Rocked by the Billionaire: A Billionaire's Club Story Read Free Page A

gravel after seeing Kayleigh again.
    “I appreciate the offer, honey,” Luke said, careful to keep the disdain from his voice, “but I’m already—”
    “Not even in town an hour and you’re
already
gettin’ yourself into trouble?” Luke breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of his brother’s voice. Talk about divine intervention. “Maybe I oughtta be carrying my checkbook for the next week or so. You know, in case you need to be bailed out of jail.”
    Ha. Ha.
Okay, so sophomore year he got pinched joyriding with Tommy Davis’s dad’s tractor. But that was the one and only time Ryder had ever had to come get him from the county jail. He turned to face his older brother and gave him an appraising stare. “You look a little thicker since I saw you last. I guess the little lady is feeding you all right.”
    Ryder responded with a snort and a bright smile that belied his show of annoyance. Luke had only met his brother’s girlfriend Lara once—at the Super Bowl—but it had been clear from their love-struck grins, possessive expressions, and over-the-top grabby hands that this was a relationship that was going to go the distance.
    “If you ask me, it’s you that’s lookin’ doughy, little brother. A few weeks out on the ranch would do you some good.”
    Good-natured ribbing was the foundation of the Blackwell brothers’ relationship. Something that Luke had missed while on the road. “I can still buck more hay than you.” He sized up his slightly shorter “big” brother and shook his head. “You’re not as young as you used to be.”
    “Neither are you,” Ryder pointed out. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
    “Yeah. I got antsy. Had to get the fuck outta L.A. I booked a room at the Holiday Inn for tonight since I didn’t give you a heads-up,” Luke said. “Pretty swanky digs, huh?” The cashier perked up at the mention of his hotel and Luke stifled a groan. He probably should have taken this conversation outside and away from eager ears.
    “Like I need a heads-up,” Ryder replied. “Just give me a sec to pay for this wine and we’re out of here.”
    Thank. Fuck. The last thing Luke needed was a surprise visit from the lip gloss brigade at one in the morning or for a greedy hotel employee to tip off the paparazzi as to his whereabouts. “Thanks, man. But seriously, what is it with everyone turning into wine fanatics? What’s wrong with a cold beer?”
    Ryder chuckled. “When you have a woman to impress, we’ll talk about it.”
    Much to the cashier’s disappointment, Luke headed for the door as he waited for Ryder. Running from his problems wasn’t ideal, but maybe he’d be able to shoulder the stress a little better with family at his back—and if he had anything to say about it, Kayleigh by his side.
    ***
    “Okay, what in the hell is wrong with you?” Kayleigh’s friend Rachael leaned in close and snatched a square of Beaufort cheese and a slice of pear from the tray. “And don’t try to tell me it’s work stress because you are straight-up rattled. There’s no way those adorable little kidlets have you this distracted.”
    Why had Luke chosen tonight of all nights to show back up into her life?
Let’s go get some dinner. Maybe we could share the wine after?
Just the memory of the low, suggestive timbre of his voice sent chills dancing over her skin. After so much time had passed, it pissed her off that he could still affect her so instantly. And with such raw intensity, turning her body traitor as she’d fought the urge to lean into him and get a hell of a lot closer.
    “Kayleigh?”
    “Sorry.” She gave herself a mental slap to the face. Rachael was wearing a giddy, knowing grin that tied Kayleigh’s stomach into knots. Did she know that Luke was in town? If so, who else knew? She swallowed down a groan as she pictured the gossip spreading like wildfire. “You’re right. I am rattled.”
    “How did you find out?” Rachael whispered, her eyes as big as