Page 14 of Love on the Vine
“Hmm, I wonder.” Jin flashed a wicked grin at me just as Jake strode toward the French doors of the office. He stopped short when he saw me.
“Good morning,” I said brightly.
“Morning,” he responded. His eyes traveled briefly down my body, but he looked away just as quickly. “Sleep well?”
“Yes, thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a bed as much.” Jin snickered, and my cheeks heated.
“Excuse me,” Jake said coolly, reaching past me to grab a notebook from his desk. His arm grazed my boob as he leaned over, and I may have gasped or moaned or made some sound in between; that touch, I felt it in my bones. Jake jumped back as if he had been burned. “Did I get grease on you?”
“No.” I glanced down at my chest where my heart was pounding so hard I was convinced he could hear it.
“Jin,” said Jake as he walked toward his desk. “Any word from Artemis Group?”
“They want the remaining Hermitages. They’ll buy the Swiss wines as well,” he replied without taking his eyes off the computer. They then began studying spreadsheets and talking about mysterious vintages with obscure names. They could have been speaking Mandarin for all I was able to understand from the conversation.
A pit of anxiety grew in my stomach. I could see why Jake was reluctant to have me join their two-person team. If they had to train me, I’d be a pesky pebble in a well-oiled machine.
I cleared my throat, and they both looked up as if they’d forgotten I was there. “I’m going to make coffee. Would anyone like some?”
“I’ll show you the machine.” Jake started toward me, but I was already backing out the door.
“No, I can manage. I saw there was a French press.”
With relief I found my way back to the kitchen, the only place where I ever truly felt I belonged. I found a packet of unground coffee beans in the cabinet and inhaled the comforting odor. This was something I understood.
While the coffee was brewing, I checked my email; both Callie and my dad had written me back. I clicked on Callie’s message first.
Hey lady,
Yes, you forgot your phone at my place. Am I surprised? No.
Will I use this as an excuse to bring it to you in person and check out that fabulous villa? You know it.
Do you think Hot Boss will let me crash for one night?
Love ya!
As much as I’d love to see Callie, I wasn’t crazy about asking if I could have a guest over so soon. Jake had said that I could invite a friend, but the first weekend? I gripped the bag of coffee, inhaled, and started to write back.
Thank God you found the phone. All the pics I took on our trip are on it.
As for Hot Boss—
“You found the coffee.” Jake’s deep, raspy morning voice went straight through me like a shot of espresso. I snapped my laptop closed.
He scrunched his forehead in the most deliciously confused way as his eyes flicked from my computer to my face. “Didn’t mean to startle you again. Everything all right? You seem a bit anxious.”
“That’s because I haven’t had my coffee yet,” I said stupidly.
“Oh yeah? Was that why you had your nose buried in it?” He dimpled slightly and I relaxed. If I could make him sort of smile maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.
He strolled to the sink and began scrubbing his forearms. I tried not to watch, but it was mesmerizing.
“Yeah, it’s a very comforting smell. Like new books.”Or your cologne.
Jake nodded in agreement as he plucked three cups out of the cabinet. My eyes were still riveted to his large hands as he poured two cups of coffee and filled the other cup with hot water. “Jin only drinks tea. He’s very particular about what he puts in his mouth, or so he tells me.” He passed me a cup. “Sugar? Milk?”
“Black,” I managed to say, snapping out of my daze.
