Ruthless King

“No problem, dearie. You’ve got the toys I sent over?”

“Yes,” she groaned as she walked to the door. “Bye.” Jilly took a breath, then opened the door.

Regent stood there in a dark blue shirt and black pants. He had a suit jacket over his shirt.

His hair was slicked back. He looked so deliciously handsome that it took her a moment to remember that she actually had to breathe if she wanted to stay alive.

He held a bottle of wine.

His eyes seemed to widen as he took her in. “Jilly? Is everything okay?”

What? Why was he asking that?

“Yes, of course.”

His gaze ran over her and she glanced down at herself.

Oh shit!

She still had her apron on and it was covered in all sorts of mess.

Crap. She’d forgotten to take it off.

“I, um, sorry! I wasn’t expecting you yet. I just need to get ready. Come in.”

He was polite enough not to point out that he was on time, not early. She rushed him into the living room.

“Would you like a drink? Beer? Cider? Scotch?”

“You have those things?” he asked, his lips nearly curving up into a smile.

“Well, not the Scotch . . .” she trailed off. Idiot. Why did she ask him if he wanted Scotch when she didn’t have any?

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

“All right, I’m just going to go get ready. Sorry. Oh, wait. I’ve got cheese and crackers.”

Rushing into the kitchen, she drew out the plate of food she’d put there earlier. Maybe he’d fill up on cheese and crackers and wouldn’t care that the main course was shit.

One could hope, anyway.

Running back to the living room, she slowed down as she got there.

Chill.

Be calm.

Crap. She’d forgotten to stir the sauce.

Oh well, it would be fine. She entered the living room. “Here you are. I’ll be just a minute.”

He gave her a look that she couldn’t decipher, but Jilly turned away before he could say anything.

Tonight was not working out how she’d thought. She’d wanted to show him another side of her. That she could cook and entertain. That she could dress up and look pretty.

That she wasn’t the girl he’d once known but a woman.

She hadn’t allowed herself to think much past that, but she guessed a part of her had hoped he’d find her attractive. Sexy.