Page 7 of The Vineyard Crush

“Love you too, Lil,” I murmured, watching as she bounded out of the car, Cody hot on her heels.

With a contented sigh, I turned my attention back to the road, Avery’s soft coos providing a soothing backdrop to my thoughts.

Carrying Avery with me, I make a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up some essentials. As we weave through the aisles, Avery gurgling happily in the cart, I can’t help but let my mind wander to the long list of repairs that need doing back at the ranch.

We’re just about to hit the checkout when my phone starts ringing. I fish it out of my pocket, rolling my eyes when I see who’s calling.

“Hey,” Ethan’s over-eager voice greets me.

“Hi, Ethan,” I drawl, purposefully using his full name just to rile him up.

He groans, right on cue. “Seriously, Ridge? How many times do I have to tell you - call me Ten.”

I chuckle, unable to resist poking the bear. “What’s that? I didn’t quite catch your name… Ethan, was it?”

“You’re the worst kind of asshole, you know that?” he grumbles, but I can hear the grin in his voice. “Any reason you called me, Ethan?” I ask, purposefully emphasizing his name once more.

“Yes, Reginald,” he retorts, putting an exaggerated emphasis on my own first name. “I actually called for a reason.”

Aha, so that’s how it’s going to be. I smirk, leaning against the cart as Avery reaches for a box of cereal. “Well, by all means, Ethan, enlighten me.”

He sighs, all put-upon drama. “James was supposed to take Avery off your hands today, but he got called into work. I figured if you wanted to get some shit done at the ranch without having to cart her around, you could drop her off at the vineyard.”

I consider his offer, my eyes automatically drifting towards the direction of the checkout lines. Part of me desperately wants to take him up on it - any chance to knock some items off my mountainous to-do list without having to juggle a toddler is a godsend. But then, my gaze lands on an all-too-familiar figure, and my heart stutters in my chest.

Emma.

Of course, she’s here, looking effortlessly gorgeous in a flowing sundress, her chestnut hair tumbling over her shoulders in soft waves. I watch, mesmerized, as she walks out of the store, the fabric of her skirt stretching deliciously over the curve of her ass.

Fuck, what I wouldn’t give to run my hands over that lush body, to bury my face in the crook of her neck and inhale her intoxicating scent. Just the thought of it has my blood heating, desire coursing through my veins like liquid fire.

“Yo, earth to Ridge! You still with me, buddy?” Ethan’s voice crackles through the phone, snapping me out of my trance. Fuck, how can I think like that about his sister while I am on the phone with him?

I blink rapidly, suddenly aware of how flushed I must look. “Yeah, sorry man, I’m here. The vineyard, you said? Yeah, that would be great,” I finally say, trying not to sound too eager. “I’ve got to get that house shed roof fixed up before winter sets in.”

“Cool,” Ethan replies, and I can practically hear the grin in his voice. “My sister’s gonna be at the reception desk, so she can keep an eye on the little rugrat,” Ethan confirms, and just the sound of her name is enough to make my throat go dry.

For three long years, I’ve managed to keep my distance from any and every woman, and Ethan’s gorgeous younger sister, one little conversation and, that carefully constructed distance has been wearing thin, hormones raging and my brain short-circuiting at the mere thought of her.

It’s pathetic, really - me, a grown man in my late thirties, reduced to a hormonal mess by a girl who’s clearly off-limits. Not only is Emma my best friend’s sister, but she’s also fresh out of college, bright-eyed and full of potential. She’s got her whole life ahead of her, while I’m just a washed-up divorcee stuck in the never-ending rut of ranch life.

Soon I am back in my truck and driving back towards the Ranch after stopping for ice cream that Avery wanted with Avery tucked into the car seat. As I turn onto the road that leads to the Ranch, I can’t help but wonder just how old Emma is.

Ethan had mentioned that she’d just graduated, which means she can’t be older than her mid-twenties. The thought sends a shiver down my spine, equal parts exhilaration and shame. She’s at least a decade younger than me, barely out of school and just starting her life. And here I am, a grizzled, world-weary single father, fantasizing about her like some kind of creep.

I curse under my breath, forcing myself to concentrate on the road. But even as I try to push the thoughts of Emma out of my mind, they keep creeping back in, unbidden and impossible to ignore. I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to be near her, to catch a glimpse of her warm, disarming smile and those deep, soulful eyes.

And then, before I can stop myself, my mind begins to wander further, conjuring up images of Emma that are decidedly less than innocent. I picture the curves of her body, the way her thick thighs would feel under my calloused hands as I knead the soft flesh. I imagine burying my face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent as I trail kisses along her collarbone and down, down, down…

I slam on the brakes, jolting myself out of my vivid fantasy with a start. What the fuck am I thinking? This is Ethan’s sister, for Christ’s sake. Off-limits doesn’t even begin to cover it.

With a shaky breath, I force myself to focus on the road ahead, realizing with a start that I’ve missed my turn. Cursing under my breath, I hastily execute a U-turn, my heart still pounding in my chest as I try to regain my composure.

As I finally pull into the vineyard, I can feel my palms starting to sweat, my body betraying me with a sudden rush of nerves. Get it together, Ridge, I chide myself, taking a few deep, steadying breaths before hopping out of the truck. Keep your distance be your normal Stoic self and this ridiculous crush will be gone sooner than you know.

The moment I step through the door, I’m greeted by the sight of Emma behind the reception desk, her long, glossy hair falling in loose waves around her face. She looks up, and our eyes meet, and suddenly it’s like all the air has been sucked out of the room.

Four

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