LITMIR.BIZ

       Three

      As she descended the stairs that evening, carrying her clutch bag in one hand and her cashmere evening coat over her arm, Samantha’s foot faltered on the next step. She’d been hoping to show herself off to Blake before he left for his business dinner, and now her heart began knocking against her ribs when she saw the man in question look up from the corner bar in their lodge and catch sight of her. His glass stopped halfway to his mouth and he stared … just stared … as she slowly came the rest of the way down.

      Thanks to Erica, she knew she looked fantastic. She’d always taken pride in her appearance and in making sure she looked right for her position, but this long-sleeved dress—this piece of hot-pink knit material that stretched over her body like it had been lovingly cling-wrapped to every curve—made her feel a little naughty.

      Without taking his eyes off her, Blake put his drink on the bar and watched her walk toward him. “I’m stunned,” he said in a deep, husky voice that held true admiration and sent her pulse skipping with delight. “I’ve never seen you look so …”

      “Nice?” she gently teased as her confidence soared. She would forgive him anything right at this moment.

      “Sexy.”

      The word took her breath away. She moistened her lips and saw his blue eyes dart to her mouth. “Thank you, Blake.”

      Then his gaze rolled down her, before slowly coming up again, his eyelids flicking briefly when he passed over her breasts both times. She had the feeling her nipples may have beaded with sexual excitement and one part of her wanted to hunch over and say “don’t look,” while another forced her to hold her shoulders back proudly.

      His eyes—dark with a desire she’d never seen before—finally stopped at her head. “What have you done to your hair?”

      She swallowed. It hadn’t taken much to style the silky brown strands into bouncing curls around her shoulders. “I had a couple of inches cut off it.”

      “It looks terrific.”

      This was the reaction she’d been hoping for from him. “Thank you again.”

      He picked up his drink and took a sip. Then, “I have to ask you something.”

      Her heart took a leap. “What is it, Blake?”

      “Are you sure you want to do this?”

      She blinked. “Do what?”

      Resign?

      “Go out with Joel Remy.”

      His voice gave nothing away but her pulse started to race even more. Dear God, could Blake be a little jealous? Had she actually managed to get through to him so quickly that she was a woman? A woman who needed him like she’d never needed any man before?

      His eyes slammed into her. “He’s not your style, Samantha.”

      Her heart almost burst through her chest. Blake was jealous. She tried to act nonchalant. She couldn’t succumb and throw herself at him the minute he decided he wanted her for five minutes.

      “How do you know what my style is, Blake?” she said, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

      “I know what suits you and what doesn’t and I know he’s not the man for you.”

      No, this man in front of her was the man for her.

      “Oh, so you’re an expert on me now, are you?” she flirted, thrilled beyond her wildest dreams that he was finally noticing her. It was this dress. She had so much to thank Erica for. The other woman had …

      “I’d like to think I know you very well, Samantha,” he said, suddenly looking very superior, very arrogant. “You wouldn’t be happy with Remy. Trust me.”

      Thud.

      Clarity hit her like a bolt of lightning. What a fool she was in thinking anything had changed. This wasn’t about Blake wanting her. This was about him being his usual conceited self. The man wasn’t jealous. He was merely trying to stop her having a relationship with another man over the next two weeks so that she wouldn’t inconvenience him. Frankly, she deserved better than this.

      “That’s your considered opinion, is it?” she said coolly now.

      “Yes, it is.” His eyes told her he’d noticed her change in tone. “Are you going to tell him you’re leaving soon?”

      She tried to think. She was so disappointed. “I’d prefer to keep that to myself for the time being. It’s no one’s business but my own.”

      “And mine, of course,” he pointed out dryly. Then, “But you’re probably right in not telling him. I doubt he’s after a long-term relationship anyway.”

      “Neither am I,” she said, taking pleasure in the way his face hardened. “In the meantime, I’m sure Joel and I will both manage to enjoy ourselves.”

      He looked all-knowing. “I doubt you’ll have anything in common.”

      She raised one eyebrow. “Really? Don’t forget I worked in a doctor’s office before coming to work for you. And my family runs a medical transcription business, so I used to have quite a bit to do with doctors.”

      Blake’s lips twisted. “So you’ll talk about deciphering his handwriting? That’ll be a laugh a minute.”

      Her fingers tightened on her clutch purse. He thought he was being clever, did he? She needed to wipe away that smirk. She gave him a sultry look. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of … other things in common.”

      The smirk fell off his face. “Dammit, Samantha, you shouldn’t—”

      The doorbell buzzed.

      Samantha glanced over at the front door a few feet away and saw Joel through the glass panel. She tossed Blake an expressive look before going over to open it.

      Joel stepped inside, his eyes sliding down, then up. “Wow! Don’t you look like a million dollars.” He grinned at Blake a few feet away. “I can’t believe this beauty is going out with me.”

      “Neither can I,” Blake muttered, then as quickly gave a smooth smile but Samantha heard him. “I mean, she’s usually picky about who she goes out with.”

      She blinked. Was that still an insult? Joel had a puzzled look that said he might be thinking the same thing.

      She hurriedly forced a smile. “Thanks for the compliment, Joel.” She stood and looked him up and down, too. “For the record, you look like a billion dollars,” she joked, then realized she’d overplayed her hand when Blake sniffed, though she suspected it was more of a snort. She turned her head slightly so Joel couldn’t see her stabbing her boss with her eyes.

      Blake ignored her. “So, where are you two dining tonight?”

      Samantha was immediately suspicious. “Why do you want to know?”

      He smiled. “No reason.”

      Joel then mentioned a restaurant in the center of Aspen. “It’s only just opened and I know the owner. It’ll be very hard to get a reservation in another month or so.” He didn’t sound like he was bragging, at least not to Samantha, but she saw a glint in Blake’s eyes that told her he wasn’t in agreement.

      She smiled at Joel. “That sounds lovely.”

      He looked pleased. “And you, Blake? You’re off to dinner, too, by the look of things.”

      Wearing a dark suit, Blake was the one who really did look like a billion dollars, Samantha had to admit, unable to stop herself from wishing she was going out with him instead

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