Kitabı oku: «The Jarrods: Inheritance»

One

“What are you doing in here?”

Samantha Thompson almost dropped her pen as her head snapped up, the desk lamp shedding enough light for her to see the handsome man standing in the doorway. “Blake, you scared me!”

Her heart didn’t settle down once she knew who it was, it only increased pace as she looked at him in a dinner suit that fitted his well-toned body flawlessly. His commanding presence was of a man born to lead. This was Blake Jarrod, owner of Blake Jarrod Enterprises’ Las Vegas hotels, and now the new CEO of Jarrod Ridge, his family’s renowned resort in Aspen, Colorado.

And as his assistant of two years there was nothing unusual about her being in his office at ten at night. Just because they were now in Aspen at the Jarrod Manor and she was using the desk in his late father’s office didn’t change a thing. She had her reasons for being here.

And they concerned her boss.

Or soon-to-be-ex boss.

“It’s late,” he said, cutting across her thoughts in the way he usually did.

She took a steadying breath and looked down at the letter in front of her, giving herself one last chance to change her mind. Then she remembered this evening. The final straw had been watching a famous blonde actress flirt outrageously with Blake, and him sitting there enjoying it, taking it as his due.

Samantha couldn’t blame him for wanting to sample what was on offer if he so chose. It was just that she wanted a little taste of him herself. She usually dressed sedately in finely tailored clothes whether she was in Vegas with Blake or here in Aspen, but tonight she’d outdone herself. She’d worn this slinky cream evening dress designed to grab his attention, putting her long, brunette hair up in a chignon when she usually wore it pulled back at the nape with a barrette, but it was clear now that nothing was going to happen between her and Blake.

It was never going to happen.

She’d realized that when he’d caught her eye and she’d smiled for all she was worth, looked the best she could be, and he’d turned back to the actress without a second glance, rejecting her just like Carl had rejected her. Her moment of epiphany had been that simple. She’d come to a decision then. The right decision for her. The only one for her.

She lifted her gaze. “Yes, it’s late, Blake.”

Too late.

He walked toward the desk, almost as if he sensed something wasn’t quite right. “I thought you said you were going back to Pine Lodge.”

That had been her intention. She’d even stood in the lobby of the manor, her coat resting on her shoulders, waiting beside the doorman for the valet to bring the SUV around. She’d been determined to go back to their private lodge at the resort—she in her own room and Blake in the master suite.

Then someone had entered the hotel and the doors had slid open, and the cold night breeze from a midfall wind had slapped her in the face and chilled her to the bone, reminding her that it didn’t matter what she wore or what she did, her boss would never take any notice of her except as his assistant. She’d spun around and headed for the private elevator, coming up here to the office in the family section of the manor.

“I needed to do something first,” she said now.

There was an alert look to his eyes. “It’s Friday night. Work can wait until tomorrow.”

They’d been working every Saturday, trying to keep on top of things until they moved here permanently. And now that wasn’t going to happen. Not for her anyway. “This can’t wait.”

He paused, those blue eyes narrowing in on her. “What can’t?”

She swallowed hard. “My resignation.”

Shock flashed in his eyes then went out like it had never been. “What are you talking about?” he said, his voice quiet. In control. He was always in control, especially where she was concerned.

“It’s time for me to move on, Blake. That’s all.”

“Why?”

The question shot at her like a pellet but she managed to shrug. “It just is.”

He put his hands on the desk and leaned toward her. “What’s this about, Samantha? What’s the real reason you want to leave?”

She’d faced him down over business issues occasionally but this … this was personal. Cautiously, she pushed the leather chair back and rose on her stilettos, then went to look out the large arched window behind her.

The scene below at the luxurious resort was surprisingly charming in October. Tonight, pocketed in amongst the tall peaks, the sleepy hamlet twinkled like fairy lights in the alpine breeze, a tapestry of winding streets, lodges, and village square. To a southern California girl who now lived in Vegas, this place had something nowhere else seemed to have.

It had heart.

“It’s time for me to go,” she said, keeping her back to him.

“You’re unhappy here?”

“No!” she blurted out, swinging around, then winced inwardly, knowing she sounded contradictory and that he’d have to wonder why.

To be truthful, she’d been feeling slightly down ever since Blake’s sister Melissa had announced her pregnancy a few weeks ago. She’d been happy for Melissa, so why it had bothered her she didn’t know. Yet since then she hadn’t been able to shake a feeling of being slightly depressed.

He’d straightened away from the desk. “So what’s the problem?”

You are.

I want you to notice me.

Dammit, I just want you.

But how did you say that to a man who didn’t even notice you as a woman? She was his trusted assistant and that was about it. She’d never acted overtly female around him. She kept everything businesslike between them. Looking back, perhaps occasionally she should have let her feminine side show. If she had, then perhaps now she might not be in this predicament.

Yet it wasn’t that she was in love with him either. She was intensely attracted to him. He was an exciting, charismatic man who effortlessly charmed women like they were going out of fashion, but he was still discerning in whom he took to his bed.

She wanted to be charmed by him.

She wanted to be in his bed and in his arms.

Oh, God, it truly was hitting home that she’d never be in his spotlight. Until now a glimmer of hope had kept her going, but after his subconscious rejection of her tonight, she’d realized that if he knew her feelings about wanting him, then everything would change. She’d be totally embarrassed and so would he. She couldn’t work like that. She’d be humiliated just like she’d been with Carl. It was better to leave with some dignity.

“Samantha?”

Hearing her name on his lips struck her like never before. She tilted her head at him. “Do you know something, Blake? You’ve never called me Sam. Not once. It’s always Samantha.”

His brows drew together. “What’s that got to do with it?”

Everything.

She wanted to be Sam once in a while. Sam the woman who’d left her ordinary upbringing in Pasadena to embrace the excitement of Vegas after a one-sided love affair gone wrong. The woman who wanted to have a purely physical affair with a man she admired, without ever risking her heart again. Not Samantha the personal assistant who helped run his office and his life and who kept the whole lot in check for him, all nice and neat and tidy, just the way he liked it. She couldn’t believe she’d actually thought she’d had a chance with him.

And he was waiting for an answer.

“I have my reasons for resigning and I think that’s all you need to know.”

“Is someone giving you a hard time?” he asked sharply. “Someone from my family? I’ll talk to them if they are. Tell me.”

She shook her head. “Your family’s great. It’s …” She hesitated, wishing she’d given herself time to come up with a suitable explanation. Needless to say, she hadn’t expected to be here tonight writing out her resignation, or that he’d even come upon her. She’d assumed he’d probably go off nightclubbing with Miss Hollywood. “I simply want something more, okay? It’s nothing against you or your family. This is about me.”

One eyebrow rose. “You want something more than first-class travel and a world-class place to live?”

“Yes.” She had to tread carefully. “Actually I’m thinking of going home to Pasadena for a little while,” she fibbed, then realized that wasn’t such a bad idea after all. “Just until I decide what I want to do next.”

“And that will give you more of what you want? I seem to remember you saying you’d left Pasadena because you’d been looking for more excitement.”

She’d definitely said that—and she had been looking for more than weekly piano lessons and weekend shopping with her girlfriends—but it had been so much more four years ago. Having fallen in love with a young architect who’d gone off to travel the world after she’d told him she loved him, she’d decided to find her own excitement. Her job with Blake had provided that excitement without any emotional involvement. Until now. And even now it was about lust, not love.

His eyes pierced the distance between them. “You seemed happy enough before to move to Aspen.”

“I was … I am … I mean …” Oh, heck. She was getting herself tied up in knots. When Blake said he was moving back home and she should come with him, she’d been delighted. His estranged father’s will had stated all the Jarrod offspring had to return to Jarrod Ridge for a year or lose their inheritance. Blake, being the eldest—only by a few minutes ahead of his fraternal and more laidback twin, Guy—had taken up the challenge of running the resort.

She’d looked forward to it, too, and they’d been traveling back and forth between Aspen and Vegas a couple of times these past four months, getting everything sorted. Blake would keep his hotels but would spend most of his time in Aspen. She’d been very happy with that. Until tonight.

She cleared her throat. “All my family and friends are back in Pasadena. I miss them.”

“I didn’t know you had any friends.”

She pulled a face. “Thanks very much.”

There was a flicker of impatience. “You know what I mean. You’re always working or traveling with me and rarely go home except for the holidays. Your friends have never been a priority before.”

“I guess that’s changed.” Thankfully Carl had never returned and she’d heard he’d married an English girl. Of course, time and distance had only shown her that she hadn’t really been in love with him at all. She’d been in love with the idea of being in love with a man who’d talked of adventure in far-off places. She’d thought they’d do that together. God, what was wrong with her that she kept wanting men who didn’t want her?

He held her gaze. “What are you going to do after Pasadena, then?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll find something. Perhaps even one of those rare friends of mine might help me get a job,” she mocked. All she knew was that she wouldn’t continue working for Blake, not in Aspen nor in Vegas. A clean break was needed.

He eyed her. “You have plenty of connections. You could use them.”

All at once she had an ache in her throat. It sounded like he was beginning to accept her decision. And that more than anything showed he really didn’t care about her. She was just another employee to him. Nothing more.

“I’m thinking I might get right away from this type of work.”

“And do what?”

“I don’t know.” She took a breath. “In any case, I’d really like to leave Aspen as soon as possible, so that I can wrap up things in Vegas before going home. It shouldn’t take more than a couple of days.” She’d make sure it didn’t.

He scanned her face. “You’re not telling me everything,” he said, sending her heart bumping against her ribs.

“There’s nothing else to tell. I do have a life and a family away from you, Blake, as hard as that may be for you to believe.” She couldn’t take much more of this. Going over to the desk, she picked up the letter. “So I’d appreciate it if you would accept my resignation.” She walked toward him. “Ideally I’d like to leave here as soon as possible. Tomorrow even.” Reaching him, she held out the letter.

He didn’t take it.

There was a measured silence, then, “No.”

The breath stalled in her throat. “Wh-what?”

“No, I won’t accept your letter of resignation and certainly not on such short notice. I need you here with me.”

His words sent a jet of warmth through her until she remembered this evening. It had been torturous watching him and that actress flirt with each other. How could she stay and keep up the pretence that she didn’t want Blake for herself?

She continued to hold the letter out to him. “I can’t stay, Blake. I really need to leave.”

Now.

Tomorrow.

Certainly no later than that.

He ignored the sheet of paper until she lowered her hand. “I’m the new CEO here, Samantha. It wouldn’t be professional of you to leave me in the lurch like this.”

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 needed 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.