“Sure, I’ll give it a try, as long as you promise not to get bossy with her. Not all women are attracted to alpha males.”
Avery went over and knocked. The window went down, the two of them whispered to each other. A minute later, the driver got out and Avery stayed with her as they made their way to the front door.
Jaxon opened up the door, saw them and immediately beckoned them forward. Hazard followed Gabriel and his female friends.
Another car pulled up before the door closed. Hazard turned, saw Sawyer get out with two women and a guy in a cowboy hat.
“Sawyer, hey man,” Hazard called out. “Glad you guys made it.”
Sawyer waited until the four of them were inside the house to speak. “Good to see you, buddy. Meet my new foreman, Travis Ross. Travis, this is Hazard.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Hazard said, shaking hands with the fit man who was a little taller than Avery. “Welcome to Dare.”
“Appreciate the welcome,” Travis replied. He was dressed casually in khakis and a nice shirt and brown loafers. “It’s good to be here.”
Vaguely recognizing one of the women, Hazard looked at the brunette. “You’re Sarah Callahan, the librarian, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, Mr. Osbourne,” she answered.
“Hazard’s fine,” he insisted. “Welcome to Jaxon’s place.”
“I admit it. Everyone in town wants an invite to Mr. Wynter’s house.”
“Hi, Hazard, I’m Mara, Sarah’s sister.” Mara had lighter-brown hair than her sister. It was difficult to tell who was older, but Hazard figured more introductions would happen inside. “I’m new to the area and was invited to meet some friends.”
“Welcome to Dare,” Hazard said, taking a liking to the sisters. “What do you do?”
“I’m a key grip at the local TV news station, WDRE.”
“Tell us more about it at dinner,” Travis suggested, stepping up beside Mara.
“Can’t wait to hear it,” Hazard said, following the quartet inside and turning to close the door.
* * * * *
Avery was blown away by Jaxon Wynter’s house and decorative taste. The house was as large in scale as any mansion she’d seen on Southern plantations, though the abundance of oak and pine made it feel like a ranch house.
According to Hazard, there were multiple guest rooms, playrooms for those into light bondage and dungeons for those genuinely into the dark world of BDSM. Where those rooms were, it was impossible to tell, because the party primarily took place in the dining room, great room and a game room situated on the other side of the kitchen.
The game room was really cool and had a poker table, a foosball, a pool table and a wall of board games, including Monopoly, Life and Risk. No one played games before dinner, but there was talk of a mini-pool tournament between the men and the women.
Avery liked Travis Ross the second she met him. He was incredibly easygoing, very much a cowboy and his descriptions of riding bareback broncos were fascinating. He admitted he left the rodeo due to too many injuries. During his career, he’d broken his collarbone, separated his shoulder, tore ligaments in his ankle and broke his femur.
He shared her love of horses and they talked through dinner about the breeding program Sawyer Hamilton wanted to build on. They focused on Appaloosas and quarter horses, though it was a possibility that the ranch would look into rescuing draft horses and rehabbing them for gentle saddle horses for kids or the disabled.
At one point, Gabriel mentioned his fascination with Gypsy Vanner horses. Accordingly, he’d said his paternal ancestors had been Gypsies who’d emigrated from Europe and came to America. His maternal ancestors came from Spain and the Caribbean. It’d been his Jamaican grandmother who taught him the love of storytelling through magic.
Now that she knew a little more about Gabriel’s genetic heritage, she found him all the more fascinating. And those sapphire-blue eyes could warm the coldest of hearts, except for the times when he looked down toward the kitchen where Taylor Anderson, his limo driver, resided for the evening.
After a scrumptious catered dinner, Jaxon invited his guests to the great room to relax before dessert was served. The great room was her favorite area. The window was every bit as grand as she’d imagined and the furniture was casual enough to allow visitors to relax without being overwhelmed by the grand size of the house.
“You all right, baby?” Hazard asked, claiming her hand as they sat down in a plush brown loveseat.
“I’m fine, just fascinated by Jaxon’s house.”
“Perhaps he’ll let us stay for longer than a dinner party the next time we visit,” Hazard said.
“That’d be fun,” she said.
Gabriel and his dates took over the bigger couch, though he didn’t really touch them in any way that was inappropriate. He treated them with respect and kept them entertained. Any romantic interest was purely on the side of the three lookalikes.
As it turned out, they were pretty nice and social, though occasionally Marcia Sanchez sent speculative looks toward the kitchen area of the house whenever Gabriel’s attention went in that direction. Avery was aware that Taylor Anderson had kept well away from the partiers and offered to help the caterers.
The great room itself was truly the largest Avery had ever seen. Gleaming wooden floors, vaulted cedar ceilings with slowly revolving paddle fans suspended from beams, tan throw rugs, brown leather furniture, an extensive entertainment system and A-frame window were only a few initial touches she’d noticed.
Jaxon was playing the consummate host, though not once treating his catering staff as peons. He remained true to his clothing style, adding a multicolored gray vest, narrow tie and dark-gray fedora for the evening, which he politely removed during dinner.
As conversation continued in the great room, Avery saw Gabriel look off toward the kitchen. He really was preoccupied with Taylor Anderson, so much so that the women with him kept glaring in that direction.
Thinking she’d like to seek out Taylor and make her feel welcome, Avery leaned over to let Hazard know. “Honey, I’m going to take a walk to the kitchen.”
“Want me to come with you?” Hazard offered.
“No, stay and socialize. I want to make sure Taylor’s okay.”
“Okay, shout if you need me.” He kissed her cheek before she stood up and left the great room.
It took but a minute to reach the kitchen. Most of the Fiestaware dishes were already cleaned and put away by the catering staff. A few desserts sat on a bar that looked as if it belonged in a saloon.
Avery was tempted to look at the chocolate fondue station, cheesecakes and éclairs, but voices drew her toward the game room, where she found Taylor and the catering staff playing poker.
As soon as they saw her in the doorway, they all scrambled to assist her.
“Don’t get up,” Avery insisted. “Enjoy your game. Ms. Anderson, may I talk to you for a moment?”
Taylor looked at her poker hand, pursing her lips in a moment of indecision. “I fold,” she declared, resting her cards on the table and stood. “Is there something you need, Ms. Grant?”
“Call me Avery, please,” she said, inviting Taylor to follow her to the kitchen. They took seats at the bar, ignoring the desserts. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Taylor had taken off her cap. Atop her head was a crown of braided fiery red hair.
It was difficult to tell how long it was. Like her own hair, Taylor’s was thick and wavy. It’d probably taken awhile for her to twist it all into a braid and keep it neat beneath her cap.
“I’m fine, Avery,” Taylor answered once she was comfortable. “I shouldn’t have overreacted to Mr. Krystiyan’s request. He’d gotten a little bossy and I took exception to it. I’m so over important, controlling men.”
Taylor lowered her sky-blue eyes to the countertop. Something wasn’t quite right. When she moved, a shadow of a scar became visible along her left temple to her jaw. It had a fine, surgi
cal pattern and looked recent, though the pinkness of the delicate skin should fade and become nearly invisible in a few months.
“Is something else going on, Taylor?” Avery asked, concerned.
Taylor sighed softly, automatically rubbing at the scar in an effort to erase it. “It’s been a stressful day for my family. I’ve only been in Dare for three months and still establishing my business.”
“What sort of business are you in?”
“I took over my dad’s auto shop in town,” Taylor admitted, drawing Avery back to the conversation. “He’d wanted to retire and I needed work.”
“You’re a mechanic?”
“Yes,” Taylor said proudly. “My dad used to be a stock car driver. A bad accident forced him from the sport and he began rebuilding cars, teaching me everything he knows. I went to a tech college after high school, earned a degree and went back to school to obtain a degree in education to teach the way my dad taught me.”
“That’s a great idea. Maybe you can teach here in Dare too. Do you have any siblings?”
“I’m an only child. My parents both work for Mr. Krystiyan. My mom’s his housekeeper and my dad takes care of his extensive car collection, and even though he’s retired, he enjoys driving for Mr. Krystiyan.”
“Is the big Hummer limo outside your father’s or Gabriel’s?”
“My dad’s. Along with the auto shop, he started a limousine service. He has the Hummer and a typical stretch Cadillac.”
“It sounds to me like you get along with your mom and dad.”
“Definitely, I adore my parents. I’ve always had a roof over my head growing up. They taught me to treat others with respect and to be open-minded.”
“You said you moved here recently?”
“Three months ago. I’d been teaching auto mechanics at a technical high school in Arizona, but funding was cut and I couldn’t afford to stay in Prescott on a part-time salary. Moving was my best option.”
“Are you missing Prescott?”
“It’s a very nice town, very quaint. Mostly, I miss the students I worked with.”
Maybe Prescott was a beautiful place to live, however, Avery picked up on something. Taylor wasn’t missing her life in Arizona.
“I’m sure you were a great teacher. When Hazard and I visit Dare again, we’ll have to go to a movie or shopping.”
“I’d love that. I’ve been so busy at the shop, socializing has been difficult.”
“You know, you should talk to Gabriel. He’s a nice guy. I think he was genuinely concerned about you earlier. He may have overreacted or gotten bossy, but he does want to apologize. Maybe you two can become friends, same with Jaxon and Sawyer.”
“Mr. Wynter and Mr. Hamilton have welcomed me. They’re on the town council and they helped with the legalities of taking over my dad’s business. Mr. Krystiyan makes me nervous.”
Taylor spoke easily about all the men except Gabriel. Saying his name made her blush. She was really pretty, with a fair complexion and a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks.
Gabriel’s dates were all dark-skinned and exotic, their clothing chic.
Taylor was a fresh-faced, All-American woman.
“Give Gabriel a chance, Taylor. You don’t really work for him.”
“It’s best if I remain professional. I don’t want anything I do to reflect poorly on my dad. He really needs the distraction that working for Mr. Krystiyan provides. My decision to invest in the shop should help with his and my mom’s expenses, but medical bills are tough, even with decent insurance.”
“Medical bills?” Avery repeated, recognizing when a daughter was concerned for her parent. Gabriel had said when he arrived that Taylor’s dad was sick. “Are you talking about your dad’s illness?”
Taylor glanced around. “He’s been out of breath lately, not feeling well. During his doctor’s exam today, his blood pressure was dangerously high and he went right over to see a cardiologist for a stress test. They’ve admitted him. Tomorrow morning he’ll have a catheterization and will probably have stents put in.”
“My goodness, you must be so worried!”
“He acted like it was no big deal. Mom’s a nervous wreck.”
“I can imagine. My father was very ill recently. He’s doing much better, but when our parents are sick, they tend to keep it to themselves so as not to burden anyone.”
“That’s so true. My dad’s my hero. I want him to get well and follow doctor’s orders to the letter.”
“No wonder you were upset when Gabriel first saw you. Does he know?”
“Mr. Krystiyan?”
“Yes.”
“My dad would prefer to get the procedures done first. Everyone took their cars to him because he told elaborate stories while waiting for oil changes or minor maintenance. But as sociable as he is around town, burdening Mr. Krystiyan with this is not his way.”
“Ms. Anderson, I’d like to talk to you,” Gabriel said behind them, coming in so quietly that neither of them was prepared.
He walked up as casual as you please. His dates weren’t with him and his focus was entirely on Taylor. Hmm, interesting…the expression on Gabriel’s face was similar to the one Avery had seen on Hazard’s face when she first walked into the Truth or Dare Club.
“I owe you an apology,” he stated confidently, not at all bothered by owning up to his error earlier.
“It’s not necessary, sir,” Taylor said. “I am sorry for not accepting your offer. I’m licensed to drive almost any type of vehicle, but have never been a chauffeur. It’s possible that I’ll stand in for my dad more often and I wanted to do what he would have done.”
“Would he have come inside?” Avery asked.
“Unlikely,” Taylor said.
“I admit it. I was worried about you being alone outside,” Gabriel admitted.
“There was no need. We’re a good distance from town, there are good locks on the doors of the Hummer and I know how to defend myself.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Gabriel declared. “I’m responsible for you now.”
“If you’d prefer me not to drive you and your guests again, I’ll understand.”
“Where in that did I say you wouldn’t be my driver again? You’re more than capable of fulfilling those duties, especially given your father’s procedure. Please tell him that both he and your mom will remain in my employ. That includes you, Taylor.”
“Can we change the subject?” Taylor requested.
Taylor hadn’t been kidding when she said Gabriel made her nervous. Avery watched closely, noticing that Taylor wouldn’t look right at Gabriel and automatically covered her scar with her left hand.
“Before we move on, I sensed something was wrong when you arrived at my house. You could have told me your dad wasn’t just down with the flu,” he said.
“Is that what he told you?” Taylor asked.
“Yes. I like you father very much. If medical expenses are a problem, I want to help.”
Taylor shook her head, smiling slightly. “He’d never let you do that, Mr. Krystiyan. He has insurance. It should cover most of the hospital expenses and procedures. I’ll cover anything else.”
“My offer to help remains.”
Gabriel walked closer with a quiet grace that must have come from his time as a dancer and the choreography he used in his shows. His manner was completely relaxed as he moved in a hair shy of Taylor’s personal space.
“Let’s start over. I’m Gabriel Krystiyan,” he said, pronouncing his last name as Christian. “Thank you for agreeing to drive that monster of a limo of your father’s. You are a very good driver and we were in excellent hands.”
“You’re welcome, sir,” Taylor replied, almost looking at him. “I’ll be sure to let my dad know I didn’t screw things up for him.”
“Forget the sir. Can we be friends, Taylor?”
Finally, Taylor looked up. “That’s all you want, friendship?” The sudden sharpness in her tone surprised Avery.
Gabriel blinked.
“Is there reason to think I want something more?”
“No sir, I mean, no, Mr. Krystiyan.”
Gabriel shifted, this time moving into Taylor’s line of sight.
He was every bit as alpha as Hazard was, but his intensity was quieter, reminding her of a jungle cat patiently studying the environment around him to wait out his mate. His movements were sensual, seductive and predatory, yet he somehow caused her to trust him enough to lower her hand to her lap to reveal her whole face to him.
Gabriel reached out, offering his hand. “Call me Gabriel.” She lifted her eyes, looking at him and accepting his greeting with a slight smile.
His smile deepened as their fingers touched and remained connected. A slight tug brought her closer to him. Taylor was taller than any woman Avery knew with one exception, Grace McKay, who was six-three and a perfect match to her six-seven husband.
But Gabriel was taller than Taylor by at least four or five inches. Tonight he was dressed in all black, black leather pants, black shirt and black boots. He’d arrived at Jaxon’s wearing a long black leather coat reminiscent of Neo in The Matrix.
“Nice to meet you, Gabriel, I’m Taylor,” she said, drawing back first, flushing hotly.
Well, if Avery was a hardcore gambler, she’d lay odds on the possibility that something more than friendship started in that handshake.
“Anything else I need to know about you, Taylor?” Gabriel asked, bending his head slightly to look at her at a different angle, the same angle of her scar.
“Not at the moment,” Taylor answered, expertly turning to keep Gabriel from focusing on that scar. “It was nice of you to apologize. I am sorry too.”
“Then we’re friends?” he pressed.
“If you’d like to be,” she said, beginning to relax.
“I’d like that a lot. Now that I know about your dad, tell me about this,” he urged, gently, compassionately swiping his finger along her scar.
“Minor surgery, no big deal,” Taylor answered, shrugging him off.
“What kind of surgery?”
“It’s called Mohs, for basal cell carcinoma,” Taylor explained. “I’m prone to it. I’m sorry if it’s ugly. In a couple months, it’ll fade to nothing.”
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