Page 12 of Blackmailing the Mogul

I shake my head, trying to deny it, but Hilda's words struck a chord. Maybe I did let myself feel something for Jenna, something I shouldn't have. But none of that matters now…

“I'm not hurt, Hilda. I'm just angry,” I reply with a dismissive shrug. “And I'm going to make sure she regrets ever crossing me.”

Hilda sighs, her expression concerned. “Why don't you talk to her about what's going on? Maybe there's a reason she did what she did. Maybe she's not as guilty as you think she is."

I laugh, the harsh, mocking sound sounding bitter even to my ears. "You think she's innocent? After what I found on my computer? No, Hilda, she's made her bed, and now she's going to have to lie in it."

"Ryan, you're not thinking clearly,” Hilda says firmly, narrowing her eyes at me. “You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Talk to her, hear her out. You might be surprised at what you learn."

I let out a humorless snort. “I'm sure she consented to helping Henry the same way she consented to kissing me, so…” I immediately regret my words.

Hilda gasps loudly, her eyes growing wide with shock. “You kissed her?!”

“It's all a part of the plan,” I say, keeping my tone casual.

“What plan?” Hilda asks, sounding even more concerned.

“You’ll see,” I answer, raising my glass to her in toast.

***

I decided to act on my plan sooner rather than later and texted Jenna to inform her we would be going to dinner tonight. No questions, just a light demand. She replied right away saying she would be ready at the agreed upon time. Now, all I need to do is stick to the plan and not let my need for her overwhelm my need to find out exactly what she’s doing messing with my company.

That goes right out the window as soon as I see her appear in her parent’s doorway.

I watch, mesmerized, as she walks down the porch steps, towards me. She looks like a dream in a red sleeveless silk dress with a slit that stops mid-thigh, showcasing her long, endless legs and a shimmering anklet on her left ankle.

I never knew anklets could be so sexy…

I let my eyes take her in… all of her. The dress hugs her curves in all the right places, accentuating her slender waist and full bust. She's done something different to her hair and the shiny, dark curls cascade down her back in thick waves. She's not wearing her glasses and I'm almost floored by those gorgeous eyes of hers, their bright green orbs sparkling like emeralds in the dark.

Her full lips curve into a gentle smile as she approaches me, and it suddenly feels like someone knocked the wind out of my lungs.

Snap out of it, Anders.

“You look stunning,” I say as she stops in front of me, smiling directly into her eyes.

“Thank you,” she mutters shyly, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink. “You look great too.”

I'm wearing a black handmade shirt tucked into tailored dark gray pants, casual but stylish—exactly what I was going for.

“Thank you,” I say, returning her smile. Then I pull open the passenger side door and step aside, gesturing for her to get in. “Shall we?”

She nods, muttering a soft thanks as she enters the car. I return to my side of the car and pull out of the driveway.

“Where are we going?” She asks quietly, looking at me with a soft smile.

What did she do to her lashes? Have they always been so seductively long? And that shimmering gloss on her lips…

“It's a surprise,” I respond, clearing my throat lightly as I return my attention to the road.

We remain silent for the rest of the drive. She stares outside the window while I try hard not to be distracted by little, damming things like her scent, her smooth thighs pressing against the seat, or the way her fingers play absentmindedly with the hem of her dress. I need to keep my head in the game but it's getting increasingly difficult.

God, she is tempting.

“Where are we?” She asks, as we pull up in front of a familiar large iron gate, her brows furrowing in a confused frown as I continue down the long gravel driveway.

"My house," I reply, as I drive around the water fountain and pull up in front of the main building. I turn off the ignition and then look at her face. Her expression is a nervous apprehension.

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