Wealthy horse breeder Ajax Rawson can have any woman he wants. So why can’t he keep his hands off the one woman he can’t have? Beautiful, independent and passionate, Veda Darnel is the daughter of his family’s biggest competitor. Years of bad business blood makes their affair dangerous…and forbidden. But will accusations of foul play end their star-crossed romance before it even begins?

ROBYN GRADY was first contracted by Mills & Boon in 2006. Her books feature regularly on bestseller lists and at award ceremonies, including the National Readers’ Choice Awards, Booksellers’ Best Awards, CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards and Australia’s prestigious Romantic Book of the Year.

Robyn lives on Australia’s gorgeous Sunshine Coast, where she met and married her real-life hero. When she’s not tapping out her next story, she enjoys the challenges of raising three very different daughters, going to the theatre, reading on the beach and dreaming about bumping into Stephen King during a month-long Mediterranean cruise.

Robyn knows that writing romance is the best job on the planet and she loves to hear from her readers! You can keep up with news on her latest releases at www.robyngrady.com

Also by Robyn Grady

The Case for Temptation

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

One Night with His Rival

Robyn Grady

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90423-4

ONE NIGHT WITH HIS RIVAL

Published in Great Britain 2020

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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With thanks to my wonderful editor,

Charles Griemsman, and literary agent

extraordinaire, Jessica Alvarez.

Professional, supportive and talented.

I just love working with you both.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Note to Readers

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

About the Publisher

One

Last night was the best and worst decision of her life. On the one hand, it was ecstasy. On the other hand, disaster.

Veda Darnel couldn’t get her head around it. She had practically sold her soul to spend one sizzling night with a man who had reinvented the word satisfaction. A consummate charmer who’d caused her to swap out her common sense for the thrill of unparalleled pleasure.

Lying together now, front to naked front, Veda studied the cocky cowboy in question as he continued to grab some much-needed sleep. Primal instinct was keeping his hand glued to her behind, pressing her hips against his. Each time he breathed in, that mouthwatering chest expanded and wiry hairs teased her nipples. Whenever his lips twitched with a dream-induced grin, she longed for just one more kiss.

Just one more time.

Well, sorry, universe. Not happening. Not now. Not ever again. Damn it, she knew better. In the future, would do better.

Still asleep, Ajax Rawson drew in a sharp breath at the same time the fingers on her butt flexed, then dug in more. Veda had to bite her lip to stem the groan; her Benedict Arnold body wanted those expert hands everywhere and all at once. And if he woke up now, that could very well be where they’d end up. Making love like nothing else mattered.

As if there weren’t already enough prices to pay.

Tippy-toe quiet, she reached behind her and found the big, hot hand cupping her rear end. She carefully coiled her fingers around his wrist, then tried to lift and shift it.

Seriously? His arm must be made of lead.

Knuckling down, Veda tried again. When she’d finally managed to ease herself away, she held her breath. But he didn’t stir. Not an inch.

So, slide off the bed, dive into your clothes, bolt out the hotel suite’s front door and never look back. Never go back. Still, a knot of bittersweet longing kept her hanging. Ajax was the best she’d ever had—the best there ever was.

And how many other women had thought the exact same thing?

He sucked in another sharp breath, rolled onto his back and scooped his arm under his pillow while his other hand gave those ripped abs a languid rub or two. Then his brow pinched, eyelids flickered open, and Veda’s stomach dropped.

Too late to run now.

Ajax frowned sleepily at the ceiling, getting his bearings, before turning his gaze onto her. When one corner of his wholly kissable mouth eased up—when his lungs expanded on a breath that said, “Oh, yeah… I remember you”—Veda’s resolve to do better wobbled like a thimble full of Jell-O.

Ajax’s dreamy ocean-deep blue eyes smiled into hers as he spoke with a sexy growl that was equal parts playful and deadly serious.

“You need to come over here.” He cocked an eyebrow, smiling wider as the sheet tented over his waist. “On second thought, I can’t wait that long.”

When he rolled back toward her, heat rushed through her blood, pooling deliciously low in her belly. But tempted as she was, Veda didn’t lean in. Didn’t surrender. Instead, she brought her portion of the sheet higher and sat up.

“Actually,” she said, “I have to go.”

Ajax paused, then leaned up on an elbow, head in hand, biceps bulging. “You mean to the bathroom or something?”

“No. Not that.”

“Ah, you need food,” he said. “Me, too. I’ll order up. Maybe some green pepper omelets, hot-off-the-grill bacon and chocolate-chip-banana pancakes drowned in syrup. We can eat breakfast in bed.” He came near enough to brush his gorgeous stubble against her cheek. “Lunch and dinner, too, if you want.”

Ajax was never lost for words—more specifically, the right words. He gave off a vibe that confirmed that everything good fortune had to offer came to him naturally. Like he never had to even think about trying.

If only she could say the same for herself.

Years ago, and more than once, a much younger Veda had watched Ajax from afar while daydreaming about being in this exact situation. Back then, as well as now, she hated to think what her father might say. Drake Darnel had an ax or two to grind with the Rawsons, the first dating back decades to a time when Ajax’s dad, Huxley Rawson, was known as a stud.

What was the saying?

Oh, yeah.

The apple never falls far from the tree.

Now, as Ajax maneuvered to claim that kiss—as his musky scent flooded her senses and all her pulse points started to throb—Veda felt her resistance begin to ebb. Thankfully, somehow, she managed to shore herself up and pull back in time.

Ajax pulled back, too, studying her like he couldn’t work out what the problem was for the life of him. After the way she’d allowed herself to be so completely adored these past hours…really, who could blame him?

“Have I done something wrong, Veda? Have I hurt you somehow?”

She shook her head. “No. Nothing like that.” He’d been a total gentleman. An incredible lover.

“Do you have somewhere else to be?”

“Not particularly, no.”

His pained expression only made him look hotter, if that was even possible.

“Is this about family? About our fathers not getting along?”

She winced. “It’s kind of hard to ignore.”

“We did just fine ignoring it last night.”

They’d met at a glitzy Saratoga Springs charity event held at a well-known venue. An hour in, needing a break from the hype, Veda had wandered out onto a balcony. Wearing a tux that fit his dynamite build to perfection, Ajax had been standing by the railing, finishing a call. Veda had swallowed her breath and promptly turned on her silver high heel. But he was already putting the phone away and asking in a rumbling voice that reduced her to mush, “Haven’t we met somewhere before?”

Lamest pickup line in the playbook. Except he wasn’t playing. While they had never spoken, of course she might look familiar. For years, at various horse races she’d gone to with her dad, she had been a shadow hovering in the background, fawning over Ajax.

So, had they met before?

Feeling like a tongue-tied teen again, Veda had murmured, “Not, uh, physically.” Those beautiful blue eyes crinkled at the corners as he chuckled and replied, “Well then, pleased to make your acquaintance—physically.”

After an exchange of names, of course the penny had dropped. She was a Darnel, he was a Rawson. Veda also mentioned that she had recently become friends with Lanie Rawson, his sister. Small world…and getting smaller.

With Ajax doing most of the talking, they had gotten to know each other more. Then had come the dancing and the kissing and, after midnight, this. The entire time, neither one had touched on the Darnel-Rawson feud. Frankly, Veda didn’t want to spoil the mesmerizing mood. Apparently Ajax hadn’t given the matter a whole lot of thought.

“Drake and Hux have butted heads over the years,” Ajax reflected now, “but I can’t remember the last time Dad even mentioned his name.”

Was he joking? “I hear my father going on about Hux Rawson all the time.”

“Wait. Didn’t you say you’re in New Jersey now?”

He was right. She hadn’t lived here in New York with her father for years. “We keep in touch…phone calls, emails. I visit when I can.”

Like this weekend. In fact, she was meant to have been her father’s plus-one last night. Feeling under the weather, he’d backed out at the last minute.

Way to go, fate.

“Oh. Well…” Running a hand through his delectably mussed dark blond hair, Ajax blew out a breath. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Sorry to hear that we keep in touch?”

“Sorry that your dad hasn’t moved on. Must be tough holding on to a grudge like that.”

Veda’s cheeks heated up more. Drake Darnel was a whole bunch of things. But c’mon now. Let’s be fair.

“I guess it would be difficult to move on when someone swoops in to steal the love of your life. The woman you’d planned to marry.”

Ajax’s tilted his cleft chin. “Did you say steal?”

“My father gave her a ring. Then Hux made his move and voilà.” Game over.

“Uh, Drake offered a ring, which my mom declined. I heard that directly from her, by the way. And with regard to Dad casting some kind of a spell… Veda, it takes two to tango.”

He gave the room a sweeping gaze, as if to say “case in point.”

Veda wasn’t finished. If they were doing this, she wanted to make the connection between then and now. Between player father and chip off the old block. Just one more reason last night had been a bad idea.

“I believe Hux had quite a reputation in those days.”

Ajax frowned slightly. “He was a dude who dated before finding the right one and settling down.”

Drake preferred to explain Hux’s bachelor past in terms like skirt-chaser, Casanova, cheat, although that last dig was aimed more at the Rawsons’ questionable business ethics. On top of the issue of how Hux had stolen Drake’s would-be bride, the Rawsons and Darnels owned competing Thoroughbred stables. More often than not, Drake’s horses were beaten by a nose by a Rawson ride.

Better training? Sporting luck? Or was something more going on behind the scenes with regard to performance?

As far as Veda was concerned, the entire horse racing industry was unethical. Cruel. That didn’t even touch on the social pitfalls of gambling, where in some cases, entire paychecks were burned practically every week, leaving families in crisis. Long ago she had made a promise to herself. The day her father passed on, a for-sale sign would go up outside the front gates of the Darnel Stables and every horse would find a home without the threat of whips, injury or being shipped off to the glue factory when it was past its use-by date.

Shuddering, Veda refocused. Ajax was still talking about his folks.

“My mother and father were deeply in love. They were committed to each other and their family. Mom made a choice all those years ago. One she wouldn’t hesitate to stand by if she was alive today.”

Veda was sorry that Mrs. Rawson had died when Ajax was still a boy. Losing a parent at a young age changed who you were, how you coped. Every day Veda wished that her own mom was still around. She wished her childhood had been different—normal—rather than the screwup she had muddled and struggled through.

But now was not the time to go down that particular rabbit hole. She was vulnerable enough as it was.

Veda wound her hands tighter into the bedsheet she was holding close to her breasts. “I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree,” she said.

“I guess we will.” Ajax’s gaze dropped to her lips as he added, “And if you want to leave… I get it. I do. Just please know that I don’t have anything personal against your dad.”

She wasn’t done with being ticked off. The Rawsons had a lot to answer for. Still, Ajax’s olive branch seemed so genuine, and the apologetic expression in his eyes looked so real… It wouldn’t hurt to concede at least a small point.

“I don’t hate your dad, either. I haven’t even met the man.”

“But you will. I presume Lanie invited you to her big birthday bash at home next month.”

She nodded. “Should be good.”

Though she wasn’t looking forward to her father’s reaction when he heard the news. While Drake knew that she and Lanie Rawson were more than acquaintances now, he was far from happy about it. He wouldn’t care to hear that his daughter was looking forward to celebrating with her friend at her party.

And, of course, Ajax would be there, too, looking as magma-hot as he did right now.

His smile was just so easy and inviting.

“Wow. The Darnels and Rawsons finally coming together,” he said. “Just goes to show, things change, huh?”

Veda gave in to a smile, too.

Just goes to show…

And because Ajax always seemed to know precisely when and exactly how to act, he chose that moment to lean in again. And when he slid that big warm hand around the back of her neck, this time Veda didn’t resist. She simply closed her eyes and inwardly sighed as he pushed his fingers up through her hair and his mouth finally claimed hers the way it was always meant to. For better or worse, the way she must have wanted all along.

Two

“Eyes off. That means hands, too, partner.”

Recognizing the voice at his back, Ajax edged around. Birthday girl Lanie Rawson stood there in a bright haute couture gown, hands on hips, a vigilant eyebrow raised.

Ajax played dumb. “Eyes and hands off who exactly?”

“If you don’t already know, the bombshell you’re ogling over there is Veda Darnel,” his sister replied. “Drake Darnel’s daughter and a good friend of mine.”

When Ajax had gotten together with Veda four weeks ago in Saratoga, she had mentioned something about her and Lanie being tight. Frankly, in those initial few moments, he hadn’t focused on anything much other than her amazing red hair and stunning lavender evening dress. Tonight, with that hair swept over one creamy shoulder and rocking a shimmering lipstick-red number, Veda looked even more heart-stopping.

Eyes off?

Never gonna happen.

Hands off?

We’ll see.

Crossing his arms, Ajax rocked back on his boot heels. He’d had a full day at the stables before racing out to the track in time for the “riders up” call. After a thundering win, he’d made his way to the winner’s circle to congratulate the jockey, the assistant trainer and their most recent champion, Someone’s Prince Charming. Man, he loved that horse. Then he’d shot back to the on-site office to check messages and shower before driving the extra half mile here to don a tux. But first, he’d decided to take a peek at the party that was already getting under way in a glittering tented pavilion in the backyard of the estate.

Now, before he went inside to change, he had a question or two for Miss Lanie Bossy-Pants.

“How did you and Veda Darnel become pals?”

“We met at a women’s business luncheon last year,” Lanie explained, slipping her hands into the hidden pockets of her Cinderella gown. “Veda’s a life coach. She talked about personal change through action rather than words. It was brief but powerful. Actually, I was blown away. Later, she said she recalled seeing us as kids at race meets when she tagged along with her dad. And then I remembered her, too. Or, at least, I remembered her hair.”

Like the color of leaves in late fall, Ajax thought, doing some remembering of his own, particularly images of her moving beneath him in bed that night a month ago.

“Back then,” Lanie went on, “Veda was like a mouse in a corner. Now she knows exactly what she wants. And I’m pretty darn sure that doesn’t include being any man’s flavor of the month.”

Ajax chuckled to cover up the wince. “I’m not that bad.”

Lanie had a skeptical if-you-say-so expression on her face.

“Anyway, I’m glad Veda didn’t buy into her father’s BS about all Rawsons being scum,” she said. “You know she told me once that Drake is still steaming over Mom dumping him for Dad all those years ago. Just so sad.”

Sad was one word. But Ajax didn’t agree with Lanie. Veda had absolutely drunk the Kool-Aid when it came to believing her father’s version of events.

During their one night together, she had gone to the mat for her father. According to Daddy Dearest, Hux was a slimy villain who had stolen Drake’s girl. Ajax had set the record straight. His mom had made her own decision—because, duh, it was hers to make—after which she had married the far better man.

Veda had softened toward him again after that, and before vacating their suite around noon, they’d exchanged numbers. The next day, he’d sent flowers to her Best Life Now office address in Jersey. After a week not hearing from her, he’d called and left a message. A few days later, he’d sent a bigger bunch. Dialed again.

No response.

“She’s smart, tough and to the point,” Lanie said, looking Veda’s way through the glittering party crowd. “Not someone who’s desperate for a roll in the hay.”

When Lanie pinned him with another look that said, Don’t go there, Ajax coughed out a laugh. “You’re seriously the sex police now?”

His sister tossed back her long dark hair the way she did whenever she was excited, angry or digging her spurs in. “I want to make sure that we’re clear before I let you out to graze.”

He threw her a salute. “Anything you say, Officer.”

Lanie groaned. “Just go get changed. Not that the ladies won’t drool over you in your boots.” Walking off, his sister offered a fond grin when she added, “You’re such a tart.”

After parking in the designated area out in front of the Rawson property, Veda had followed a torchlit path that wove around the majestic Victorian mansion to a tent filled with conversation and music. She’d been taking in the swagged ceilings, which were awash with a million fairy lights, and looking out for anyone she might know when, larger than life, Ajax appeared at the entrance.

With hands bracing either side of his belt, Ajax was wearing a white business shirt rolled up enough at the sleeves to reveal his strong, tanned forearms. A sexy five-o’clock shadow highlighted the natural thrust of his jaw and cleft chin. Even from this distance, even in this light, his eyes radiated a hue that brought to mind ocean-deep waters sparkling with midsummer sunshine.

Following that whirlwind night in Saratoga, he’d sent two enormous bouquets of flowers. Both times when he called, Veda had ached to pick up. At some stage tonight, they were destined to run into each other. When they did, would Ajax try to reconnect? Were any sparks left on his side of the equation, or after her snub, was she already a speck in Ajax Rawson’s rearview mirror?

Before he’d been able to spot her, Veda had inserted herself into a nearby circle of guests. Now she sneaked another look his way.

Lanie had joined him; given his sister’s expression, their discussion wasn’t particularly lighthearted. When Lanie walked off, Ajax left and Veda released a pent-up breath. She was safe—at least for now. Then Lanie headed Veda’s way, which raised another question.

She and Lanie hadn’t been in touch for weeks. Had Ajax mentioned anything to his sister about Saratoga? Lanie knew Veda wasn’t the type to fall into bed with a guy for the heck of it. But after years of wondering, she had taken the opportunity to at last scratch her Ajax Rawson itch. And as much as she tried—as much as she knew she probably should—Veda couldn’t regret a moment of the amazing time they had spent together.

When Lanie was a few feet away, she was joined by a man Veda recognized. Hux Rawson was tall and broad through the shoulders like his son, with neat steel-gray hair, complete with a widow’s peak. He dropped a kiss on his daughter’s cheek before he hooked an arm through hers and escorted Lanie on her way.

Right toward Veda.

Her head began to spin. From the way Lanie had described her dad, Hux would be gracious, even in welcoming Drake Darnel’s daughter. In similar circumstances, she doubted her father would be as polite. Although he was aware that she and Lanie were friends now, Drake still disapproved of all the Rawsons. Always had.

Always would.

Red carpet ready in a tiered canary-yellow tulle gown and smelling like rose petals, Lanie gave Veda a hug and exclaimed, “You look positively gorgeous.”

Veda was never good with compliments, so she simply passed on her best wishes, adding, “I left something on the gift table.”

A glossy hard copy of the history of women in equestrian sports. Nothing Veda would ever want herself, but coming across it in a Princeton bookstore, she had known dressage champion Lanie would love it.

Lanie saw to introductions. “Veda Darnel, meet the most important man in my life.”

An easy smile lit her father’s bright blue eyes. “Glad you could make it, Veda. I’m Hux.”

For a man in his midsixties, Hux Rawson cut a fine figure in his pristine tuxedo. The tanned face and smile lines bracketing his mouth suggested a long run of good health and personal happiness. Veda’s father only ever looked annoyed—unless he was in his stables. Nothing against the horses, but there was more to life than work and stewing over the past.

Tacking up a smile, Veda replied, “It’s great to be here.”

“Hard to believe my little girl is twenty-seven today.” Hux gave his daughter a wink. “So beautiful and conquering the world.”

Lanie pretended to wither. “Pressure much?”

“You know I’m proud of you,” Hux said, obviously referring to more than her riding achievements. “I know your mother would be proud of you, too.”

Lanie’s expression softened before something over her dad’s shoulder caught her eye. Bouncing up on her toes, she signaled to a couple entering the tent.

“Will you two excuse me?” She snatched a champagne flute from a passing waiter’s tray. “A hostess’s job is never done.”

Hux smiled as he watched his daughter hurry off, then returned his attention to Veda. There was a moment of uncertainty about kicking off the conversation again, which wasn’t uncommon between newly introduced people. Except this man wasn’t exactly a stranger. His decisions before Veda was even born had affected her life on so many levels, in ways he couldn’t possibly know—in ways that could still leave her feeling a little lost.

Like now.

Looking directly into her eyes, feeling the weight of the past pressing in…

She wasn’t surprised when a chill scuttled up her spine, then slithered around her throat—and squeezed.

The sensation wasn’t new. It went back as far as elementary school when she had tried to learn her letters; they looked more like squiggling tadpoles in a white sea, no matter what her teacher had said. In later grades, whenever she was pushed to read in class or was feeling stressed, her ears would begin to ring and her throat would close. Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, she would literally freeze, unable to speak. Whispers and open snipes followed her everywhere, even in her dreams.

Lazy.

Dumb.

Weirdo.

After a diagnosis of dyslexia in her teens, Veda had worked hard on herself. Not only was she determined to walk back all the damage that came from hellish anxiety, lack of confidence, few friends and less hope, she had vowed to be stronger for it. And looking on the brighter side, finding ways to reclaim her self-esteem had laid the foundations for her career as a life coach, the most rewarding job on the planet. While she still battled nerves and always would, Veda could speak in front of an auditorium full of people now. She hadn’t suffered one of her attacks where she strangled on her words in years.

Until now.

Ringing ears…closing throat…freezing brain.

“This has been weeks in the making,” Hux said, looking around at the tented pavilion and its high-end fairy-tale trimmings. “Lanie and Susan’s efforts, of course, not mine. Have you met Susan yet? She came down early to make sure everything was set.”

As Hux waited for a reply, Veda’s throat remained squeezed shut. Cheeks flushed, she forced a smile and shook her head.

“Susan’s a godsend,” Hux went on. “Been with us for such a long time. She’s phenomenal with the house and meals and, well, everything family.”

Focused, trying to relax, Veda managed to squeak out, “I see.”

Hux’s smile dipped before he tried again. “When she arrived here, Susan knew nothing about horses or this kind of life. She loves the place now, of course, but she doesn’t get much involved with that side of things.”

Veda’s mind was stuck. Words refused to come. And deep in her gut, tendrils of panic were spreading.

Lazy.

Dumb.

Weirdo.

Hux’s eyes narrowed the barest amount before he tried a different approach. “I suppose you like horses, Veda? You’ve been around them most of your life.”

“I… Horses are…beautiful.”

He nodded like he hadn’t worked her out yet and maybe didn’t want to. “How’s your dad doing?”

“Good. Busy.” Breathe, Veda. Just breathe. “I’m staying there…this weekend.”

“Right. The Darnel Stables aren’t so far from here.”

When she nodded again and took a sip from her champagne flute, Hux searched her eyes and then threw a look around. “Well, I’ll let you get back to the party. Nice meeting you, Veda. Enjoy the night.”

As he walked away, Veda let her smile and shoulders sag. Knowing next to no one here hadn’t fazed her. She could even deal with seeing Ajax again, however that turned out. But being left alone to talk with the man who years ago had let loose a storm of demons that had ultimately torn her family apart…

Veda didn’t like to dwell on how much she’d cried when her parents had split, let alone the bombshell that had landed after that. But now, snapshots of events leading up to her mother’s death broke through. And with the music getting louder and the crowd starting to press in—

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