Page 80 of Call it Fate

I switched my wine for water, needing the icy drink to quench the sudden fire that I felt flame my cheeks, mostly because I wanted to screamyesto the idea.

Dinner arrived, and who knew prime rib could be so seductive? After I took my first bite that practically melted in my mouth, I moaned, earning a smoldering look from Zach. After that, I took my time appreciating each bite—and each look he gave me—as I deliberately shut my eyes and licked my lips or closed them slowly around my fork.

Finally, I settled my utensils on my plate. “I don’t think I could eat another bite,” I moaned.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know I did, even if you’ve made ithardfor me to walk out of here.” Zach eyed me over the edge of his wineglass. I noticed he’d only eaten a small amount of his dinner. “Maybe we could have dessert at home?” There was no question what he had in mind for dessert.

His smoldering look caused me to cross my legs over and over.

I swallowed hard. “Check, please.”

He grinned and motioned to the waiter, who’d hovered nearby all evening.

I finished the wine in my glass. “I’m just going to use the ladies’ room before we leave.”

Zach stood as I did and helped me with my chair, always the perfect gentleman. I hoped he wasn’t so much one once we got home.

I finished washing my hands and checked myself in the bathroom mirror while refreshing my lip stain and thinking about how that color would look around Zach’s cock when I paid him back for the orgasm he’d given me earlier. My cheeks were flushed. I knew some of it was from the wine, but that hadn’t brought the light in my eyes I saw staring back at me from the mirror. That was solely due to the happiness that flowed through my veins. And I was resolved to keep it, no matter what it took.

I’d turned the corner near the bar and gasped. Sitting near the end was my nightmare. And this time, I wasn’t imagining things. Never more had I wished to have the power to flash somewhere else, but it wouldn’t have mattered.

Emerson Abbott had already noticed me. He seemed to be as surprised to see me as I was him, but he recovered faster. He lifted his glass as if he were toasting me, but I knew he’d never do that. No, that was a reminder.

I hurried away, anxious to find Zach and get him away from here so we could return home, and by home, I meant Sterling Mill.

CHAPTER35

Emalee

Iread through the letter Mama had put aside for me one more time.

Dear Ms. Dawson,

It is our pleasure to inform you that your bed-and-breakfast, The Dogtrot, has been nominated for The Best of the Tennessee Mountains Award for the category of inns and retreats. As part of the vetting process, you should know that your selection as one of the final five candidates out of the hundreds in the area is a significant accomplishment.

The BoTM Award is only for those inns that consistently achieve the highest standards of customer satisfaction as consistently receiving a top rating of “5” from guest reviews, as well as having been secretly inspected for quality and hospitality. As one of the five finalists, you represent the top three percent in the accommodation industry.

Before we make our final selection, we would like to send a photographer and our judges to The Dogtrot to interview you on April 10 at nine o’clock in the morning. Please allow for a minimum of two hours.

Again, congratulations on your fine establishment and your nomination. We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Adam Whitehall,

President, Tennessee Tourism Corporation

“Mama, did you see this?”I rushed to where she was fixing a lunch for Iain.

She took the letter I waved in her face and read over it, her smile growing as she got to the bottom. She looked up at me. “Oh, honey. This is wonderful! It’s a result of all of your hard work.”

“Ourhard work, Mama.”

She hugged me. “Oh, honey, we’ve all pitched in where we could, but it was your vision that turned this old place around. I’m just thrilled your hard work is paying off.”

I bit my lip. “Well, we haven’t won yet.”

She gripped my arms. “I don’t doubt for a second that you will. We’re due for some good news.”

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