Page 42 of Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots

"Stop it."

"Hey." I step closer to her until there's only a few inches between us. "Look at me." I wait until she meets my gaze.

"No, I won’t stop it. I'll tell you you're beautiful every chance I get because I mean it." I reach out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and smile when she doesn't pull away. Her body language tells me I'm back in her good graces. "I'm sorry we got interrupted, Soph. But my phone is off now, and I'd like to continue this somewhere else."

Her pupils dilate as I trail my hand down her arm, then thread my fingers through hers. "Does that sound interesting to you?"

Her sweet, puffy lips curl up at the corners as she nods.

I can't hold back the huge smile that stretches across my face, relief making me feel like a two-ton weight lifted from my chest.

"Your place or mine?"

Chapter 7

Sophie

"It's not much," I mumble as I unlock the door to my beachside condo, feeling super self-conscious about the space. "I've spent most of my time at the winery since moving here, so I haven't really decorated."

"That's because you've been busy making masterpieces. Stop apologizing, Soph," Alex teases. "I'm pretty sure there's a week-old pizza box shoved under my bed, and I have several piles of dirty laundry scattered around my apartment. I won’t judge you."

I can't stop the grimace that flashes across my face at the imagery he just supplied. "No, butImight judgeyou. That's gross, Alex."

He chuckles, the deep timbre pleasantly vibrating in my chest. I've come to love his laugh over the last week—he does it often enough. Alex makes it so easy to be around. Everything is fun and light, and there's never any drama.

Sometimes I feel like he and I are opposite sides of the same coin—so similar, yet different enough to make things interesting. Where I am prickly, he is relaxed and mellow; where I am rigid, he is pliant and carefree.

And he constantly wants to learn more about wine—the one thing I love more than life itself. It is effortless to get lost in my passion around him as I teach him, especially when he appreciates it so much. The fact that he has spectacular instincts helps, as well. I love watching the light flash in his eyes as he makes connections between some of the more complicated applications of winemaking.

"I'll be sure to clean everything up before you come over," he promises, his body brushing against mine as we walk through the door.

I wasn't kidding. I've literally made no time for decorating this place. I've made the winery my top priority and would probably sleep there if I could. I have the basic furniture up and change the sheets on my bed weekly. Other than that, it's stark with bare, white walls and a pile of unopened mail on the kitchen counter.

"You have nice light in here," he comments as he walks to the center of my living room, nodding his head while he turns in a circle.

I snort, not sure if he's being honest or facetious. "Stop teasing me, Alex."

His eyes widen, and I can tell he's trying to hold back a laugh. "I'm being serious here. The light is great. Florida has that going for it."

"Is it very different from the Texas Hill Country?"

He nods. "There are a lot of similarities: the heat, humidity, bugs, snakes. But the landscape is quite a bit different. There are no beaches, but Hill Country has its own magic with the hills, rivers, and canyons. It has some of the best countryside you'll ever see. And some of their wineries consistently make the world's top ten list."

"Yes, I know. It drives my father nuts when he sees the Mary Ruth Winery snagging a higher rating than my family’s winery."I grin. "He's the ultimate California wine snob, believing no other place in the country makes better wine. Which you and I both know is crap."

Alex walks slowly toward me, his eyes gleaming. "I used to visit Mary Ruth regularly. Have you been?"

"No. I didn't have much of a life in California, and I rarely traveled." I shrug. "I don't have much of a life here, either. Old habits die hard, I guess. How is it?"

"Mary Ruth? Spectacular. The winery grounds are nearly as fabulous as their wines. It's all spread out with huge live oak trees that have been around for a couple hundred years. People are usually scattered beneath them, enjoying the shade, having picnics, listening to music. And located that close to Austin, the musicians they book are amazingly good. Their tasting rooms are so popular, you have to get reservations. But the wine is worth the wait if you do get in."

It sounds like heaven to me. It's what I've always wanted for my own winery—a place where people want to hang out and enjoy time with family or friends as they enjoy the wine and ambiance. The Celtic Knot has potential, but right now it's a raging hot mess and will be until we get several solid wines on the menu.Sophia's Blendis just the start.

Alex takes my hand, moving closer. "I'd love to take you there some day." He lifts my hand and places a warm kiss on my palm, sending delicious goosebumps up and down my arms. The power this man has over me… It is dangerous.

"I'd like that," I choke out.

He trails soft kisses up my arm, and I close my eyes with a sigh, enjoying his attention. I’ve never had a guy try so hard with me, and it doesn’t hurt that Alex is shockingly gorgeous. I am putty in his hands.

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