“No, sir.” Wyatt did not elaborate. His father let silence fall between them and continued to grip Wyatt’s shoulder. Wyatt held the silence and did not strive to fill it as usual. After a few minutes, his father removed his hand and walked away. Wyatt wasn't sure what to make of the exchange, but experience told him that nothing good ever came from upsetting Holden Grey.

Wyatt gathered his things and left, not wanting to analyze a situation over which he had no control. He got home and instantly began getting ready for his date with Sam, changing clothes five times before settling on simple black pants, a tan sweater, and the usual accessories.

Sam was from a long line of impressive men, so Wyatt hoped to put forth a good impression and an adequate knowledge of proper style. He felt good and that in itself aided his confidence. There was something about Sam Cabot that gave him peace rather than anxiety. It was nearing seven, so he was not surprised when he heard the buzzer at the front door of his townhouse.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sam was nearly crawling out of his skin, waiting to pick up Wyatt. The wait was excruciating. The information Marc had pulled together gave him something to do while he waited, but it did not tell him anything that he was not already suspicious of. Holden Grey ran his company with an iron fist, and although his son Wyatt had proven himself academically, he had yet to be given any position of trust within the company.

Holden likes to make people work for what they get, and his idea of work means to start at the bottom and stay there apparently. From what Sam could see, Wyatt had shown excellent performance on everything assigned over the last year, and yet he has not been given any kind of promotion, which should be automatic for someone like Wyatt with his qualifications. His relationship with the head of the company, his experience, and his stellar education were being wasted.

Individuals who started with the company at the same time as Wyatt have seen growth and some significant promotions such as Griffen Humbolt. Why would the man push a man like Humbolt forward at the expense of his own son? The background of this family was confusing. All Sam could conclude was that Wyatt desperately needed to get away from that company out from under his father’s control or his future was going to be bleak in terms of career.

With that thought in mind, he also had the list of openings with Cabot Inc. and with any luck Wyatt will see something he likes. Sam was ready to give him anything he desired just to have close, but he knew he needed to handle this in a professional manner. Wyatt was not easily fooled, and he would smell insincerity a mile away. He coached himself to not be too pushy but to present all the positives of taking a position with Cabots.

He pulled up to the townhouse Wyatt indicated, quickly jogged to the front door, and hit the buzzer. Within seconds, Wyatt's sweet voice came over the intercom, and the door opened. Wyatt stood there looking good enough to eat.

“Are you ready?” Sam asked.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the vineyard. No one I know has ever been there, but your uncle keeps it very private." Wyatt smiled like a kid, and Sam was so glad he could give this to him.

"It's amazing and beautiful, and you will not be disappointed." He took Wyatt's hand and led him out to his car. "I'd also like for you to meet my uncle."

“Emmanuel Cabot.” Wyatt looked stunned.

“He wants to meet you.” Sam said and helped Wyatt get seated and buckled in before getting in the driver’s seat and heading off to Old Mission Peninsula.

“Do you live there?” Wyatt asked once they were well on their way.

"I have an apartment in the Chateau, which is the primary structure at the vineyard, and I also have an apartment on an upper floor in the Cabot building in town." He took a chance and reached over to gently lay his hand over Wyatt's, which was currently resting on his thigh.

Wyatt glanced over at him with a pleasant smile, and it went straight to Sam’s heart and his cock. He’d never gotten so hard so fast in his life. This was going to be a very interesting evening and challenging.

"You have a nice place. I've always liked townhouses." Sam referred to Wyatt's home.

"It's not mine; it belongs to the business, which means it belongs to my father. It's the one perk he didn't deny me, but I think he simply wanted me out of the house." There was that smile again, but this time, it held uncertainty and a little sadness and didn't glow like the previous smile.

“If you ever need a place to stay, just call me.” Sam told him feeling the need to ease the insecurity but also knowing that at this point in their relationship he probably doesn’t believe him. “I have plenty of room and there are apartments available at the Cabot building.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Sam could feel that some of his sadness had eased.

They drove on in silence for a while before Wyatt began to share, and Sam understood his concerns. "My father cornered me when I got back to the office today and questioned me whether I discussed business with you, his business." He paused, but Sam did not comment because he felt that more was coming. Wyatt hadn't made his point yet.

"I want to know if that is your intent. Is this all to get something over on my father or to undermine him in some way? Are we serious, or is this just a game?" He turned to look at Sam directly. "I'm not satisfied with my position at the company or with my relationship with my father, but I would never betray him."

“I would never ask you to and this has nothing to do with the sale that’s being negotiated or with any business concerning you father. This is me pursuing you after seeing you, meeting you and discovering that I like you very much.” Sam spoke the truth and Wyatt seemed to respond. “I think we would be good together and I’d like to investigate that theory a little further. Are you interested?”

“You make up your mind fast. You sound so sure of yourself that you’re making me believe that maybe we would be good together.”

“You can feel it in your bones.” Sam teased and squeezed his hand.

"I can feel it in my bones," Wyatt repeated with a chuckle, and there it was again. Sam could feel himself getting aroused by a simple laugh. It was going to be an interesting evening, and he could hardly wait to get it started.

Wyatt had to ask for clarification although he feared what Sam might say. He read him as a truthful man so if asked a direct question he would give a direct answer. Thankfully he got the answer he’d hoped for. There was mutual interest and Wyatt couldn’t be happier.

Sam was an exciting and ambitious man, and Wyatt found him not only drop-dead fucking gorgeous, he also found him to be nice, but he also had an edge that was clearly visible at times. Wyatt could see the hardened businessman and the clever persuader. He was a force, and everyone knew that he would someday take over all the Cabot interests. The man was someone to watch and maybe fear. There were two very distinct sides to this man, and Wyatt liked them both.

The moment they pulled through the gates and crested the hill, the way the property opened up before him was pure magic. They pulled up to the Chateau and parked. It was an old-world in its layout and construction, and it felt like he was entering another country. The Chateau was a huge and sprawling structure, elegant and mysterious, such a wild surprise to find on the outskirts of town.