Page 13 of A Sip of Sherry

A tremor rippled through me, followed by another.Pleasure built from my core, rising like the sun, dispersing hot rays that licked across my skin until I was burning from the inside out.

He nipped at my earlobe, his tongue snaking out and running along the curve.White lights burst behind my eyes, consuming me as the rush of sexual decadence dragged me into a puddle of indecency.

Time slipped away as all I could do was revel in the aftershocks, absorbing each one.He thrust into me hard, fast, and with no abandon, each drive setting off a rolling wave of new ecstasy that lifted me from my puddle, bringing me higher and higher.

His pace picked up again, rendering me useless, unable to do anything but allow his strong arms to hold me as he powered into me with unrelenting strokes.The table creaked beneath his strength.He grabbed both sides of my waist, fingers digging deep into the over-sensitized flesh.

The world around me shuddered, incoherent noises sputtering from my lips before a cry so carnal, so raw, tore from my throat like a truth I couldn’t ignore.

He slowed, his forehead falling to my shoulders, our ragged breaths tangling in the silence surrounding us.For a moment, there was nothing but him, the warmth of his breath against my overly heated skin, the racing of my heart, and something else.Something deeper settling into my chest.

He turned me in his arms, those damn green eyes softer now.He brushed the sweaty mess of brown strands from my face and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

“What are you doing?”I asked, hating that my one-night stand—okay two-night stand—was suddenly feeling like something more.

“Taking it all in.As much as I don’t want you to forget this.”He glanced to where our bodies were joined.“I don’t want to forget, either.If I never get to have you naked and writhing beneath me again, I want to at least be able to remember every sensation, every ragged breath, every sound you made as you came undone for me.”His thumb brushed lightly across the apple of my cheek, sending a different kind of heat through me.One that was less fiery, more comforting, and far more dangerous.

“Sherry, I—”

My hand slammed over his mouth as a laugh drifted down the stairs.“Someone’s coming,” I said, jumping away from him and grabbing our discarded clothes.I tossed Ben his shirts and took off toward the tunnel.

Without a word, he followed just as Rose’s and Wyatt’s voices became clear.

Ben and I disappeared into the shadows, the weight of what he was about to say hanging heavier than the silence that followed.

Chapter 6

Sherry

Three Months Later

A frown touched my lips as I gazed out the window.Droplets chased each other on the glass, absorbing one after the other until they became too heavy and splattered against the pavement below.My eyes lifted to the darkened sky, a suppressed groan sitting at the back of my throat.Where was the sun?I missed the warmth kissing my skin.

I was ready for the sun on my face, the bright green leaves on the trees, and the bright colorful flowers lining the local businesses, and especially the tasting room.But no, the sky was gray, the temperatures barely touching sixty and the rain… it was an endless wall, as if Mother Nature decided she wanted to make Vine Valley her permanent decorative waterfall.

Rain was enemy number one, right above late vendors, groomsmen who thought they were comedians, and brides who changed their mind every five minutes.I got it.They wanted their day to be perfect, and it was my job to make that happen, and I would, but there had to be some understanding that some asks were just impossible.Like the bridezilla last year who asked if I could make the grapevines look fuller in March!Because bare vines didn’t fit her spring aesthetic and the vibe she was going for.Sure, let me grab my trusty glue stick and some silk leaves and get right to work for you.

I didn’t.Obviously.After many back-and-forths and some fits on her end, I got her to settle for barrels filled with tulips instead, and the end photographs were stunning.She had told me she’d tell all her friends about me.I was grateful for the referrals and the potential opportunities to continue to grow this end of the business that I had grown from the ground up, but secretly hoped they weren’t as difficult as she was.

Rain came down in loud thunks against my window, and with a deep breath, I counted to three.On three, I grabbed my bag and my peach cobbler latte from Espresso Yourself, threw my car door open and ran for the main entrance to the warehouse.It was early, hours before opening, and the parking lot was empty except for a couple of the grounds workers' cars.

I fumbled with my keys, but when I grabbed the knob, I realized it was already opened.Not surprised.Most of the supplies the grounds people needed were in here.Despite the rain, I had an event to get ready for.The Vine Valley Flower Committee would never let a little rain ruin their Annual Spring Garden Brunch.It was the kickoff to their season when their planning turned into planting and those bright colorful flowers I longed for became a reality.

Unfortunately, because of the rain, I had to pivot… not the first time and certainly not the last.Instead of a beautiful event on the grass overlooking the vines, they would be inside the tasting room.I needed to bring spring indoors and create the same sense of warmth and whimsy.

Tulip centerpieces waited in the warehouse, ready to be brought to the tasting room.Lemon-lavender cake pops needed arranging to look like flowers, but I couldn’t do that until Lainey dropped them off.I glanced at my phone.She’d be at least an hour, but knowing my best friend, she would be more than happy to help.

The centerpieces and cake pops were only the beginning.I also had to carry a case of our new spring blend that wouldn’t be on the menu for another week, but I promised the ladies to be the first to taste it.I also had to set up the full table charcuterie board complete with cheese, fruit, crackers, meats and vegetables, and tea cakes.

I placed my bag on a table and clutched my peach cobbler latte like it was my holy grail.I took a sip, letting the spirit of spring run through me.Rain might have stolen my picture-perfect setup, but it wouldn’t steal my motivation to make this event the best one yet.

With my coffee still in hand, I turned, hurrying toward the side room where all my decorations were stored.As I rounded the corner, my body jolted, and a scream slipped from my lips as if I was just confronted with a serial killer.

I grabbed my chest, taking deep breaths as Ben closed the lid on a box of old invoices.

“Ben,” I said in between gasps.“You scared me.”

“You scream like that for all your employees, or am I just the lucky one?”

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