Back to square one.
Soon Blake was driving past the two stone pillars with the brass Jarrod Ridge Resort sign, and turning the SUV onto the main road but in the other direction of town. At this time on a Sunday morning there wasn’t much traffic and further along he took another turn onto a side road. She wondered where they were going as they drove through stunning natural scenery filled with golden fall colors that would soon disappear under winter-white, but it was no use asking him again. Blake only did what he wanted to do and he would tell her only what he wanted her to know.
Remembering Gavin had visited Pine Lodge this morning, she suspected then where they were going. Farther along, Blake pulled over onto a slot of land that looked out over the Roaring Fork River weaving its way through a lush green picturesque valley between towering snow-dabbled peaks. The Jarrod Ridge resort was nestled like a crown jewel amongst it all.
He stopped the vehicle and cut the engine.
He didn’t speak at first, just stared straight ahead, so she had to ask the obvious. “Why did you bring me here?”
He nodded his dark head at the majestic mountain panorama before them. “I wanted to show you where the new private bungalow will be built.”
“I see.” Her suspicions were correct, but the way he spoke made her heart sink. It was as if he had acknowledged she was leaving now. Like he was showing it to her—while he still could.
“Let’s take a closer look.” He started to get out of the car then glanced back at her, his gaze going to the woolen hat on her head. “Put your gloves on first. There’s no wind but it’s chilly.”
A couple of seconds later they were standing in front of the black SUV, looking at the breathtaking alpine backdrop in front of them.
He pointed to a wooded area near the bottom of the mountain to the right of the resort. “See that over there? That’s our silver mine where we used to play as kids. One of my ancestors started up the mine but it’s been out of use for over a hundred years.”
“How interesting,” she said, meaning it.
“The bungalow will be farther up the mountain but not too close. We don’t want to destroy the historical significance of the mine.”
She’d briefly seen the documents Gavin had given Blake, and heard them discussing it at times, but Gavin was the one running with this project. He was keeping it very much between himself and Blake at this stage, though she knew they were keeping the rest of the Jarrods up to date.
“See that rocky outcropping?” Blake continued. “That’s close to where we’ll build the bungalow. It’s going to be super luxurious with top-of-the-line security. There’ll be iris-recognition scanners plus the usual cameras and motion detectors. Personal safety will be a must, as will our guests’ privacy.”
She could picture it in her mind. “I’m really impressed. It’ll be great.”
He nodded. “It’s just what Jarrod Ridge needs to stand out above the rest,” he said, a proud look about him as he appraised his family’s empire.
An odd tenderness filled her as she glanced up at his familiar profile. There was something so attractive about a man confident with himself. An aura that pulled a woman close and made her want to get under it, to become a part of the man no one else knew.
All at once he turned toward her, his gaze fixing in on her. “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked quietly.
Caught!
She cleared her throat. “I was thinking how much you enjoy a challenge. You’re suited to these mountains.”
He looked pleased. Then, “You could be a part of all this, too, you know.”
Her heart stumbled. Had he brought her here for another reason? “Wh-what do you mean?”
“You love it here. You won’t be happy anywhere else.” He paused. “Think carefully before you walk away from your job, Samantha.”
The job.
She groaned inwardly at her stupidity. Had she really thought this confirmed bachelor had been about to pop the marriage question to his personal assistant? What on earth was the matter with her? Hadn’t she learned her lesson with Carl? The thin air must be making her imagine things that weren’t and could never be. Not that she’d ever consider it anyway.
She took a shuddering breath before speaking. “I have thought about it, Blake.” Very much so. She hadn’t stopped.
He turned to face her. “Stay, Samantha.”
“I … I can’t.” If it had been a plea, she might have considered it. As it was, she knew this was basically still about him being inconvenienced.
She went to turn away. She couldn’t face him fully. The last thing she wanted was him seeing she’d mistakenly assumed he was talking marriage a minute ago. What a fool she was for even thinking it, let alone believing he might be thinking it, too. This wasn’t about anything more than desire, she reminded herself.
His fingers slid around her arm and tugged her back. “Why are you being so obstructive?”
She couldn’t feel the pressure of his fingers through her thick jacket but she knew they were there. “Obstructive to what?”
“To me being concerned for your well-being.”
She ignored the thud of her heart. “Oh, so that’s why you won’t let me finish up my job early?” she scoffed, knowing this was the only way she could handle him. “You’re concerned for me?”
He froze.
Silence surrounded them.
Then, he said quietly, “I am, actually.”
She gasped midbreath. “Why, Blake? Why are you concerned for me?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” As he spoke she could feel his eyes almost pulling her toward him.
“Um … Blake …”
He drew her toward him and bent his head. He was kissing her before she knew what was happening, instantly destroying any defenses she may have drawn on, regardless that she wanted him so very much. Like an avalanche rolling down a mountain, she fell—and it was just as devastating.
Then he slid his tongue between her lips and she opened her mouth to him fully. Hearing his husky groan, she wound her arms around his neck and held on to him, trusting him, knowing where he took her she would follow.
Time blurred.
And then, amazingly, he was slowing things down, giving her back herself, letting her regain focus. Finally, he eased back and they stared at each other.
“Oh, my God!” she whispered, awed by the sheer complexity of the kiss that should have been simple and wasn’t. It left her trembling.
He was feeling something equally as powerful. She could see it deep in his eyes. He truly desired her. Her dream of being in his arms was finally becoming a reality.
His cell phone began to ring.
He remained still, not moving, and she knew why. Nothing could take away from the strength of this moment between them. Here in the mountains it was like they were the only two people alive.
Then as quickly as she thought that, he blinked and turned away, breaking the moment. She heard him answer it, but she couldn’t seem to move. She understood why he had turned away. Why he had broken the moment. It had been too much for him. For her. For them both. Without him looking at her, she could take a breath again.
She did.
And then she found she could move. She swiveled to go get into the SUV, needing to sit down for a minute and feel something solid beneath her.
She took a few steps but as she