Emilie Rose - The Jarrods - Inheritance

She didn’t know how he could say that. Was he blind? “She and Christian are so in love. And she’s in love with everyone here at Jarrod Ridge, too. Their hearts are here, Blake. They won’t leave you.”

He swore. “I don’t give a rat’s ass if they leave or not. This isn’t about what I feel anyway. It’s about her causing problems for the family and then walking away without a care in the world.”

“I’m sure that won’t happen. Erica isn’t like that.”

One eyebrow shot up. “You know her so well, do you?”

“Do you?”

A muscle began ticking along his jaw. “Thank you for your opinion, but I don’t need it.” He pushed to his feet and began collecting the plates, taking them over to the dishwasher. “Go into the living room. I’ll bring in the coffee.”

For a few moments she didn’t move. She watched his rigid back and felt depressed by his remoteness and abruptness. She’d pushed him hard just now and she wasn’t sure why, except that she somehow felt she was fighting not just for Erica’s sake but for Blake’s, as well. If she could at least get him to relent toward Erica then maybe when she left, her time here would have been of value. Maybe then something good would have come from all this. She sighed. Or was she simply looking for something to make herself feel good about leaving Blake?

And that brought her back to what she’d said before about Erica leaving him. Was that the crux of the matter? It occurred to her then that Blake may have abandonment issues with his mother dying, and now that made it difficult for him to get close to his half sister. Or to get close to anyone, including herself.

Someone rang the doorbell and Blake swore again.

“That’ll be Joel,” Samantha reminded him. “He said he would check on me.”

“Stay there,” he muttered and strode past her to let in the other man.

A couple of seconds later Joel breezed into the kitchen. She noticed he took in the homey scene, but he was all professional while he checked her over and announced he was pleased.

Then, “We have to get you better for tomorrow night,” he teased, but she saw him dart a look at Blake and she suddenly had the feeling there was more to this. He seemed to be letting Blake know he was staking a claim.

“Tomorrow night?” Blake asked in a menacing voice.

Joel closed up his medical bag. “Samantha and I have a date for Monday night.” He winked at her. “We’re going to the movies.”

Samantha wanted to say she hadn’t actually accepted the invitation but the displeased look in Blake’s eyes kept her quiet.

“Let’s see how she feels first,” Blake said grimly, then stepped back in clear indication that the doctor should precede him to the front door.

Joel hesitated, like he wasn’t about to take orders, then he must have remembered that Blake was his boss. He inclined his head at Samantha. “I’ll call you in the morning,” he told her, picking up his bag.

He left the room and Blake saw him out, and Samantha couldn’t help but wonder once again if Blake might be jealous of Joel. The thought made her heartbeat pick up speed. Blake had certainly wanted to kiss her back there on the mountain and surely that had to mean something.

Didn’t it?

All at once she needed to know what he felt for her. “Joel finds me attractive, don’t you think?” she said dreamily as Blake came back in the kitchen looking anything but relaxed.

His eyes filled with meaning. “Sure he does,” he said cynically.

She couldn’t let him get away with that. “What does that mean?”

“Just that any woman with the right equipment can attract a man. And believe me, you’ve got the right equipment,” he drawled, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets, all at once looking very much in charge of himself, making her want to bring him down a peg or two.

“Thanks for the assumption that I’m only good for sex,” she said with faint indignation.

His hands came out of his pockets and his complacency vanished. “I didn’t say that,” he retorted, then strode over to check on the coffee. He spun back around. “Dammit, what the hell are you doing with those men anyway? You don’t need them. They’re beneath you.”

Startled, she gathered her wits about her. This was more like it. “Maybe I want them beneath me,” she joked.

“Don’t talk like that.”

She hid a soft gasp. It did sound like he was jealous. She needed to push more. “I don’t understand how you can say a doctor isn’t good enough for me, Blake.”

“That’s because he’s not good enough for you.”

Her spirits soared. “What about Ralph? You don’t even know what he does for a living.”

“And you do?”

She did, then realized she’d set herself up here. She had to cough before she said, “He’s a car salesman.”

“Huh! That explains the slime rolling off him.”

“Blake!” She hadn’t expected quite such a response. “What’s got into you?”

His mouth drew down at the corners. “Those guys aren’t after you for your intellect.”

She screwed up her nose. “How nice of you to point that out.”

“You know what I’m saying.”

Yes, she did. Unfortunately she knew it was true. And that would have been fine if she’d been the least bit interested in the other men. As it was, she still felt a little guilty using them, though no doubt they were big enough to look out for themselves.

She tilted her head and knew she had to say this. “If I didn’t know better I’d think you were jealous.”

“And if I am?” he challenged without warning.

She felt giddy but she couldn’t let herself get her hopes up. “I’d have to ask why. Is it because you know I’m leaving soon and you only want what you suddenly can’t have?”

“What the—”

“Or is it because you might actually want me? ”

For a moment he looked like he would move in close. “You ask me that after the kiss we shared?”

Her breath came quickly. “I—”

And then something changed in his expression and his jaw thrust forward. “This isn’t the time to discuss it. You need your rest. You should go lie on the couch.”

Her throat blocked with disappointment, but then understanding dawned and she realized he was pulling back for her sake. If it hadn’t been for her accident, she was sure he would be making love to her right now.

Frustration weaved through her, despite appreciating that he was doing the right thing. “I think I’ll go read in bed. It’s getting late.” He went to come with her and she put her hand up. “No, I can manage by myself. Good night, Blake. And thanks.”

He nodded. “Make sure you sleep in the spare bedroom. I still want you close to me.”

She could feel heat sweeping up her face. Did he have to say it like that? “Okay.”

He seemed mesmerized by her reddening cheeks. “I’ll be checking on you a couple of times in the night.” His voice had a gravelly edge to it now. “So I apologize in advance for disturbing you.”

She looked away; the thought of him coming into her room during the night was enough to disturb her now .

Then she went up to bed with stars in her eyes. And they weren’t from the hit on the head either. Unfortunately she knew he wasn’t about to take advantage of her while she was injured, and certainly not during the night when she was sure he’d remain a perfect gentleman. But he’d better watch out when she was back on her feet.

Blake looked at the bedside clock and grunted to himself. It was almost seven o’clock and still dark outside, but he needed to get up and check on Samantha before he did anything else this morning. Today he planned on working from Pine Lodge so he could keep an eye on her, but he needed to go to the Manor and get some things out of the way first.