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Ava peeked up at the two men flanking her at the bar. Were they real? No way were normal men supposed to be so good looking. She was sure they were created in a Petri dish in some lab. The one who had offered to buy her a drink told her his name was Mason King. He had dark brown hair that brushed his shoulders and framed a perfect oval face. His eyes, which she couldn’t tell if they were blue or gray in the dim lighting, swept over her from time to time, making her feel hot and bothered. His Roman nose and perfectly proportioned lips made him classically handsome. He was shorter than her other rescuer but both men were giants beside her. Both were well built, but Mason was a bit slimmer than the other guy.
She focused on Mr. silent and mysterious on her other side. His messy short black hair looked as if he often ran his fingers through it. There were no playful, suggestive looks like his friend gave. Instead, his smoldering hazel eyes bore into her as if searching for something. It was unnerving, in a way that made her stomach flutter. His broad forehead and square jaw, with low facial hair, screamed masculinity. He seemed dark, dangerous, and sexy as hell.
She sipped the drink Mason had ordered for her and turned to Mr. Silent. “I didn’t get your name.”
“Zachary Logan. Call me Zac.”
Ah, Zachary. The name fit his strong and silent persona. “Nice to meet you, Zac. Aren’t you going to drink anything?”
“No, I’m on the clock.”
“Oh, are you two like the bouncers or something?”
There was a chuckle on her other side and she turned to Mason. “I suppose we have to step in as security on occasion.”
“Oh.”
“We own The Dragon,” Zac said.
She found that she loved hearing the deep timber of his voice. Hell, she loved hearing both of them speak. Ava sucked in a breath. Was it alright to be helplessly attracted to the two men? Why was she even thinking about that? She just met them ten minutes ago. Oh, God. I’m terrible at this. It was times like these she wished she had her mother or a sister to get advice about men. Ava felt pathetic being so inexperienced at her age.
“Ava, lovely name,” Mason drawled. “Where have you been hiding all this time?”
“Oh, I’m new in town.”
“Are you here to stay, Ava?”
She nearly closed her eyes as Zac’s voice washed over her like a caress. What was the matter with her? “I’ve decided to stay in Houston, yes.”
Satisfaction flashed in his eyes. Or was she imagining it?
“Hey, there honey. I see you met the bosses.” Kristin appeared behind the bar. “Perfect. We can discuss your potential employment. Have you made up your mind yet?”
“You’re looking for a job?” Mason regarded her with curiosity.
“Well, yes, but something temporary.”
“The job is yours.” both men chorused.
Her brow shot up as she looked from one to the other, then at Kristin who was eyeing her bosses suspiciously. “Don’t I have to do an interview? And you don’t know which position I want to apply for.”
“Any position you want is yours,” Mason volunteered.
“Guys—”
Zac interrupted Kristin. “Let’s discuss this further upstairs.
Minutes later, Ava sat in a chair facing Zac. Her eyes roamed his office before landing on him. She was very much aware of Mason leaning against the door. She gulped. Why did she get the feeling that Mason wouldn’t allow her to leave until they were ready for her to? And why were they studying her with such predatory stares?
“Um, you know, maybe this wasn’t a good idea. I can’t work in a night club. I—I’m a nurse. I was just looking for something temporary to...” She didn’t want to tell them that she was willing to pick up a random job in the name of fun and experiencing different things.
“Pass the time?” Mason finished.
“Er, in a way. I have a few things to settle before I can work in the state.”
“Then take a job here, Ava.”
Her eyes met Zac’s. In the short time since she’d met him, he didn’t say much. But when he did, her insides quivered. Oh, what the hell. She was going to slap on one of those skimpy outfits and be a waitress in a night club, damn it. “Okay. When do I start?”
Mason gave her a smile that she was sure caused plenty of women to drop their panties for him. “Any time you want, Ava.”
Zac agreed with a slight nod, his eyes on her, filled with expectation.
“Um, I guess I can start tomorrow.”
Both men smiled with satisfaction, making her suspicious. Either they were the kindest employers or they were up to something. Of course, she couldn’t be sure because she was terrible at reading people. Ava stood up and extended her hand to Zac. “Thank you.”
His much larger hand engulfed hers and she nearly gasped. She was almost sure she felt some kind of magnetism that became more powerful with his touch. Pulling her hand from his she turned to Mason. He grinned and took her hand as well. Ava stared down at their intertwined hands with wide eyes. What in the hell? Did strange pricks, or electricity, or whatever it was, come with attraction to someone, or more than one person rather?
“Uh, see you both tomorrow.”
“How are you getting home, Ava?” Mason asked, still holding onto her hand.
“A cab.”
“I’ll take you home,” Zac said at the same time Mason did.
She looked from one to the other with furrowed brows as they eyed each other. Zac’s jaws clenched and Mason dropped her hand and lifted both hands as if in surrender.
“Oh, no I wouldn’t want to put either of you out.”
“It won’t be a problem.” Zac stepped around the desk. “Mason will stay here and keep an eye on things.” He glared at Mason as he said it.
“Right,” Mason sighed. “You go ahead and take the lady home. I’ll find some other way to amuse myself tonight,” he grumbled, exiting the office.
Ava frowned, wondering what Mason meant. “Shall we?” Zac indicated to the door.
Within ten minutes Zac was parked in the lot of the motel Ava was staying at. He glanced at the building with uncertainty. “You’re staying here?”
She followed his gaze to the seedy looking motel and shrugged. “It’s temporary.”
He turned to her. “What’s your story, Ava?”
She could listen to him say her name all night. The way the two simple syllables rolled off his tongue, her name sounded so exotic. She studied him carefully, considering if she should tell him her life story. Though her father had wanted her to venture into the world, he would lecture her for getting into a car with a complete stranger. She should have known better, but inexplicably, she knew that she was safe with Zac. It was probably the protective air he had assumed toward her already. Perhaps he was like that with every female he knew.
“I literally just moved from Grainfield, Kansas. I arrived in Houston today.”
“And you decided to jump right into things, huh?”
She smiled. “Sure. Why not start partying the minute I hit a new city? I have to make up for my lack of a social life for the past twenty-nine years.”
Zac tilted his head, studying her intently. Great, he’s probably thinking I’m a total loser, she thought, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “Um, I was usually busy with work and stuff so I didn’t really go out back home.” Why she felt the need to explain herself was beyond her.
His lips twitched. “Perhaps I can help you with the social aspect of things and help you find somewhere safer to live.”
Ava nibbled her lower lip in her usual nervous gesture. Was he flirting with her? “That would be nice, th-the helping me find a residence part, I mean. Well, the social part would be nice too, although I don’t really know what you meant...” she stopped, realizing that she was babbling. “And I’m shutting up now,” she murmured.
Zac’s lips curved upward. “It’s good to see that I’m not the only one affected.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I’ll walk you to your door.”
“No, that won’t be necessary. Thank you for the lift.” She hopped out of his car as if there was a fire on her tail. “Oh, what time should I show up tomorrow?”
“Six pm.”
“Great. Bye.” Ava hurried toward the motel. “Real smooth, Ava. Real smooth. Ugh!” She scoffed, disgusted with her awkwardness around people, men especially.