Читать книгу: «One Night With His Rival»

Two

“Eyes off. That means hands, too, partner.”

Recognizing the voice at his back, Ajax edged around. Birthday girl Lanie Rawson stood there in a bright haute couture gown, hands on hips, a vigilant eyebrow raised.

Ajax played dumb. “Eyes and hands off who exactly?”

“If you don’t already know, the bombshell you’re ogling over there is Veda Darnel,” his sister replied. “Drake Darnel’s daughter and a good friend of mine.”

When Ajax had gotten together with Veda four weeks ago in Saratoga, she had mentioned something about her and Lanie being tight. Frankly, in those initial few moments, he hadn’t focused on anything much other than her amazing red hair and stunning lavender evening dress. Tonight, with that hair swept over one creamy shoulder and rocking a shimmering lipstick-red number, Veda looked even more heart-stopping.

Eyes off?

Never gonna happen.

Hands off?

We’ll see.

Crossing his arms, Ajax rocked back on his boot heels. He’d had a full day at the stables before racing out to the track in time for the “riders up” call. After a thundering win, he’d made his way to the winner’s circle to congratulate the jockey, the assistant trainer and their most recent champion, Someone’s Prince Charming. Man, he loved that horse. Then he’d shot back to the on-site office to check messages and shower before driving the extra half mile here to don a tux. But first, he’d decided to take a peek at the party that was already getting under way in a glittering tented pavilion in the backyard of the estate.

Now, before he went inside to change, he had a question or two for Miss Lanie Bossy-Pants.

“How did you and Veda Darnel become pals?”

“We met at a women’s business luncheon last year,” Lanie explained, slipping her hands into the hidden pockets of her Cinderella gown. “Veda’s a life coach. She talked about personal change through action rather than words. It was brief but powerful. Actually, I was blown away. Later, she said she recalled seeing us as kids at race meets when she tagged along with her dad. And then I remembered her, too. Or, at least, I remembered her hair.”

Like the color of leaves in late fall, Ajax thought, doing some remembering of his own, particularly images of her moving beneath him in bed that night a month ago.

“Back then,” Lanie went on, “Veda was like a mouse in a corner. Now she knows exactly what she wants. And I’m pretty darn sure that doesn’t include being any man’s flavor of the month.”

Ajax chuckled to cover up the wince. “I’m not that bad.”

Lanie had a skeptical if-you-say-so expression on her face.

“Anyway, I’m glad Veda didn’t buy into her father’s BS about all Rawsons being scum,” she said. “You know she told me once that Drake is still steaming over Mom dumping him for Dad all those years ago. Just so sad.”

Sad was one word. But Ajax didn’t agree with Lanie. Veda had absolutely drunk the Kool-Aid when it came to believing her father’s version of events.

During their one night together, she had gone to the mat for her father. According to Daddy Dearest, Hux was a slimy villain who had stolen Drake’s girl. Ajax had set the record straight. His mom had made her own decision—because, duh, it was hers to make—after which she had married the far better man.

Veda had softened toward him again after that, and before vacating their suite around noon, they’d exchanged numbers. The next day, he’d sent flowers to her Best Life Now office address in Jersey. After a week not hearing from her, he’d called and left a message. A few days later, he’d sent a bigger bunch. Dialed again.

No response.

“She’s smart, tough and to the point,” Lanie said, looking Veda’s way through the glittering party crowd. “Not someone who’s desperate for a roll in the hay.”

When Lanie pinned him with another look that said, Don’t go there, Ajax coughed out a laugh. “You’re seriously the sex police now?”

His sister tossed back her long dark hair the way she did whenever she was excited, angry or digging her spurs in. “I want to make sure that we’re clear before I let you out to graze.”

He threw her a salute. “Anything you say, Officer.”

Lanie groaned. “Just go get changed. Not that the ladies won’t drool over you in your boots.” Walking off, his sister offered a fond grin when she added, “You’re such a tart.”

After parking in the designated area out in front of the Rawson property, Veda had followed a torchlit path that wove around the majestic Victorian mansion to a tent filled with conversation and music. She’d been taking in the swagged ceilings, which were awash with a million fairy lights, and looking out for anyone she might know when, larger than life, Ajax appeared at the entrance.

With hands bracing either side of his belt, Ajax was wearing a white business shirt rolled up enough at the sleeves to reveal his strong, tanned forearms. A sexy five-o’clock shadow highlighted the natural thrust of his jaw and cleft chin. Even from this distance, even in this light, his eyes radiated a hue that brought to mind ocean-deep waters sparkling with midsummer sunshine.

Following that whirlwind night in Saratoga, he’d sent two enormous bouquets of flowers. Both times when he called, Veda had ached to pick up. At some stage tonight, they were destined to run into each other. When they did, would Ajax try to reconnect? Were any sparks left on his side of the equation, or after her snub, was she already a speck in Ajax Rawson’s rearview mirror?

Before he’d been able to spot her, Veda had inserted herself into a nearby circle of guests. Now she sneaked another look his way.

Lanie had joined him; given his sister’s expression, their discussion wasn’t particularly lighthearted. When Lanie walked off, Ajax left and Veda released a pent-up breath. She was safe—at least for now. Then Lanie headed Veda’s way, which raised another question.

She and Lanie hadn’t been in touch for weeks. Had Ajax mentioned anything to his sister about Saratoga? Lanie knew Veda wasn’t the type to fall into bed with a guy for the heck of it. But after years of wondering, she had taken the opportunity to at last scratch her Ajax Rawson itch. And as much as she tried—as much as she knew she probably should—Veda couldn’t regret a moment of the amazing time they had spent together.

When Lanie was a few feet away, she was joined by a man Veda recognized. Hux Rawson was tall and broad through the shoulders like his son, with neat steel-gray hair, complete with a widow’s peak. He dropped a kiss on his daughter’s cheek before he hooked an arm through hers and escorted Lanie on her way.

Right toward Veda.

Her head began to spin. From the way Lanie had described her dad, Hux would be gracious, even in welcoming Drake Darnel’s daughter. In similar circumstances, she doubted her father would be as polite. Although he was aware that she and Lanie were friends now, Drake still disapproved of all the Rawsons. Always had.

Always would.

Red carpet ready in a tiered canary-yellow tulle gown and smelling like rose petals, Lanie gave Veda a hug and exclaimed, “You look positively gorgeous.”

Veda was never good with compliments, so she simply passed on her best wishes, adding, “I left something on the gift table.”

A glossy hard copy of the history of women in equestrian sports. Nothing Veda would ever want herself, but coming across it in a Princeton bookstore, she had known dressage champion Lanie would love it.

Lanie saw to introductions. “Veda Darnel, meet the most important man in my life.”

An easy smile lit her father’s bright blue eyes. “Glad you could make it, Veda. I’m Hux.”

For a man in his midsixties, Hux Rawson cut a fine figure in his pristine tuxedo. The tanned face and smile lines bracketing his mouth suggested a long run of good health and personal happiness. Veda’s father only ever looked annoyed—unless he was in his stables. Nothing against the horses, but there was more to life than work and stewing over the past.

Tacking up a smile, Veda replied, “It’s great to be here.”

“Hard to believe my little girl is twenty-seven today.” Hux gave his daughter a wink. “So beautiful and conquering the world.”

Lanie pretended to wither. “Pressure much?”

“You know I’m proud of you,” Hux said, obviously referring to more than her riding achievements. “I know your mother would be proud of you, too.”

Lanie’s expression softened before something over her dad’s shoulder caught her eye. Bouncing up on her toes, she signaled to a couple entering the tent.

“Will you two excuse me?” She snatched a champagne flute from a passing waiter’s tray. “A hostess’s job is never done.”

Hux smiled as he watched his daughter hurry off, then returned his attention to Veda. There was a moment of uncertainty about kicking off the conversation again, which wasn’t uncommon between newly introduced people. Except this man wasn’t exactly a stranger. His decisions before Veda was even born had affected her life on so many levels, in ways he couldn’t possibly know—in ways that could still leave her feeling a little lost.

Like now.

Looking directly into her eyes, feeling the weight of the past pressing in…

She wasn’t surprised when a chill scuttled up her spine, then slithered around her throat—and squeezed.

The sensation wasn’t new. It went back as far as elementary school when she had tried to learn her letters; they looked more like squiggling tadpoles in a white sea, no matter what her teacher had said. In later grades, whenever she was pushed to read in class or was feeling stressed, her ears would begin to ring and her throat would close. Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, she would literally freeze, unable to speak. Whispers and open snipes followed her everywhere, even in her dreams.

Lazy.

Dumb.

Weirdo.

After a diagnosis of dyslexia in her teens, Veda had worked hard on herself. Not only was she determined to walk back all the damage that came from hellish anxiety, lack of confidence, few friends and less hope, she had vowed to be stronger for it. And looking on the brighter side, finding ways to reclaim her self-esteem had laid the foundations for her career as a life coach, the most rewarding job on the planet. While she still battled nerves and always would, Veda could speak in front of an auditorium full of people now. She hadn’t suffered one of her attacks where she strangled on her words in years.

Until now.

Ringing ears…closing throat…freezing brain.

“This has been weeks in the making,” Hux said, looking around at the tented pavilion and its high-end fairy-tale trimmings. “Lanie and Susan’s efforts, of course, not mine. Have you met Susan yet? She came down early to make sure everything was set.”

As Hux waited for a reply, Veda’s throat remained squeezed shut. Cheeks flushed, she forced a smile and shook her head.

“Susan’s a godsend,” Hux went on. “Been with us for such a long time. She’s phenomenal with the house and meals and, well, everything family.”

Focused, trying to relax, Veda managed to squeak out, “I see.”

Hux’s smile dipped before he tried again. “When she arrived here, Susan knew nothing about horses or this kind of life. She loves the place now, of course, but she doesn’t get much involved with that side of things.”

Veda’s mind was stuck. Words refused to come. And deep in her gut, tendrils of panic were spreading.

Lazy.

Dumb.

Weirdo.

Hux’s eyes narrowed the barest amount before he tried a different approach. “I suppose you like horses, Veda? You’ve been around them most of your life.”

“I… Horses are…beautiful.”

He nodded like he hadn’t worked her out yet and maybe didn’t want to. “How’s your dad doing?”

“Good. Busy.” Breathe, Veda. Just breathe. “I’m staying there…this weekend.”

“Right. The Darnel Stables aren’t so far from here.”

When she nodded again and took a sip from her champagne flute, Hux searched her eyes and then threw a look around. “Well, I’ll let you get back to the party. Nice meeting you, Veda. Enjoy the night.”

As he walked away, Veda let her smile and shoulders sag. Knowing next to no one here hadn’t fazed her. She could even deal with seeing Ajax again, however that turned out. But being left alone to talk with the man who years ago had let loose a storm of demons that had ultimately torn her family apart…

Veda didn’t like to dwell on how much she’d cried when her parents had split, let alone the bombshell that had landed after that. But now, snapshots of events leading up to her mother’s death broke through. And with the music getting louder and the crowd starting to press in—

She needed some space, some air, and she needed it now.

Setting her glass on a nearby table, Veda escaped through one of the pavilion’s back exits, and she didn’t stop going until she was cloaked in shadows and certain she was alone. Out here, the night air was so fresh and freeing. The beat of the music and drag of dark memories seemed just far enough away.

She was herding together more positive thoughts when, out of the shadows, a figure appeared. Dressed in a tuxedo now, Ajax was cutting the distance between them with a commanding gait. And the closer he got, the clearer the message grew in his gorgeous blue eyes.

You can run, sweetheart, it said, but don’t ever think you can hide.

“If you want to leave, you’re going the wrong way,” Ajax said, tipping his head toward the house. “Cars are parked over there.”

Taken aback, Veda blinked a few times before responding. “I wasn’t leaving. I needed some air.”

He forced a grin. “Like you needed air the night we met on that balcony a month ago.”

Her knockout dress shimmered in the moonlight as she straightened. “Has it been that long?”

“Yup. That long.”

After changing, Ajax had returned to the party pavilion in time to catch a flash of lipstick red as Veda dashed out the back. Of course, he had followed. He wanted to make sure she was all right. And, yes, he had also seen an opportunity to broach another sensitive matter. Namely, what the hell had happened after Saratoga? Why hadn’t she accepted his calls?

Clearly, Veda wanted to avoid the subject.

“So, what are you doing out here in the dark?” she asked.

Ajax slid both hands into his pants pockets. “Psyching up for party mode?”

“Well, at least you’re dressed for it now.”

His smile was slow. “You saw me earlier?”

Her gorgeous green eyes widened before she visibly gathered herself again and offered a cool reply. “You got changed in record time.”

“I’d already showered at the office.” Grinning, he propped a shoulder against a nearby oak and crossed one ankle over the other. “I don’t mind the smell of hay and horse, but I’m not sure the guests would appreciate it much.”

When her gaze dipped to his mouth, he remembered back to that night and words she had murmured while nuzzling him from his chest all the way down.

You smell so good. And taste even better.

As if she was remembering, too, Veda threw a glance toward the lights and music. “I should get back.”

“I’ll walk with you.” He pushed off the oak before adding, “If that’s okay.”

After a second’s hesitation, she made a face like it was no big deal. “Sure,” she said. “Why not.”

As they headed back down a lit path, he set a leisurely pace. After the flowers and phone messages—after the multiple times she had come apart in his arms that wild night—had she even considered dropping him a line?

He studied her profile—straight nose, lush lips, laser-beam focus. And then there was that jaw-dropping dress. He couldn’t help but imagine sliding the fabric from her shoulders, tracing the contours of her breasts with his lips…with his tongue…

Focus, damn it.

“Did you get my messages?” he asked after clearing his throat. “I left a couple.”

“I did. The flowers, too. They were lovely.”

Uh-huh.

“I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed our time together.”

Gaze still ahead, she nodded. “Thank you.”

He nodded, too, scratched his ear. “We left Saratoga on pretty good terms, wouldn’t you say?”

Her heels clicked a little faster on the path. “We should get back to the party.”

“I thought we could talk.”

“Maybe later.”

He pulled up. Maybe now.

“Is this still about your dad, Veda? Because I thought we’d worked through that.”

The train of her red gown swirled as she spun back around. “We agreed to disagree. Not the same thing.”

Really? “That conversation happened right before we made love again. Before you said, ‘I wish we never had to leave.’”

Her nostrils flared as she crossed her arms. “If you’re trying to embarrass me, it won’t work.”

For the love of God. “I’m trying to understand why you didn’t pick up the phone.”

He didn’t get how she could be all prickly one second and turned on to the hilt the next. Was she an ice queen or too hot to be believed?

She hesitated before taking two steps closer. “I’m guessing you didn’t tell Lanie about that night.”

What the—?

“Of course not. That’s between you and me.”

Cringing, she darted a look toward the party pavilion. “So put away the megaphone already.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, lowered his voice. “I’m confused, okay? We don’t need our parents’ consent. We’re not kids.”

“Right. We’re adults making up our own minds.”

He groaned. “Still confused.”

“I don’t regret what happened between us that night. In fact, I’ll remember it as long as I live.”

So he hadn’t imagined it. He wasn’t going insane. But when he stepped closer, happy to get back on track, her hands shot up, stopping him dead.

“Ajax, you are wonderful in every conceivable way,” she said. “I love spending time with you. The problem is… I’m not the only one. You’re always in news feeds with models, actresses, designers, female ranch hands, trainers… There’s been an endless string of women over the years. For God’s sake, you’re known as the Stud.”

Ajax exhaled. First he’d had Lanie bleating in his ear. Now this?

Sure, his brothers had ribbed him about that stud label, a name some features reporter had come up with for a story a while back. But Griff and Jacob knew who he was.

“I’m a normal and, let me emphasize, single guy. Like you’re a normal single woman. Dating is not a crime.” His shoulders went back. “And there’s nothing wrong with us wanting to see each other again.”

“Wanting something doesn’t necessarily make it good for you.”

“Unless it is.”

She tried another tack. “I don’t approve of the business that you’re in.”

Say what now?

“You mean the stud farm? Which has stables for racehorses, which is the exact same business that your father is in.”

“That doesn’t mean I like it.” She asked him, “Do you have any idea how many people lose their shirts at the track?”

“Veda, I can’t help that.”

“Like a dealer can’t help an addict who continues to use?”

“Not the same thing.”

“I’ll fill you in on the definition of addiction someday.” She went on. “The worst part is the number of horses that are manipulated and hurt, too. Just last week, one of your own was put down after a fall.”

He stiffened. “And let me tell you, I was upset about it.”

“Not as upset as the horse.”

He opened his mouth, stopped, and then sought clarification. “So you don’t want to see me again because I own horses?”

“You use horses.”

Whatever you want to call it. “That’s not gonna change.”

“No shit.”

He had to grin. Veda could be direct when she wanted to be.

“Just please set me straight on one thing,” he said. “You don’t approve of keeping horses, but I don’t hear you bawling out your bestie, the dressage champion.”

“Lanie? That’s…well, it’s—”

“Please don’t say different.”

“Ajax, I’m not sleeping with your sister.”

“Right.” Stepping closer, he lowered his head over hers and ground out, “You’re sleeping with me.”

His whole body was a heartbeat as she gazed up with eyes flooding with questions. Veda might have her reasons for staying away, but he could tell a big part of her wanted Saratoga again at least as much as he did.

Finally she stepped back, took a breath.

“We’re here for Lanie. This is her night.”

He cast a look toward the twinkling pavilion and nodded. “Agreed.”

“So we need to put this aside.”

“That won’t work.”

“At least for now. For your sister’s sake.”

He slowly smiled. “You’re a shrewd negotiator, Darnel.”

“And you’re a persistent SOB.”

“One way to fix persistentness…because that’s absolutely a word.”

She didn’t hide her grin. “Okay.”

“The point is, yes, we should rejoin the party, and have one drink together.”

She cocked her head. “One drink?”

“Don’t know about you, but I’m drier than a dust storm.”

They continued down the path until Ajax had another thought and stopped again. “One more thing before we go in.”

Veda sighed. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

“I need to say how amazing you look tonight. That dress. Your hair.” He slapped a hand over his heart. “And that’s all I’ll say on the subject. No more compliments.”

And he meant it. Foot on the brake.

But one drink could always lead to two. Could maybe lead to…more.