Page 44 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“Hey.” He closes his laptop when he sees me come in. “How was your workout?”
Walking over to the sink, I rinse out my water bottle. “It was great. I didn’t realize how long I was down there for.”
His eyebrows pinch together. “Yeah, I almost came down there to check on you.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. You do like me around.” I snicker.
“A little.” Jack shrugs and walks toward me. “I was thinking we could head over to the winery today. It would be nice to introduce you to everyone and show you the property.”
I can’t help my joy or the smile that slips after hearing his suggestion. “Yes, I would love that!”
Seeing where Jack grew up lets me get to know him more. He’s reserved and slightly mysterious, and I’m jumping at the chance to uncover a new layer of this man that sends my nerves into overdrive. I’m craving more of him, and since I can’t have him in the way I most desire—buried deep inside me, I’ll take seeing the place he’s rooted to.
“If we want to make this believable, it would make sense that I’d bring my girlfriend there to meet everyone,” he adds.
“Definitely. You grew up on the property, didn’t you?”
“I sure did. And most of the people who work there have known me most of my life as well,” he says, grabbing his black-framed glasses from beside his laptop.
Don’t put them on. Don’t put them on.
Fuck. He put them on.
I thread my fingers through my hair.Damn, he’s sexy.“That sounds great. I’m excited. Let me rinse off in the shower, then we can leave.”
“I’ll be out here working until you’re ready to go,” he says, returning to his work.
Chapter Seventeen
Piper
JackandIdrivedown the long rural highway to Bradley Wines for only a short time. I stare out the window, captivated by the vast open farmland surrounding us on either side. I can’t guess how many large homes are tucked away behind privacy gates and long, twisting driveways.
Jack veers the car off to the right at the base of a paved road. It’s a long drive up as we approach his family’s property.
“This is the best part,” he says, rolling down the windows. I close my eyes and breathe in the sweet smell of the ripe vines. I turn to Jack, and his eyes dart between me and the narrow hill we’re climbing.
The cool breeze brushes past my skin and blows my hair around in front of my face. “It’s beautiful!”
“I know, isn’t it?” his voice vibrates over the sound of the wind whirling through the inside of the car.
“This is the tasting room.” He extends his arm out the window and points toward a small stone structure with a burgundy roof. “Those are the wine cellars, barrel rooms, sorting and crushing stations,” he continues as we get further up the hill.
“This looks like a little slice of paradise out here.” I smile at him, taking it all in.
“It’s where I grew up.” He reaches over the center console to grab my hand. “I’m glad you like it.”
Jack slows in front of a double-swing security gate. He punches in the code, and it opens. Making our way up what seems to be the last hill, a pointed red roof comes into view. A rustic country house peaks over an incline of the roughly paved driveway. As we pull up, I’m overcome by this property’s sheer size and magnitude.
Jack circles the looped driveway before stopping in front of the entrance.
We remain in the car for a few minutes. “The first person you’re going to meet is Gemma. She is the absolute best. She’s my mom’s assistant, best friend, godmother, and chef, among many other things.”
“Alright, so she’s kind of a big deal.” I chuckle nervously, fidgeting with one of my earrings.
“Gemma is going to love you. She’s just like my mom.” He wraps his fingers around my wrist and lowers my hand from my ear. “Ready?”
“I am. I’m excited to see this place.”
