Page 99 of Royal Pain

I gasped as soon as I did. The bar had been transformed into a wine tasting, complete with eight different bottles.

“I found this vineyard through a buddy of mine but never tried it. I figured now was as good a time as any.” Gage was excited, his entire face lit up.

He’d dimmed the lights, placed a huge fluffy blanket on the thick rug in front of the fire, and even had snacks on the hearth. The man was much more romantic than I believed he could be.

“This is amazing.”

“Come on. Let’s try a few.”

The beautiful bottles were already open and were works of art in themselves. I was in heaven, more so than he knew. It was the first time I felt as if I could relax.

“This is a fine sauvignon blanc,” he offered, pouring a little for each in a tasting glass.

As soon as I took a sip, I was shocked. White wine usually wasn’t what I enjoyed. But this one was amazing. “Yum.” We took our time drinking the rest before he poured a bit of the rosé. The color was rich and beautiful, a deeper blush than I’d seen on my face.

We progressed from there over the next twenty minutes or so, laughing and talking as if nothing had ever been wrong.

When he got to my favorite type of wine, merlot, he brought down two different glasses, filling them for both of us.

“Big boy. What did you have in mind?” I cooed.

“Come sit by the fire.”

We did and he immediately pulled the blanket up around us both. As he lifted his glass, I tipped my head.

“What are we toasting to?”

“The future,” he said in his husky voice.

We took a few sips and he took the glass from my hand, placing both on the hearth. As he cupped both sides of my face in his massive hands, I felt even more protected than I had before. He had a way of making me feel so amazing, so special.

He captured my mouth, taking his time to sliding his tongue past my pursed lips, tasting me almost as if for the first time. There was something incredible about feeling this close, knowing that no one was going to stop us.

Unless my baby couldn’t sleep. Then nothing would stop me from going to him.

Even a hunky man.

I was lightheaded, stars floating in front of my eyes. His kiss could make a girl swoon. When he broke the moment of intimacy, we both sighed.

“Just so you know, I’m taking more of a back seat with business.”

“How can you do that?” I asked.

“My brothers liked my idea of developing a second tier of executives. They figured it was time for them to step back up to the plate so I can have some time building a new life.”

“A new life, huh? Are you kicking me out?”

His response was exactly what I should have expected. He ripped off my sweater, tossing it aside as if it was nothing. There was such a carnal look in his eyes, the color of his irises darkening.

The man had a way of mesmerizing me more than anyone I’d ever known.

He cupped both breasts, rolling his thumbs back and forth across my already aching nipples. When he lowered his head, growling like a true predator, I fought with his shirt, struggling to release it from the waistband of his tight jeans. I managed, finally able to slide my hand underneath. It was impossible notto shiver when I touched his sculpted muscles. No man should be built like this.

He growled again, reaching around to unfasten my bra. I knew him well enough that I didn’t fight the gesture. If I had, he would have ripped yet another lace bra. And I liked this one!

As soon as the bra was disposed of, he returned his attention to my breasts, lowering his head and sucking on first one hardened bud and then the other.

The sensations rolling through me were incredible, my mind blown by how something so simple could reek of such passion. When he bit down on one, twisting the other with his fingers, I bit back a cry. I loved the pain and he knew it. The truth was I hungered to spend more time at the resort for the club alone.

---