Page 150 of Thorns of Malice

Once again, the look on her face is priceless. I wait for her to speak.

She snaps her head toward me. "You created a Seducing Ivy wine?"

I can't help but grin. "Sure did." I grab the opener on the table and remove the cork. I hold it out to Ivy and ask, "Do you want to keep this? It's the first bottle ever opened."

"Wh-...how...? Dax!" she says.

I chuckle and pour an inch into the glass. "Let me know what you think."

She swirls the wine in the glass, holds it to her nose and breathes it in, and then takes a sip. She holds it in her mouth before swallowing, just like I taught her ten years ago, and pride fills me. She always picked up on everything quickly, and did it to perfection.

"Well?" I ask with anticipation.

She closes her eyes and moans. "This is delicious."

I fill my glass, and when she sets hers down, I fill hers and admit, "I bought a vineyard in Italy. It's in your name, as well as the winery that makes this wine."

Her blues go wide.

I lean closer, teasing, "If you want to fire me from that job too, you can."

She laughs.

A server enters the room. He sets a basket of warm bread and butter on the table.

"Hello, Mr. Carrington and Ms. Ford. It's so nice to meet you. My name's Daniel. It's my pleasure to serve you tonight."

"Hi, Daniel. It's nice to meet you too," Ivy replies.

He turns his focus on me. "Mr. Carrington, I just want to confirm you're still happy with the menu you already chose. I have on the list the burrata salad, cherry-braised grilled lamb chops, spicy lobster tail, and the carrot and squash puree?"

I turn to Ivy. "Does that sound good?"

She nods. "Sounds delicious."

"Great."

Daniel continues, "And Seducing Ivy pie is still good for dessert?"

She arches her eyebrows at me. "Pie?"

"Yep," I reply, then to Daniel, I say, "That sounds great, Daniel, thank you."

He nods and leaves.

"It's Seducing Ivy...a flower...but it's also pie?" she asks in confusion.

I nod. "Yep. The texture's like pumpkin pie, and it's phenomenal."

Her grin widens, but then it falls.

"Is something wrong?"

She opens her mouth, then shuts it. She picks up her glass and sips wine. I wait for her to speak.

She collects her thoughts and praises, "It's amazing how many ways you've used the hybrid."

"It's all been for you. Everything's been for you," I say, reinforcing what I've already told her.

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