Bossing the Billionaire: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ryder's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) (11 page)

It wasn’t until he went through the door that Blake expelled her
breath. She was not going to take Jerome’s threat lightly. He was the kind of
man who never knew when to give up.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“You’re leaving again?” Elizabeth Grant looked up from her computer
screen as Ryder walked into her office. “It feels like you just got back.”

Ryder shrugged. “I’ve been here almost three weeks. Time flies when
you’re having fun.” He gave his personal assistant a wry smile.

“Or when you’re busy,” she said, swiveling her chair around to give
him her full attention. “Shall I arrange for a car to take you to the airport?”

“No. No need. I’ll be driving.”

She smiled. “Oh, not an international trip this time. I’m glad.
Those trips to Asia and Europe can be so tiring. The last time you went to
China, when you came back you didn’t look quite yourself.”

That made him laugh. “I may fly a lot but that doesn’t mean I have
to like it.”

She shook her head. “I totally understand. I’m not fond of flying
either. I’m just glad I only have to do it every few months to visit the
grandkids.”

After he’d given Elizabeth instructions for tasks to handle during
his absence Ryder headed back to his office, ready to pack up for the day. It
had been a hectic three weeks at the office and, in fact, there was still more
to be done. The rest of it he would leave for his chief operating officer and
his staff to handle. They were an efficient team and were used to his trips and
absences so this would be nothing new.

As he gathered his belongings he was smiling. He was looking forward
to seeing Blake again. First thing in the morning he would be hitting the road
to Pequoia and this time he planned to take things to the next level. Although
it had been little more than a month he felt like he’d known Blake for years.
There was just something about her, something that made him want to always have
a connection with her. Maybe even more than just a connection. Maybe he wanted
her in his life.

Ryder knew his feelings for Blake were premature but he also knew he
had no say in the matter. His heart had spoken and it said it wanted him to get
to know Blake a whole lot better.

The ringing of his desk phone brought his musings to an abrupt end.
He reached out and pressed the button for the speakerphone. “Yes?”

“Ryder. I’m glad I caught you. Miss Ebbinghaus is here to see you.
Shall I send her right in?”

Ryder almost used an expletive. What the blazes was Karin doing back
at his office? He would gladly tell Elizabeth to get rid of her but as far as
his assistant knew he was still in a relationship with Karin, who had dropped
by the office many times before. There was nothing to do but see her and then
rid himself of her as fast as he could.

“Send her in.”

Ryder hung up the phone and dropped back down into his chair.
Whatever it was Karin was here for, he knew it wouldn’t be anything good.

Within minutes there was a rap on his office door and when it opened
it was to reveal Karin standing there, looking poised and elegant, as usual.
Her auburn hair was longer than he remembered and now it fell in soft waves
around her shoulders. Her green eyes, though, were as sharp as ever and the
pout of her crimson lips told him she was not pleased.

She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “Weren’t
you told that I was trying to reach you? This is my second trip here.”

“I heard.” He didn’t get up to greet her as he normally would have done.
Those days were gone. He sat right where he was, regarding her coolly as she
approached.

It was when she’d come close up, only a foot from his desk that a
sudden question popped into his mind.

By this time Karin should be three months pregnant. He was no expert
but shouldn’t she be showing a baby bump by now? She didn’t even look like
she’d gained weight. Eyes narrowed, he subjected her to a scrutiny that must
have made her uncomfortable because she blushed, a reaction that was rare for
the usually super-confident Karin.

As if seeking refuge, she grabbed the chair closest to her and sank
down onto the seat then folded her arms in front of her. Her pout became more
pronounced. “Will you stop staring at me like that?” she practically hissed at
him.

His eyes never left her. Had Karin lied to him? Had she made up that
story about being pregnant to get rid of him? It didn’t make sense. She’d never
been afraid to speak her mind. All she’d had to do was tell him it was over. He
would have respected her decision. She knew that.

“Stop staring, I said.” She was glowering at him, her green eyes flashing
in her flushed face.

He stared at her for several seconds more and when he spoke his
voice was deceptively calm because what he was feeling inside was anything but.
“Is there something you’d like to say to me?” he asked. “Why are you here?”

She opened her mouth as if to say something but then she dropped her
eyes and tilted her face down and away from him. When she finally spoke it was
in such a low whisper that Ryder had to strain to hear her.

“I’m not pregnant,” she said, her voice strained, as if she could
barely get the words out.

Ryder frowned and sat forward in his chair. “You’re not pregnant?”

She shook her head and she did not look up at him.

So he’d been right. Karin had been lying to him all along. The
little witch. “So you cheat on me and lie to me and then you decide you haven’t
hurt me enough. You’ve got to come here to rub it in that you played me for a
fool.”

At his words she raised her head and her eyes flashed with anger.
But, to Ryder’s surprise and chagrin, they were also glistening with tears. “I
didn’t lie to you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I was pregnant.
Truly pregnant.”

He frowned. “Was?”

She nodded. “I’m not anymore. It was…” she bit her lip then shook
her head, “…it was a chemical pregnancy.”

“A what?”

She sniffed. “A chemical pregnancy. I took the pregnancy test too
early, only a day after I missed my period. It showed positive. Both times I
did the test it was positive. But…a couple of weeks later I had my period
again. I wasn’t pregnant anymore.”

To say Ryder was confused was putting it lightly. So Karin was
pregnant and then she wasn’t? “I…don’t get it. How-”

“It was a chemical pregnancy, all right? That was what the doctor
called it. Just a nicer way of saying I had an early miscarriage.” She gave a
snort of disgust. “He said I shouldn’t have bought those kits and done the
tests so soon after my missed period and that a pretty high percentage of
pregnancies end up like that. He was like, what are you grieving for? It’s not
like it had the chance to even become an embryo.”

Ryder drew in a sharp breath. That was a whole lot more information
than he’d expected and on top of it all he was stumped. Why had Karin tracked
him down to tell him this? Shouldn’t she be discussing this with the new – or
maybe not so new – man in her life?

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Karin.” He really was. Even
though she’d cut him to the quick with her betrayal, he could never wish her
any ill will. She was obviously grieving her loss and it gave him no joy to see
her suffer.

He waited for her to speak again, to explain herself, to say why she
was sitting in his office, divulging her most private affairs.

It took a while before she drew in a shaky breath then lifted her
face to gaze at him. “I came to see you,” she said quietly, “because we need to
talk. I made a mistake. A big one. I know that now.”

Ryder went still then, slowly, he drew away from his desk and sat
back in his chair. He didn’t like the sound of that. It almost sounded like
Karin was about to make an apology, even suggest that they should reunite. It
was a prospect he wasn’t even going to entertain.

“I shouldn’t have messed around with Clive. I…he seduced me and I
gave in. He was…hard to resist.” She had the grace to drop her eyes at that
confession. “I let you down. I’m…so sorry.”

It was the first time Ryder had heard those words from Karin’s lips.
When she’d confessed to sleeping with his friend, when she’d told him the child
she was expecting was Clive’s, never once had she expressed remorse. Never once
had she shown anything but decisiveness and a resolution to move on.

And now this?

“I…know you must be wondering why I’m here…telling you all this.”
She sounded hesitant, almost afraid to go on.

Slowly, he nodded. “I am.”

She nodded, too. Then she drew in her breath and tightened her lips,
looking like she was trying to figure out the best way to say what she had to
say. “Clive and I…we’re not together anymore. I broke up with him. I told him
it was all a big mistake. I told him…I wanted to go back to you.”

Ryder’s eyes narrowed as he stared at her. It was just as he’d
feared but he was having none of it. “Why?” he asked, his tone flat and devoid
of any emotion.

“Because I love you. I really do.” She was sitting forward on her
chair now, perched on the edge, so focused on him that she didn’t seem to
realize she was wringing her hands. “I never meant to hurt you, Ryder. Please
forgive me. Please, can’t we try again?”

This was the strangest conversation Ryder had ever had. First of
all, Karin was behaving in a way so contrary to her usually decisive nature
that he couldn’t believe this was the same person he’d known for four years.
More than that, she was not only being uncharacteristically emotional but she
was being irrational as well. After what she’d done, what woman in her right
mind would expect them to pick up where they'd left off?

“And I found out,” she continued, her voice breathless, “that Clive
isn’t the man I thought he was.”

“Oh?” Yet another spin to the tale. Ryder couldn’t suppress his
curiosity. “How so?”

“He’s…” She stopped then she swallowed. “He’s…an abuser. I had no
idea until I moved in with him.”

Ryder frowned. “He hit you?”

“Yes.” It was a soft whisper, almost inaudible, but he’d heard it.
She’d given an affirmative answer to his question.

“You reported this to the police?”

“I…didn’t. I just left.” Her shoulders sagged and she lifted a hand
to her face. It took a few seconds before she slid her hand from her eyes and
sighed. “I had no idea he was like that. I couldn’t believe it.” Then she
looked directly into his eyes, the first time she’d done so since she started
her story. “You would never do that. You would die first.”

Ryder didn’t respond. Karin knew him, that was for sure, but he
didn’t know her. Not anymore.

And it was time to do the right thing, the humane thing. Time to end
this before she started building up any false hope. He got up and walked around
the desk and held out his hand.

Her brows lifted in surprise and then, as her face softened into a
smile, she raised her hand to place it in his.

Ryder helped Karin to her feet and as she stood her body swayed
toward him but exactly at that moment he turned away and faced the door. “This
has been very emotional for you. I think it’s best if you head for home and get
some rest.”

“But…what about us? I thought-” Karin’s stammers fell on deaf ears.

He was sympathetic to her suffering but he could see now what she’d
been about. She’d hoped to play on his sympathy and work her way back into his
life. He was accommodating where women concerned, but not that accommodating.

He’d started walking, taking Karin along with him, and soon they
were at the door. He opened it and held it wide then gave her a curt nod of dismissal.

“I wish you all the best, Karin,” he said as she stared up at him,
eyes wide. “Goodbye.”

That last word must have registered because she blinked then she
nodded and slowly walked out the door.

When he closed the door and went back to gathering his things Ryder
was still shaking his head in disbelief. What was Karin thinking? Right then
there was only one woman on his mind and although at this point they were
nothing more than friends he could hardly wait to see brutally honest,
no-nonsense Blake Beaumont again.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“How you got the place to this state, I’ll never know.” Peggy shook
her head as she gave one last flick of her feather duster. She’d spent the past
few days whipping Ted’s place into shape and this was the last of it. “Now make
sure you keep everything in order or else you’re going to have to answer to
me.”

“Yes, ma’am, Peggy, ma’am.” Ted put his hand to his forehead and
gave her a smart salute.

She pointed the feather duster at him. “I’m serious. Don’t let me
see this place deteriorate like that again.”

He chuckled. “With you keeping me on my toes, how can I?”

“And don’t you get it in that head of yours that I’m going to keep
coming over here, straightening up. It’s time you learned that cleanliness is
next to-” A knock at the front door cut her short. She glanced over at Ted who
still lounged at the kitchen table. “Expecting someone?”

“Nope.” He shook his head.

When he didn’t make a move to get up she swatted him on the arm.
“You don’t expect me to get the door, do you? Get up and go see who it is.”

He pushed back his chair then stood up. “All right, little lady. I’m
on my way.”

He sauntered off, leaving Peggy to grumble behind his back. “Men. If
you’re not careful they’ll work you into the ground. Big babies, that’s what they
all are.”

She was still mumbling softly under her breath when she heard Ted heading
back toward the kitchen with another set of footsteps sounding behind him. Just
in case it was real company she dropped the feather duster out of sight and straightened
her blouse which had gone askew in her flurry of activity.

“Look who’s here,” Ted called out.

Peggy looked up with a smile, ready to greet whatever visitor had
dropped by. When she saw who it was her smile widened. “Blake. Fancy you
stopping by. Since when have you been dropping in at Ted’s place?”

“Since you’ve been so scarce at yours,” was Blake’s cheeky reply. “I
went by to see you but when I couldn’t find you at home I knew you had to be
here.”

Peggy cocked an eyebrow at her. “Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s so. There’s no need to be coy. Everybody knows you and
Ted are an item.” She pulled out a chair and flopped down onto it then she
plopped her elbows on top of the table and dropped her chin into her cupped
hands, looking so forlorn that Peggy’s smile gave way to a frown.

 “What’s wrong, honey? “Did something happen over at Beaumont’s?” As
she spoke she pulled out the chair beside Blake and sat down. “Tell me.”

Ted, looking just as concerned as she was, sat down opposite them.
He didn’t say anything, though. He just waited for their young friend to speak.

Blake groaned and then she lifted her head and sat back in her
chair. She folded her arms across her chest, a grim expression on her face.
“There’s a new man in town. His name is Jerome Slater. Have you heard about
him?”

“Sure have.” Peggy nodded. “Sarah told me he’s staying over at her
place. Since the phone company sent workers to town she’s turned her place into
a sort of bed-and-breakfast. You know that, right? I guess he asked around and
people told him he could get lodging there. From what she told me, he’s a real
charmer.” Then, curious, she asked, “So what’s he got to do with you?”

Blake’s mouth tightened like she didn’t want to talk about him but
then she started and when she did, her eyes flashed with a fire Peggy hadn’t
seen before. “He’s a charmer, all right. Charming as a snake.”

“Why, whatever do you mean? Do you know him?”

“That man is the reason I left Dallas and came to Pequoia.”

Ted gave a grunt and folded his arms over his paunch. “One of them
heartbreaker kind of guys, huh?”

Blake heaved a sigh and then she shook her head. “It was more than
that. We were business partners. He let me down.” That was as much as she was
willing to share just then but there was one thing she had no hesitation in
declaring. “I’ve got to get that man out of this town. Either he goes or I go
but we’re both not staying in Pequoia.”

“But how are you going to get him to leave?” Peggy gave her a
bewildered look. “We can’t exactly tar and feather him and run him out of town.”

Ted gave another grunt, a much more belligerent sound this time.
“Want me to go over there and rough him up?”

That got him a glare from Peggy. “Will you be quiet? You’re not as
young as you used to be, you know. And anyway, that’s no way to handle this.”

Blake shook her head. “I don’t want Ted to get involved. And Peggy,
I’m just telling you this because you’re the mayor. I want you to be prepared
if anything goes down between me and that snake.”

Peggy’s eyes widened. “What are you planning to do? I don’t like the
sound of that, Blake. I don’t want you to do anything stupid.”

Blake waved a dismissive hand. “I’ll be fine. I won’t do anything
illegal, if that’s what you’re worried about. I just plan to be ready in case
he tries to get too close.”

Peggy narrowed her gaze. “Meaning?”

“Meaning, it’s time for me to run.” Blake pushed back her chair and
got up, obviously eager to avoid interrogation, but Peggy wasn’t about to let
her escape so easily.

“You sit right back down, Blake Beaumont. You’re not leaving until
you explain yourself.” She gave the tabletop a smart pat.

"Aw, let her go, Peg. She’s got enough on her plate. She
doesn’t need you nagging her, too.”

Peggy could have killed Ted. He’d gone and spoiled everything just
when Blake looked like she would have sat down again. “You stay out of this,
Ted.”

He surprised her when he ignored her command. He simply got up,
walked over to where Blake stood then turned to smile down at her. “Be a
sweetheart and put the coffee on till I get back,” he said. “I’m going to walk
Blake home.”

He didn’t even wait for her to reply. As soon as Blake bid her
goodbye Ted led the way to the front door, leaving Peggy sitting there at the
kitchen table.

“Well,” she whispered as the door closed behind them. And then she
got up, filled the percolator with water and plugged it in.

***

“Thanks, Ted, but you know you don’t have to do this, right? It’s
not like it’s dark. I can walk home by myself.”

“Nothing doing, Blake. I said I’d see you home and that’s what I aim
to do.” Ted’s tone was resolute which told her she wasn’t going to get rid of
him that easily.

It wasn’t that Blake minded the company. She just didn’t want to put
him out of his way, but since he insisted who was she to tell him no?

In the end, though, she was glad he was walking her home. Ted could
be funny when he was in the mood and it looked like this was one of those times
because he started telling her about an episode on the telephone company’s worksite
that had her laughing.

“I told the kid not to climb up there without a harness,” he was
saying as he strode along beside her. “But did he listen to me? Nah. I know
what I’m doing, he says. Been doin’ this for nigh on a year.” Ted shook his
head. “Next thing you know, it’s him I see tumbling off the ladder. I had to
grab him on the way down before he broke his neck. I just had time to snag him
by the seat of his pants and swing him over onto a pile of hay. He got a face
full of grass but at least it broke his fall.” He shook his head again. “Dang
fool.”

“I’m glad you were there to rescue him.” She reached over and gave
Ted a congratulatory pat on the back. “I’m sure his mom is grateful.”

“Uh-huh. His supervisor, too. His boss chewed him out good. He
didn’t even know the guy had gone up there without his harness.” He gave a hiss
of annoyance. “The things you do when you’re young and stupid.” He’d just
sucked in his breath to say something more when he frowned. “Expecting
someone?”

Blake followed his gaze and found herself staring at a big, black
and expensive-looking Mercedes Benz SUV parked in front of her building.
Immediately, her heart tightened. Had Jerome decided to pay her another visit?

She didn’t have time to answer Ted’s question. He’d seen her face
and the look there told him all he needed to know. He set off toward the
vehicle, leaving her in his wake, and he was cracking his knuckles as he went.
Ted must have totally forgotten Peggy’s warning because he looked like he was
rearing for a fight.

There was no way Blake was going to let things get that far. She hurried
to catch up. “Hold on. Let me handle this.”

“Not on your life. No man is going to come here and think he can
bully you. Not in this town, he’s not.” Ted did not slow down. Within seconds
he’d reached the SUV with Blake right by his side. It was when she skidded to a
halt at the driver’s side that she got a good look at the person who sat there,
and it was no Jerome Slater. Not by a long shot. The person who turned his head
at her arrival, his eyes hidden behind the tinted lenses of sunglasses, was none
other than Ryder Kent. Ryder was home.

“Ryder.”

At her gasp, his lips curled into that crooked smile she knew so
well and then he raised his hand to lift his sunshades off his face and up onto
the top of his head. “Blake.” There was a slight, almost imperceptible crack in
his voice, but she heard it.

When she stepped back he opened the door and got out and then he
stood there gazing down at her like she was a rare treasure he’d just
discovered.

And, unable to help herself, she gazed back into the deep, dark
pools of his eyes, wanting to run to him but not daring to move.

There was a sudden harsh grunt, making them both start. They turned
to look at Ted who had just cleared his throat and now seemed slightly
uncomfortable. “Well, I guess I’ll be moseying along. I’ll catch up with you
another time, Blake.” He gave Ryder a slight nod, tipped his head toward Blake
then he turned and sauntered off the way he’d come.

Blake smiled at his departing figure, glad that he'd quickly decided
to give her and Ryder some space, and then she turned her attention back to the
man who was making her heart dance to the beat of a very fast drum. “What are
you doing here?” Her voice came out soft and breathless.

Ryder gazed at her a moment longer and when he spoke it was with a hint
of amusement. “Checking in for work, boss. Do I still have the job?” But then
as she watched him, before she gave him an answer, his face turned serious. “I
missed you,” he said. That was all. But for Blake it was enough.

“I missed you, too,” she whispered back.

When he reached down and took her hands she curled her fingers
around his and when he drew her into him she did not resist.

As he stared down at her his eyes were dark and enigmatic. “I’m
going to kiss you. You know that, don’t you?”

Blake’s heart fluttered. She knew it. With all her heart she knew it
and she wanted nothing more. When she answered it was with one word, an urgent,
breathless, “Yes.”

At her response he released her but it was so that he could slide
his hands up her arms and around her shoulders and then he was pulling her into
his arms and against the rock-solid wall of his chest. The pounding of his
heart told her he wanted her. It felt like he wanted her as bad as she wanted
him.

When Ryder lowered his head to claim her lips she lifted her face to
meet him. Their lips touched and the thrill that rippled through her made her
moan. Wanting more, wanting him so desperately, she slid her hands up to grasp
his arms and so she clung to him, drawing from his strength, fortifying herself
with his latent power.

This time Ryder’s kiss was urgent and masterful. There was little in
the way of gentleness. This time it was all about the desperation of desire,
the wanton expression of want.

Right then it was what Blake wanted, needed desperately. She gave
Ryder as good as he was giving, kissing him back with such fervor that when he
pulled back she moaned again and reached up to cup the back of his head with
both hands. When their lips touched again it was she who was doing the kissing,
taking from Ryder all that she’d been craving all those lonely weeks.

When they finally parted both of them were panting and as Ryder
stared down at her his eyes searched her face. “What’s wrong, Blake?” he asked,
his brows knitted. “What’s happened to you?”

Blake’s heart lurched. Had she come on too strong? “What do you
mean?” Her tone was cautious.

For a moment Ryder said nothing but then he tilted his head as he
regarded her. “Something’s changed. There’s a tension in you that wasn’t there
before.”

Taken aback, Blake dropped her gaze. Could he read her that easily?
He was perceptive and that meant she would have to explain. She bit her lip and
she nodded.

When she looked up at him she was struggling to contain her
emotions. “A lot has happened since you left,” she said softly. “There’s
something I have to tell you.”