But Maya. Maya was another story. She’d only been trying to help, to lend a sympathetic ear, and he’d taken advantage of her. You’re weak. The nasty voice of his conscience called him out. He’d let himself indulge in her when he’d given her his word that he would behave. If he couldn’t keep the promises he’d made, he was no better than his louse of a father Henry, who hadn’t kept his marital vows.
Ayden closed his eyes, but it did little to erase the imprint of Maya from his senses. He could still smell her sweet scent in the air. How in the world was he going to be able to forget how she tasted and go back to a professional relationship?
Seven
The next morning, Maya awoke feeling more exhausted than she’d been before going to bed. When she’d arrived home, she’d paced, unable to sleep because she couldn’t get the kiss with Ayden off her mind. So she’d pretty much clock-watched the entire night, and time had seemed to stagnate.
Throwing back the covers, Maya showered and threw on her gear to go for a run. When she was in a mood like this, running was the best cure. She waved at her building’s security guard and started for a nearby park about half a mile away. Maybe she could lose herself on the trail and feel invigorated afterward.
An hour later, Maya felt no better. In fact, she felt terribly silly for making a mountain out of a molehill. It was just a kiss. But was it?
Ayden wasn’t just any man. He was the man of her dreams. The man whose face she had been unable to forget for five long years. And now, during her run, he was all Maya could think of. The kiss had stirred up past feelings Maya thought she’d resolved. It had been earth-shatteringly passionate. It had rocked Maya to the core and made her wonder whether she could continue working for Ayden.
Maya realized that they’d never really resolved what happened five years ago. Instead, they’d acted like it was a one-time thing because she’d been upset over Thomas. She’d thought it had been pity, but now she realized that was a lie. If they’d both been bold enough, they’d admit there was something there. An attraction simmering just below the surface. Under the right circumstances and conditions, they combusted.
How else could she explain why Ayden had kissed her last night and she’d kissed him back? She’d been a willing and active participant in that kiss. Her heart thundered with excitement at how passionate Ayden had been. She’d felt the full force of that unleashed energy and doubted they would have stopped if not for the well-timed knock on the door.
Knowing that she felt this way, there was no way she could go out for dinner tonight with Ryan. Not when she had these swirling emotions surrounding Ayden on her mind. Once she made it to Starbucks for a coffee, Maya went to a quiet corner to make her call.
Ryan answered after several rings. “Maya, good morning.”
“Good morning, Ryan. How are you?”
“I’m excited for our date this evening.”
“Listen, about that—”
“Don’t tell me you’re canceling?” Ryan interrupted.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea that we go out,” Maya said. “I really can’t handle anything other than friendship right now. I have a lot going on in my life.”
“Friendship sounds like a great start. Let’s scratch dinner. How about attending a polo match?”
“Polo?” Maya had never been to a match and understood nothing of the game.
“Yes, polo. You can put on your Sunday best, well, in this case, your Saturday best, and meet me at the Austin Polo Club.”
“I don’t know....” Maya recalled that Ayden loved the sport. He used to talk about how he and Luke had played it during undergrad. Was he still playing for this club? But what if he were? Did it really matter? With all the people attending, it was highly doubtful he would even notice her.
“Do you have other plans?”
“No, but...”
“I’ll see you at two then.” Seconds later, the call ended and Maya was staring down at her phone. Ryan had hung up without giving her a chance to change her mind. Very sneaky of him. But she didn’t have any plans, and if Ryan was okay that all she had to offer was friendship, then why not? She hadn’t been out with anyone other than Ayden since she’d returned to Austin. It would be nice to have some male companionship, even if was a non-date. And who knows? Polo could be fun.
Ayden needed physical exertion to help clear his mind and give him some perspective on why he kept screwing up royally with Maya. He’d already gone to the gym this morning for two hours and was happy he had a polo match scheduled for even more punishment.
All morning as he’d hit the treadmill, weights, even the boxing ring, his mind kept wandering to Maya. And how he’d been greedy for her last night. He’d wanted to feel her skin against his. Had wanted to kiss her, touch her, and if that knock hadn’t interrupted them, he would have taken her everywhere—up against the window, the desk, the floor, the couch in his office. He wouldn’t have cared, because she’d spiked a need in him he couldn’t recall feeling in...well....in five years. When that very same need had rocked him to his core and caused him to push her away.
Ayden hadn’t understood it then and darn sure didn’t understand it now. Maya was his assistant, his friend, yet she was the only woman who fired up a lust in him that was so profound he lost all thought or reason. She made him impulsive rather than cool and in control like he usually was in sexual encounters.
He had to get himself back on track, and today’s match at the Austin Polo Club would help. After the gym, he’d gone home to shower and get ready for the game. He’d donned his usual ensemble of well-worn riding boots that fit just below the knees, white riding breeches and a black polo shirt with the number 3 for his position in the polo club. He liked being the attacker. And today, there was a tournament against a club out of San Antonio and he was ready for battle.
When he arrived at the club, he hopped out of his Bentley, gave his keys to one of the many valets and grabbed his gloves, kneepads and helmet with chin strap. He was looking forward to running his polo pony, a beautiful Thoroughbred he’d purchased some years back. He could thank Luke for introducing him to the sport in New England, because it had stuck. Ayden had found the polo club and been a member ever since. He typically tried to play twice a month to ensure he and his pony were one on the field, which in this case was the size of six soccer fields.
When he arrived at the stables, which housed two hundred Thoroughbreds, his team was already getting ready for the tournament. Ayden wasted no time saddling up his pony, and braiding and wrapping its tail. Once he was ready, he swung his leg around and into the stirrups. A club hand was on board to help, handing him his helmet and mallet.
“You ready to give those San Antonio boys a whooping and send them home?” Eddie, a venture capitalist and one of his team members, asked when he was mounted.
“Heck, yeah!” Ayden responded.
The first chukka went supremely well with Austin making the first goal. Ayden was really getting into the game. And when the umpire threw the ball between the two teams on the second chukka, Ayden took off after it with a fury, challenging the opposing San Antonio team member by riding him off. It worked. It moved his opponent away from the ball and out of the play so his teammate could score a goal.
“Good job!” Mateo, another of his team members, yelled as they began leading their ponies back to the equestrian facility for a break.
“Thanks, I was in the...” Ayden’s sentence was cut short when he spied Maya and Ryan stepping out on the field to stomp the divots. What was she doing here? And with Ryan of all people?
Ayden was furious. Uncaring of who was watching, he began riding his pony across the field in Maya’s direction.
* * *
“Having fun?” Ryan asked as he led Maya onto the green so they could stomp the grass.
“Oh, yes,” Maya said, smiling from ear to ear. “Thanks for
suggesting this.” She hadn’t the foggiest notion what to wear to a polo match. The only other time she’d seen one was when she’d watched Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
Did she need a big hat? She hadn’t brought one with her. After rummaging through the closet, Maya had found a lace-embroidered off-shoulder white jumpsuit with wide leg pants. She’d matched it with some chunky wedges and large hoop earrings. She thought she looked pretty good. And when she’d met Ryan he’d agreed by giving her an appreciative whistle. He looked equally casual in a pair of Dockers, a polo shirt and a blazer.
“My pleasure.” Ryan’s mouth curved into a grin. “To be honest,” he said, stomping the green with his foot, “I’d be happy with any time I got to spend with you.”
Maya glanced up at him and there was no mistaking the interest in his gaze. Ryan wanted more than friendship, but that’s all she had to give him. Her relationship with Ayden was too complicated for her to bring someone else into the picture, no matter how great he might be.
She wanted to say more, but then she heard hooves, and when she glanced up, she saw Ayden barreling down on them. Ryan grasped her by the waist and pushed her behind him as Ayden barely stopped his horse in enough time in front of them. Maya sucked in a deep breath at the near miss and noticed the lethal glint in Ayden’s hazel eyes.
“Ayden, in God’s name, man, you could have killed us,” Ryan lashed out.
“Hardly,” Ayden said, hurtling himself over the pony and pulling the animal forward by the reins. “I take care of what’s mine.”
The possessive look he gave Maya caused her stomach to knot up and her throat to suddenly become very dry. Was he talking about her? Because she wasn’t his. She never had been and doubted she ever would be. He didn’t do commitments. She’d always known that.
“What are you doing here?” Ayden inquired. There was an edge to his voice that Maya didn’t understand.
“You invited me, remember?” Ryan replied. “At the restaurant.”
“Ah yes.” Ayden nodded and his voice became mellower. “I forgot. Though I had no idea you were bringing Maya.” He glanced in her direction again, his gaze traveling from the wedges on her feet to the one-piece jumpsuit showing off her bare shoulders.
Maya finally found her voice even though her throat felt parched. “It was a last-minute thing, but I’m glad I came.”
“Is that so?” Ayden’s brow furrowed.
The level of tension between them ratcheted up and Maya’s nerves were stretched tight. “Yes, that’s right.” She didn’t appreciate his tone. He was acting as if she’d done something untoward when she’d only accepted a simple invitation to a polo match. During the day. It wasn’t as if they were on a date. But weren’t they? Even though Ryan had suggested it under the guise of “just friends,” she knew he wanted more. But he also hadn’t given her the chance to say no, having hung up before she could respond.
“Glad you’re enjoying your date,” Ayden said. “Be sure to watch me on the field.” He jumped onto the back of the horse with ease and, after a swift kick, they were gone.
Ryan turned and eyed her. “What the hell was that about?”
Maya shrugged as if she didn’t have a clue, but she knew. Ayden was jealous. Jealous over the fact that she was here with Ryan on what he thought was a romantic date when they were just friends. But why not let Ayden stew on it? He had no claims on her, and it would be good for Ayden Stewart to eat a little humble pie.
* * *
Ayden was angry. He didn’t like how cozy Maya and Ryan were. Didn’t like the level of intimacy he’d witnessed between them. Not one bit. He’d arrived back at the equestrian facility to cool the pony down and have a refreshment.
Although he didn’t want a relationship with Maya, he didn’t want Ryan to have her, either. Which was totally unfair. Maya deserved someone better, who would treat her well, marry her and father a gaggle of babies. It’s what she’d always wanted and thought she might have with the knucklehead who’d married her sister. Instead, she was in limbo with Ayden because he kept giving her mixed messages. They had a professional relationship one day. And the next, he was kissing her senseless and muddying the waters. Ayden couldn’t make sense of it. He knew his jealousy was irrational, but he seemed powerless to control it.
“Are you going to keep daydreaming, Stewart, or are you ready to win this thing?” Eddie said from above him.
Ayden glanced up and found his team was already back in the saddle. “Yeah, I’m ready. I’m ready to pummel them.” He hopped back onto his pony and they headed onto the field. He was going to win this thing. He had an audience and wanted to show Maya how skilled he was at polo. Of course, there were other skills he’d rather show her, which included the two of them on a bed or whatever surface was available.
He blinked. Get your head out of the clouds, Stewart, he reminded himself as the umpire threw the ball. Ayden took off down the field.
Unfortunately, the San Antonio team must have regrouped during halftime because they came back stronger than ever and won the third and fourth chukka, forcing a draw. Now they had to play another chukka, and the first team to score would win. Ayden wasn’t playing his best and he knew it. Every time he got a chance, he was looking across the field, trying to find Maya, wondering what she was doing with Ryan. It was driving him crazy.
All four team members had gathered for a pep talk. “Come on, guys,” Mateo commanded. “We’ve got to win this, otherwise we don’t get to the Centennial Cup. So let’s do this.”
“Let’s do it!” they all yelled.
Fired up, Ayden went all in. As soon as the ball was in the air, he rode toward his man. Ayden bumped the other player with his shoulder while simultaneously attempting another maneuver to hook his mallet when his opponent hit the ball. But their mallets got tangled together and both ponies began to get agitated. Before he knew it, Ayden was hurtling through the air and hit the ground with a loud thump.
Ayden had a splitting headache. Furtively he glanced around the room and that’s when he realized he was at the hospital. The last thing he remembered was getting tangled up with the opposing player at the polo match and flying through the air. How long had he been out? He couldn’t remember, he just knew he hated hospitals. That was where his mom had died. He tried to move, but felt immobile. Glancing down, Ayden saw a compression wrap around his ankle.
He couldn’t afford any broken limbs. He led an active life and had a full workload. He wiggled his ankle. Thankfully, he could move it, but it was definitely swollen. He pressed the buzzer for a nurse. Several minutes later, one walked in. Dressed in blue scrubs and a white jacket, the young brunette came toward him to take his vitals.
“Ah, you’ve awoken from your slumber,” she said.
“How long was I out?”
“For a while. You have a mild concussion, a contusion on your left eye and a sprained ankle, but otherwise, you’ll be fine.”
“Is that all?” he asked snarkily. “When can I get out of here?” He used the remote to lift the bed upward into a sitting position. He hated feeling helpless.
“Not tonight,” the nurse replied. “We’re keeping you overnight for observation, but I’m sure the doctor will release you tomorrow into the care of a loved one.”
The care of a loved one. He didn’t have anyone here because Luke was across the ocean. His mother had been the only family he’d ever had. And as far as Fallon or Dane, he doubted either of them would come to his aid. The only person he could think of, the only person he would want taking care of him, was Maya. Maya cared for him and would be willing to help. And what better way to ensure she stayed away from Ryan than keeping her close by his side.
Oh, yes, Maya was the right person for the job.
Eight
Maya anxiously paced the hospital waiting room. How long was it going to take for them to tell her something? She’d been w
aiting for hours to hear about Ayden’s condition and no one would tell her anything because she wasn’t family. Ryan had stayed with her, but eventually she’d told him to go home. There was nothing he could do and she wasn’t leaving until she could see for herself that Ayden was okay. Ryan had understood and advised her to sort through her feelings for Ayden.
When she thought about the accident, her heart turned over in her chest. She’d gasped in horror when Ayden had fallen from the horse. Immediately, she’d run to him, uncaring of how it might look to Ryan or anyone else. She’d just known she had to get to Ayden. He’d been lying motionless on the green and was unresponsive until the ambulance had arrived. He’d opened his eyes briefly on the ride to the hospital, and she hadn’t seen those beautiful hazel-gray eyes since.
Once they’d arrived, she’d been treated like a second-class citizen and sent to the waiting room because she wasn’t family. No one would talk to her until finally she’d pleaded for any word. They’d told her he was stable, but nothing more.
“Ms. Richardson?” a female voice called out from behind her.
Maya spun around and rushed toward the nurse. “Is there any news on Mr. Stewart?”
“Yes, ma’am. He’s awake and asking for you.”
Thank God! Maya closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. “Take me to him.”
“Follow me.”
At the CEO's Pleasure Page 8