Page 81 of Bourbon and Lies

“I understand what it means to hold on to a secret like yours. The kind of trust you need to feel and have with me in order to share it.” He curls a piece of hair that fell from behind my ear,cupping my cheek in his palm. With his eyes locked onto mine, he promises, “It’s safe with me. You’re safe with me.”

With eyes blurred with unshed tears, I breathe out, “I know.”

Wrapping his arms around my middle, he pulls me into him.

“I’m sweaty,” I laugh, trying to pull back. But he won’t let me.

“Shut up,” he says, holding me tighter. Then he licks the side of my neck. An exaggerated lick, right up the side where sweat drips, and I swear I feel it between my legs. “You think a little sweat could scare me off?” Lifting me so that my feet are just centimeters off the ground, he kisses my lips and drags his teeth along the bottom. “Which candy is your favorite?”

I laugh out, “What?”

“Tell me which one is your favorite.”

“That’s not an easy answer.”

“Tell me anyway.” He smiles and gives my side a little pinch.

“Red Vines and sour gummy bears, and maybe those Modjeska things. Tied for first. Oh, and the chocolate-covered gummy bears, too.”

He paid attention. He already knows that sour gummy bears are a top choice. Last week, I found unopened bags in his snack cupboard and bedside table. He told me they were “in case of an emergency.”

“You’re all of those to me. My favorite tastes.” He kisses my lips once more. “Your mouth.” He kisses my neck. “Sweat. Tears.” He rubs his lips along my jaw. “Your pussy. The way she gets wet for me. How she tastes when she wants me. The way she tastes after she’s had me. All of it.”

I can’t help but smile, giggling at his words. My body instantly warms, ready for him, as he lowers me to the ground and kneels before me.

“Thank you,” he says softly.

I search his expression for what he means, but he looks back at me with such adoration that my eyes water. “For what, baby?” I smile.

He raises my hand up, placing a kiss on my wrist, and simply says, “For you.”

Out of all the shit that brought me here, even if I need to be reminded every once in a while, the moral of it all is that...I’m here. In front of a man who wants to be the reason I stay.

A man who is now quite literally on his knees to make me feel so damn good.

Chapter 35

Grant

I leanagainst the far wall of the distillery, the one with the best view of where the tours started and ended. Right in front of the tasting bar. I still have a few things to wrap up, but I hear her laugh and it has me stopping my train of thought. She’s charming a small group of people without even realizing it. And she knows what she’s talking about as she pours the tasting flights.

“This is the 1936. It’s going to give you those layered, richer flavors on your palate because it’s double barreled,” Laney says to the older couple that has just come off their tour group. “This is one of my favorites.” Flipping a bottle of the newest blend, she pours and gets a few hoots out of it.

I made her a promise when I told her she was safe with me. Hell, it was a promise to myself too, because it was the one thing I was afraid I couldn’t do. I had failed once before, and I won’t allow that to happen again. No matter what.

“You realize you’re staring and smiling like an idiot?”

I glance at my grandfather, who somehow ended up next to me, leaning against the same wall. “Where’d you come from?”

“Been watching you lately.”

I take a big inhale, and on the exhale, push off to get back to work. “Why’s that, Griz?”

“I always pay attention, Grant. Your brothers like to be the center of all of this, but you and I both know that it’s makin’ barrels, putting in the work, not having to be in the spotlight, that keeps things moving.” He crosses his arms and surveys the room, the brand he built into what it is today. He was always the one looking at the big picture. “I’ve seen the way you’re helping the new guys find their footing in the cooperage. They all actually want to be around you now,” he sniffs out.

“Griz, I’ve never been interested in making friends here.”

“It’s not friendship I’m talkin’ about. It’s respect. They’ve always respected your last name, your role when you started as lead cooper, but they’re respectingyounow. You’re showing them what it means to take pride in their work. Solve problems without having to ask permission. It’s a powerful thing, being able to work hard and feel like it matters.”

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