Billionaire's Blackmail Bride: Billionaire Brothers Kent - Ridge's Story (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

standing there right in front of him, so close that
he was soon losing himself in the shimmering dark pools of her eyes. Like she
could see the tension in him, her lips curled in a smile that had him drawing
in a deep breath. God, he wanted to kiss her. So bad.
    But like a good little boy he didn’t pull her into his arms and kiss
her breathless like he wanted to. Instead he smiled down at her and then
reached out and lifted the veil from her face, exposing her loveliness to his
eager gaze. Close up she was even more beautiful. He must have been staring at
her too long and too hard because Lani took his hands and gave them a gentle
squeeze, bringing him back to awareness.
    The officiant cleared his throat and with that the ceremony began.
“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union
of Leilani Isabella Donatelli and Coleridge Martin Kent.” The man’s voice rose,
filling the room, and as he spoke the words Ridge held Lani’s hands and gazed
deep into her eyes.
    “Today you enter as individuals but you leave as man and wife,” he
continued, “blending together, becoming as one, moving on to the greatest of
all social interactions, the uniting of body, mind and spirit.”
    As the words flowed from his lips the minister waxed loquacious,
moving on from celebrating the union of the couple to dispensing advice on the
keys to a successful marriage.
    And all that time Ridge was dying for him to get to the best part.
    It wasn’t going to come that fast, though. First, he had to suffer
through a series of readings. “Marriage is not just the joining of hands,” the
man admonished. “It is the joining of hearts. It is a union built on commitment
and support.”
    Even as he smiled down at his wife-to-be Ridge gritted his teeth,
wanting the man to get on with it. The readings were meaningful but there were
so many of them. Two he could stomach, but five? Ridge could only hope Lani
wasn’t picking up on his agitation.
    And then it was time for them to exchange vows. Ridge almost
breathed an audible sigh of relief.
    “Do you, Coleridge Kent, take Leilani Donatelli to be your partner
for life, promising to care for her, honor and respect her, to console her in
times of sorrow and support her in all her endeavors?”
    Without hesitation Ridge gave his response. “I do.”
    “And do you, Leilani Donatelli…”
    As the words were repeated Lani lifted her face to Ridge, her lips
curling into a soft smile. “I do,” she said, her voice bold and clarion-clear,
carrying throughout the church.
    “The ring, please.”
    Now it was time for Ridge to put his seal on the woman who’d started
by turning him down flat. Thank goodness she’d come around.
    And then, finally, came the part Ridge had been waiting for the
whole time.
    “By the power vested in me by the State of Texas I now pronounce you
husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
    Smiling in satisfaction, Ridge looked down at his bride and then he
reached for her, eager to taste her lips. This first kiss would be in front of
an audience but he wasn’t complaining. He would take it any way he could get
it. Knowing Lani, he might not get another chance for a while.
    Bending low, Ridge captured her lips in a kiss meant to show her she
was his, body and soul. He’d thought she would be shy, would even resist, but
she surprised him by responding willingly, even eagerly. The fact that she had
an audience didn’t seem to bother her, not one bit.
    When he finally let her go Lani came off her tiptoes and settled
back down on her heels but she did not release his gaze. She was smiling and
she was staring boldly back at him, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
    And, for some strange reason, at the look in her eyes a tiny tingle
of worry ran up his spine.
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    Tonight was Lani’s wedding night and she could hardly wait. But it
was not for the reason most people would imagine. No,  she had plans for a
night that promised