Page 9 of Sex, Blood, and Real Estate

Sam decided now was a good time to introduce some possibilities and sent the list of job openings to Wyatt’s phone. His reaction was surprise but also delight, and his warm smile was a welcome sight. "That's a list of every opening in line with your qualifications, so just let me know what you're interested in, and it's yours." Sam wasn't going to beat around the bush with this. He wanted Wyatt with him, and he was prepared to give him any job on that list that he desired.

"Are you serious?" Wyatt's tone seemed a little constrained, and Sam wanted to dismiss any hesitation on his part.

"I know your value, and if you are serious about wanting a change, I would like to offer you that change." Just to add security, he included a contract. "I will give you a three-year contract, and if for any reason the placement does not work out, you will be paid the remainder of your salary."

"I appreciate the offer, and I will look over the list and let you know." Sam didn't want to push too hard, so he left it there and accepted that Wyatt needed to move at his own pace and in the way he felt comfortable.

"I don't want to embarrass my father, and that's why I was going to look for something out of state and away from his peers. But your offer is attractive, and I will seriously consider it." Sam couldn't ask for more than that.

"Every job on that list will remain open for the next two weeks, so take your time."

“Thank you.”

They finished dessert while discussing less pressing matters, such as local development in Eastport and the rise of new businesses downtown. "I worked for the Vaughn brothers at the Indigo for many years, first as a bartender and then as the manager of the Black Dog. It was good training a lot of rough and in your face customer handling. I learned a lot, and the experience was invaluable."

“You worked for your uncle as well at the winery?” Wyatt asked.

“Yes, I ran the marketing program."

“He had a lot of trust in you.” It was a statement that seemed to drain the joy from Wyatt’s face. He obviously craved his father’s trust and support, but everyone knew that Holden Grey trusted no one but himself.

“Come let’s go back inside.” He slipped his arm around Wyatt’s waist when he stood and directed him to the living room that overlooked the western vineyard. It was an enchanting view at night with the subdued lighting. Sam sat him down on the plush loveseat and poured him another glass of wine and handed it to him.

"Thank you, but this should probably be my last. I don't want to overdo it and leave you with a bad impression." Wyatt was talking nonsense because there was no way on this earth that Sam would ever get a bad impression. Wyatt was his beloved, and he was the epitome of all things perfect.

"You're fine, sweetheart. I know who you are, and a few glasses of wine will not change my opinion." Sam wanted to push this relationship forward because controlling his vampire instincts to capture and claim his beloved was much harder than he'd anticipated. Having Wyatt so close and having his heart and mind filled with his glorious scent was a trial.

Sam placed his wine glass on the table next to him and turned to Wyatt. "Tell me about yourself." He wanted more than just the man who worked for Holden Grey. He wanted the real Wyatt.

“What do you want to know?” He said with a shy lilt. “I’m not that interesting.”

“What do you do in your spare time?” Sam hoped that would get the conversation started.

“I enjoy studying history all kinds such as military, architectural, political, social economic, ancient, all kinds of history. I also watch a crazy amount of documentaries.” He acted like this was of no value and his next sentence proved that to be true.

“I know I should be doing something of more value such as going to the gym or networking at the country club or maybe collecting art you know, something that makes you look clever in mixed company.” He finished and glanced away.

"Who told you that?" Sam retorted and then raised his hand to stop Wyatt from answering. "Never mind, I know, and believe me, you cannot spend your life playing to the expectations of others. It's exhausting and never really achievable." He took the opportunity to reach his arm across Wyatt's shoulders and pull him a little closer. Wyatt leaned into the embrace, and Sam pulled him tighter. "Have you researched Eastport? Are there any interesting tidbits in our history?" He wanted Wyatt's mind off his father.

"I know that Emmanuel Cabot, the original Emmanuel," he clarified, "founded the area and settled in Old Mission Peninsula years before the Eastport area was settled. I believe it was someone from the original settlement who branched out and settled here and named it Eastport. The records are a bit vague regarding specifically who made the move. It was a simple village for decades before growing over this past century.” Sam was impressed.

“Your family has lived here for close to two centuries.” He told him. “You’ve also maintained the same business and property throughout those centuries. I find that remarkable.” He then turned to look at Sam with those vibrant blue eyes that said so much.

“When you take over, it will be the first time in two centuries that the CEO of the Cabot winery will not be named Emmanuel Cabot.”

“My uncle has a lot of years left in him but someday I will be master of the realm.” Sam desperately wanted to tell Wyatt everything to bring him into the secret and share his life, his real life with him but it was not the time.

"My father plans to sell the business when he is ready to retire," Wyatt commented.

“How do you feel about that?” Sam asked.

“Like I need to be making my own plans for the future.”

"I agree." Sam moved a little closer, and when Wyatt looked up at him, the mood was too charged, and he could not resist the lure of those gorgeous lips. He took them while wrapping Wyatt in his arms. Once he had a taste, there was no going back or slowing down. His vampire surged to the surface, and it was suddenly all about touch and taste and owning.

Wyatt opened for him, and he thrust inside, tasting his beloved and glorying in the intensity of their connection. Sam adjusted their bodies as he continued to hold his lips in a kiss as ravenous as it was tender. The room began to heat up.

Wyatt was pushed to his back upon the cushions with Sam above him. Gently he moved giving him room to caress the front of Wyatt’s well fitting pants feeling the hardness just beneath the fabric. The touch was charged and sent a thrill through Sam, pushing him to demand more.

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