Biting her lips to keep from grinning, Lani opened her bathroom door and peeked out. Good. Ridge was in the suite living room, lounging on the sofa, a glass of wine in hand. There was another glass on the table in front of him, like he’d been waiting for her to emerge from her room. He was sitting there, staring off into space, and he looked lonely. Well, he wouldn’t be lonely for long. Like it or not, he was about to be entertained by Lani Donatelli.
When she stepped into the living room Ridge’s head jerked up, his eyes widening instantly as he took in her garb. She saw him suck in his breath and then he sat forward and rested his glass on the coffee table. His gaze fixed on her, Ridge’s stare was unwavering but still he said nothing. Maybe he’d been shocked into silence.
Encouraged by his reaction, Lani’s lips curved in a smile and, doing her best Marilyn Munroe impression, she pouted her lips then sauntered toward the man who sat watching her, obviously stunned.
She came to a halt just a few feet in front of him and, hand on her right hip, she struck a provocative pose. And just to make things that much sexier she glanced at the extra glass of wine and pointed with her ruby-red lips. “Is that for me?”
Ridge blinked. Then he cleared his throat. “Er, yes. It’s…for you.”
“Thank you,” she purred and then, taking her own sweet time, she sashayed her way around the table, making sure he had enough time to check her out – the way the high heels elongated her legs, the peaks of her br**sts beneath the sheer fabric and the red bow adorning the top of her behind.
When Ridge slid back in his chair, eyes glued to her gossamer-covered torso, he swallowed. Hard. It was no secret she was having just the kind of effect she was hoping for.
And so she moved in for the kill. With a beguiling smile she slid onto the seat beside him and reached for the glass of wine, not shielding her barely covered body from his gaze. She’d never been a shy girl and she certainly wasn’t going to be shy now, not tonight when she wanted to torture Ridge until he begged for mercy.
So he thought she would be the one to come knocking, begging for sex? She bet, after the eyeful she’d just given him, he wasn’t quite so cocky. No, she wouldn’t be doing the begging. He was the one who would come knocking at her door and her answer would be a big, fat no. She could hardly wait to pay him back for that arrogant declaration he’d made.
Glass in hand, she settled back into the sofa and, still watching him, took a slow sip, savoring the velvety liquid on her tongue. Sitting so close she could feel the warmth of his arm that was almost touching hers, she turned so their faces were mere inches apart.
“Is there anything you would like to ask me?” she whispered, knowing that he understood exactly what she was talking about.
Instead of admitting defeat Ridge scowled back at her. “No,” he muttered. “Nothing at all.”
Lani smiled and nodded, not at all surprised. He was trying to play tough but not to worry. The night was still young and before it was gone she intended to bring him to his knees.
There was nothing left to say but, let the games begin.
***
What the bloody hell kind of game was Lani playing? The woman was mad.
Sultry and sexy as a siren she'd come out of her bedroom dressed in nothing but a G-string and God knew what that thing was she’d thrown over it. She might as well have walked out stark naked. He could see everything. Her body was covered in what looked like a red haze. There was no way he could call that clothes. He was seeing right through the damn thing.
And what a view. Damn, she was gorgeous. Small, pert br**sts with red rubies at the tips, a taut torso that rivaled any model’s and those legs, looking so long and lean in elegant high-heeled sandals. If she'd been trying to get him all hot and bothered she’d done a hell of a job.
And she knew exactly what she was doing, the wicked little minx. The naughty glint in her dark eyes and the impish curve of her lips told it all. She’d come out here with plans to drive him crazy with want and, by God, it was working. If the rigid rod in his pants was anything to go by he was in big trouble.
Clearing his throat again, he shifted on the sofa and made to get up. “Uhm, give me a sec, will you?”
Eyes sparkling with mischief, the devilish diva leaned in even closer. “Leaving so soon?”
He wouldn’t give her that satisfaction. “Not leaving,” he said tersely. “I just need something from the bedroom.” And before he let himself down and reached for her he got up and took the quick steps that took him far enough away where he could breathe again. Jesus, did she see the way she was making him sweat? And he didn’t mean that in a figurative sense, either.
Her soft chuckle filling his ears, Ridge escaped to the bedroom and closed the door. He needed a few seconds – no, more like a few minutes – to get over the shock of this new Lani. It was like she’d transformed from serious scientist to sensual siren, all in one day.
Now if this were a real marriage it wouldn’t be a problem but like a fool he’d gone and made a promise that was backfiring big time. Why the blue blazes had he made that big boast that he wouldn’t touch her? Letting out a frustrated sigh he heaved away from the door, his mind going helter skelter as he thrashed around for a plan of his own. Counter attack – that was the best course of action. But how?
Glancing around the room, his eyes fell on the robe he’d dropped on top of the bed after his shower. That was it. She’d come out showing off her body. Well, two could play that game.
Shedding the loose cotton pants and T-shirt he’d been wearing, he slid into the robe, letting it fall open to show his boxer shorts. Okay, so his robe made of white terry cloth wasn’t sexy like hers but it would have to do.
The boxer shorts, though… He put a finger to his chin as he thought about it. No, too practical. He had to wear something else. There was one thing he could draw for, one of the wedding presents Ryder had given him, a gift he would not have expected from the serious, steady one.
“Thank you, Ryder,” he muttered and strode over to his suitcase which he hadn’t even bothered to unpack. He dug around in the inner compartment until he felt the silk fabric. When he pulled it out his face broke into a wide grin. It was slick, it was smooth and it was in tiger print. A G-string of his own.
Who was going to be sexy now? Quickly, Ridge stepped out of his boxers and slid the G-string up his legs and over his butt cheeks. It wasn’t too comfortable but if that was what it would take to get back at little Miss Lani then he would do it. As if he hadn’t wanted her enough before, she’d come out in all her glory and made him want her even more. Now it was her turn to want him.