Dynasties Collection

She gave a gurgle of laughter.

The next second she was spinning into his arms. His lips slanted across hers. Avery’s laughter dried up. For a moment she responded, then she pulled away, and shook her hand free of his.

Oh, my, she was even holding hands with Guy.

To cover her confusion, she said, “Oh, an art gallery. Let’s have a look.” At that point even an abattoir would’ve elicited a squeal of delight. Anything to escape the confusion of being thoroughly and publicly kissed in the midst of Aspen’s main street by Guy Jarrod.

“We’re almost at the bar.”

“I want to have a look.” She needed a moment to regain her composure. “You can wait outside if you want. I won’t be long.” She dived through the door into the gallery, grateful for the respite. There was a row of touristy watercolor paintings of the town, and the gallery keeper was securing a round, red Sold sticker to one of them. Avery walked quickly past.

To the right was an alcove—it would’ve been a misnomer to call it a room. On the far white wall, plumb in the center, hung one canvas.

Avery stopped dead.

The power of that single painting sucked the breath out of her lungs with its sheer poignant beauty.

It was a while before she became aware of Guy standing silently beside her.

“Isn’t this piece amazing?”

“Amazing.”

There was a peculiar note in his voice. Avery glanced at him, a little resentful that he didn’t share her enthusiastic admiration. His face was taut … pale.

“Guy?” Concern gripped her. “What’s the matter?”

“I’ll wait for you outside, okay?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned away, his shoulders hunched as he headed for the door as though he couldn’t get out fast enough.

What had evoked such a response? Was he annoyed because she’d pulled out of his too-public embrace? Or did his reaction have something to do with the gallery? She glanced back at the painting she’d been admiring when he’d come up beside her.

The painting was riveting. But disturbing enough to arouse such a strong reaction in Guy? Avery studied what should’ve been a peaceful subject. Perhaps. It was an abstract of a river. A swollen, moving river. There was turbulence in the dark, raging colors and the brush strokes. It was full of raw power … and anger. She couldn’t take her eyes off it.

“It’s compelling, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Avery didn’t glance up as the gallery keeper came up beside her. She was still trying to fathom what it was about the painting that aroused such strong emotions.

“Margaret Jarrod loved to paint the Roaring Fork—but this is one of her last works of the river.”

Now Avery looked at him. “Margaret Jarrod?”

“Don Jarrod’s wife.” He pushed the round wire-rimmed glasses up his nose and glanced through the sheet window to where Guy was pacing the sidewalk. “I thought you knew it was her work.”

Avery shook her head numbly.

“The whole town was very sad to hear about Don’s passing.”

“Yes, it was a tragedy for the family.”

Questions swirled around her head. Guy had never mentioned his mother. She wanted to know everything. But it seemed … invasive … to ask the gallery owner while Guy cooled his heels outside.

“For everyone. The resort helped draw people to Aspen. The Food and Wine Gala that’s on now is only one of the events that Don set up to benefit everyone in the town. There are fears that his children might abandon the resort—or, God help us all, sell it to outsiders.”

Avery didn’t know how to reply. “I’m here for the festival—and it’s been wonderful” was what she settled for. With a smile she excused herself, “I must go, Guy is waiting.”

Outside, Guy’s face still wore that closed expression that had perturbed Avery.

With a burst of sudden longing she wanted the man who’d planted that joyful kiss on her lips back. But he’d vanished under the mask of stony indifference. Avery was determined to find him again.

She had a feeling it wasn’t going to be easy.

But she’d always relished a challenge.

Best would be to put him off guard. To that end, she threaded her hand through the crook of his arm, “Lead the way. I’m ready to examine the competition.”

The bar Guy took her to had attracted a well-heeled, casually-dressed crowd, where jeans were the order of the day. Mostly designer brands—Diesel, Calvin Klein. Although Avery also spotted the odd pair of working Levis—and footwear ranged from Jimmy Choos to dusty cowboy boots. But certainly these Colorado cowboys were ranch owners rather than hired hands, and the glitter at women’s throats were diamonds rather than rhinestones.

The bartender took their order, and Avery turned her attention to the cocktails chalked up on the blackboard behind the bar, then inspected the wine and beer list.

“Not bad,” she said at last. She smiled her thanks when her drink arrived, while Guy paid for the round. Expenses, she told herself, suppressing the urge to object. This wasn’t a date. He stuffed his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans and settled himself onto a wooden barstool.

“But you’d do better.” He made it a statement.

“Of course.” She set the wine list down on the counter and met Guy’s gaze with confidence.

“Tell me how.”

“I’d add some of the newer wines that are taking the country by storm.” She warmed to her topic. “Then I’d look to add some international flair. What they’ve done here is to stick to the well-known Napa Valley wineries. They’ve done the same with the cocktails—the names might be risqué but there’s nothing here that’s new and refreshing. No imagination.”

“What you’re telling me is they’ve played it safe.”

“Exactly!”

“You’d take more risks?”

The smile that tugged at his lips warned her of the trap she was headed for. “Forget it. I’m not going to go ballooning, Guy. I’ve got too much imagination.”

The smile widened into a grin that had her innards melting.

“Did I even ask you to?”

“You didn’t need to … I know where this is going.” He was the most persistent devil she’d ever met. But she could be even more stubborn … and she would prove it.

Their next rendezvous was one of the most popular bar-and-grills in town, located in a brightly lit mall. They strolled along Mill Street, which gave Avery a chance to admire the store frontages. As they passed a busy eatery, Avery was startled by the loud sound of metal clanging.

“What’s that?”

“Probably a bear.”

“A bear?” She stopped and stared at Guy. “You’re joking, right?”

He shook his head. “Nope. About a year back they started moving into town.”

Just then two boys ran around the corner, one of them brandishing a Stop sign. Guy gave them a quelling look.

“Where did you get that?”

“Sorry, mister, we’ll put it back.”

With a scuffle they disappeared back around the corner, the sound of giggles following in their wake.

“Well, there goes your bear. Hope the little devils put it back.”

“I’d say they were first-time offenders,” Guy replied. “They didn’t look sulky enough to be hardened miscreants.”

“You recognize the difference?”

“I was a boy once upon a time.”

“Well, at least it wasn’t a bear this time,” Avery said as Guy held a door open for her. “Boys I can handle—even in a place like Aspen which seems too glamorous for kids. But bears?” Halting at the bar, Avery wasn’t ready to let the subject go.

The bartender had come over to greet Guy and take their order, and overheard her amazement. “You’re hearing about our black bear problem?”

“So Guy wasn’t having me on.”

“Oh, no!” The bartender crossed his arms. “There was even a bear in the tree in front of the courthouse.” Avery blinked.

“In front of the courthouse?” Laughter bubbled up in her throat. “Does that mean the sheriff had to arrest him for trespassing?”

Guy shook his head. “Nor the momma bear that stood watch while her cubs raided someone’s kitchen after momma had broken the door down.”

“Wow.” Avery knew her eyes must be as wide as saucers.

“Don’t feed any bears you might see.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Avery loved Guy’s honesty, his determination to protect the bears, and his insistence that people should take responsibility for their actions. “Trust me, I’ve got no intention of getting within a hundred yards of any bear.”

“Ever the risk taker,” said Guy.

And Avery gave him a sweet smile.

Sensing he’d missed out on a private joke, the bartender said, “Now what can I get you two to drink?”

“Make mine a strawberry margarita,” said Avery. “I think I need it after all that bear talk.”

“I’ll have a beer.” Guy made his selection and set the wine and beer list down.

Avery studied Guy, committing every feature, every nuance of his expression to memory. She watched as he brushed back the lock of hair that fell forward onto his face. “Have you ever seen a bear in the wild? That must be amazing—so long as it’s a decent distance away.”

“Plenty of times. And guess what?” Guy grinned across at her. “If you go up in a balloon you’ve got a good chance of seeing one too—and from a safe distance.”

“Forget it!” She stuck her tongue out at him. “I’d rather be on the ground wishing I were in the air than in the air wishing I were on the ground.”

He chuckled, his eyes warm and filled with humor. “Let’s study these menus, and see if the opposition is doing anything better than us.”

Nine

Guy said no more about whatever it was that bothered him at the gallery during their outing. But an opportunity to learn more about him presented itself unexpectedly several days later.

“There’s something I want to show you,” said Guy interrupting the train of thought that Avery had been tapping into her computer while sitting at a table beside the sparkling resort pool.

She stretched lazily. She was feeling particularly content. A call from Matt had updated her on her uncle—he was almost back to normal. And earlier that morning her solo presentation had gone off without a hitch. “What is it?”

“You’ll have to shut down your computer, because it will take a while.”

Guy’s gaze raked over her and Avery became conscious of how her blouse had pulled tight over her breasts. She lowered her arms.

“How much is a while?”

“My, but you’re full of questions today.”

The only way she was going to find out was to go with Guy. And her curiosity had been whetted. Busying herself with shutting the computer down, Avery packed it into its case, then rose to her feet. Guy led her through the spacious lobby scattered with tables and chairs and into an elevator.

“But this is the way to my room,” she said as the doors opened to her floor. “What are you going to show me here?”

Avery followed him up a short flight of stairs, until he halted outside her room. “Open up.”

She dug in her toes. “What’s going on?”

“Get your swimsuit and a towel, we’re going on a picnic.”

“A picnic?”

He grinned, looking like he had no cares in the world.

“Why not?”

“Haven’t you got work to do?”

“It’s Monday, the slowest day at the resort. The sun is shining, it’s eighty degrees. The perfect day to show you the best swimming hole in Colorado. And test your theory that food tastes better outdoors.”

“I suppose you’ve prepared the perfect picnic feast?”

“Uh … Louis did.”

“In that case perhaps I should go on a picnic with Louis.” Then she tensed at her stupidity and tried to think of an inane comment that would take the edge out her words.

But Guy didn’t react with the suspicion she’d half expected. “No go. I organized the food, no one is hijacking my picnic.”

Avery laughed and relaxed a little. If he was starting to trust her then they were making progress.

Better she accept that Guy was not going to cook for her. Not because he hadn’t had sufficient opportunity, but because for some reason he didn’t want to.

She wished she could read him better, understand what drove him.

Today he was back to the easy charm that had attracted her that first day she met him. But she’d learned that the easygoing attitude also hid a reluctance to commit his heart. Avery didn’t want the shallow charmer any longer; she wanted the complex, passionate man she’d glimpsed beneath.

Maybe a picnic would help unearth him.

Swiping her access card, she opened the room door. “Give me two minutes to drop off my laptop and change into a swimsuit.”

Guy parked the black SUV under the trees and led Avery down an overgrown path to where the river flowed lazily into a calm pool in the lea of a large rock.

“Best kept secret in Colorado,” he said.

“Gosh, the water is like a mirror.” The willows along the river bank and the wide cobalt sky overhead were reflected in the flat surface.

“Not on the southern side of the rock, there’s a waterfall there.” With the picnic basket in one hand, Guy reached for her fingers with his free hand. “Come.”

A bolt of pure happiness shot through Avery as his fingers threaded through hers. This was what she yearned for. This sense of companionship and contentment … with no hint of suspicion and distrust.

Near the edge of the river bank, in the green space under the largest willow, Guy set down the basket and let go of her hand. Then he tugged off his T-shirt and Avery caught her breath at the sight of his broad chest, his stomach tight with muscles that rippled in the sunlight.

Before he could see the effect his body had on her, she turned away and stripped off her jeans and tank top to reveal the lime-green bikini she wore. By the time she reached the river bank, Guy was already moving across the ledge below the large, flat rock. He took three running steps and leapt into the water.

Avery edged down the bank until she stood knee deep in the swimming hole.

“Brr.” She crossed her arms over her breasts to hide her puckering nipples. “It’s cold.”

“Of course it’s cold. What did you expect? A hot tub?”

That brought back memories she didn’t need revived right now, and a wash of heat replaced the water’s chill. But when the water crept up her midriff, Avery forgot about hot tubs and nipples and squealed out loud.

“You should’ve jumped in while you had the chance.”

Avery took one look at the wicked gleam in Guy’s eyes as he swam toward her and sank hurriedly under the water.

“You beast.” She came up stuttering at the shock of the river’s chill. “You’ll pay.”

She splashed a wide arc of water at him.

He retaliated and within minutes they were engaged in a water fight, the cold forgotten, until they ended up under the stream of bubbles from the waterfall.

“That was wonderful.” Finally worn out, Avery hauled herself out of the pool. Spreading her towel out on the grassy bank, she lay back in the sun, closing her eyes. Her stomach rumbled as hunger started to set in.

Peering through her eyelashes, she could see Guy sitting on his towel. Drops of water ran down his chest, causing her to follow their pathway over his chest, and belly … lower … to the waistband of his trunks. Those drops looked totally lickable.

She flushed, and jerked her gaze back to his face. “You always promised you’d cook for me one day.”

“Did I?” His expression was impenetrable. “Don’t you remember?”

He shrugged. “I’m too busy to prepare food these days.”

“You told me that back in New York.” She braved his sarcasm. “You also said you missed it. That conjuring up dishes for your patrons didn’t bring the same satisfaction as feeding friends and family.”

Did he really not remember? Or was this another way of closing himself up to her?

“Sounds like I said entirely too much.”

“Don’t you recall the conversation?” Perhaps he had forgotten. Or never taken much notice to the promise he’d made. It only went to show how little their relationship had meant to him. It irked her that she was so forgettable he couldn’t even remember their conversations.

Every word he’d spoken to her was engraved on her soul.

Don’t call me again. Ever.

And she hadn’t. If it hadn’t been for Uncle Art falling sick, she’d very likely never have met Guy again. She’d sworn never to take an assignment in New York. Even among the millions of people the risk of encountering Guy was too great.

So maybe she was a ‘fraidy cat.

Yet here she was trying to remind him he’d once promised to make her a meal. A fierce and stubborn determination crept in. “You said it the day that—”

“I vaguely remember.”

Vaguely? That was even more insulting. Before she could object to his choice of words Guy had moved away to unpack the hamper.

“There’s a selection of cheeses, a baguette, some pickles made at the resort, grapes and a nut terrine that is irresistible.” Guy spread them out on a checked blue-and-white rug. Then he dug back into the hamper. “As well as a bottle of Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast. No champagne today—I don’t want to make you sneeze.”

At least he’d remembered that! While it might not be exactly the same as having Guy prepare food for her, the spread looked heavenly. Avery’s mouth started to water.

“I suppose I could settle for that.”

Reaching forward, he tore off a piece of bread and scooped a little terrine on to it. “Try this.” He offered it to her.

She took it daintily, closed her eyes, and chewed.

“Good.”

Her eyes opened, and caught him watching her. “What are you staring at?”

“You’re a pleasure to feed,” he said simply. “So feed me.”

Guy’s pulse leaped. But he took her at her word. Within minutes they’d demolished the contents of the basket.

“Just as well there wasn’t more.” Avery grinned at him and desire clawed at his gut in a way that was only too familiar. “A full stomach and warm sunshine would guarantee that I wouldn’t move for a week.”

He forgot about work. He forgot about the menu that Louis was waiting for him to finalize for the black-tie fundraiser for the coming Saturday night. His whole world consisted of Avery’s sparkling blue eyes, and her wicked smiling mouth.

“There’s still dessert,” he murmured.

“Oh, I couldn’t eat another thing.”

“I think you’ll find space for ripe black cherries.” Guy shifted closer to her. The blue of her eyes deepened as she realized his intent.

“I love cherries.”

They’d talked about cherries one evening at Baratin. She’d said she’d match the sweetness with a sauce of bitter chocolate. He’d argued that honey drizzled over would match better—he’d been teasing, his gleaming laughter-filled eyes had told her that much.

“There’s a bottle of honey to complement it.”

Her heart sank a little. No, he didn’t remember. Or if he did, he didn’t care enough to take her suggestions to heart. Avery felt unaccountably crushed.

“That will be nice,” she said, subdued.

He took a glass bottle out the basket.

“But that’s—” Her startled gaze shot to his.

“Chocolate. Bitter and dark.” There was humor in his eyes. “I must have selected the wrong bottle.” His brow wrinkled.

“Silly me.”

He hadn’t forgotten!

That he’d remembered, taken the trouble to arrange something she’d said she liked was suddenly, overwhelmingly significant.

Avery helped herself to a cherry. “Definitely tastes better out here under blue skies. Sweet and juicy, all it needs is the chocolate.”

His eyes darkened. “Very tasty.”

“You haven’t even tasted it yet.”

“I don’t even need the chocolate.” He leaned forward and placed his lips against hers. His tongue swept across her lip. Slowly. Sensuously. Tasting the sweet juice of the cherry she’d eaten.

Her heart jolted, and began to race.

“Now I have,” he whispered against her lips.

Avery pulled back. She had a feeling she was going to regret this later. For heaven’s sake, he didn’t even trust her. “Guy, where is this going?”

“All the way.” His eyes were intense.

That wasn’t what she’d meant. But she let it pass as he drew picked up the rug and drew her into the shadowy hollow under the willow. The rasp of his breath as she arched her back was enough for now, Avery told herself. When he was ready he would tell her why he shied away from intimacy.

It was up to her to convince him there was nothing to fear.

She put her arms around him and pulled him close. “Make love to me, Guy.” Love not sex. Out here, feeling so close to Guy, she needed to make herself believe it was more than only sex. Even if she was deluding herself.

He didn’t protest.

Instead he dropped his head and swirled his tongue through the valley between her breasts. Avery moaned. Her head tipped back, and the next moment she felt the stroke of his tongue against the arch of her throat.

She shuddered.

“Let’s get this wet suit off.” His voice was hoarse.

That gave her pause. “What if someone comes?”

“Oh, someone will come, all right,” he growled.

Avery gave a shuddering laugh. “Don’t joke.”

“No joke.” The eyes that burned into hers were scorching hot. “I promise.”

For a moment her natural caution reared its head. Then passion took over. Under the canopy of the willow they were out of sight. Avery pushed all worries about interruptions, about tomorrow … next week, out of her head. Guy filled her vision, her world.

Lifting her hands she rested them on his shoulders. His skin was sleek and smooth under her touch, his muscles firm. She gloried in the warm hardness of him. He felt so vital, so alive.

“I’ll hold you to that promise,” she murmured as her hands traveled down and stopped at the barrier formed by the waistband of his board shorts. Languorously she tugged the laces undone. Slipping her hands inside the waistband she pushed them over his hips and down his legs.

By the time the wet bathing suit landed on the ground, he was hard and quivering. Avery sank down onto her knees, and heard him gasp as her mouth closed on him.

Seconds later he was tumbling her onto the rug, spreading her thighs. Touching her … stroking her with hands that shook. Until her body started to sing. Just when she feared she could take no more he slipped between her thighs and sank into her, filling her until she could think of nothing.

Except Guy.

Avery arched her back and gave a breathy moan of pleasure.

He lifted his head. “Okay?”

She nodded. “Oh, yes.”

His lips curved. “I’m glad—for me, too.”

She wanted to say that it could be even better. If he could only relax his guard, let her into his heart, and learn to trust her.

But she knew that if she voiced the intense thoughts his smile would vanish, he’d withdraw. Because the reality was that Guy didn’t want a lasting relationship. Now was all that mattered to him. She was a fool to want more with a man who didn’t even trust her.

So she bit her lip instead, closed her eyes, and focused on the connection they had.

Then he started to move and she forgot everything. Except the pure blinding silver pleasure of the moment.

Afterward they sat out on the sunny river bank and ate dessert.

The cherries and rich chocolate dipping sauce might as well have been stale bread and cold broth for all Guy cared. It tasted bland. Prosaic. It was Avery that he hungered for, her skin, her lips that he craved. Not food.

He couldn’t take his eyes of her. She’d pulled a tank top on with the lime bikini bottoms. She looked so breathtakingly colorful, so alive. And she’d been so passionate, so giving … everything a man could ever desire.

Yet one part of him still hung back, knowing that she would never be what she promised.

There’d be other men. And in the end she would leave again. He had to steel himself. He couldn’t afford not to keep a part of himself carefully in reserve.