Bossing the Billionaire: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ryder's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) (13 page)

“You’re okay?”

At his question Blake gazed over at Ryder. “Hmm?”

“You just sighed. Tired?” He glanced at her then back to the stretch
of road ahead. Although it was almost ten o’clock the highway was alive with
vehicles heading to and fro.

“I’m fine,” she said and then spoiled it when she followed her words
with a yawn.

Ryder chuckled. “Don’t fight it. Relax. Get some sleep. I’ll wake
you when we get home.”

Home. He’d said the word so easily, like Beaumont’s was truly her
home and his. And she liked the sound of that…very much.

Blake had no idea when she eventually slipped into slumber. She’d
felt so safe and comfortable by Ryder’s side that she hadn’t even tried to
resist when she felt sleep begin to claim her. He’d switched on the radio and
she was listening to John Legend’s, “All of You”, when the music faded away and
all went still…

Blake woke to the softness of a kiss, the feel of gentle lips on
hers. She gave a soft sigh and tilted her face, all the better to receive the
sweet caress. If she was dreaming she didn’t want to wake up. With a soft moan
she slid her hand up Ryder’s strong shoulders and as she clung to him she knew
this was no dream. It couldn’t be, not when Ryder felt so warm, so real.

The kiss, so soft and tender, soon turned insistent. Ryder reached
his hand up to cup her chin, tilting her face ever so gently so he could take
full control, kissing her with such passion that the embers glowing inside her
threatened to burst into flames.

Too soon he was sliding his lips away, but she gasped when those
lips left a trail of butterfly kisses along the column of her neck, across her
collarbone and then down, down until they caressed the tops of her breasts.

It was a sweet, sensual caress that made her shiver in response.
When Ryder lifted his head to gaze up at her she moaned, wanting more. So much
more.

“You’re so beautiful.” Ryder’s words came out in a ragged whisper
that revealed the height of his arousal. She wanted this, so badly, but so did
he.

Wanting to give him the pleasure he’d just given her, Blake slid her
hands under Ryder’s arms, urging him up until she had greater access to his
body. Just as he’d done just moments before, she feathered soft kisses along
the line of his jaw then tickled and teased her way down his neck until she
reached the open V at the neck of his shirt. Spurred on by the tortured moan
that slipped from his lips she ventured further down, trailing soft caresses
across the breadth of his chest, seeking that sweet spot that would have him
sighing in pleasure.

She’d almost reached her goal when Ryder sucked in his breath and
reached down to cup her face in his hands. He groaned then bent and kissed her
on the forehead. “You’d better stop,” he whispered, his voice tinged with
regret, “if you don’t want us to end up doing a whole lot more than just
kissing.” He reached up to brush away the tendrils that had fallen across her
cheeks then, with a gentle smile, he moved away, back to his seat on the
driver’s side. “It’s almost two in the morning. Let me get you to bed.”

Blake sighed, wishing he hadn’t had the fortitude to stop. She
wanted a whole lot more than just kissing. She wanted him.

But he was right. And so when he got out of the car and came around
to the passenger’s side to help her out she took his hand and walked with him
up the pathway to the front door.

And as she walked she knew she was in big trouble. This was the last
thing she should be doing right now, the absolute last thing she needed in her
life, but like it or not she was falling hopelessly in love with Ryder Kent.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was an exhausted couple that trudged down to the kitchen that
morning. Ryder looked like he was still half asleep and Blake felt like her
eyes were full of cotton wool. They’d gotten up after only three hours of sleep
and they were both dog-tired but there was nothing to be done except to push
the weariness into the background and get to work. The customers would be
pouring in by seven.

To Blake’s relief, when Chris walked through the door he had his
sister with him. “She’s ready to roll,” he said with a huge grin. “Let her at
‘em.”

“Thanks so much for coming, Samantha.” Blake went over to greet her.
“I hope you’re a trooper like your brother because we’re going to work you like
a dog. Are you up to it?”

The slender teenager laughed. “As long as you’re paying, I’m your
gal.”

And so began a day that was no less hectic than the one before. Todd
arrived shortly after Chris and Samantha and they immediately got to work. By
the time the first customer walked in they were ready and when the last one
walked out after lunch they were worn out but satisfied.

“You did great, Sam. For someone so small you can really handle
those trays.”

Obviously pleased with Blake’s praise, Samantha beamed. “I’ll be
back first thing tomorrow,” she said. “See you.” She gave Blake and Ryder a
quick wave goodbye and then led the way out the door, the two teenage boys
behind her.

Blake turned to Ryder with a sigh. “What a day. I thought it would
never end.” She pulled out a chair as she spoke, with every intention of
plopping her behind on it and taking a load off her feet.

It didn’t happen. Her bottom was halfway to its destination when the
bell over the front door tinkled and somebody else walked in.

“Oh, no,” Blake groaned and threw Ryder a look of desperation. “Not
another customer.”

“I’ll handle this.” Ryder moved from behind the bar where he’d been
putting away the drinking glasses and headed toward the front entrance but a
cheery voice slowed him to a halt.

“Hello, there. Pretty busy today, huh?”

When Blake saw who it was she grinned and dropped down onto the
chair. This was not someone who was going to disturb her rest. “Sarah, what
brings you over?”

The buxom gray-haired woman walked into the middle of the room and
put her hand on her hips. “I came over to tell you that you cost me a
customer.”

Blake’s brows shot up. “What are you talking about?”

“Jerome Slater. Yesterday he came to the house in a heck of a hurry,
packed up and flew out of town like the hounds of hell were after him.” Sarah
laughed. “And I don’t mind at all. Peggy told me about him, that he’d been
causing you some kind of trouble. Well, good riddance to him.”

“You’re sure you’re not mad? Like you said, I cost you a customer.”

“Oh, please. I’ve got my hands full with those guys from the phone
company. I’m just sorry I let that beast of a man stay at my place, but I
didn’t know.” She shook her head. “He came across as so nice but he was nothing
but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“He’s good at that, fooling people…” Blake let her voice trail away.
She glanced at Ryder who’d returned to the bar and now stood watching them.
“Could you do me a favor and pour a drink for Sarah?”

“Not at all,” the woman said, waving a dismissive hand. “I’m not
staying. I just wanted you to know he’s gone.”

“Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate it.”

“No problem,” she said breezily. “I’ll catch you kids later.”

After she’d gone through the door Ryder walked over to Blake’s
table, pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. “You’ll have to prepare
yourself,” he said. “This will have to go through the courts.”

Blake gave a soft groan. “Just what I need. A bunch of lawyers to
suck me dry. I don’t have that kind of money right now.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ryder said, his tone nonchalant. “My team of
lawyers can handle that.”

“Your team?” When Ryder said nothing Blake followed up with a second
question. “Tell me something. That exchange you had with Jerome about owning a
dairy business, what was that all about?” She tilted her head toward him,
intent on giving him her full attention. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about
that, except I’ve been so darn busy.”

Ryder shrugged. “I own a business in Des Moines. Kent Dairy
Industries.”

“And that big brand Jerome spoke about. What is it?”

“Cozy Cow.”

“Cozy Cow. That’s you?”

He nodded.

“Wow,” she said in a reverent whisper. “That’s huge. And here I have
you washing dishes, being my short order cook and waiting tables.” She
chuckled. “Am I going to get a citation from one of your big shot lawyers?”

Ryder laughed out loud and when he gazed at her again there was a
look of relief in his eyes. “I won’t tell them if you don’t.” The next instant
his face turned serious. He got up and went around the table to take her hand
and pull her to her feet. “I’ve had a heck of a time with you as my boss.”

“Yeah, right.” Blake gave him a mocking smile. “What kind of boss
was I, when you never let me pay you? Both times I left your paycheck on top of
your dressing table you left them behind.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Now I know
why.”

Ryder tightened his fingers around hers and pulled her closer.
“There’s something else I want you to know about me.”

Blake’s heart fluttered and she felt a shiver of trepidation run
through her. “What?”

“I love you.”

Three words, so sweet, so simple, so softly spoken, but they were
three words that made Blake’s heart soar.

But could it be true? Had Ryder fallen in love with her? “Are you
telling me the truth?” she demanded, glaring up at him, willing him to be
nothing less than honest.

“I’ve never lied to you.” His voice was quiet, his face solemn. “I’m
not going to start now.”

And as Blake gazed into his eyes she knew, without a shadow of a
doubt, that she could believe his every word. And so, knowing how he felt about
her, she was now brave enough to reveal the secret she’d carried inside her
heart. “And I love you, Ryder. I love you so much.”

At the sound of those words he smiled and bent his head to give her
a kiss, so loving, it felt like in that kiss he put his heart and his soul.
This time when he drew his lips away it was to whisper in her ear. “Whether
you’re loving me or bossing me, I want you in my life for always.”

Her heart swelling with love, Blake wrapped her arms around Ryder’s
waist and laid her cheek on his chest, right where she could listen to that
wonderful rhythm, the beautiful beat of his heart.

“I’ll be only too happy to boss you,” she whispered, “any time you
want.”

EPILOGUE

It was the most joyous sound in the world - church bells ringing on
a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, calling everyone to the happiest of
occasions.

Bubbling with excitement, Blake rushed from dressing table to vanity
to bed and back again, doing the last of her titivation before she had to run out.
One last glance in the mirror and she was all set.

Hurrying down the stairs she called out, “Come on, darling. Let’s
go. We’re going to be late.”

“Ready and waiting, ma’am.”

Blake stopped midway down the stairs, surprised to see Ryder already
waiting at the door, looking stunningly handsome in black tuxedo and
ivory-white shirt. As he stood there gazing up at her, so tall and so wickedly
gorgeous, she felt that familiar flutter of her heart. She’d known Ryder more
than six months yet he never ceased to make her heart race.

Ryder drew in his breath as he stared up at her, his gaze taking her
all in, from the coils and soft tendrils of her hair, to her chiffon-light
dress, to the toes of her satin slippers. “You’re so beautiful.” It was a hushed
whisper that made her want to run into his arms. Ryder was never stingy with
his praise and each time he gave it, it made her heart sing. It was so good to
be loved by him.

Holding on to the banister, her eyes trained on him, Blake descended
the stairs then walked up to wrap her arms around the man she loved. “And
you’re the most handsome man in the world. My man.”

He smiled at that but then he reached down and took her hand. “Come
on,” he said. “The church bells are ringing.”

Blake gave a happy laugh and they walked hand in hand out the door
and toward Ryder’s waiting Jaguar. When they got to the church it looked like
all of Pequoia was already there. The ladies from the sewing circle had pride
of place in the front row. Sarah, Barbara, Beth and Bridget, all looking radiant
in their soft pink bridesmaid dresses.

And at the front of the church, looking handsome in his dark tuxedo,
his face reflecting a mix of excitement and nervousness, stood Ted. Beside him
stood Doug, the best man, looking even more nervous than the groom. When the
minister glanced at Doug then shook his head Blake could not suppress a smile.

But then there was no more time to admire the party standing in
front of the altar. At that moment the organist struck the chord and the
wedding march began. Up the aisle, on the arm of a beaming Chris, came the
beautiful bride. Blake’s lips parted in happy surprise when she saw her friend.
Peggy was stunning in a soft white gown that curved in at the waist and flowed
over her hips to end just below her knees in a frothy mist of soft waves. On
her head was an elegant white hat, tilted just so, giving her a coquettish look
that would steal any man’s heart.

As she walked up the aisle it was clear that whoever had prepared
Peggy to charm her husband-to-be had done an excellent job because, at the
sight of her, Ted’s brows flew up and his eyes stayed glued on her until she
came to stand before him.

Soon it was time for bride and groom to exchange wedding vows and as
the words flowed from their lips,  heartfelt expressions of their love for each
other, Blake’s eyes misted with tears. It was all so beautiful…

…so beautiful that she reached down to clasp hands with the man by
her side. As she leaned into him he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze then
tilted his face so he could whisper in her ear. “Soon, my darling, it will be
our turn.”

His sweet promise thrilling her heart, Blake lifted her face to gaze
up at him and when he saw her tears he shifted his lips so he could kiss her
there. As he kissed away her tears the world faded away and all she could see,
all she could feel was his unquestioned love for her.

“Soon,” he whispered, “you will truly be mine.”

With a sigh, Blake reached out to wrap her arm around Ryder’s waist.
She rested her cheek against his shoulder as she held him close.

He’d promised that she would be his, and she could hardly wait.