Page 31 of Merlot Marriage

I let out a half-laugh, half-scream choking noise. “I have an IUD. And I haven’t been with anyone in two years. I’m good.”

“I’ve kept my negative test streak going since I got here. Hasn’t been quite two years, but close. Are you—”

“If you ask me if I’m sure one more time, I’m walking out that door.” I cut him off, starting to roll out from under him.

Philip pins my arms above my head in one swift movement. “Thank fuck.” Then he slides home inside me, stealing any more words away by sealing his lips to mine.

Philip

In my wildest dreams,I would not have expected Nate Ridgefield to be the person offering me a job.

Granted, it’s not a real job.

And it won’t solve my immigration problem. But it’s better than sitting around waiting for Ophelia to come home so I can strip her naked the second she walks through the door while the student loans I’ve been living on slowly dwindle away.

Turns out academic scholarships only cover so much of your living expenses.

Nate:It’s just until my folks get back from their cruise. You can even stay in their cottage if you don’t want to do the commute every day.

“Is he that desperate? Or did Maggie have something to do with it?” No one answers, which is good since I’m alone at my apartment and packing up my shit.

The landlord called yesterday to inform me he would refund my last month’s rent if I was willing to break my lease a month early so he can finish the renovations without me waiting around. Chris and his boyfriend decided to make their new living arrangement permanent, which leaves me with an apartment I can’t live in and no roommate.

I can’t believe the universe sent Nate, of all people, to rescue me.

I could keep staying with Ophie, but it’s starting to feel a little dangerous how much I want to stay.

Especially after last night.

I can still taste her on my lips when I close my eyes. Feel her hot skin under my fingertips. My cock gets hard every time I think about how good it felt to sink into her. To forget about everything else and just be in the moment with her.

Shaking myself, I shove my phone back in my pocket and grab another stack of books. I slide them into the box, packing around them with a collection of bits and bobs off my desk, and let Nate’s offer simmer in my mind.

Three months working in the tasting room at Sunshine Cellars for room and board isn’t exactly what I want to put on my resume. But it’s better than nothing, and now that I’ve graduated, my job as a TA is finished.

I pack up more of my shit as I weigh the pros and cons of spending the next few months working at Sunshine. By the time I tape up the last box, it’s clear that the only real downside is that I will have to deal with Nate on the regular.

The asshole really is a pill.

Although, if I’m there, then he can stay outside in the field or the cellar where he belongs. Besides, I like Kel, and it would be nice to see him and Maggie more.

Me:Alright, man. How about we try it out for a couple weeks and see how it goes?

I don’t bother to unpack my car when I get to Ophie’s since I’ll just have to load it all back up soon. Nate asked me to come out to the winery on Monday so he can give me a rundown on everything I need to know.

“Honey, I’m home,” I call out as I let myself in the front door.

Any hope I had that there might be a repeat of last night’s fun is dashed by the voice that answers me.

“Hi, shnookums.”

Sydney and Maggie are sitting side by side on the couch, feet up on the coffee table. Sydney has a wine glass in her hand and is drowning in a pair of oversized sweats and a giant hoodie that definitely looks stolen from the pile of clothes I left here.

Maggie’s hands are folded around the mason jar glass of water resting on her stomach. Her tight tank top and leggings outline her growing baby bump.

“Hello, ladies. To what do we owe the pleasure?” I glance around, but Ophie is nowhere in sight. Maybe she is in the bathroom? I crane my neck to see if she’s in the kitchen, but it’s empty. “Where’s Ophie?”

“She and Kel went to pick up food.” Sydney takes a long sip from her wine glass. “We ordered Indian.”

---