And if we did, would either of us survive the fallout?
CHAPTER 25
Melanie
Luke cameout to the lobby wearing a fresh T-shirt, although his hair was still a little disheveled from my fingers running through it. I liked the contrast.
I still felt euphoric from the unexpectedly hot encounter in his office. And more than slightly amazed that he’d calmly gone from making me climax to planning a date.
His self-control was incredibly sexy.
“Where’d you get a clean shirt?” I asked.
“How did you even notice?”
“Women notice these things.” I stood and looked down at what I was wearing. The sleeveless blouse and slacks were great for work, but I wouldn’t have picked it for date attire. “Are you sure I shouldn’t change first?”
“No, you look great.”
I shouldered my purse. “All right. Where are we going?”
“Wine tasting.”
I blinked in surprise. “Oh. That sounds lovely.”
“Why are you so shocked? Didn’t think I could come up with a good first date idea?”
“No, that was just very fast.” I narrowed my eyes. “Wait.Is this your standard first date? How many women have you taken wine tasting?”
“None.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think I’d remember.”
“Okay, then,” I said with a smile and came around the front counter. “Lead the way. Actually, I’ll lead the way since I’m driving. Where’s the winery?”
“Echo Creek. It’s called Salishan Cellars. You’ve never been there?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Even better. It’s beautiful.” He walked to the front door and held it open for me.
I stepped out into the heat. “I thought you said you haven’t been there.”
“I’ve been there, just not with a date. Weddings, mostly.”
We got in my car, and I brought up the location on my GPS. It wouldn’t be hard to find, and Echo Creek was a pretty town.
Despite a haze in the air, the drive was beautiful. The highway followed the river as it curved and the mountain slopes rose on either side, rocky and gray.
We didn’t talk much on the way. Luke turned on a classic rock playlist that made me smile. It reminded me of summer days cruising along that very highway, windows rolled down, music blasting. Me in the passenger seat with Luke’s hand on my thigh.
The entrance to the winery was right off the highway. I turned up a long driveway lined with vineyards and a big sign that read, Salishan Cellars.
There was parking outside a large building surrounded by gardens. Flowers bloomed in beds and hanging baskets, and the green lawn was pristine.
Inside, the cool air was refreshing. The lobby wasdecorated with rich wood, greenery, and wine bottles. There were photos on one wall—some old and faded, others new.