Page 13 of Wine Whiskey & Lipstick

“Probably because you showed me a side of yourself that you rarely see in people.”

“I did? When?” Ben was confused. He had no idea what Dillyn was talking about.

“Yes. When you sang to your daughter, do you know how amazing that was? I could hear the love you have for her in your voice. Any person who has that type of love inside of them can’t be too bad.”

“I don’t know about that, but that little girl owns my heart. She has me wrapped around all of her fingers. This is my first trip away from her since she was born, and I miss her like crazy.”

“I’m sure both Rylee and your wife miss you something crazy too.”

“I hope so.”

Dillyn thought that was a strange response. She went to take another sip of wine and realized it was gone. “Oh.”

“Would you like more?”

“I would love another glass. Thank you.”

Ben poured Dillyn more wine. “Just say when.” He waited and waited until her glass was almost filled to the rim.

“Okay.” Dillyn giggled.

Her smile was like gold. Damn. Their eyes locked and held for longer than three seconds. Ben was the first to glance away and up into stars. “They’re so bright.” Ben had never cheated on Lana and didn’t plan to tonight. Lust and love were two entirely different things. He wouldn’t make the mistake of confusing the two again.

For a moment, Dillyn thought maybe Ben was attracted to her, but she couldn’t tell. She’d always been terrible at gauging a man’s interest. Not that it mattered. They were both married. Dillyn decided to just go with the flow and enjoy his company instead of overthinking everything like she always did. She glanced up too. “It is and so peaceful.”

“Peace. That thing can be elusive, can’t it?” Ben returned his gaze to her. He couldn’t help staring at the slender column of her neck.What the fuck, man?Again, Ben turned away when he realized what he was doing. He was getting aggravated at himself. What was his problem? Sex-starved? Definitely, but he was a man. He could control his base instincts.

Dillyn hadn’t noticed him watching her. She sighed wistfully. “It sure can.”

Ben got the feeling Dillyn wasn’t very happy in her marriage. In all honesty, neither was he. At the moment, and considering how physically attracted he was to Dillyn, it wasn’t good information to know. Ben reminded himself that he had said vows, and that meant something. No matter how bad it got between him and Lana, he wouldn’t break them.

Ben moved the conversation to something safer. “So, Ms. Dillyn. What do you do?”

She tore her eyes away from the stars. “Excuse me?”

“What do you do? For like, work?”

“Oh. I’m in IT security. You?”

“Agriculture.”

“Agriculture? Like farming?”

Ben laughed. “No. Nothing like that. I experiment with sustainable agriculture.”

Dillyn nodded her head up and down, then side to side. “I have no idea what that means.” She laughed.

Her laugh was infectious. “Most people don’t. I’m just doing my part to try to save the planet and make sure folks don’t go hungry.”

“That’s admirable.” The wine was making Dillyn loosen up. “You really are a good guy, huh?”

Ben shrugged. “It’s just what I do.”

Handsome and modest. Dillyn would be deaf, dumb, and blind not to notice that Ben was more than a little attractive, not that it mattered. She glanced at the ring on her left hand.

Two hours went by like two minutes as Ben and Dillyn simply enjoyed each other’s company. When Amber returned, she found them still in front of the fire and surprisingly laughing.

“I hope you enjoyed your dinner,” Amber said, meaning it. She and her father could use the money from a return visit and any potential referrals.

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