The Jarrods: Inheritance: Taming Her Billionaire Boss

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 strands of her hair into a bubbly halo around her gorgeous face.

“You think I look okay?”

“More than okay. You’ll knock ‘em dead.” He stepped closer and went to pull her toward him but she put a hand against his chest, stopping him.

“Wait! You’ll mess up my lipstick.”

Blake was amused. “I’d like to mess up more than your lipstick, beautiful.”

Her blue eyes smiled back at him. “You already did that this afternoon. ‘Trust me,’ remember?”

He gave a low chuckle. “I remember.” Even now he felt the stirrings of desire, so he stepped away from temptation. “Come on. I’ll drive you up to the Manor.”

“I can call the valet.”

“That’s okay. I want to look over those documents Gavin gave me about the new bungalow. It’ll be a good chance to study them without the phones ringing.” It was an excuse but she looked so good that he wanted to make sure she got home okay. If anyone hit on her they’d be sorry.

Ten minutes later they walked down the corridor toward the ballroom, but as they got closer she suddenly stopped. “Blake, please. Don’t come in with me. You’ll only make me more nervous.”

“Okay. I’ll be in the office until you’re ready to go home.”

“But—”

He leaned forward and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll wait for you.”

He looked up and saw Erica and Christian coming toward them. They were a distance away so he nodded at them then turned and walked in the other direction, taking the private elevator up to the office. He didn’t care that they’d seen the kiss. He did