Playing for Keeps

by Yahrah St. John

  What overwhelmed her the most was just how deep her feelings for Quentin went. He’d come through for her in a real way the last few days. He’d bridged the gap between her and her mother, and they were on solid ground. Matter of fact, they were on better terms than they’d been before the adoption discovery.

  “I knew it,” Jenna replied. “From the moment you saw him, I felt the chemistry between the two of you.”

  Avery shook her head. “I admit, there was that. But it’s more than sexual attraction now, Jenna. Quentin’s a wonderful man. He’s kind and compassionate. And caring. The way he’s taken care of me the last week has been nothing short of amazing.”

  Jenna’s eyes widened. “That good, huh?”

  “Better.” Avery grinned from ear to ear.

  “So, what’s next?” Jenna asked excitedly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, are you two a couple now?”

  Avery thought about it for a moment. Jenna asked a good question. Were they a couple? They sure hadn’t discussed being in a committed relationship, but that was exactly where they were. At least she was. She wasn’t seeing anyone else. And she doubted he had the time to squeeze anyone else in. They’d spent all of their spare time together, but she still wasn’t sure. “Honestly, Jenna, I don’t know. We’ve never actually discussed it.”

  “Has he ever said he loved you?”

  Avery shook her head. “No, but I feel it. Why is it always difficult for men to express how they truly feel?” She sipped on her cappuccino.

  “I don’t know, girlfriend,” Jenna replied. “If I had the answer to that question, I’d be a rich woman because every woman would pay dearly for the answer. But seriously, you should talk to Quentin and tell him how you feel.”

  “I’m scared, Jenna. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if he’s not ready for a commitment?”

  “You’ll never know unless you ask him.”

  “I’ll give it some thought.” Avery wasn’t sure if she was willing to put her feelings on the line again after what had happened with Leah. Maybe it was better to play it safe. She’d wait for Quentin to say something first.

  Later that evening, Avery joined Quentin at the tapas bar. He was finally going to introduce her to his friends. She took that as a step in the right direction. Men didn’t usually invite you to meet their friends and family unless they were serious, or at least that was what she told herself when she walked inside.

  She found Quentin at the bar with the attractive woman from the gallery opening and another good-looking brother she hadn’t seen before.

  “Avery.” Quentin rose and came over to greet her. “You look beautiful as always.” He loved the strapless mosaic dress with an empire waist she was wearing. It revealed a hint of cleavage, but not too much to make him jealous of other men’s leering eyes. “C’mon, I want you to meet my friends.” He walked her over to the bar. “Dante, Sage. I’d like you to meet Avery Roberts.”

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Sage said, coming forward and shaking Avery’s hand. She gave Quentin a knowing wink. So, Q finally had the guts to bring her to meet them. He was definitely in love, Sage thought.

  “You, too,” Avery said. “I’ve heard a lot about you both.” Avery smiled at Sage and Dante. “And Malik.” She added as an afterthought.

  “Well, uh…perhaps you’ll be able to meet him another time,” Dante replied, giving her a quick squeeze.

  “I sure hope so,” Avery said. “You guys are the four musketeers, right?” She looked up adoringly at Quentin.

  And when she did, he noticed something he hadn’t dared let himself see before. Love. Was Avery falling for him? Because the way she’d smiled up at him just now certainly indicated those feelings.

  “Well, once upon a time we were,” Quentin commented sadly.

  “And we will be again,” Dante said. “Come join us, Avery. I prepared some dishes for everyone to enjoy.”

  Dante had arranged a corner table for the group and it was decked out with a wide assortment of tapas. Avery’s mouth watered as her eyes and nose got a feast for the senses.

  Hours whizzed by as they all drank wine and ate the delectable food prepared by Dante, who’d taken the night off and allowed his sous-chef to handle the kitchen.

  Avery laughed at their funny anecdotes as they reminisced about their growing pains living at the orphanage. Avery didn’t have any stories to add because she was an only child herself. She couldn’t help but marvel at how well they’d all turned out after such a hard childhood. Quentin was a renowned photographer, Sage a lawyer, Dante a chef and restaurateur, and even Malik was a community-center director. They had thrived despite the obstacles life had thrown at them.

  It was a lesson Avery was being tested on herself. Faced with the knowledge that her biological mother didn’t want to have anything to do with her was sobering to say the least. In her head, she understood why Leah had rejected her—Avery was from a wealthy family as well and her parents certainly didn’t need the scandal. Imagine the gossips on Park Avenue, discussing the fact that she was the illegitimate daughter of Richard King? Her mother would die of embarrassment. Thank God, she didn’t know. And Avery had no intention of telling her.

  “Avery, what do you think?”

  “What?” She had been daydreaming. “I’m sorry, I missed what you said.”

  “Sage asked if you’d seen The Color Purple on Broadway yet,” Quentin said.

  “I thought we might all get together one night for a night on the town,” Sage replied, smiling at Quentin.

  “I’d like that,” Avery said. She’d never had many close friends outside of Jenna and looked forward to opening her social circle to include Quentin’s friends. They were good people and she told him as much later back at his loft while they lounged on his sofa.

  “Tonight was really great,” Avery commented. “Thank you for inviting me. I really like your friends.”

  “They’re my family,” Quentin corrected. “Without them, Avery, I don’t know how I would have made it. And they liked you, too. You got their seal of approval.”

  “I’m glad that you had them and you weren’t alone,” she said, stroking his goatee. “I just wish I could have met Malik.”

  “Another time,” Quentin said.

  As they lay snuggled in each other’s arms, Quentin turned to his side so he could face her. He’d avoided asking her all week because she had so much on her plate, but he was obligated to attend the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year Awards because he needed to get the final shot of Richard for his photo exposé for Capitalist. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

  “We didn’t have any plans did we?” Avery’s brow rose.

  “No, but I have to go to this stupid awards gala. I don’t really want to go, but I have no choice.”

  “Who’s it for?” she queried.

  Quentin rolled his eyes. “Richard King.”

  “Wh-who?” All the air in the room had suddenly vanished and Avery felt weak.

  “Richard King. The guy I’m doing the exposé on. The reason I’ve ruined one of my longest friendships.” Quentin’s cold and harsh tone was not lost on Avery. “So, what do you think?”

  “Well, when you make it sound so appealing, how can I resist?” she replied, feigning a smile. If she went to the awards dinner with Quentin, she would finally be able to see Richard King in person rather than just a photo on the Internet. After her experience with Leah, she wasn’t prepared to go after him with guns blazing and reveal her existence. She’d learned her lesson the first time. Now, she would look before she leaped. “What time should I be ready?”

  “Six o’clock.”

  “Count me in.”

  As she stood in front of her hall mirror for one final perusal in her asymmetrical, one-shoulder long dress with a side slit, Avery was curious about Richard King. Would it be like staring back at an image of herself? Would she look anything like him? From the pi
cture online, she couldn’t tell. She was adding a touch of lip gloss when the doorbell rang. She’d wanted to give Quentin a key, but felt that might be giving away too much of her feelings, so instead she’d remained silent.

  “You look breathtaking,” he said, giving her a whirl. “And might I add sexy as hell.” He liked the slit and the incredible expanse of long leg it revealed. She was rocking that dress! He was going to be hard all night just thinking about taking that dress off her slender body.

  “You’re pretty dapper yourself.” Avery enjoyed the view of him in a Joseph Abboud tuxedo with satin lapels. The jacket emphasized his broad shoulders and massive chest while the white tuxedo clip shirt accentuated his dark coloring. Quentin had brought his camera with him to take some final pictures of Richard as he accepted his award.

  “Are you ready to go? I’ve hired a driver for tonight.”

  “You mean we’re not going to ride on your Harley?” Avery asked, smiling as she threw her lip gloss in her beaded clutch purse.

  Quentin’s eyes traveled from her rhinestone-studded sandals to her hair, which despite the shorter length she’d managed to pin in a loose chignon. “Not in that dress, honey.”

  “I’m glad you noticed,” Avery said, grabbing her wrap from the back of her sofa and heading toward the door.

  “Oh, I noticed,” he said, turning off the lights and closing the door behind himself.

  The driver took them to the Ritz-Carlton in Battery Park where the Businessman of the Year Awards ceremony was being held in the ballroom. When they arrived on the second floor, guests had spilled out into the foyer as they waited for the banquet to get underway. As soon as they entered, Avery scanned the room, looking for Richard King. She hardly noticed the silk wall covering, chandeliers, gold-plated chairs and linen tablecloths.

  “There he is.” Quentin pointed across the room to Richard, who was standing with his wife, Cindy, and several other couples. Avery’s eyes flew across the room and immediately landed on Richard, and as if he knew someone was staring at him, he looked over and smiled. He motioned for Quentin to join him. “C’mon, I might as well introduce you.”

  “Wait a sec,” Avery said, and smoothed her hair and dress down. Proudly, she took Quentin’s arm and walked toward Richard King, her biological father.

  “Everyone, this is world-renowned photographer Quentin Davis,” Richard introduced him as they approached. “He’s doing a photo spread on me for Capitalist.”

  “Excellent,” another man said, patting him on the back. “It’s well deserved—you’ve had a great year, Richard.”

  “I’ve heard of you,” Richard’s wife, Cindy, came forward and shook his hand. “I’ll never forget those pictures you took on 9/11.”

  “Thank you,” Quentin replied.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met.” Richard came toward Avery. “Quentin, why don’t you introduce me to the lovely lady?”

  “Richard King, meet Avery Roberts.” Quentin turned sideways. “Avery’s an art buyer for the Henri Lawrence Gallery in SoHo.”

  Avery didn’t know how to react when Richard brought her hand to his lips and brushed his mouth across it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Avery.”

  She was at a loss for words when he looked at her and she found a pair of green eyes staring back at her.

  “Avery?” Quentin whispered in her ear.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She snapped out of her haze. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too, Mr. King.”

  Richard seemed taken aback as well when he looked at her. “Has anyone ever told you you have the most striking pair of green eyes?” he asked.

  “They’re kind of like yours,” Avery added, smiling back at him.

  “Are you flirting with my girlfriend?” Quentin asked Richard jokingly. He wasn’t so sure he liked the way Avery was staring at King. Surely she wasn’t entranced by all the trappings of his success? He’d found her to be much more down-to-earth than that.

  Avery turned sideways and smiled at Quentin. Had he just called her his girlfriend? It was funny how one word could make her feel all warm and fuzzy inside despite the fact that she was standing in front of her biological father and he was absolutely clueless about her existence.

  “Of course not,” Richard said, stepping back and grabbing his wife’s hand. Even though something about the young woman seemed oddly familiar to Richard, he just couldn’t put his finger on what it was. “I only have eyes for one woman.”

  “Oh, honey.” Cindy King leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, then lightly wiped off the lipstick smudge with her thumb.

  Over the course of dinner, several times Avery caught Richard staring at her, but then he’d look away and she would swear she’d imagined the whole thing. Perhaps she was projecting onto him her own subconscious desire for Richard to suddenly realize she was his daughter.

  When Avery stepped away to powder her nose with his wife, Richard took the opportunity to whisper in Quentin’s ear. “Avery is a lovely young woman, Quentin. How did the two of you meet?”

  “At the opening for one of her artists,” Quentin returned. “Initially, she didn’t care for me, but there was no denying there was something between us.”

  That was when it came to Richard. Avery reminded him of another time long ago, heck, another lifetime when he’d laid eyes on a beautiful woman with café-au-lait skin with whom he’d instantly fallen in love. It was a shame that life happened and he hadn’t been able to fulfill his own dreams.

  “Sounds like she’s stolen your heart,” Richard replied.

  “She has,” Quentin answered honestly.

  “Have you told her that?”

  “No, I haven’t.” He’d been too scared. Quentin had never told a woman he loved her.

  “Don’t waste too much time, my friend. Sometimes life has a way of sneaking up on you and getting in the way. You’d better grab hold of her and hang on for dear life.”

  Quentin turned to Richard. “Sounds like you’ve lost a woman before.”

  Richard nodded. “I did. I lost someone very dear because I was stupid and too scared to get out of my own way. Don’t let the same thing happen to you.” He rose from his chair and stepped away.

  When Avery returned and Quentin lightly swept his lips across hers, she asked, “What was that for?”

  “Do I have to have a reason to kiss you?”

  “Of course not.” She leaned over and brushed her lips across his. “I love your kisses.” Just as much as she loved the man himself.

  Shortly thereafter, the chairman of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce came forward to the podium and announced Richard King as Businessman of the Year. Sitting there and watching him accept the award, Avery realized what a well-respected man her biological father was. She doubted he’d appreciate the scandal of an illegitimate biracial child coming forward any more than Leah or her own parents would. Even though she knew she would never say anything, she still wanted to know more about that man. That was why when Richard invited Quentin and her back to his suite for an after-dinner drink, Avery quickly accepted.

  “I don’t know.” Quentin was tired of the monkey suit and all the polite chitchat. He wanted to unwind in bed with Avery.

  “C’mon, at least join me and my wife in my suite for a nightcap,” Richard said. “The penthouse suite has got a great view of the New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.”

  “Sounds great,” Avery said excitedly. It would give her a chance to talk to Richard and find out more about him. “Doesn’t it, Quentin?”

  He couldn’t help but notice the way her eyes lit up when she asked him, so he had no choice but to go along. “All right, but only for one nightcap.”

  Nearly an hour later, one nightcap had turned into two, along with Richard and Avery on the sofa engrossed in a conversation about art. Cindy had retired because of a migraine.

  “You should come to the gallery,” Avery said enthusiastically. “I have some great pieces that I’m sure you’ll lov
e.”

  “I’d like that,” Richard replied. “I’ll have my assistant call you and set up a time on Monday.” There was something so warm and engaging about Avery Roberts that Richard seemed powerless to stop himself even though he sensed some hostility coming his way from Quentin. His interest in Avery was not sexual, it was more paternal.

  “Great.”

  On the other sofa, Quentin was fuming. He’d hoped to have a quick drink and then take Avery back to his place. He’d planned on stripping that dress off her body and ravishing her all night long, but his plans had been averted and he was none too pleased. What was the fascination with those two? he wondered. Avery was mesmerized by King and it bothered the hell out of him. He wanted her to only have eyes for him. Quentin stood up and looked at his watch. “Avery, it’s getting kind of late.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She glanced down at her Cartier watch. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I’m sorry to have kept you, Mr. King.”

  “Please, call me Richard.”

  Avery grinned. “Richard it is.” She rose from the sofa and he did the same. He walked the couple to the door. “I look forward to introducing you to the gallery.” Avery shook his hand.

  “As do I.” Richard returned the handshake and smiled at her. “Quentin.” He nodded to him. “It’s been a pleasure working with you. I can’t wait to see your exposé.”

  “Richard.” Quentin nodded. He breathed a sigh of relief once he and Avery were in the elevator. He turned to her. “What was that all about?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, feigning ignorance. She knew Quentin wasn’t pleased that her attention had been elsewhere during the evening but it couldn’t be helped. She’d just met her biological father!

  “You and Richard were hemmed up half the night,” Quentin responded.

  “Were you jealous?” Avery asked, cozying up to his side. “Because if you are—” she kissed his jawline “—I assure you, you have nothing to worry about. Matter of fact, I’ll make it up to you.” She kissed the other side of his jaw. “All night long.”