Page 69 of The Maxwell Brothers
“And you also have quite a few in California.”
I grinned. “You’ve done your research.”
She shrugged. “My favorite wines come from there. So, does anyone live at the house?”
“No, but every once in a while, we go there for a weekend escape too. I have to admit I haven't been in some time."
"What made you decide to, now?"
I reached for her hand, and she put it in mine. "I want to spend time with you, and I want to share with you where I grew up. That house means a lot to me. It inspired me to go into the wine business.”
“So, what is the plan for the weekend?” she asked.
“I didn’t make one. We can do what you want. I just want to be with you.”
She flexed her fingers against mine as she looked out the window, but I caught her smile.
“You certainly know how to turn on the charm and make me feel special,” she murmured.
“You are special,” I assured her.
She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye before turning around to face me. She didn’t say anything.
“What?” I asked.
“I was thinking about things that I’m not gonna share with you.”
“Why?”
“To give you a taste of your own medicine.”
I burst out laughing. “I’m not doing it to tease you, you know.”
“But I am. You have this sexy edge when I challenge you. Makes me want to jump your bones.”
“Lexi!” My voice was almost a growl.
“Ooops. Not what I intended to say. Ignore me.” Dropping her voice to a whisper, she added, “Just until we get out of the car.”
This woman. She was sexy and seductive even when she was trying to be playful.
She was going to be the death of me.
We arrived an hour later, and I brought her straight inside the house to give her a tour. The house was dead center in the middle of the vineyards. It had three bedrooms and panoramic views everywhere.
"This is beautiful," she said, looking around the living room.
"The original house was actually up the hill, close to the edge of the property, but I wanted the new one to be in the middle of it all."
"I can see that. It looks beautiful. So serene," she murmured. "Thank you for bringing me here." Turning around, she said, "I saw food in the fridge. I'd love to cook something."
That caught me off guard. I'd expected that she’d want to go to a restaurant. There were several expensive ones around us. "We can go out," I suggested.
"But I want to cook something for you and make a cozy evening for us. Take care of you a bit and hear lots and lots of stories about this place."
Her words tugged at my chest. I liked being here with Lexi, talking to her about the things that were important to me and that meant something. They were all part of who I was. And she seemed to want to hear about it all.
I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her neck. “Funny, I was thinking to do the same: take care of you.”
