Page 95 of Cru's Crush
“Fuck,” I said under my breath, pushing my chair back—or trying to. When I looked over my shoulder, Beau, Press, and Zin stood directly behind me. “What the hell?” I said, looking at Beau.
“You can’t leave.”
“Watch me.”
“Shh. Just listen.” He pointed to the stage.
“Ladies, I know this is unconventional, but we’re introducing something new this year. My brother Cruhas graciously set aside his date so we could bring our first ever bachelorette on stage.”
Muttering, followed by cheers, went around the room, and Alex cleared her throat.
“This bachelor-ette”—she emphasized the last syllable—“is wine-industry royalty, not just here on the Central Coast but around the world. Gentlemen, the date you see listed on the program is what’s being offered. A fabulous hot-air-balloon ride over the vineyards, at sunset, I might add. Followed by dinner in the original winery on the Los Caballeros estate.” She looked around the room until her eyes settled on me. “Who wants to start the bidding? Can I get five grand?”
“Who is she?” someone shouted.
“Right! How could I have forgotten to introduce our grand finale guest—Daphne Cullen.”
Alex’s eyes bored into mine even though we were several feet apart. Her gaze never wavered, even when I looked away.
Bids were coming from all around me, but I didn’t know what they were. All I could focus on was Daphne. She looked more beautiful than I’d ever seen.The blue-green sequined dress she wore hugged her curves, accentuating her breasts, slim waist, and her perfect ass. The idea that any other man here would ever touch any part of her body had me slam my chair back and stand.
“Twenty thousand going once,” Alex said, looking at me.
Someone—I wasn’t sure who—put a paddle in my hand, and I raised it. “Thirty,” I shouted.
“Forty!” Beau said from behind me.
“Fifty!” I countered. I’d stare him down, but there was no way I’d take my eyes off the woman I loved with all my heart.
“Fifty going once…” Alex slammed the gavel down without finishing the call for bids. “Sold to my brother, Cru.”
Applause came from around the room as I made my way to the stage. It wasn’t customary, but I couldn’t wait. Once there, I hoisted myself up, took Daphne in my arms, and kissed her like a man possessed. She put her hand on my cheek, and I felt the coolness of the ring on her finger.
“You’re wearing your engagement ring,” I said, resting my forehead against hers. “Does that mean you want to be my wife, Daphne?”
“Yes, Cru. More than anything. I love you.”
I smiled. “And I love you.”
I kissed her again, then led her toward the back of the stage. Rather than return to the table, I kept going until we reached the rear entrance. There, I gathered her in my arms and carried her the rest of the way to where I’d parked.
“Where are we going?” she asked when I set her on her feet so I could unlock the door.
“Home.”
EPILOGUE
CRU
“It’s not too late to change your mind. We can always do this in Australia,” I said to Daphne the night before our wedding.
“Then we’d have to charter a plane to fly everyone who’s here, there.”
“We can do that.”
Daph shook her head. “I cannot imagine a setting more perfect. Los Cab is breathtakingly beautiful, especially at this time of year.”
I had to agree. Veraison had set in a few days ago, and the vineyards were resplendent with golds, purples, deep reds, lime, and chartreuse green, all against the backdrop of the cadmium of the grape leaves.
