by Jodi Redford
How the hell was she going to narrow down her options with this many choices?
“Can I help you?”
She pivoted to the smiling sales clerk. “Oh God, I hope so.”
The woman laughed. “I know. It can be a tad overwhelming. But we’ll get you something fabulous. I promise.” She gestured with her hand, indicating for Gabbi to follow her. “Occasion?”
“I’m attending a Mardi Gras party.”
“Ooh, fun! Well, we have quite a few costumes that fit the bill.” The clerk swept her with an appraising look. “I guess my next question is how sexy do you want to go? Some of our outfits are on the racy side.”
Considering what she had in mind, the more skin the better. Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d be the only female there hoochie mama-ing it up. If she wanted to catch Jax’s attention and not have him fall asleep on her this time around, she’d have to pull out all the stops. “Racy is good.”
The woman’s gaze sparkled. “This definitely sounds like a fun party.”
God willing it would be. Because she was counting on creating a memory that would last her a lifetime.
She made it back to the house with fifteen minutes to spare before Theresa and her ladies bustled inside with their arsenal of cleaning supplies. Leaving the rest of the house in their more than capable hands, Gabbi stationed herself in the kitchen for the remainder of the morning and most of the afternoon. When Jax initially informed her of his plan to throw a Mardi Gras ball she’d adamantly held her ground about not preparing a full course dinner for his seventy plus guests. That was the good news. But it was still no easy feat arranging a tasty appetizer menu for that many people without losing her mind in the process.
Fortunately she’d been able to make the crawfish gumbo ahead of time, along with the braised short ribs. The assortments of breads were done, as were the pralines and beignets. The servers had her instructions on the Bananas Foster. All she really had to concentrate on now were the mini muffulettas and hot crawfish dip.
Midway through shredding the shellfish a tickle of awareness crept along her nape, convincing her that she was the subject of someone’s intense scrutiny. Fairly certain she knew the identity of the culprit, she glanced toward the kitchen entry and locked stares with Jax. Judging from the tense set of his gorgeous features, he wasn’t suffering from the ill side effects of too-drunk-to-recall-I-kissed-the-daylights-out-of-you syndrome. Or perhaps he was, depending on how you looked at it— and how recently he remembered said fact.
Still holding her gaze, he took a step forward. Before he could get any farther than that he was waylaid by one of the many delivery people who’d been coming and going from the house all day. Theresa quickly hustled to Jax’s side. “Go on, Mr. Noble. I can take care of this.”
Jax’s focus lingered on Gabbi for a second. Finally he peered at his housekeeper and shook his head. “No, it’s all right.” Turning his back on her, he followed the delivery man into the hallway.
Gabbi released her breath. It was ridiculous to be this nervous about the inevitable confrontation between them, especially considering what she had up her sleeve for tonight. But then again it’d be difficult enough summoning the necessary courage to see her through this without the added complication of whatever he intended to say about last night. What if he insisted it’d been a mistake? Or worse, he had been drunk and didn’t know what he was doing. She wouldn’t be able to bear the pain of that admission, much less follow through with her plan.
And she had to. It was the only way to break his hold on her heart. Steeling her will with that reminder, she tossed the bits of crawfish into the dip and whisked the creamy ingredients together.
The remainder of the afternoon and early evening zipped by. Before she knew it, six o’clock rolled around. If she didn’t get things wrapped up soon she’d never have a chance to escape the kitchen and set her scheme into motion.
Whipping her apron off, she inspected the numerous platters resting on the warming trays. Normally she wouldn’t leave her station behind the stove until the very last hot app left her domain. She’d just have to hope that Jax’s guests would be too loopy on hurricanes to notice if a food shortage crisis hit.
She rushed to the rear service entrance and hurried up the stairs to her room. After locking the door behind her, she shuffled to her bed and gazed down at the costume awaiting her. Sucking in a deep, fortifying breath, she steadied her nerves and exhaled slowly.
“Here goes nothing.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Reasonably assured he’d greeted the majority of his guests, Jax strode to the bar situated adjacent to the Baby Grand and requested two whiskey sours. Tempted as he was to down both glasses, one of them was for Gabbi. No doubt she needed it just as much as he did. Possibly more.
She’d really knocked the ball out of the park with the party spread. He couldn’t travel two steps without one of the guests stopping him to compliment the outstanding dishes and inquire about the likelihood of stealing his talented chef out from underneath his nose. Over his dead body, if he had any say on the matter.
Then again, considering what transpired in his office last night, Gabbi might have different thoughts on that outcome.
He couldn’t believe he fell asleep on her. It might have been more along the lines of him passing out, if you wanted to get technical about it. Regardless, that voodoo doll of him must resemble a pin cushion by now.
Wincing, he snagged two beverage napkins and tucked them beneath the tumblers before elbowing his way through the congested solarium. He entered the main hallway, leaving behind the noisy blend of chatter and the energetic beat of the zydeco band entertaining the crowd. Nodding to the few stragglers who were parked near the doors, he stepped into the kitchen.
The pair of servers bullshitting near the island immediately halted their conversation. He offered them a smile and glanced toward the stove. No sign of Gabbi anywhere. More than likely she’d taken advantage of the momentary lull in action to take a bathroom break. He could wait for her.
Setting her glass down on the counter, he inspected the assortment of pralines and selected the biggest out of the bunch. He popped the treat into his mouth and leaned against the island. The two young servers eyed him before they grabbed a couple of trays and booked it out of the room. Shit. He hadn’t meant to scare them away.
Shrugging to himself, he snitched another praline and polished it off. Damn, they were good. He’d have to sweet talk Gabbi into making them on a regular basis. It’d mean adding another thirty minutes on his daily run, but more than worth the extra sweat equity.
Ten minutes passed, and other than the lone occasion when a guest accidentally wandered into the kitchen, Jax remained the solitary person in the room. Frowning, he checked his watch for the billionth time. Where the devil was Gabbi?
He glanced toward the doors leading to the rear stairway. Maybe she’d gone up to her room.
Uncertainty percolated in his gut. Should he go up there? Usually he tried not to invade her private space, and it wasn’t like she didn’t deserve some downtime after all of the work she put in making this party a success. It’d be pretty shitty of him if he barged in on her now. Better to leave her alone. There’d be plenty of time for them to talk later.
Collecting his drink, he returned to the solarium. He spotted Olivia canoodling in the corner with whatshisname. Seriously, what the fuck was his name? Colt? Wait, no. Cal. Yeah, that’s it. Jesus, hard to keep track. His cousin almost outnumbered him in the revolving partner department. Then again, she actually tried to make relationships work with her long string of men. Judging from the besotted way she was hanging on Cal’s every word, she was desperately attempting to land number thirty-something.
He headed in their direction, and Olivia tore her attention from Cal long enough to jump to her feet and offer Jax a hug. She pulled back and grinned at him. “Really outdid yourself with the costume.”
“What?” Smoothing a palm over his tuxedo l
apel, he struck a debonair pose. “My costume requires no costume. I’m the most interesting man in the world.”
Olivia stroked her chin, her eyes twinkling through the cutouts in her zebra-print mask. “Let me guess. When you’re behind the wheel, potholes move out of your way.”
“I see you’ve heard of me.”
A laugh belted from Olivia. Cal looked like he didn’t know what the hell they were talking about. Mentally shaking his head, Jax glanced at his cousin. “I appreciate you coming. Means a lot to me.”
Olivia’s gaze softened. “I noticed that I’m the only one in the family who made it. I’m sorry, Jax.”
“Don’t be. You’re the only one I invited.” He swiped two shrimp cocktails from the passing server and handed them off to his cousin and Cal. “Make sure to try the crawfish gumbo too.”
Olivia nibbled on the blue cheese and bacon-wrapped gulf shrimp impaled on the skewer and hummed in appreciation. “Oh my God, these are to die for.” She stood on her tiptoes, craning her neck as she peered toward one of the circulating silver trays. “I want to eat everything.”
“You should. Except the pralines. Those are mine.”
She poked him in the chest with the clean end of her skewer. “No fair. You have Gabbi every day of the week.” Licking a drop of cocktail sauce from her thumb, she eyed him with open curiosity. “Speaking of Gabbi, is everything okay between you two?” She scooted closer and lowered her voice. “You know, after what happened yesterday?”
He gaped at his cousin. How the hell did she know about that? Did Gabbi say something to her? He couldn’t imagine she would, but who else would have said anything, much less known about the soul-shaking kiss they’d shared?
Olivia glanced at Cal, who seemed too preoccupied with scarfing his shrimp cocktail to pay attention to their conversation. She returned her gaze to Jax. “I did read Whitney the riot act for her inappropriate behavior. She wasn’t very contrite, but you don’t have to worry about her pulling another stunt like that.”
Aw shit. That’s what Olivia had been referencing. He’d all but forgotten about the incident with Whitney, seeing how he’d had much bigger things to dwell and dread on for the last twenty-some-odd hours. “Thanks for talking to her, but I have zero intention of crossing paths with her any time soon.” For her own safety. Otherwise there was a good chance he’d ring her scrawny little neck.
“I’m glad to see you’re changing your ways.” Olivia clinked her cocktail cup against the side of his glass in a toast. “I’ll admit I was a tad concerned you and Whitney might, you know, hook up.”
He scowled. “She’s got to be at least ten years younger than me. And she’s hardly my type.” Jesus. How many fucking times did he have to repeat that?
“Err, I hate to say this, but I was unaware you had a type. Other than the basic requirements. Like breathing and under the age of eighty.”
“Smart ass.” To all outward appearance it might seem like he’d sleep with just any woman. He’d even convinced himself of that for a while. But the truth was he’d been finding it difficult to dredge up more than a fleeting interest in the majority of females he associated with. How could he when he was obsessed with a sassy redhead who breathed life into his lonely, bored existence? And that was prior to him knowing the intoxicating pleasure of her kisses. Now that he possessed firsthand knowledge there’d be no freeing Gabbi from his consuming thoughts.
A choked sound came from Cal, and Olivia jerked her gaze back to him. “Honey, are you okay?”
Just when Jax was certain Olivia was about to jump in and save the day with a Heimlich maneuver, Cal gave a thumb’s up signal and sheepishly coughed into his fist.
Her forehead still pinched with worry, Olivia squeezed Cal’s shoulder. “I’ll go get you some water.”
“Thanks, babe.” The instant Olivia dashed off, Cal leaned sideways in his seat, his focus riveted on something in the distance.
Jax turned his head to see what held Cal’s rapt attention, and his gaze collided with the exquisite backside of the blonde woman standing several feet away from them. The majority of her back was bare, revealing the delicate curve of her spine and a good portion of her tailbone. Vibrant teal and aquamarine feathers formed a short, snug skirt that hugged her hips and ass. He followed the luscious length of her legs to the strappy heels and back up again, that mouthwatering posterior like a magnetic tractor beam reeling him in.
Before his brain completely short circuited, he recalled the equally mesmerized Cal beside him. His allegiance to his cousin temporarily overriding his own lustful fascination, Jax narrowed his eyes at Cal. “You do realize you’re visually fucking another woman while my cousin is over there getting water for you.” Goddamn asshole.
Cal’s expression turned defensive. “It isn’t like we’re married.”
Thank God for small miracles. Olivia could do way better than this douchebag. “There’s this little thing called respect. Maybe you’ve heard of it?” Or not. “Doesn’t matter if you’re single. You’re still with Olivia.”
“What do you know about respect?” Cal snorted. “I hear you’ll fuck anything that walks.”
Jax gave Cal a menacing look that immediately shut him up. First chance he had he was warning Olivia about this loser. He glanced toward his cousin and noticed she was heading their way with the glass of water. As if it had a will of its own, his focus tracked slightly to the right, seeking out the woman in the peacock dress.
She hadn’t left her spot near the hurricane ice luge. It granted him ample time to once again admire the graceful line of her back. And yes, her gorgeous heart-shaped ass. Hell, just because Cal wasn’t allowed to look didn’t mean the same applied for him.
A weird sense of déjà vu settled over him the longer he stared at her. Why did he feel like this moment had occurred countless times before?
Almost the second that thought bloomed in his mind the woman pivoted in his direction. Their gazes locked and he felt a brisk familiarity punch him square in the solar plexus. It didn’t matter that the elaborate mask obscured half of her face, or that she wore far less clothing than he was used to seeing her in.
When it came to Gabbi, his heart and body would always recognize her regardless of any eye-popping costume.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gabbi shivered beneath the carnal heat of Jax’s stare. The lingering doubts she’d harbored of him not liking the dress vanished into the ether. If him visually eating her alive was any indication, he’d already mentally undressed her and was halfway through the first course.
Her knees wobblier than jelly, she took a hesitant step forward—and collided with the person behind her. Something cold and wet splashed the side of her arm.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” The woman leaned forward and frantically dabbed at Gabbi with a wad of beverage napkins.
That’s when Gabbi realized who she’d just T-boned. She corked a groan. Of course it would have to be her boss’s cousin. “It’s okay. Really.”
Despite Olivia’s continued insistence on blotting the sodden area right beneath her shoulder, Gabbi nearly forgot the woman’s presence as Jax started toward them, his gait purposeful and slightly predatory. Perhaps that last part was a figment of her imagination. Then again, the dark intensity in his eyes did remind her of a jungle cat on the prowl...for peacock.
Swallowing, she waited for him to draw to a halt in front of them.
“Olivia, I believe you’re making Gabbi uncomfortable with your poor attempt at feeling her up.”
It took a moment for Jax’s words to register, much less the fact that he’d called her by name. She gaped at him. “You recognized me?”
“I’m not that much of a blind idiot.” He gestured to the blonde wig. “Although that’s a nice touch to try to fool me.”
“I wasn’t attempting to hide my identity from you.” Well, maybe just a little. At first.
Olivia straightened, and after squinting hard at Gabbi, she nodded. “I would never
have guessed it was you, Gabbi. Fab costume, by the way.”
Gabbi smiled at the other woman. “Yours too.”
Preening, Olivia twirled, causing the wispy hem of her zebra-striped ball gown to float gracefully around her ankles. “We needed one Noble here who isn’t a complete party pooper who refuses to dress up.” She cocked an eyebrow at Jax.
He ignored his cousin and instead drilled Gabbi with his penetrating gaze. “I looked for you earlier. Guess this is why you weren’t in the kitchen.”
His mood proved impossible to read. She couldn’t tell if he was amused, mystified, or mad. Perhaps a combination of all three. “I didn’t realize I was supposed to be shackled to the stove the entire night.”
“You know damn well I don’t expect that. I just wanted to show my appreciation for all of your hard work.”
His pronouncement softened the edges of her grumpiness. She relaxed her shoulders. “I hope you’re happy with the results.”
“I am. I could never have pulled this off last minute without you.”
Damn straight he couldn’t.
Jax finally veered his attention onto his cousin. “Weren’t you in the process of taking that water to whatshisname?”
Olivia sighed. “Cal.” She sent Gabbi an apologetic smile. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
She could feel the intense sizzle of Jax’s scrutiny on her while she watched Olivia rush off. Now that she was alone with him the air became super charged with an overwhelming awareness that zinged between them. Unable to resist, she peered up at him and caught him staring at her mouth. Her lips automatically tingled at the phantom memory of their kiss. Pulse revving, she smoothed a hand over her tummy to steady her nerves. His pupils nearly overtaking his irises, Jax tracked the motion of her fingers. Certain she was about to jump out of her skin, she cleared her throat. “What do you think of my costume?”