The Two Younger Men Complete Collection

by Chloe Lang

  “Miguel Sanchez, Miss Clemens.” Miguel took her hand and smiled. “Welcome to Dos Hermanos.”

  As they walked in, Izzy turned to their host. “Your place is so lovely.”

  He and Clay had been to Miguel and Roberto’s establishment many times and had grown accustomed to the plush décor. But watching Izzy take it all in for the first time helped him appreciate it again.

  Miguel led them past the rectangular bar with its tall chairs. The corner was where he and Jay often sat. But it was too casual and not intimate enough for what they wanted for their first meal with Izzy.

  They continued walking through to the more formal dining area, with linen-clothed tables and comfortable plush chairs. The expansive wine cellar could be seen through a wall of glass. The decoration was modern, clearly the result of a design team carefully planning every aspect of the restaurant’s look.

  “Is this to your liking, señorita?” Miguel pulled out a chair for Izzy at a table by the arched window that looked out to a patio filled with colorful plants and a wall fountain of terra cotta-colored tiles.

  “It’s absolutely perfect, Miguel.” Izzy sat in the chair. “Thank you.”

  “Gentlemen,” Miguel said, motioning to the other chairs.

  “That’s the first time you’ve ever called us ‘gentlemen.’” Clay took his seat.

  “Because I know you two so well, but this is the first time you’ve brought a lady to our restaurant. I’m on my best behavior, as I am sure you are, too.”

  Izzy laughed. “Should I be nervous with these two, Miguel?”

  “Don’t ask him.” Jay sat down. “He’s notorious for embellishing, and his brother is even worse.”

  “Just wait until Roberto sees this beautiful señorita.” Miguel grinned.

  “I believe he can stay in the kitchen.” Clay laughed.

  “I know what wine Clay and Jay prefer,” their host said to Izzy. “But what may I bring you?”

  “I don’t normally drink at lunch,” she said with a grin. “So I’ll have whatever they enjoy.”

  “I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.” Miguel left them for the wine cellar.

  “This is so nice of you.” As Izzy lowered her bag to the floor, the strap caught on the end of her fork, raking her silverware off the table. She shrugged and laughed. “I’m such a klutz. Do you think I should ask Miguel to bring my wine in a sippy cup?”

  God, she’s so adorable. Jay reached down and retrieved her silverware from the floor. “No harm done. We’ll just get some more.”

  “Are you from Dallas, Izzy?” Clay asked.

  She nodded. “I’ve lived here all my life. The farthest away I’ve ever been was Odessa on my honeymoon with the ex.”

  “Odessa, Texas?” Clay looked puzzled. “That seems like an odd choice for a honeymoon.”

  “For a honeymoon, yes, but the people are very friendly. The asshole insisted we go there because his cousin was the manager of a hotel that we stayed in for free. So much for the cruise the jerk promised me when he proposed. But he did give me a beautiful daughter. She just graduated with her BBA last May and is currently working on her MBA. I would love to introduce you to her. She’s quite beautiful and smart.”

  “Just like her mother.” It was clear to him that she was trying to play matchmaker for her daughter, but he and Clay were interested only in Izzy.

  She nervously reached for her glass and would have knocked it off the table had he not touched her hand. That brief touch of her delicate fingers ignited a blaze inside him.

  “That would’ve been quite the mess. Thank you for saving me, Jay.”

  “My pleasure, my lady.” He kissed the back of her hand.

  “I’ve said too much. I’m sure you can tell already that I’m not just a klutz. I’m also a motormouth.” She took a sip of water. “Maybe we should talk about the project your uncle has put us in charge of?”

  Before they could answer her, Miguel returned holding a bottle of wine.

  “This red is from northeastern Spain, a region of my country that prides itself in traditional winemaking.” Miguel removed the cork. “Dense and rich on the palate, with notes of licorice and chocolate, and a hint of blackberry. This will pair perfectly with what Roberto is making you.”

  “That’s not our usual, Miguel,” Clay said.

  Their friend smiled. “You and Jay will enjoy it, but I didn’t choose it for you. I chose it for Isabella.” Miguel poured a small amount of the wine in Izzy’s glass.

  She brought it up to her lips. Jay couldn’t stop wondering how they tasted. “Delicious, Miguel. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” Miguel filled her glass. “Gentlemen?”

  “Yes, please.” Clay held up his.

  “Same here, Sir Sanchez,” Jay teased. “Fill ’er up.”

  “I’ll be right back with your appetizers.” Miguel left.

  Clay took a sip of his wine and sat the glass back down on the table. “Now where were we, Izzy?”

  “I think we should talk about the project. Let’s begin with our skill sets. I believe your uncle knows my background in accounting. The firm always sends a bio. Have you read mine?”

  “No, we haven’t.” Jay couldn’t stop looking into her gorgeous green eyes.

  “I got my bachelor’s in accounting at UNT and my master’s at SMU, and graduated Magna Cum Laude.” She sighed. “And Tom was correct. I only graduated last May, but there’s a very good reason why. I married young. Eighteen. To the wrong guy, but he did give me my beautiful daughter. After our divorce, I knew I had to make a better life for Gabby and me. It was tough. I was working a full-time job and going to night classes. But I did it. Oh God, I’m doing it again.” Izzy took a sip of wine. “I may be a motormouth, but what I’m trying to say is I feel confident that I am up to this task.”

  Jay took her hand, in part to try to reassure her that he knew she was capable—but also because he wanted to steal another touch. “Clay and I know you are more than qualified, Izzy.”

  “The way you handled Tom when he tried to take over was brilliant.” Clay grabbed her other hand. “You are the right person to lead this project.”

  She looked down at her hands and then back at him and Clay. “I promise to do my best.”

  I hope we aren’t coming on too strong. He released her hand and leaned back in his chair. “I know you will.”

  Clay also let go of her hand.

  She smiled. “What more can you tell me about London and Chicago?”

  Through the appetizers and main course, which was more delicious than usual, they discussed the discrepancies with her. Every question she brought up was insightful and inspiring. She was helping them to see other possibilities for why the numbers weren’t lining up.

  Miguel and Roberto brought out the dessert together. They weren’t twins like him and Clay, but it was difficult for most to tell them apart.

  “I’d like to introduce my brother to you, Isabella. This is Roberto. He prepared your meal.”

  She smiled broadly. “It was absolutely scrumptious.”

  Roberto kissed the back of her hand. “My pleasure. For dessert, I’ve made my version of the American molten lava cake. I hope you like chocolate, señorita.”

  “Completely addicted to it, señor.”

  “Excelente.”

  Miguel poured each of them coffee and he and Roberto said their good-byes.

  Izzy took a bite of her dessert. “Oh my God. This is pure sin.”

  Pure sin? Now that’s something I would like Clay and I to explore with her. “Better than Burger King?”

  She laughed. “They still make a good burger.”

  “They sure do,” Clay said. “This is good cake.”

  Izzy took another bite of her cake. “Mmm. So good.”

  Hearing her sweet moan got his blood boiling. I would like to be the one to make her moan like that.

  Chapter Four

  The first thing Izzy did when she closed her front door was k
ick off her stilettos.

  What an amazing day…and lunch.

  She couldn’t stop thinking about Clay and Jay. She was thrilled they would be working with her on this project. That would give her a chance to learn more about them.

  She sat down on her favorite chair and pulled her cell out of her purse to call her daughter.

  “Hey, Mom. This is a little early, isn’t it? You normally don’t call me until after five. How did your meeting go?”

  “It was better than I even expected. Honey, your mom is going to London in the morning.”

  “That’s wonderful news.” The excitement in Gabby’s voice came through loud and clear. “I knew those two guys at your firm would finally come around.”

  “But they didn’t. The client is the one who saw something in me that impressed him. I’m not just on the project, I’m the lead.”

  “Oh, Mom. I’m so proud of you. Tell me everything that happened. Who did you meet? What you will be doing? How long will you be in London?”

  “Hold on, Gabby. One thing at a time.” Izzy told her about the project and how Tom and Lyle had reacted to the change in responsibilities.

  “I wish I could have seen their faces. I bet it was priceless. After this, you won’t have to put up with their bullshit anymore. I have no doubt that you will more than prove yourself with this project.”

  “I intend to, sweetie.” Even though she still had a tiny buzz left from the wine she’d drank at lunch, she went to the kitchen to pour herself another glass. She just didn’t want to stop celebrating. One more glass won’t hurt me. It might actually help me to settle down enough to get some sleep. “Now what else did you want to know? I forgot all your questions.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “I really don’t know. Just however long it takes. I’m not sure how to pack for this kind of trip. I wish you were here to help me.” She missed her daughter very much. They didn’t have the typical mother-daughter relationship now that Gabby was an adult. They were extremely open with each other and shared everything. Gabby was her closest friend. “I guess I’ll need to take both suitcases if it ends up being an extended stay.”

  “Definitely, both suitcases, Mom. I’m sure you’ll be dining out with some of the GWI executives while you’re there. You want to make a good impression. Be sure to take that little red dress I bought you for Christmas.” Gabby’s taste was excellent, though the neckline of that dress plunged more than any other Izzy owned. “You look perfect in it with your cute figure. Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet a nice man and fall in love.”

  Izzy grinned. “You’re such the romantic, honey. Your old mom is happy just the way she is. I don’t have time for a relationship with anyone. I’m just getting my career off the ground. But you? That’s a different story. Which reminds me, I met two very charming and handsome men today that would be perfect for you.”

  “Two? Mom, I only could handle one at a time.”

  “They are twins, Gabby, and go together like bookends.”

  “Listen to you.” Her daughter laughed. “Maybe I should start reading those erotic romances you love so much.”

  “Seriously, sweetheart, they are incredibly good looking and have manners…” She recalled the fun banter she’d shared with them, “…like knights of old.”

  “It sounds like you are the one interested in them.”

  “They are much too young for me. Perfect for you.”

  “Mom, this is the twenty-first century. Don’t be ridiculous. What flight will you be on?”

  She grinned. “I’m not flying commercial. I’m flying on GWI’s corporate jet.”

  “Oh my God. You’re a big shot. So the two jerks are going to Chicago. Is anyone going with you to London or are you going alone?”

  “I’m going with Clay and Jay.”

  “You mean the twins you were just talking about?”

  “The very same, but don’t be getting any ideas, young lady.” She took a sip of wine. “This is strictly work.”

  “Sure, Mom. If you say so,” Gabby said in that I-know-better tone. “Tell me more about these two hot guys.”

  “Gabriella Clemens, you are a little devil.”

  “Just like my mom. Spill it. I want details.”

  “Fine. I give up.” Izzy told her all about the meeting and about the lunch. Images of Clay and Jay appeared in her mind. “I really would love to introduce you to them when you get home for summer break.”

  “Great, I’ll be excited about meeting my new dads.”

  Izzy shook her head. “You just won’t quit, will you?”

  “It’s time for you, Mom. You deserve a little happiness for yourself.”

  “Maybe so, but with someone closer to my own age. Enough discussion about that, honey,” she said, knowing her daughter wasn’t about to back down. “I need to get packed, take a bath, and get to bed. I’ve got a long flight in the morning. Good luck on your test tomorrow.”

  “And good luck on your trip to London with Sir Clay and Sir Jay.”

  * * * *

  Enjoying a beer, Clay leaned over the terrace railing and looked out at the city’s skyline. The terrace surrounded his and Jay’s penthouse and afforded 360-degree views of Dallas.

  Jay came out and joined him, handing him a fresh beer and carrying one of his own. “Beautiful night.”

  “It sure is.” Clay wondered how Izzy would react to being up forty-two stories from the ground. He would love to find out. “How long have we owned this place?”

  “Two years.”

  “I don’t know how many times I’ve stood out here but I’ve never appreciated it as much as now.”

  “I bet I know what’s different with you,” his twin said with a grin. “You’re thinking about Izzy, aren’t you? I saw that look on your face. I can’t get her off of my mind either, not that I want to.”

  “She is amazing, isn’t she?” Clay clinked his bottle to Jay’s. “I knew the minute we sat beside her in Bill’s office that I wanted to get to know her better. And lunch just made me want her all the more. She’s gorgeous, smart, funny, and I love the cute way she fumbles with things when she’s nervous.”

  “She’s perfect for us, Clay. In every way.”

  “But that doesn’t mean she’s into us.” He thought about how she’d reacted at lunch. “Did you notice what happened after we each took her hands?”

  Jay nodded. “She looked down. I’m not sure what that meant because she seemed to be having such a good time.”

  “Perhaps we came on too fast, too strong. I doubt she’s ever had two men at once, Jay.”

  “We didn’t ask her to go to bed with us at lunch, bro. We just turned on the good ole Gibbs charm. I just don’t know if that was enough to win Izzy.”

  Clay drank his beer, wondering how he and Jay could approach her. “She’s probably way out of our league, but I have to try.”

  “The important thing is we’ve got to be ourselves with her.” Jay was the most honest person he knew, which was why he admired him so much. “We know what we want, Clay. It may be unconventional, but after all we’ve been through it’s who we are.”

  Losing their parents had bonded them even tighter together. They were more than just brothers. They had each other’s back, always. “I agree. We want to share the same woman, and I am starting to think that just might be Izzy.”

  Jay leaned forward. “Are you talking permanent here, Clay? We just met her.”

  “It’s definitely been on my mind, and clearly on yours, too.”

  “Yes it has.” Jay clinked his bottle to his. “We are so much alike, but we do need to take one step at a time with her, Clay. If we don’t, we may lose her.”

  “The good thing is we get her all to ourselves for at least a few days in London, maybe even a few weeks.”

  Jay grinned. “And the Gibbs Twins don’t need much more than that to win her heart, do they?”

  “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we.”

  “I w
ill tell you this, whatever it takes to make Izzy happy and laughing is what I plan on doing.”

  “Me, too. That smile of hers is something I want to see as often as I can.” Clay recalled how beautiful Izzy’s lips were and wondered what they tasted like.

  Chapter Five

  Izzy chose her favorite selection of songs and plugged her cell into the speakers. Gya Gaynor’s latest hit began to play.

  Plunging her fingers into the water to test the temperature, she found it perfect, nice and warm, just the way she liked. After adding a few drops of her favorite scent, she lit a candle. Taking a bath had always been something she enjoyed, a sanctuary of sorts where she could totally relax.

  She took off her robe, grabbed her glass of wine, and stepped into the tub. A long, luxurious soak was in order after packing her clothes for the London trip. Not certain how many days or weeks she would be gone, Izzy had packed both of her suitcases, makeup case, and a garment bag. She was ready to stay indefinitely, should the project require it.

  She took a sip of wine and then placed her bath pillow behind her head, sinking into the water up to her neck.

  She listened to the song by her favorite artist. Gya Gaynor had the voice of an angel. She remembered reading somewhere that Ms. Gaynor had married her two bodyguards. Was it true? The picture that had accompanied the article of the threesome seemed to indicate it was. Gya was smiling and in the arms of her two men.

  What would it be like to be with more than one man at the same time? Izzy yawned, wondering how a woman could love two men. If she ever got the chance to meet Gya, she would ask her. Like that’s ever going to happen. She’s a superstar. She closed her eyes, being carried to a state of total relaxation by the song and her delicious thoughts. What would it be like to be with Clay and Jay?

  As images of them wearing suits of armor filled her mind, she grinned, drifting further and further...

  “Lady Izzy,” Clay bowed in front of her, took her hand, and brought it to his lips. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”

  The very next moment, she found herself in the middle of the floor, dancing with Clay but also with Jay. They both twirled her between them, each staying on either side of her, like the knights of old ready to draw their blades to protect her.