weeks.”

      “So what’s the problem?”

      “We’ve got a DJ for later in the evening, but the husband particularly asked for someone to play piano music in the background during the meal, and now the piano player has come down sick.” Her smooth forehead creased as she began thinking out loud. “The DJ could probably play some soft music as an alternative, but I really don’t want to disappoint the husband. He said his wife loves the piano and he wants to give her the best party. I was hoping there might be someone in town I could find, but it’s probably too late.”

      All the while she was talking, Samantha’s heart began thumping with a mixture of excitement and panic. “You may not believe this,” she said, not believing she was actually saying this, “but I can help.”

      Erica’s eyes brightened. “You can? Do you know someone who plays the piano?”

      “Yes.” Did she really want to say this? “Me.”

      Erica stopped and blinked. “You play the piano?” She grimaced. “Sorry, that came out wrong. I just mean—”

      Samantha smiled a little. “I know what you meant.”

      Regardless, Erica still looked doubtful. “You really play the piano?”

      Samantha nodded. “Yes, really.”

      “You’re sure?”

      Samantha chuckled as her anxiety faded. “Lead the way to the piano and I’ll show you. Just don’t expect perfection. I have to tell you I’m a bit rusty.”

      Erica began to grin. “As long as it’s not ‘Chopsticks,’ then I’ll be happy. Follow me.”

      A few minutes later, Samantha did a warm-up then started playing a quick medley of popular tunes. Her fingers felt a bit stiff because she hadn’t played since last Christmas at home in Pasadena, but she was soon enjoying herself—and enjoying the look on Erica’s face.

      “That’s wonderful!” Erica murmured, once the music ended.

      Samantha smiled with relief that she hadn’t lost her touch nor made a fool of herself. “Thanks, but it’s nothing special.”

      Erica shook her head. “No, you’re very good.”

      “Not really.”

      “Yes, really,” Erica teased. “Good Lord, I didn’t know we had Liberace living here at the resort.”

      Samantha laughed. “Just be grateful my mother made me take piano lessons growing up.”

      “Oh, I am. Play some more, Samantha.” All at once Erica’s eyes widened and she chuckled. “Oh, my God, I don’t believe I’m about to say this but ‘play it again, Sam.’”

      Samantha laughed. She knew she needed the practice so she was happy to oblige and felt more confident with each touch of the keys.

      Afterward, they talked for five minutes then Samantha continued on her way to get the milk. Blake had a business lunch in town and had already left by the time she returned to the office, so she didn’t get to tell him about it all until late afternoon.

      He fell back in his chair. “You play the piano?”

      A wry smile tugged at her mouth. “Why is that so far-fetched?”

      “I don’t know.” Then he shook his head as if he wasn’t hearing right. “Let me get this straight. You’re going to play the piano at a party here at the resort tonight?”

      She shrugged. “It’s just background music during dinner.” But she wasn’t quite so calm inside, and talking about it now was making her kind of nervous.

      He tilted his head at her. “Why didn’t you tell me you could play the piano?”

      “It wasn’t a job requirement,” she joked, more to calm her growing anxiety than anything.

      His mouth quirked. “No, I guess it wasn’t.”

      Her humor over, she bit her lip. “Actually, do you mind if I leave a little early? I need to get myself ready and I’d like some time to myself.”

      He gave a wayward smile. “You creative types are all alike.”

      “Blake—”

      “Feel free to leave early,” he agreed. Then his eyes slowly settled on her mouth. “But before you go …” Hunger jumped the distance between them. “I do think there is one requirement of your job that needs revisiting.”

      She knew what he was getting at. Her heart raced with a growing excitement. “Blake, we can’t make love in here every afternoon.”

      “Who said we can’t?”

      “But I have to go now,” she said, knowing she was weakening.

      “In a minute,” he murmured, sending her an intimate look across the desk. “Come and give me a kiss goodbye first.”

      She wagged a finger at him. “That’s all, Blake. One kiss and no more.”

      “Trust me.”

      She moved toward him. “Okay …”

      Half an hour later she left the office a very satisfied woman, amused at how easily she had fallen for his trickery. Of course, she couldn’t fully blame her boss. She’d wanted to fall for it.

      “Lady, you’re far too dangerous to let loose on our male guests,” Blake said, watching Samantha step into high heels. She wore a beaded jacket over black evening pants that flattered her slim figure, and she’d curled the brunette

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