Read Online Billionaire's Blackmail Bride: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ridge's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) by Judy Angelo - Free Book Online

strong point but she felt
chastened enough to want to show Ridge she was making an effort. She really
should have called him when she realized she would be home much later than
usual. She knew she was at fault but at the time it hadn’t seemed like a big
deal, especially since they’d spent the past week barely seeing each other,
each lost in their own world of work. It had actually crossed her mind that he
might not even notice she wasn’t home yet.
    Wrong assumption. Based on his reaction Ridge had noticed, and in a
big way, and the fact that her cell phone battery had died hadn’t helped
matters one bit. She should have thought of that, too. Damn her for being so
used to living on her own. She really had to remember that she was living with
someone now, someone who might wonder why she hadn’t come home.
    But that was all water under the bridge now and all she could do was
show Ridge that she was sorry. She just hoped a hot home-cooked meal would do
the trick.
    Lani set the table and even went as far as to light the scented
candles. Then, just as the sun began to set, she took her bath and dressed in a
simple emerald-green shift and strappy sandals. She didn’t own many dresses
since she was far more comfortable in cargo pants or jeans so, if Ridge knew
anything about her, he would know he was a lucky man tonight. She’d gone all
out, just for him.
    Just as she walked back into the dining room she heard his car pull
up. Perfect timing. She went into the kitchen and began sliding the trays from
the oven. The aroma of the savoring meat pie filled the kitchen and she ladled
the food onto the dinner plates, proud of her handiwork. She was smiling to
herself when she heard him call out.
    “Something smells good. Lani, is that you?”
    When his head popped around the kitchen door, his brows elevated in
surprise, she laughed. “Who did you think it was? Your fairy godmother?”
    “It might as well be,” he said, stepping into the kitchen. “I can’t
believe you made dinner. I didn’t know you could cook.”
    “Don’t sing my praises just yet,” she warned. “Wait until you take a
bite. I just hope I don’t send us both to the ER tonight.”
    He laughed. “I’m sure you won’t. It smells so good my mouth is
watering already.”
    And Lani’s mouth was watering, too, but it wasn’t for meatloaf and
potatoes. It was for the handsome hunk who stood before her, six o’clock shadow
on his jaw, tie gone and stark-white collar open to give her a peek at the top
of his broad chest. What would it feel like to run her tongue over the smooth
silk of that skin?
    Lani shook her head. She was thinking dangerous thoughts and she
didn’t need to go there. Not now, not yet. “Go take a quick shower,” she said,
trying to defuse the tension that was knotting in her stomach. “By the time
you’re done I’ll have dinner on the table.”
    Ridge nodded. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” And in a flash he
was gone, his footsteps sounding in the hallway as he headed for his bedroom.
    “Wow,” Lani whispered to herself. “He must be real hungry.” At least
she could hope so. Maybe that was why he hadn’t even noticed the change in her
attire. Didn’t she look different?
    Fifteen minutes later Ridge walked back into the living room, looking
fresh and frustratingly handsome in ink-black trousers and matching black
shirt. He walked right up to Lani as she sat at the table waiting for him and
surprised her with a kiss on the cheek.
    “That color suits you,” he said. “You look stunning.”
    Lani didn’t know which surprised her more - his kiss or his
compliment. Her face broke into a smile. So he had noticed.
    Ridge sat at the place she’d set for him across from her but then,
like he could read her mind, like he could tell she was wanting him tonight, he
got up and shifted his plate and utensils to the place right beside hers.
“You’re too beautiful,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse, “for me to stay