Page 22 of Let it Breathe
"I just have the electronic one. Works perfect every time."
"What's wrong?" I leaned into him. "You afraid of a little effort?"
"I guess not when the payoff is worth it," Donovan answered and winked. "Damn, I feel like I'm in training camp my rookie year all over again."
I poured a tasting portion and handed it to Donovan.
"You're probably going to tell me I'm tasting it wrong, too."
I laughed.
"Just drink the wine, Donovan."
He sipped it. His eyes danced as he nodded.
"I can't teach you everything in one night."
I wasn't until after dinner when we had started on the second bottle of wine that I worked up the nerve to ask him about his investment.
"So what do you think? You still want to be in the wine business. Am I talking too loud?" I asked.
He chuckled and shook his head.
"You're fine. I do. It's fun." He took another sip of his cab and held out his glass for more.
I shook my head.
"New bottle, new glass. It's a rule."
"How am I supposed to keep all these rules straight?" He shrugged but leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"I'll help you." I scooted close to him. "I can be your wine guru."
He scooted closer and pulled my thigh over his leg. His hand ran up and down the inside of my leg, and I forgot what I was about to say.
"What do you want in exchange for your ..." He licked his lips. He had beautiful lips. "Knowledge."
"I'll think of something," I whispered and captured his lips between mine. He cut the kiss short and looked around.
"You really don't like to get caught with your pants down." I laughed at my own joke, and he grinned at me.
"I don't want to ruin your reputation, Ms. Darielle." He sat back.
I pushed my hair off my shoulders, pulled my leg back, and sat back. Maybe the wine was getting to me, but I felt foolish. Why was I throwing myself at this man? It was for a good cause, but I didn't want to take advantage of him, either.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
I bit my lip and shook the thought out of my head. "Hey," he said as he lifted my chin. I opened my mouth but was interrupted when someone called my name.
"Chai, sweetie. Is that you?" Keri was my oldest friends from my past, but now my worst enemy since my brother dumped her three years ago.
She spoke to me but stared at Donovan.
"Hey, Keri." My eyes grew wide. "This is my boyfriend, Donovan. Shhh."
Why am I telling her to shh?
"Donovan Bryant," he said as he half stood and shook Keri's hand. She blushed from the contact. She flipped her blond hair to the side and slid into the booth. I scooted closer to Donovan, and he put his hand on my leg.
