Page 81 of The Sounds of Her

“Speak for yourself,” she looks down.

I don’t have the bulge I woke up with, but I do fill out my underwear. Nick isn’t that much better off in the dick department.

“Go shower,” she instructs me. “I’ll call DiMarco.”

I rub my jaw. “Don’t.”

Her eyes widen. “When I suggested we go out, I didn’t mean be reckless.”

“Come on, Brooke, you know I enjoy living recklessly. There should be a car rental service here.”

“The place is about a forty-minute drive away, which is why we should bring DiMarco.”

“Nope, he can have the day off.”

I grin, she can already tell I’ve made up my mind. I ask her to arrange a car with reception and head to the bathroom to take a shower.

Once we’re both dressed, I pull a cap over my head and tuck my sunglasses into the top of my t-shirt. Brooke has a dress on but it’s a long one that reaches the floor, her hair is pulled up. If she’s put make-up on, I can’t tell. She looks fresh faced and tanned. Beautiful.

I don’t relax until we’re in the car. Brooke programs the address of the winery into the GPS. I’ll get into shit for this, but I don’t care.

Brooke fiddles with the radio as I drive and finds a local station playing current pop tunes. She eyes me as if I’m going to have something to say about her choice, but I’m not picky. I like all kinds of music.

The hotel gave us a Toyota Rav 4. It’s a hybrid car, black with tinted windows and an all-leather interior that smells brand new. It’s been an age since I drove myself. I’m usually in the back of a car, a tour bus, or a cab. I hate how entitled that makes me and relish the feel of the wheel under my hands.

When we arrive at the winery, I find a space in the parking lot. Getting out, I stretch my legs and Brooke shuts her door, shading her eyes with her hand so she can look over the vineyard laid out before us. It stretches for miles, and rivals some of the award-winning wineries in California in sheer size, and amazing views.

Brooke heads towards the main building with the sign out front. It’s a one-story modern building with white walls and tall windows. The parking lot isn’t too busy.

“Miss Hannon?” A man comes through the open doorway, smiling at Brooke.

My brows lift as she heads over to shake his hand. The man greets her and introduces himself as Daryl, part owner of the winery. I don’t miss how his eyes roam down her body as she glances towards the vineyards.

Stepping right up beside her, I glare at Daryl.

“Archer,” I hold out my hand.

Now it’s his turn to be put out. We shake firmly and he takes a step back.

“Sorry for the short notice,” Brooke says, side eyeing me for a second.

“It’s no problem. Today is a quiet day, so we’re more than happy with you not having booked in advance. You said on the phone you wanted to walk the vineyards as well?”

Daryl walks towards the building, making sure Brooke is following. I stand back a second and breathe in and out a few times. Am I going all possessive over Brooke right now? Daryl is in his early thirties, tall and muscular with sun whitened blond hair and a movie star smile. He’s laid back and smiley, the quintessential Aussie.

I’ve never been the jealous type. I’m not about to start now.

We head inside the building and while Brooke listens to him droning on about the history of the vineyard, I look around. It’s a nice place, rustic, but decorated neutrally. A few other people are in the room to the right. None of them turns this way, but I pull my cap down anyway.

If Daryl recognises me, he hasn’t let on. Now I know Brooke called ahead. Did she mention my name? Given no one is rushing me asking for a picture or autograph, probably not.

“If you’d like to follow me, I can give you the brief tour and tasting before you set off for the vineyards.”

“You’re doing it?” I ask, turning back to Daryl.

“My partner is out in the fields right now. We have two sommeliers, but one is out sick. We have another group in at the moment.”

Brooke’s head tilts as she watches me. Her quick glance to Daryl and back again ends with a smirk of her own. “I’m sure it will be fine for you to show us around, won’t it Archer?” Brooke says, looking at me like I’m a disobedient child. It’s hot.

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