Command (6 page)

“I’ve got to keep up my energy.” She grabbed a double pepperoni pizza.

“Vegetables and meat give you energy.”

“I thought we were planning on working. And by the way, I really don’t cook.”

“I do.”

“You…cook?”

“Not always. Rarely, in fact. But I can manage something. Put the pizza back.”

“I don’t think you understand. It has cheese in the crust.”

He plucked the brightly colored carton from her hands.

“Wait. It’s comfort food.”

“You can eat as many of them as you want when you get back to California.” He shuddered.

“Are you always so damn bossy?”

“Aria, you have no idea.” With that, he took hold of the cart and wheeled it toward the produce section.

“I don’t eat asparagus,” she said when he reached for a bunch of the green, sword-like stalks.

“You haven’t had it prepared well, in that case.”

He picked up lettuce, specialty cheeses, olives and a gorgeous-looking loaf of bread before heading to the checkout lanes.

When they had loaded up the car, he asked, “Anything else you need?”

“Wine?”

“We’ve got plenty.”

“In that case, I might survive for a few days.”

He drove away from the city and into the surrounding mountain area.

“It’s quiet here,” she observed about fifteen minutes later. The homes were more spread out, and they passed fewer and fewer cars.

“Peaceful,” he agreed.

Her cell signal bars had faded to nothing before he turned off the road and onto a narrow paved driveway that sloped down then appeared to vanish around a corner. She didn’t see a house, just a random tree, some cactus, and lots of rock and potential for a sharp drop down the sheer mountainside. “Ah…”

“Relax. It’s not as death-defying as it appears.”

She gripped the handle in front of her.

“I installed grappling hooks to the undercarriage. They’ll grab the rock so we don’t fall off the road.”

“I’m not sure if you’re kidding.”

“About which part?”

No more than thirty seconds later he braked to a stop in front of a set of metal gates. They were set into a thick adobe fence with a rounded top. The gates were teal in color with spikes jutting out from a figure that resembled a humped-back flute player.

“Kokopelli,” he said when she asked about it. A moment later, the gates swung open. “Along with the sun found on our state flag, you’ll see a lot of him in New Mexico. He’s a Hopi god, if I have my anthropology correct. He represents fertility.”

“You’re making that up.”

“Am I?”

From his tone, she had no idea whether or not he was joking.

Grant drove through the opening into a large courtyard and she saw his house for the first time. It, too, was adobe, light tan in color. The home had a slight curve to it so it conformed more naturally to the surroundings. A number of narrow floor-to-ceiling windows added a unique touch.

“Not bad for a cave?” he asked, his voice light with a tease.

She felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “I apologized for that comment—or at least I think I did.”

“You shouldn’t have. The house is built partially into the mountain.”

“It’s spectacular, Grant.” Off to right side was an outdoor living area with a tall, concrete fountain and several seating areas, complete with lounge chairs and assorted-sized tables. Several planters were filled with small trees and perhaps lavender.

As the gates eased closed behind them, she felt as if they were being sealed off from the rest of the world.

He parked in front of a detached two-car garage. “Let’s go in, get you out of the wind. I’ll come back for your luggage.”

“And your duffel bag?”

“Definitely that.”

After zipping up her jacket, she grabbed her briefcase and a couple of grocery bags before following him across flagstones toward the intricately carved double doors. Two lighting sconces flanked the entrance, each bearing a weathered-metal Kokopelli.

Without him touching anything, she heard a lock turn. “I’m confused,” she said.

“I like my security to be unobtrusive. Retina scan.”

“Wait… I didn’t see you do anything at the gates. Do they just open automatically?”

He shook his head. “There’s a sensor on the undercarriage of the car.”

“Near the grappling hooks.”

“Exactly.” He grinned and indicated she should enter. “We’ll get your vitals scanned.”

“Ah…”

“Or I can give you a key.” He closed the door behind them, and she heard the lock fall back into place.

“Hi, honey! You’re home.”

Aria couldn’t make out where the woman’s voice was coming from, even though she looked around.

“Aria, say hello to Molly.”

“Molly?”

“My electronic assistant. She controls all the functions in the house. You can tell her what to do and she’ll do it.”

“
Within reason,
” Molly responded. “
I don’t do laundry. The washer agitates me.
”

He groaned.

“Your sense of humor, I take it?” Aria asked. “It needs some work.”

“Molly, say hello to our guest.”

“Helllllllo, Genius,”
the disembodied voice with a sexy hint of an Irish brogue all but purred. “
I missed you.
”

“Programmed for Julien. Sorry. Molly, say hello to Aria.”

“
Oh. I apologize. So the genius hasn’t come to save me yet?
”

“Molly…say hello to Aria.”

“
Isn’t that a musical term?
”

“Very good, Molly. And spelled the same way. But in this case, it’s my guest’s name.”

“
Oh. Hello, Aria. Welcome to Kingston Castle.
”

“Kingston Castle?” Aria grinned when she saw him wince. The more she saw of Grant, and his idiosyncrasies, the more she liked him.

“That’s our secret, Molly. What are you supposed to do with things that are secret?”

“
Oh. I know. Sorry.
” Then, in a whisper, she repeated, “
Welcome to Kingston Castle.
”

He shook his head. “I’m about to shut you down,” he threatened.

“
Touchy, touchy, Your Majesty.
”

Given the amount of time she’d spent at Bonds headquarters, Aria knew she should no longer be shocked by the toys and gadgets the company dreamed up, but this was a whole new level of electronic interaction. And because Molly had a personality, Aria found it more charming than intrusive. That could be the key, she realized, to moving the technology forward. It needed to be integrated, easy to interact with and it would be especially appealing if it was also fun.

When they’d entered the house, it had been into a large, open space. Several hooks hung from the wall, and a wooden table stood nearby, and next to it, a large yellow Labrador. “You didn’t tell me you had a dog.” Its tail wagged. “What’s his name?”

“He doesn’t have one.”

“What? Dogs are supposed to have names.” She bent to pet the animal, but her hand passed through the air without stopping.

“Hologram,” he explained before she could ask.

“He looks so real.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s a little freaky,” she said.

“But he doesn’t eat or need to go outside. You’re welcome to leave your briefcase here in the foyer.”

She took a moment to drink in her surroundings. The kitchen appeared to be off to the left, and a table with six chairs was in front of it. A couple of banks of windows comprised most of the far wall, and they were separated by a gigantic fireplace. The ceilings were vaulted, and she guessed they were fifteen feet high at the tallest spots.

Warm honey hardwood floors were accented with large, Southwestern-inspired throw rugs, and a leather sectional couch was arranged in front of the hearth.

“Molly, open the blinds.”

By slow measures, the windows were revealed.

Everything seemed to draw Aria’s gaze toward the awe-inspiring grandeur of the outdoors. “Good heavens.”

“That was my reaction, as well, the first time I walked in.”

The view of the snow-dusted plateaus stole her breath, and it seemed as if the house dangled from the side of the mountain. “Land of Enchantment,” she said, understanding what he’d meant earlier. She looked at him in time to see his smile.

“Yeah,” he said. “Now you get it.”

“It’s awe-inspiring.”

“It is indeed.” He nodded. “This way.”

As she took the first couple of steps into the house, a wave of vertigo washed over her. “Tell me that’s optical illusion.”

“You’re not going to fall,” he promised, “but the view is not an optical illusion. We’re anchored to granite. The couple who had this built hired a brilliant architect and a well-respected engineering firm.”

“It’s spectacular.”

“There’s a deck through that sliding glass door.”

Since the deck had glass walls, she hadn’t noticed it right away. “I’m not sure I’m brave enough.”

“You can always sit in the courtyard.” He grinned. “You wouldn’t be the first. Let me show you the kitchen then I’ll get the rest of the things from the car.”

She followed him. The space was larger than she’d guessed, galley-style with quartz countertops and a bar separating it from the dining area. The way it was designed meant that even the cooktop offered a view out of the windows.

For the first time in months, she felt as if she could truly breathe, not just physically, but psychologically. Being here, in the grandeur and peace, was already changing her.

“I’m really not sure how you get anything done,” she said. “I could sit and stare for hours.”

“I don’t always take the time to appreciate it. I should.” He placed his bags on the countertop and she put a couple alongside them.

He pointed out the location of glasses and mugs, along with the coffeepot. “Since you’re going to be here for an indefinite amount of time, you’ll want to make yourself comfortable. Help yourself to anything you want, including the wine. I’m not particular. I buy what I want to drink, so I’m not saving any for a special occasion. Can I offer you anything?”

“Water, please. I think it’s the altitude.” Along with the view and the very sexy man she was temporarily staying with.

He grabbed a bottle for her and uncapped it. “Yeah. I know you can do it yourself.”

“Am I that bad?”

“You are.”

Maybe she was, she realized. And perhaps it was okay to accept help from time to time. “In that case, I’ll say thank you.”

Their gazes met and held for a few seconds as he passed the drink to her. A connection arced, formed. And she forced herself to look away rather than lean into it.

“I’ll be right back with your luggage.” Before she could protest, he added, “No, you don’t need to help.”

While he was gone, she walked toward a window then retreated a few steps. Aria had never been afraid of heights. She told herself it was no different from being in a skyscraper, but the illusion of hanging off the side of a mountain changed something for her, even though the trepidation wasn’t logical.

She took a drink of water before putting the bottle down and going back to the foyer. As she was hanging up her coat, she heard him outside. The knob jostled, so she opened the door for him.

The dog began to wag its tail again. She wasn’t sure how long it would take to get used to that.

Grant came inside, accompanied by a burst of cold air.

“I don’t think anyone’s ever let me in my own house before,” he said.

“You said to make myself comfortable.”

“I’m glad you did.”

Grant was creating an air or intimacy that she’d never experienced with another man. It told her she’d been right to cancel the wedding, despite all the upset and doubts.

He left her belongings in the foyer then she accompanied him back to the kitchen to help put away the groceries and takeout food.

When they were finished, he said, “Let me show you the rest of the house, give you a chance to get settled.”

After hanging up his jacket, he grabbed her suitcase and his duffel bag before leading the way down the hall. She could become accustomed to his chivalry.

“As you’ve already surmised, the house is more of a rectangle than a square. And not just for the view, but to cut down the wind exposure.”

She nodded. “It seems the builder thought of every detail.”

He pointed out a powder room then added, “I remodeled a little in order to accommodate the exercise room and my workshop. So there are only two bedrooms. This one is yours.”

He opened the door and wheeled her suitcase into the closet.

The space was bigger than her master bedroom at home.

“You’ve got blinds and a blackout panel to keep out the sun if you want to sleep in.”

A queen-sized bed stood on a thick white rug and was flanked by two nightstands. A small television was mounted to the wall. An upholstered chaise longue had a reading lamp nearby. “It’s lovely,” she said. “Any electronic surprises I should know about?”

“If I spy on you, it will be the old-fashioned way.”

“Does the door have a lock?”

“Spoilsport.” But his grin was easy and contagious. “Let me show you the rest. You can use this bathroom.”

As she’d come to expect, it was nice, using local stone and accented with the turquoise-blue that she already associated with New Mexico.

The stall was large enough for two people, and she didn’t see a showerhead.

“More like a rainfall,” he explained, answering her unasked question. “Lots of holes in the top. The towel rack will heat up the moment you turn on the water. And the temperature and pressure control is right here. Waterproof. Select your temperature. Molly will tell you when it’s the right temperature. It won’t take long, since we have a tankless heater.”

So maybe Julien wasn’t completely without feeling. This punishment came with a few niceties.

“Exercise room is next. Lights on, Molly, one hundred percent. Blinds open.”

“Exercise room?” Aria repeated when he opened the door. “Isn’t that a bit of an understatement?”

“I don’t want to drive to town to get my workout in,” he said. “So I’ve tried to make this as appealing as possible. Towels are over there. Wet ones go in the hamper. There’s a shower on that wall.”