Page 95 of Love Among Vines

A startled laugh burst out of him.

He smiled and put his hand on her knee. She took his hand and slid it up her thigh. His pinky slipped back under the hem of her skirt. Heat radiated off her. Suddenly, he wasn’t so nervous.

He jumped out of the truck and opened her door for her. When he helped her out this time, he pressed her back against the door of the truck. He stared into her eyes for a moment before leaning in and kissing her deeply.

She opened her mouth and let him in, gripping the sides of his shirt and pulling him in tighter. Her leg drifted upward and he caught it, sliding his hand around to grip her ass. His fingers brushed against lace.

He had never experienced a week like this before. Endless mental and physical foreplay with no release. It was going to be all he could do to not come the second she touched him.

With a deep, shuddering breath, he pulled back.

“Soon,” he said breathlessly.

She pouted. “I’m not exaggerating when I say my blue ovaries and I will murder you.”

“It’ll be worth the wait. I hope.”

First, the wine. Then he could concentrate on every beautiful inch of that skin.

They walked hand-in-hand down the brick walkway and into the winery. He unlocked the door and held it open for her to enter, then guided her through the storeroom to the stairs.

They emerged on the roof, and he swiveled to take in her reaction.

Her mouth dropped open. Lights were strung up over a cocktail table set for two. The neck of a bottle stuck out of an ice bucket. And on the other side of the roof, a projector screen was set up in front of a pile of pillows and blankets.

“This is amazing.” She bent over to inspect the pile of blankets.

He flushed with pleasure. With any luck, a date like this would help her remember her worth. She desired and deserved love. Any man would be crazy not to sign up for the job.

But the scene wasn’t perfect yet. He strode over to the cocktail table and flipped open a Tupperware container. He set a series of small desserts on some plates while he gave her a moment to take it all in.

The unmarked bottle stared back at him, full of promise.

Or maybe failure.

No pressure.

He took a deep breath.

Jade was still inspecting the rooftop as he twisted the cork until it popped. She turned at the sound and came to stand next to him. Her gaze was soft, her demeanor gentle as he poured two glasses.

She took it from him carefully. “No matter what happens, everything is going to be okay. And for what it’s worth, I think your grandmother would be incredibly proud of all your efforts.”

He squeezed her free hand. “Let’s hope so.”

She held her glass up. “To you, Everett Ignatius Rhodes. Thank you for everything.”

“And to you, Jade—” Shit. What was her middle name? They hadn’t covered that yet.

“Alexandria,” she prompted.

“Right. And to you, Jade Alexandria Gardner. Thank you for helping me remember that there’s more to life than work.”

They clinked glasses, then both ducked their heads to inhale the aroma.

“Doesn’t smell like vinegar,” she said.

“That’s comforting.”

---