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.
And he would make her want him, lust after him, and then he would turn her down cold.
Satisfied with his plan, Ridge sucked in his stomach and flexed his shoulder muscles. So he wasn’t Dwayne Johnson AKA The Rock, but he worked out and his body was in pretty good shape. If Lani was like the women who’d come his way she would be all over him when he walked back into the living room.
And so, his confidence back, Ridge strolled into the living room, ready to wow a wayward temptress.
When he stepped into the room Lani was still sitting on the sofa where he’d left her. As he approached, she looked up and her brows rose in surprise. And then she spoiled it with an amused grin. “Oh, my God. Are you trying to turn me on?”
And then she laughed. And if he’d had any thought of playing sexy stud that evening, she nipped that right in the bud. Talk about a buzzkill.
“No,” he mumbled. “Of course not.” And then as casually as he could he pulled the robe shut.
“No, you were. You were trying to tempt me,” she said, insisting on rubbing his face in the pile of embarrassment dumped on the floor. “You were wearing a G-string. Oh, my God.”
That did it. Scowling, Ridge turned right around and went back the way he’d come, slamming the door behind him.
Lani Donatelli knew exactly how to rub him the wrong way. She’d won this first round but she’d better come good next time.
Because there would definitely be a next time and when it came he would be more than ready.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Some more coffee, madam?”
Lani looked up as the server leaned down, coffee pot in hand.
“Oh, no, thank you. I’m fine.” Smiling, she shook her head and watched as the colorfully clothed man gave her a polite bow then drew away.
She looked over at Ridge sitting across from her at the breakfast table. “The service here is superb,” she said. “They give you no chance to need a single thing.”
“That’s why I chose this hotel for our honeymoon,” he said and then as if remembering that he was supposed to be there on honeymoon, he frowned. He didn’t say anything further, though, probably because he was still embarrassed about the events of the night before.
“Good choice,” she said as she reached for the snow-white napkin and dabbed at her lips. Feeling a little guilty at how she’d behaved, today she was trying her best to be nice. The night before she’d wanted to burst his bubble of arrogance but she hadn’t intended to devastate him. He was a fellow human being, after all.
The truth was, although she’d made a big show of laughing he’d actually shocked her when he came out in his super skimpy underwear… and he’d turned her on. She would never admit it, not to him anyway, but when she’d seen his body, all muscle and brawn, her mouth had literally gone dry.
Ridge was a big man. That was no secret but seeing him with no clothes on… wow. The man’s abs looked solid as rock and the fine hairs on his torso only added to his ultra-masculine aura.
On seeing him like that Lani’s imagination went wild. She could just imagine what it would be like to have his arms wrapped around her, crushing her to the solid wall of his chest. What normal girl wouldn’t melt in the arms of a man like that? She knew she’d be practically swooning in his embrace…if she ever let him get close. She’d have to tread very carefully around this man because it would be too easy to get lost in the feel of him, the smell of him, the taste of him when she ran her tongue up…
“Ready to roll?”
Lani jumped, Ridge’s words shattering her fantasy world. “Are we going somewhere?” she asked, more than willing to just go back to the suite and vegetate. It had been hectic, getting ready for a wedding in two weeks, so she would be happy to just chill and catch up on her sleep.
“I thought you’d like to explore the island,” Ridge said. “Have you ever been to Halawa Valley Lookout or Kauleonanahoa?”
“Nope. This is my first visit to Hawaii.” She shrugged. “I’ve been busy with my research. Who’s had time for vacations?” And then she realized something. “Do you know, this is the first vacation I’ve had since I started working at the lab?” She smiled. “I wonder how the guys are doing without me?”
“I’m sure they’re doing just fine. I hope you’re not one of those workaholics who can’t leave the office behind.” Ridge gave her a sardonic grin.
“No way,” Lani assured him. “When it’s time for fun I can let my hair down.” Then she chuckled. “Not that I have much to do it with.” She’d let her hair grow a little longer for the wedding, skipping her regular appointment for a cut, and it was still in the softly curled style the hairdresser had given her for the special occasion. As soon as got back she was going to get her regular cut, though. That was much more practical when you had to do twelve-hour days and even weekends sometimes. With a schedule like that, who had time to titivate?
“Well, come on, then.” Ridge said, hopping up from his chair and coming around to help her with hers. “Let’s catch that island tour they’re doing this morning. That’s got to be better than being stuck in a hotel room all day.”
Lani shook her head but she got up and took his hand. Hotel room, he called it. The bridal suite was twice as big as her condo apartment and, not to mention, it was super-luxurious. She had absolutely no problem being stuck in a place like that. But if a tour was what Ridge wanted then that was what she would do. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about him coming up with mischievous plots while they were out in public.
In the end Lani didn’t regret her decision to go. Halawa Valley was exquisite in its beauty, with views of the two hundred and fifty foot Moa’ula Falls and the even taller Hipuapua Falls. From the lookout above the valley they could take in the landscape of grassy plains and craggy mountains with lush flora climbing up to the falls and lazy rivers running into the deep blue ocean.