Return of the Chauffeur’s Son by Tara Lain
The Champagne of Romances
A cool voice came from behind Luca. “And of course you know that Nila is James’s fiancée.” Dylan stepped into their circle and gave that little smile that never quite warmed his whole face. “Good evening, all. Sorry I’m late. Why is Friday always the day for crises?”
Luca could barely hear him over the dull thud in his ears. Fiancée. Of course. Made sense. She was a tech wizard among tech wizards. Add beautiful and charming. Then add female. The correct sex for the heterosexual Armstrong son, no matter what he said about sucking cocks.
Luca glanced at Dylan’s chiseled face. Bastard. So that’s why you invited us. He wanted to parade James’s fiancée in front of Luca and remind him exactly what he couldn’t have. Luca smiled tightly. “I suppose crises are in the eye of the beholder.”
Francis gave Luca’s arm a squeeze. Right. Don’t insult your father’s employers.
His father looked around. “Is William not feeling well tonight?”
Esther frowned just a little. “Tired, mostly, but I’m sure he’d love to see Luca. Why don’t you take him back, Francis? You know the way.”
“I will. Come on, son.”
Luca followed his father into the hall that led to William and Esther’s suites. On the opposite side of the house, both James and Dylan had their own bedrooms, offices, gyms, whatever they needed. That way the whole family could regard the home as their private quarters when they wanted to. Of course, both sons had their own apartments in San Francisco too.
Luca murmured, “Sorry, Dad.”
“Nothing to be sorry for. Dylan’s play was heavy-handed, and he deserved what he got. I sincerely apologize, son. I didn’t realize Nila was engaged to James. I’d heard they were seeing each other, but James sees a lot of women.”
Luca stopped walking and leaned against the thick plaster wall. “Before you came out of your room this evening, James showed up at our door. He was more than flirtatious. Pretty damned confusing, especially in light of this announcement.”
His dad shook his head. “I can’t claim to know what goes through that man’s head. But no matter what game he’s playing, that doesn’t alter the fact that James is both heterosexual and engaged in a liaison that’s very important to the family. I’ve heard Dylan talking about the need to develop wearable technology. I realize now that some kind of agreement with Nila’s company must be what he has in mind. If that’s true, it’s worth millions, maybe more, to Armstrong Technologies. Be careful, Luca. It looks like a big-stakes game.”
Luca wiped a hand over his neck. “I didn’t start this, Dad. Seriously. Sure, I was flirting a little, but then he started coming on. Hinting at how he’d change his orientation for me. Even tonight, he keeps looking at me like I’m ice cream.”
“I noticed, and I’m sure everyone else did too, especially Dylan. I believe James is just playing. You’re a damned attractive man, and he’s known to lust after anything beautiful.”
“I’m not exactly the right gender to interest him. Shit, did Dylan really have to make such an issue of it?”
“James may be kidding, but I’d say Dylan isn’t counting on that. One never got rich or richer counting on the twists and turns of James Armstrong’s affections.”
Damn, so true.
They kept walking to William Armstrong’s study, but a little cloud of sadness rode Luca’s shoulder.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 
Thanks for the post. I love that this book is set in California Wine Country. I grew up there.
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Congrats and thanks for the post and excerpt. I’ve liked Tara’s Cowboys Don’t series, and I’ll have to check out this one.
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Congrats on the new release!. Thank you for the post. The quotes and pics really pique my interest =)
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Congrats on the new release! I loved the book.
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