The Billionaire’s Girlfriend Bet - Leslie North Page 0,21

and Michelle topped off the meal with a dry red wine she’d picked up eons ago—and a glass of grape juice for Mollie.

“You deserve a home-cooked meal for your birthday,” Michelle said, smiling over at him as the three of them settled into their seats and prepared to dig in. “If you have no plans, then it’s forbidden for you to spend the evening alone.”

“I appreciate this,” Blake said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. His touch lingered there as Blake searched out her gaze. “I really do.”

“Eat. You’ve probably had a long day, worrying over nightclub details and who knows what else.” Michelle watched him intently as he took his first bites, gauging his reaction. This was a family recipe, and it was very special to her. She didn’t make this for just anyone. Blake groaned through his first bite, and then barely anybody spoke as they ate.

“I take it you liked it?” Michelle asked, swatting at his shoulder once he’d finished well before anyone else.

“Not sure. You’ll have to serve me a little more so I can double check,” he teased.

“I could serve you seconds, but I think you’re going to want to wait for what’s next on the menu.” She stood, beckoning for Mollie to follow her. In the kitchen, she whispered into her daughter’s ear to go grab the balloons and cards while Michelle stuck three candles on the cake and lit them. Once Mollie returned with the balloons, the two of them carried everything over while singing.

“Happy birthday to yoooou,” Michelle and Mollie crooned. Blake watched them, grinning into his closed fist, as they set down the cake, the balloon bouquet, and the cards. Mollie hopped at his side while he blew out his candles, and then clapped wildly once they were out.

“What was your secret wish?” she demanded.

“I can’t say,” Blake said, his gaze dragging up to find Michelle’s. His brown eyes were a gut punch, sending heat and desire and tenderness flowing through her veins. Oh, she wanted this man, so much more now than she’d thought possible.

And tonight, she wanted something to happen.

In fact, she’d make sure of it.

7

Later that night, when Michelle came back downstairs after getting Mollie ready for bed, she’d changed into soft pants and an off-the-shoulder T-shirt. Her light brown tresses were pulled back into a low ponytail, and she’d traded the lipstick for lip gloss. She looked so casually sexy that he couldn’t rip his eyes off her as she padded barefoot up to the couch.

“Okay. She’s down for the night. Adult time can now commence.”

He propped his arm on the back of the couch as she sat down, tucking her legs beneath her. When she looked over at him, the picture of innocence yet with something very suggestive written all over her face, he couldn’t help but let his arm fall to her shoulders. He pulled her against him, warning bells ringing in his head as he did so.

Yet he couldn’t help it. Now that it was just the two of them, he wanted to explore the desire that had been thumping through him since he showed up at her doorstep. Since all her thoughtful touches and gestures—from lasagna to cake to balloons—had served to make her sexier than he’d thought possible. With Michelle, he was finding that there was something irresistibly sensual in the sweetness.

It was a balancing act that apparently only Michelle could undertake. And now, he wanted to see how far into the sensual side she wanted this to go.

“So what’s on deck now? Or have I exhausted the full extent of birthday gifts?” he teased, dragging his fingertips back and forth over her shoulder.

“Well, since it’s your birthday, you get to pick the movie we watch,” she said sweetly before pressing the remote control against his chest. “Unless you have other ideas?”

Her comment was the equivalent of her kicking the door wide open. His fingers curled over her hand on his chest, pinning it there.

“I have a few other ideas,” he said, getting lost in the sparkling abyss of her cerulean gaze once more. This close, she was magnetic. Sweet and soft and crackling with sensuality. He wasn’t used to taking things slow, and it took every ounce of him to pace himself, give this the attention it deserved. Making absolutely certain that this was what she wanted.

Because if one thing was certain, it was that Michelle wasn’t like the women he normally fucked. She was so much more, which confused as