Taming Her Billionaire Boss

by Maxine Sullivan

  She felt bad but it came down to emotional survival. “I know, but there are others quite capable of replacing me. Just contact a high-end employment agency. I’ll even do it for you before I go. Someone else would love to work here in Jarrod Ridge. They could be here by Monday.”

  His mouth tightened. “No.”

  She lifted her chin. “I’m afraid you have no choice.”

  “I don’t?” he said silkily, inching closer. “You can’t quit without a month’s notice. It’s in your contract.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath. “Surely you could waive that for me? I’ve given you two years of my life, Blake, and I’ve done the job exceptionally well. I’ve been at your beck and call 24/7. I think you owe me this.”

  “If you insist on leaving before your contract is up then I’ll see you in court.” He gave a significant pause. “I don’t think that would look good on your résumé, do you?”

  “You wouldn’t!”

  “Wouldn’t I?

  “This is business,” he continued. “Don’t take it personally.”

  She almost choked then. That was the problem. Everything was business between them. Nothing was personal.

  Her hands shook with anger as she began folding the letter in four. Then she leaned forward and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “Fine. You’ve got your month. Two weeks here and then two weeks back in Vegas to finish up. After that I’m leaving for Pasadena.” She went to step past him.

  In a flash he grabbed her arm and stopped her, looking down into her eyes. It was the first time he’d ever touched her with meaning and something passed between them. She saw his spark of surprise before he dropped her arm. It surprised her, too.

  “I never take no for an answer, Samantha. Remember that.”

  “There’s always the exception to every rule. And I’m it, Mr. Jarrod.”

  She was still shaking when she got out of the SUV and back to her room at Pine Lodge. She was angry at Blake’s refusal to let her go without giving a month’s notice, and excited by the awareness in his eyes when he’d touched her. Was she crazy to look more into this than she should?

  Her heartbeat stretched into a gallop at the thought that he was attracted to her. A split second was all it had taken and she’d known what it was like to have this man want her. Would he let himself take it further? Remembering the way he’d immediately dropped his hand and withdrawn, she knew he wouldn’t.

  Yet he’d wanted to, and that was the difference between him and Carl. Oh, she’d had a physical relationship many years ago as a teenager, but looking back, that had been so adolescent. Since then it had only been Carl, and he hadn’t wanted her beyond a kiss or two.

  But with Blake tonight, she’d known for a moment what it was like for a man to really desire her. And that gave her hope that with a bit of encouragement he might make her his. What did she have to lose now? If she went home without taking this opportunity to become Blake’s lover she’d always wonder what it would have been like to be kissed by him, to be held by him, to have their bodies joined. And she’d always ache inside for what might have been.

  She frowned. How could she capture his attention again and keep it? So far she’d tried everything and nothing had worked. She’d made herself as attractive as possible for him, to no avail. She’d even tried flirting over dinner earlier, but it had fallen faster than a lead balloon. Instead she’d ended up jealous of that actress’s ability to flirt so naturally. If only she could act like…

  Just then a thought clicked in her mind. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of this before now, but if flirting with Blake hadn’t made him sit up and take notice of her, maybe he needed to be stirred up. Maybe he needed an award-winning performance. And a little taste of jealousy.

  Yet Blake wasn’t the type of man who wanted things made easy for him. Making it appear at least a little difficult to catch her had to be the way to go. He wouldn’t be interested otherwise.

  And what better way to get his attention than letting him see that other men wanted her? Blake wouldn’t be able to resist the challenge. This past week at least two good-looking men had asked her out to dinner but she’d turned them down. She hadn’t wanted to be with any man but Blake. She still didn’t, but he didn’t need to know that.

  Starting tomorrow, she’d let herself be wined and dined by men who desired her. She wasn’t about to take it any further than that, but she wasn’t going to sit around any longer and be uptight Samantha for the rest of her time here either. Sam Thompson was about to break out of her shell.

  After Samantha left his office, Blake stood there for a minute, stunned by his encounter with his assistant, and not only because she’d wanted to resign. When he’d touched her he’d had the strongest urge to pull her into his arms and make love to her. She’d felt it, too. He’d seen an acknowledgement in her blue eyes she hadn’t been able to hide. Strangely, it excited him. He wasn’t used to beautiful women holding themselves back. Women usually gave themselves to him.

  Clearly it had taken Samantha by surprise as much as it had him. Equally as clearly, she wasn’t about to act on it. She probably didn’t know how to act on it. Over the two years that she’d worked for him he’d rarely seen her date. She was a beautiful woman who socialized with grace and class at functions they both attended, but there had never seemed to be a permanent man in her life. Admittedly he kept her busy, but he’d often wondered if she’d had a bad relationship somewhere along the way.

  None of that mattered right now, he told himself as he strode over to the window, catching sight of the SUV taking Samantha back the short distance to their private lodge. He waited until the car drove past the cabins and lodges then weaved around a corner and out of sight before letting his thoughts break free.

  Damn her.

  He didn’t often feel thunderstruck, but she’d dropped a bombshell on him tonight. How could she think of leaving him at a time like this? She was his right-hand man. His assistant who made sure everything ran like clockwork. He couldn’t do without her and certainly not after coming home to run the resort. He and his younger brother Gavin had already talked about building a new high-security bungalow for their most elite guests in a separate area of the resort.

  So why, right when he needed her the most, did Samantha want to bail out on him? He’d expected better of her than desertion. Her excuse that she wanted to go home for a while hadn’t made sense. She wasn’t one to let her emotions get the best of her anyway and neither was he. That was what he’d liked about her from the start. Now his instincts told him she wasn’t telling him the full truth.

  Yet if she couldn’t be truthful after working closely together, then something was definitely wrong. It just went to remind him to never trust anyone. A person thought they had everything, and in an instant it was gone. Hadn’t that been the way since his mother had died from cancer when he was six and his father had withdrawn and blocked everyone out emotionally? It was like both his parents had died at the same time. He’d grown up determined to be totally independent from any emotional entanglements.

  Okay, so Donald Jarrod had enough of himself left over to push his five children to be achievers, but at what cost? Four of Donald’s offspring had departed years ago to make their mark in other parts of the country. Guy owned a famous French restaurant in Manhattan and ran another business venture. Gavin was a construction engineer. And Melissa was a licensed masseuse who had run a spa and massage-therapy retreat in L.A. Trevor was the only one who’d stayed in Aspen, but had chosen to have nothing to do with the resort, and instead built up his own successful marketing business.

  Hell, Blake hadn’t seen much of his four younger brothers and sister these past ten years. As his fraternal twin, he was closest to Guy, but he’d still kept a close eye on all his siblings. If they’d needed him, he would have been there. Of course his mind was still out on his half sister, Erica, who’d only recently shown up to become part of the family.

  Unfortunately now he need
ed to rely on all of them to make sure the place continued to be a success. It wasn’t a feeling he enjoyed. He didn’t like relying on anyone, but he’d thought he could count on Samantha.

  Obviously he couldn’t.

  Feeling restless, he looked out over the renowned ski resort that had always been the one place he called home. No matter how much he’d tried to forget it, Jarrod Ridge was in his blood.

  He was now the CEO of Jarrod Ridge, for God’s sake. His ancestor, Eli Jarrod, had started up the silver mine during the mining boom of 1879, and built himself one of the biggest houses in Colorado. Then “The Panic” of 1893 had closed many of Aspen’s mines, and Eli had added to his house and made it bigger, turning it into a grand hotel that was now Jarrod Manor. This place had been through a lot, surviving right through to 1946 when the ski resort idea was born. Jarrod Ridge hadn’t looked back since. It was a powerful feeling being in charge of all he surveyed.

  And a big responsibility.

  And dammit, he wasn’t about to let Samantha walk out on him when he needed her most. Even in a month’s time he would still need her by his side. It was important to the resort to make sure the changeover went as smoothly as possible, and only Samantha could help him do that. She was the best assistant he’d ever had and he wasn’t about to lose her. He would find a way to make her stay, at least until the new bungalow was up and running.

  He expelled a breath as he went over to his desk, where he sat down on the leather chair and took the resignation letter out from his jacket pocket. Under the lamplight, he read it, hoping to glean some hint on what was going on inside his assistant’s mind. The letter was as professional as expected. No surprises there.

  Frowning, he dropped the letter and picked up the pen, rolling it between his fingers as he tried to think. He didn’t understand. Surprise appeared to be the name of the game with Samantha right now.

  Why?

  All at once the metal in his hand went from cool to warm in a matter of seconds, reminding him of his cool and remote assistant who’d soon warmed up at his touch. His heart took a sudden and extra beat. Would Samantha warm up for him if he touched her again? Remembering the electricity between them when he’d grabbed her arm, a surge of need raced through him. Samantha didn’t seem to know what she wanted, but he did know women. She had wanted him. She had reacted to his touch.

  And if that were the case, then perhaps he’d touch her some more and keep her around as long as necessary. He was sure he could persuade her to stay at least another six months. By then they’d both be ready to end the relationship. Sometime in the new year he’d more than likely be over needing her help anyway, and by then he would have someone to replace her, both in the office and the bedroom. No other woman had lasted longer than that. He wouldn’t let them. Having affairs was the best he could offer.

  As for Samantha, she was independent. She’d have no difficulty moving on when the time came. Hell, she’d probably even instigate it.

  For now, it would be his pleasure to awaken the woman in her. Seducing Samantha was definitely going to be a priority task.

  Two

  Samantha felt more than a few moments of trepidation when she woke to the early morning light and remembered what she’d done. She’d actually handed Blake her resignation. She would be out of his life in a month’s time. She tried to picture being apart from him for the rest of her life, but the thought brought silly tears to her eyes that she quickly blinked back.

  Taking a shuddering breath, she tried to put all this in perspective. She’d moved on before, hadn’t she? It wasn’t so hard. Of course leaving Pasadena had been an adventure as much as an escape. It would be a long time before she escaped wanting Blake Jarrod.

  Oh, God.

  Then she remembered the plan she’d come up with last night. At the time she’d thought it was brilliant, but now she wasn’t so sure she should go out with other men to try and make Blake jealous. It didn’t seem right to manipulate the situation like that.

  And that left her exactly…nowhere.

  Remembering the sizzle of Blake’s touch, she wondered if she really wanted to leave without giving them a chance. It was comforting to know that he would not want to get emotionally involved, but to become his lover, to be forever warmed by the memory of being in his arms, didn’t she have to do this for herself?

  She could do it. This was a goal that was achievable. She may not be a femme fatale but she was considered attractive and she knew how to flirt. And while it may not have worked with Blake at the dinner last night, she knew she could interest other men here in Aspen. Hopefully she’d grab his attention that way.

  Tossing back the covers like she was tossing away her shackles, she jumped out of bed. She felt more lighthearted by the minute.

  After her shower, Samantha figured it would be prudent to distance herself from Blake as much as possible from now on. She wouldn’t capture any man’s attention if she was with him all the time.

  First things first.

  Apart from the maids from the hotel who tidied up Pine Lodge each day, she and Blake had decided to be mostly self-sufficient. The refrigerator was usually stocked with food or they could eat at Jarrod Manor, the main lodge on the resort where some of the family chose to live.

  Usually they ate a light breakfast together—surprisingly Blake hadn’t brought any women back to the lodge while she’d been here—before they walked the short distance to his father’s old office at the Manor. Anything to do with his hotels in Vegas was kept separate and done here in the office they’d set up in a corner of the large living room. That work was mostly done after dinner each evening. There was a lot to do with running both businesses, especially now that it was pre-ski season here. Samantha didn’t mind keeping so busy. Besides, it kept Blake close.

  But today was different. Fifteen minutes later, she quietly closed the lodge door behind her and left without waiting for him. The Colorado sun was making a shy return as she breathed in crystal air and walked the winding streets in picture-perfect surroundings. As she approached this grandest of hotels, a thrill went through her. With its main stone building complemented by guest wings on both sides, its peaked roofs and balconies with iron railings and its frosted windowpanes, it looked like an enchanted castle.

  The doorman greeted her as she entered the hotel from under the stone arch leading off the driveway. She smiled and walked through the wide lobby dotted with tables and chairs. Being the off-season, it was quiet at this time of the morning with only a few guests up and about. A young couple stood viewing photographs of the mountains displayed along the wood walls. Older couples looked ready to go sightseeing the many popular tourist attractions, than pamper themselves in the spa.

  It was no better in the casual eatery off the lobby, and Samantha sighed as she scooped scrambled eggs onto a plate from the buffet. Couldn’t there have been one measly attractive man in sight this morning? So much for her plans to make Blake jealous. It wouldn’t happen if she couldn’t even find a man to flirt with.

  She lifted her head and saw Blake’s half sister, Erica Prentice, come out of the kitchen area and walk through the room with Joel Remy, the resort doctor. Joel was tall, blond and good-looking and he’d asked her out only last week and she’d refused, not giving it any consideration. Things had changed.

  Erica saw her and blinked in surprise as she came over to her table. “Samantha, what are you doing here eating breakfast by yourself?”

  Samantha liked Erica, who hadn’t known she was a member of the Jarrod family until a few months ago. Since then, Erica had become engaged to the Jarrod family attorney, Christian Hanford, and everyone was happy about it. Everyone except Blake, that is, though Guy had taken a while to come round. Erica was a PR specialist who had thrown herself into the running of the resort, willingly giving a hand wherever it was needed, just like the other family members. Samantha didn’t understand Blake’s attitude toward her.

  She smiled at the other woman. “I was up early
so I thought I’d get a head start on the boss.”

  Erica laughed. “Yes, I think as Blake’s assistant you’d need to do that occasionally.”

  Samantha let her eyes slide to the man beside Erica. “Good morning, Joel. You’re here early, as well.”

  The doctor smiled. “One of the kitchen staff burned her hand, but thankfully it was only minor.”

  Samantha nodded, then, “Where are my manners? Would you like to join me for breakfast? Erica, you, too, of course.”

  As if she was getting a vibe, Erica glanced from one to the other and went to speak, but Joel got in before her. “I can’t, I’m afraid, Sam,” the doctor said. “I have to go out on another call. But how about I make it up to you? It’s Saturday and my night off. If you’re free I’d love to take you to dinner.”

  Samantha could have kissed him, but she managed to restrain herself. If Blake didn’t get jealous over this, then at least she’d have some fun, right?

  Thinking of Blake must have made him appear. He was at this moment striding through the lobby with a scowl on his face, heading for the private elevator. Her heart jumped in her throat when he glanced over toward them and saw her in the eatery. He changed direction and advanced toward her.

  She turned back to Joel, waiting a few moments more for Blake to get closer. “Dinner tonight?” she said, raising her voice just a little. “Yes, I’d like that very much, Joel.”

  He grinned at her. “Great. How about I pick you up at seven-thirty?”

  “Perfect.”

  Blake was almost at the table.

  “I’d better go see my next patient,” Joel said, then inclined his head as he passed by. “Good morning, Blake.”

  Blake nodded, then stopped at the table and practically glared down at Samantha. “You didn’t wait for me.”

  She reminded herself how this man didn’t like things made easy for him. “I slipped a note under your door. Besides, I do believe I start work at nine and until then my time is my own,” she said, aware of Erica’s speculative gaze.