Page 60 of Meet Me in the Vines
Damn it, Isabel.
I scratch the back of my head and let out a defeated sigh. Heat floods my cheeks from embarrassment. She really had to out me like that.
“I would see your nose in a book, lost in your own world. I wondered what it would be like to take a peek into that beautiful head of yours. You always acted like no one else existed. I envied it a bit,” I confess. Her expression stays neutral. Her eyes move to her hands, fidgeting with her fingers.
“Acting like no one existed didn’t really do me any favors, since no one really talked to me in school and everyone thought I was an ice queen.” A hollow laugh slips from her lips. “Ialwaysenvied you. Everyone loved you. You could hold everyone’s attention with just your smile. I admired your confidence. I didn’t have that,” she admits, her eyes glued on her hands. Her voice is barely above a whisper.
“I remember the Monday after you guys won state, everyone lined the halls cheering and chanting your name,” she recalls as I flow back into that memory with her. Her gaze meets mine, giving me half a grin. “You weren’t cocky or milking the attention. You were humble and kind…you still are,” she whispers.
Can this woman make my heart explode anymore than she already has? It makes my stomach squeeze, knowing she still sees me that way.
“I didn’t care for the attention.” I shrug my shoulders. “I didn’t even ask for it half of the time. When I’d see you in class or at your locker, I only ever wantedyourattention.” Another confession. Her face lights up, her eyes gleaming from the setting sun.
“Well, you have it now. All of it,” she murmurs, sealing her admission with a kiss. I gently pull her bottom lip with the pad of my thumb.
Audrey’s eyes twinkle as she readjusts her position. “So, I was thinking,” she says with a tiny smirk. “The estate is too big for Pop. What if I converted it into a B&B? We could have people stay there while they visit the winery. We could offer different stay packages, exclusive tasting and tours?” she beams brightly, her cheeks flushed from the excitement. “You and Pop could still run the winery side, and I can do the hospitality side.”
Pride radiates from my chest. Her voice comes alive, and I’m the lucky bastard who gets to hear it. She pours out her dreams like the wine we’re drinking, smooth and full of body.
“I can also bake all the pastries to provide for the guests?” She’s shining so brightly you would think it’s morning and not sunset. “I can make all my favorite recipes and share it with everyone…” She bites her lip and quirks her brow. “I don’t know. Is it too much? Too crazy?”
The happiness swelling in my chest is so much I could burst. With every idea, every thought she has, I see the cracks in her heart fill and heal. The smile plastered on my face could make a star explode with how bright it is.
“Baby, that’s amazing. I love that idea. Noah would go for it. It’s a smart business decision. Other wineries in the area don’thave their own B&B. You could be the first to do it,” I say. I love seeing this look of belief in her eyes.
The first time I saw her when she came back home, her eyes were empty. Broken. I’d prayed that I’d see her eyes shine brightly again. Now, as she sits across from me, sharing her dreams, listening to her passion, I’ve never admired her more.
She crawls into my lap and swings her legs on either side. I lean forward, resting my hands on her backside.
“Thank you for believing in me. It means the world,” she murmurs. I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Of course, Mouse. I’m so proud of you. You make me want to be a better man.” It’s true. I want to give her the world. Her hands come up to my face and her thumbs trace the edges of my jaw.
“Do you like being a winemaker?” she asks, her fingers drag through my hair.
“Assistantwinemaker,” I correct, teasing. “And yes. I love it. I went to school for it and learned a lot. I love learning from Noah, though. He’s been an amazing mentor for me.”
She smiles at my comment about her grandfather. He’s the only family she has left, so I know it means a lot to her when people speak highly of him.
“Noah calls Oakwood Valley the ‘Goldilocks Zone.’ It’s not too hot, not too cold, butjust rightto curate world-class wine. We want to take over the world,” I say proudly. Audrey has a playful look on her face and she inches her lips closer to mine.
“What about me? Am I your Goldilocks?” she purrs. Her lips graze mine and I stare at her perfect pout as her lips slightly part.
“Yeah, Mouse. Just right. Perfect for me.” I nip her bottom lip. “I have another surprise for you,” I blurt out, earning an eye roll.
“Donovan, enough! I can’t handle it!” she whines.
“Roll your eyes at me again and I’ll take you over my knee,” I grumble, squeezing her ass in my palms. She can’t contain her laugh or the flush in her cheeks.
I gently slide her off of my lap and she crosses her arms and rubs them up and down. A cool breeze blows through, rustling the leaves of the tree above us. The last rays of the sun stretch as far as they can go, creating a perfect sunset sky with cotton candy clouds. I hand her my UC Davis crewneck sweater and she puts it on. She looks so sexy in my clothes I have to tame the boner rising in my jeans.
I adjust myself before grabbing my guitar and pulling it out of its case. Audrey grabs a chocolate-covered strawberry and sucks one in her mouth.
“You want a bite?” she coos.
Do I ever.
I open my mouth in invitation. She leans in to feed me and yanks the strawberry away before I can bite, replacing it with her luscious lips and giggling at her master scheme. She tastes like chocolate and sweetness. I slip my tongue into her mouth and groan as she opens for me wantonly. Fuck, she tastes so good. She breaks our kiss and places the strawberry in my mouth, eagerly licking chocolate off the corner of my lip as I enjoy her offering. I put the guitar between us to block any further advances. My dick is straining in these jeans.
