Bearllionaire(32)

“Hm. Well, let’s just say he’s a big deal,” Janna said, trying to keep from laughing. “And he’s good at his job. And he’s a great… multitasker.”

“Girrrl…” Leslie muttered. “I’mma need more deets when I get there.” A knock sounded in the background. “That’s Kylie. I’m going to go tell her. When will the Jeep be here?”

“As soon as Ryder can send them. Do you want me to come down?”

“Nah, you can just be ready to greet us with a big entrance. And, Janna?”

“Yes?”

“Try and get the other boys there.”

She sighed. She supposed it wasn’t fair to hold out on them. They’d had so many girls’ nights dreaming and talking of men like this, and now she had an in. She’d just have to hope Ryder wouldn’t take it wrong. “All right, I’ll try.”

“You’re the best.”

“No, you are,” she told Leslie. Truly feeling like she didn’t know how she would have survived without the other woman. Leslie simply chuckled, blew a kiss into the phone, and hung up.

When Janna exited the office, Ryder was waiting.

“You get a hold of your friends?” he asked.

“Yes, they’re up for it.”

“Great, give me the address and I’ll send the Jeep. The driver’s already waiting outside.”

“Perfect,” she said, writing it down for him. He ran it outside and she enjoyed the look of his taut ass and long legs. Who knew smart guys could be so hot? She liked being with him, partly because he always seemed to have things under control. Always had a plan or was ready to come up with one. Always thinking one step ahead. It was such a relief after a man-child like Scott, who’d expected her to handle most things herself and whined when he didn’t get his way.

Watching Ryder walk back to her, swishing dark hair off his forehead and smiling, she felt her heart skip a beat, and for the first time, was almost a little glad that Scott had cheated on her.

Without him, she wouldn’t be here.

Or would she? A silly, romantic part of her felt maybe she and Ryder would have met otherwise.

She shook her head, stunned by her thoughts. Though she’d been smitten by Scott, she’d never had any thoughts about fate or destiny with him.

Was it simply that Ryder was a billionaire, rich and handsome, that was sweeping her off her feet? No, there had to be more. It was like the air was electric when their eyes met. His touch was unbelievably hot yet perfectly suited to her.

She was glad they wouldn’t be alone tonight. She didn’t know if she’d be able to keep her hands off his hard, muscled body. Not after everything he’d done for her today. And all of the sweet conversation they’d had.

No, company would be perfect.

She didn’t trust herself around Ryder Hart. She was too likely to make a fool of herself over him. He was everything she’d want in a man, if she could order it. Integrity, openness, control, protectiveness. She could easily fall in love with him.

“You okay? What do you think they’d like to eat for dinner?” he asked as he approached.

She fidgeted and then dropped her phone in her pocket. “I don’t know. Steak never goes wrong.”

“I was thinking more party food. What do you think about pizza? Fancy pizza, of course, because that’s what they have here. And drinks. And snacks.”

“That sounds great,” she said. “And can you invite your brothers?”

“Sure,” he said. “No problem.” He turned as if he were going to go call them and then stopped, hesitating. He gave her a slightly dark look, and she realized with astonishment that he was jealous of her asking for them to be there.

“No, no,” she said, waving her hands in front of her in a placating gesture. “Leslie and Kylie wanted them to be here.”

Relief washed over his handsome features and an adorable dimple appeared in his cheek. “That’s fine. I’m sure they don’t need any inducement to hang out with a couple of beautiful women.”

It was Janna’s turn to feel jealous, and she didn’t like Ryder calling her friends beautiful, even if they were.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “Not as beautiful as you.”

She flushed and then laughed at being caught in the same position as him. “It’s all right. Is it okay if I freshen up before dinner?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said. “Just stay close.”

“I was just going to go to the cabin. You gave me a set of keys, after all. And my stuff is there.”

His face tensed and a corner of his mouth turned down. “I’ll walk you over.”