Page 71 of The Maxwell Brothers
Dinner was ready one hour later, and we ate at the small table in the kitchen. Lexi usually ate her breakfasts much slower than I did, but tonight, she was scarfing down food, and we were both done at the same time.
“You were hungry. I’ve never seen you eat so fast,” I commented.
“I want to take a walk through the vineyard. I want you to tell me all about its history and why you love it so much.”
I couldn't believe she was so interested in my life and my past.
We cleaned up quickly and headed outside. We still had plenty of time for a walk; the sunset was at eight at this time of the year.
I kissed her shoulder, eliciting a giggle from her.
Fucking hell, I loved that sound. And I liked having her here in this place that had always grounded me.
Taking her hand, I led her through the vineyard. It wasn’t huge, but you could walk through it for about forty minutes.
“So this is where your love for wine started, huh?” she asked.
"Yes. Dad always loved making wine. It's how we bonded when I was a kid. He didn’t produce much. It wasn’t something he could do as more than a hobby. He didn’t have time."
"The bookstores kept him busy?"
"Yes. He and my uncle ran the company my grandfather started, Maxwell Bookstores. He never loved it, but he felt it would be disrespectful if he gave it up. And it was probably the only thing keeping his brother alive.”
“But they sold the chain of bookstores a long time ago, right? And Beatrice kept The Happy Place.”
“Yes, exactly. They sold off the company ten years ago. I was in college. They got a good offer, and both of them decided it was time to let go.”
“Where is your uncle now?”
“He lives in Europe. Travels a lot.”
“How come he’s not running The Happy Place?”
“It wasn’t a challenge for him. He ran a whole chain before. Besides, the manager is doing a great job. And Reese is around now too.”
She looked around curiously. The desire to kiss her slammed into me. Turning her around, I captured her mouth, exploring her like a man possessed. Lexi belonged here, in this place that made me into the man I was today. The vineyard usually grounded me, but tonight, it was more than that.
I wasn’t just feeling balanced or grounded. I was whole in a way I’d never, ever been.
And that was all Lexi.
CHAPTER 20
LEXI
“Watch it, mister,”I whispered when we paused the kiss to breathe. “This is a dangerous kiss.”
He smiled against my lips. “Not shameless?”
“It’s always shameless, but this is next level. It’s a so-hot-we’re-gonna-rip-each-other’s-clothes-off kiss.”
“And what’s the problem with that?”
“We’re not done with the tour yet.” I wiggled out of his grasp, taking a step back just to be safe.
I loved, loved,lovedfinding out more about him. The way he spoke about his family warmed my heart.
“So, you were saying about your dad?” I prompted.
