Page 26 of Snowbound with the Vineyard Owner
My eyes snap to his. “Excuse me?”
He pushes off the arm of the chair and stands. Slowly. Purposefully. All lean muscle and quiet authority.
“We’re done discussing this. You’re not sleeping on that couch. You’re sleeping in my bed tonight.”
Heat coils low in my belly.
“Dominic—”
"I'll be a gentleman." He steps closer, closing the last sliver of space between us, his voice low enough to rattle in my chest. "I can keep my hands to myself for one night."
My mouth parts, but words fail me as his gaze drops to my lips before returning to my eyes with unmistakable intent.
"You're not exactly making it easy," I finally manage, barely more than a breath.
"Neither are you." His smile is wicked, lazy. Possessive. "I'm the one who has to sleep next to you all night and not touch you. But you don't see me complaining."
Heat blooms across my skin, my pulse thudding in my earsas every nerve ending prickles with awareness of him, of the narrow space between us.
"Come. It's late." He lifts his hand, palm up, expectant. Not a demand. Not quite. But his eyes don't suggest no for an answer. "Time for bed."
I hesitate. "I'm just supposed to trust a man I barely know?"
His eyes glitter. "I told you, tonight I'll be the perfect gentleman. You'll be safe with me."
"For how long?" I tilt my chin.
"For tonight," he promises, his voice a low rumble. "You have my word."
"And tomorrow?"
Something dangerous flickers across his face. The smile that follows is slow and sharp.
"Tomorrow is another day."
I draw in a breath that shakes at the edges. His eyes track the movement, darkening.
"But, I should warn you," he says, voice dropping to something intimate, private. "Even gentlemen have thoughts that are far from gentlemanly."
"Like what?" The question slips out before I can stop it.
He draws back slightly, surprise flashing across his features. For a moment, he looks almost vulnerable, caught off guard by my interest.
"I’ll tell you," he says, his voice rougher now, "but it'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Because it will take everything I have to keep my word tonight." His gaze drops to my lips. His gaze is steady, unapologetic. "But thoughts aren't actions. You're still safe with me."
Heat pools low in my belly, an achebuilding that I try to ignore.
He doesn't smile. Just studies me. Quiet and still. Heat simmering under the surface.
"Now, come." He takes my hand.
Big. Warm. Steady.
He doesn't tug. Doesn't force. Just stands there.
