Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

Saxon’s was a whole new world. She looked around in wonder at all the scenes being played out. Carrick had a firm hold of her hand while Jardin went to the bar to grab them all drinks.

“Want to sit down over there, rocket?” Carrick asked, pointing to a seating area. It was off to one side, but still allowed a good view of what was going on. A big man dwarfed one of the chairs. Beside him knelt a woman dressed in a red halter top and matching skirt.

They’d gone shopping for her earlier. Apparently, Haven had a shop filled with all s

orts of toys and fet wear. She’d chosen a black corset and a short skirt.

She nodded. Might as well.

“Remember to use your words,” Carrick reminded her, patting her ass.

He led her over to chairs. The man looked up at him with a nod. The woman gave her a sneaky, small smile.

Carrick sat and pulled her onto his lap. She smiled at him gratefully. She wasn’t so sure about kneeling like the other woman.

The big man’s eyebrows rose as he looked over their shoulders. “Jardin, how’s it going?”

She looked back to find Jardin giving the other man a nod of greeting. “Duncan. Good to see you. This is Carrick and Thea.”

Duncan nodded at them both. Then he looked down at the woman and patted his lap. “Come sit here, sugar, so we can all have a chat.”

Jardin sat beside Carrick and handed her a bottle of water, undoing the top first. She gulped some down. She was sitting with her back to Carrick’s front. He reached down and grabbed the bottle from her, finishing it off.

“Carrick, Thea, this is Duncan Jones and his wife, Laken. Duncan is a deputy sheriff.”

“How do you like Saxon’s?” Duncan asked.

She looked to Jardin, not sure if she could answer.

“You can speak freely, baby,” Jardin told her. “Thea’s never been to a club before. She’s testing the waters to see if she likes it.”

Duncan nodded. “Well, welcome, Thea.”

“Thank you.” She gave them both a shy look.

“I think I’ve seen you around town,” Laken said. “You’re working for Marcy, right?”

“Oh, uh, I was.” And she felt terrible for letting the other woman down. Although Jardin had told her that she’d completely understood when he’d talked to her.

Laken gave her a confused look.

“We’ve decided to go back to New Orleans,” Jardin said easily.

Before they could ask any more questions, a gorgeous man dressed in a white shirt and dark dress pants approached. Power filled his every move and, around him, people gave him deferential looks.

“Saxon,” Jardin greeted.

Duncan sent the other man a sharp nod. Saxon looked amused at that.

“Jardin, Duncan, Laken.” He turned that gaze to her, and she had to suppress a shiver. This was the owner? Wow. “This must be Carrick and Thea. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Same,” Carrick said, squeezing her thigh lightly.

“Um, hi, Sir.” That felt weird.

Saxon smiled. “She really is new. Hope you all enjoy yourselves. Jardin, since you’re here I wondered if you’d take care of a few issues that have arisen.”

What did that mean?