Page 3 of A Sip of Sherry

“Odette caught me moving in and brought over a welcome basket and a binder filled with the yearly calendar of events held in the clubhouse.”

“That sounds like Odette.”

“What can I get you two?”Meadow, Brady’s newest hire, asked.She had a bohemian vibe to her appearance, all flowy skirts and layered jewelry, like she’d wandered out of a music festival in the desert and wound up in Vine Valley.“I have some specials here.”She turned around a paper menu framed in a plastic holder.

I scanned the drinks.So many more options than what Brady usually offered.“I’ll have the Rustic Retreat.”

“Good choice.It’s one of my favorite fall drinks.What about you, Mad Hatter?”

“I’ll do the Brady Old Fashioned.”

“How does Brady like that you named the drink after him?”I asked.Knowing him, he was probably annoyed as hell.

“Oh, he pretended to be annoyed, but he secretly loves it.”

Meadow winked at me and grabbed a couple bottles, her brown curly bangs bouncing with her.She mixed our drinks like a pro and slid them across the bar.I reached for my debit card, but Ben beat me to it.

“I’ve got this,” he said with a lopsided grin that tried to play it cool but didn’t quite hide the spark in his irises.

“You don’t have to—”

“I know, but I want to.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Meadow was already ringing him up.

I lifted my glass and held it up to him.“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”He clinked his glass with mine.“First round is on me.”

“Who said there’ll be a second round?”

“No one, but I’m an optimist.”

I took a slow sip, letting the spices coat my tongue.“Careful.That kind of attitude can get people in trouble.”

“Only the fun kind of trouble, and that’s what I’m hoping for.”

My pulse picked up, my thighs tingled, and my mind slipped to thoughts of all the trouble we could get into, most of which involved little to no clothes.I lowered my glass, trying to play it cool even as heat crept up my neck.“You’ve got a lot of hope for someone who’s only known me for not even an hour.”

“Told you.I’m an optimist.”

“I might as well tell you now I don’t date coworkers, so if that’s what you’re hoping—”

“The only thing I’m hoping for is good drinks and good conversation with a beautiful woman.If you’re okay with that…”

“You’re a charmer,” I said.

“Just call it as I see it.”

“Then let’s find a quiet corner.”

***

“I don’t do one-night stands,” I said as I shoved my dress to the floor.Ben’s arm snaked around my waist, pulling me tight.My hands slammed against his muscular chest, fingers digging into the taut skin.

“Me neither.”Ben’s mouth crashed to mine with a feral hunger.His hand slid up my spine, anchoring me to him as I rose onto my toes, desperate to deepen the kiss.His fingers tangled in my hair, our mouths synced in a passionate dance of want and need.

A sound I didn’t recognize as my own rumbled up my throat as his lips tore from mine and trailed down my neck.Sparks of heat erupted in his path, sending tendrils of need curling through me.

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