Page 30 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

"That bolt's giving you fits, huh?" the man drawls in a twang that sends a tingle right through me. There is definitely a southern drawl present, one deeper than is normal in Florida. It is insanely sexy and makes him that much more appealing. Despite being a California girl, I’ve always been a sucker for a southern accent.

Who the hell is this guy?

"I… uh… I'm trying to replace the safety valve on this old fermentation tank and all the bolts are rusted tight," I finally stammer out, mortified that my brain refuses to work with this Adonis standing in front of me.

For fuck’s sake, Sophie, get your shit together!

The man steps forward and stretches his hand out, his smile widening so I can see his straight, white teeth. He looks like a cover model you'd see on one of those men's fitness magazines. "Hi. I'm Alex."

"Okay." I blink at him, giving his hand a quick shake and trying desperately to ignore the tingle shooting up my arm. My brain is unable to process any further reply.

He chuckles again, and I shiver. It's a deep, soothing sound, and he obviously does it a lot based on the laugh lines that bracket his full lips. "I'm guessing you're Sophia, the head winemaker."

My enthusiasm pops like a balloon, and my gaze narrows. What is this guy up to?

"I'm theonlywinemaker here and call me Sophie." I allow Brennen to call me Sophia, because it seems to give him some strange sense of pleasure. But I find it irritating when people use my formal name.

"Great! I'm your new apprentice." His thumbs snag in his belt loops as he turns to survey the room.

My jaw hits the floor for the second time in an hour.

No fucking way.

Thisis my new apprentice? What in the ever-loving hell? I'll never get any work done with this handsome distraction under my feet.

"No," I blurt out.

His gaze shoots to mine, his brow crinkling as he frowns. "No?"

"I don't want an apprentice. I told Brennen that." I shrug awkwardly at him, trying to keep my tone light because for some odd reason, I don't want to disappoint the cute guy.

So damned annoying.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm trying to get this winery back on the map, and I don't have time for an apprentice," I explain, hoping it's enough to have him hightailing it out of here and go back to wherever he came from.

His mouth curls up in quite possibly the cutest smirk I’ve ever seen, and he folds his bulging arms across his chest—a classic defensive stance if I've ever seen one. My brothers always adopted similar poses when arguing with me, which was a constant when we were growing up.

"And I'm sorry to disappoint you, Sophie." The way my name sounds rolling off his tongue sends a jolt of electricity down my spine. He rocks forward, settling his weight on the balls of his feet, his eyes drilling into mine. "But I won that scholarship fair and square. I'm not going anywhere."

Well, shit. Now what?

My temper begins to bubble, pushing rational thought further away and I puff up, ready to lay into him. How dare this arrogant prick think he can call the shots!

He must have seen the spark in my eyes because his hands come up placatingly. "Just listen, please. I'm not here to cause problems. I only want to learn quality winemaking from the best, and that's you."

I feel my ruffled feathers smooth ever so slightly at the compliment, but I'm still pissed… and attracted.

Dammit.

"When I saw your name listed with this winery, I applied right away," he continues. "I studied under Arie Grant at The Texas Rose in Fredericksburg for a couple years, and he agreed I was ready for the next level. I work very hard, and I know I'll make things easier for you around here. I promise you won't regret it."

My resistance fades at the eagerness in his tone, the recitation of his experience—which thankfully isn’t zero, and the entreating grin playing across his lips. How can anyone say no to this guy? He could probably sell fish to a fisherman.

"Okay, okay," I grumble. "I guess I don't have much choice. But if you annoy me, you’ll be cleaning the toilets. With your toothbrush."

His laughter booms against the high ceilings, a sound deep from his belly that I feel in mine, and my lips reluctantly twitch up in response.

This Alex is infectious… and dangerous. It would probably be better, for my peace of mind at the very least, to escort his hot ass right out the door.

---