Loe raamatut: «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—