Page 25 of Backroom Boy
“Hey. Did you get what you needed?” I snagged a quick kiss before opening the door so she could put her bags down inside. She’d more or less moved into the pool house the last few weeks, irritating her parents even more, though they hadn’t retaliated or tried to forbid her from seeing me.
“I did.” She spun and threw her arms around my neck, stretching up to kiss me like she’d missed me too, even if she’d only been gone an hour.
“I’ve got news,” I said against her lips.
Her eyes lit up. “You’re going to stow away in my suitcase and live in the sorority with me?”
My mouth hitched up on the side. “Um, no, thanks. Living with a bunch of sorority girls?” I shuddered at the thought.
Delta smacked me on the arm. “Hey, watch it, mister. I’m a sorority girl too and you like me just fine.”
“Mmm, I sure do.” I nuzzled into her hair and kissed my way down her neck.
“Focus, Lukas.” Delta tried to be demanding, but ruined it by ending her demand with a little moan.
I chuckled and backed off enough to tell her the news. “I just got off the phone with Jordan Rhoades. He owns that little winery called Easy Rhoades. He needs a vineyard manager and is willing to take a chance on me. I just accepted the job for the busy fall season. I start Monday.”
Delta jumped up and down and then smothered me in a hug, peppering kisses all over my face. “I’m so happy! I knew you’d find something, Lukas. Oh my God! It’s really truly happening, isn’t it?”
Nodding, my heart pounded away at the realization that we were onto the next step in our grand plan. “Yeah, it really is.”
“Well, I’ve got news too.” Delta winked at me, biting her lip.
I tilted my head and waited, knowing it had to be good based on the way her eyes sparkled in the afternoon sunshine.
“I just got the email from the counseling department that they’ve officially declared my major as business!” Delta looked ready to burst with excitement.
She jumped and I caught her, pulling her into my chest and spinning her around in a circle. She did it. She’d declared her major so she’d be poised to help us set up the business side of our dream. I’d learn how to make the wine, she’d learn how to sell it. A dream team.
I set her down and held her beautiful face in my hands. “We’re doing it, baby.”
Her eyes went soft on the edges. “You and me.”
“Forever,” I whispered right before sealing our lips together in an indecent kiss. Time spun away, leaving just the two of us in our own little world. Having a dream was so much better when it was shared with someone else. I didn’t believe in soul mates prior to this summer, but my trip to Merlot had opened my eyes to so much more.
A loud wolf whistle interrupted us. We both looked over to see Delta’s sorority girls standing on the path by the pool, grinning and making googly-eyed faces. My stomach swooped, realizing my time with Delta had come to an end. Plus, a small part of me wondered if she’d ignore me now that her girls were here.
I shouldn’t have worried though, as Delta laced our fingers together and walked us over to her friends.
“Girls, this is Lukas, my boyfriend. Lukas, these are the girls. Natalie, Blair, Bree, Courtney, and Anna.” Delta introduced us.
A simple hand lift was all I managed before they swarmed me, shouting out questions and blocking my view of Delta. A cloud of perfume choked my throat and I’d never felt more claustrophobic.
Another loud whistle broke it up, Delta pushing her way back toward me. “Girls! Step off my man!”
Thankfully, they did step back, giving me room to breathe and to tug Delta back to my side, my arm over her shoulder. She laid her head on my shoulder like she knew just how much I didn’t want to be surrounded by a gaggle of girls. I was a one-woman man.
“It’s nice to meet you, ladies.” I gave them a head nod.
“Oh, we’ve heard all about you, Lukas. Nobody has made Delta smile like that.” Natalie pointed to Delta’s beaming face.
I looked down at Delta as she peered up at me. I could get lost in that face for hours at a time.
“Oh my God, you two are adorable,” Bree sing-singed, her hands clasped under her chin.
“I hate to break the bad news, but we’ve gotta get Delta’s things packed in the car and head out. There’s a sorority meeting tonight to prepare for rush week,” Anna said softly, looking like she’d personally scheduled that meeting and had to apologize.
Delta’s eyes turned worried and I spun her in front of me, her breasts smashed against my stomach. Running a thumb under her chin, I tilted her face up to me.
