Page 95 of Bit's Bliss
EBERLY
Yesterday, Trevino and I took a walk on Moonstone Beach, then went for a motorcycle ride on See Canyon Road. Once we’d returned to the beach, we had a romantic dinner at the Sea Chest. Tonight, he said he’d take me on the last part of the date I’d bid on at the Wicked Winemakers bachelor auction.
I told him he didn’t have to do any of it, particularly since he’d paid for my bid, but he insisted. I had to admit I loved that he did.
As hard as the last two weeks—actually three—had been, they were the best of my life. I was sad that the bank was taking our house, my father was refusing to allow me to pay off the loan, and our family’s winery was out of business, but the way Trevino felt about me, treated me, loved me, made me realize how insignificant that all was. I’d carry the memories of my mom, dad, and me in my heart forever. They wouldn’t be left behind when someone else moved into the house I grew up in. I knew my father would struggle with guiltfor a long time, but there wasn’t anything more I could do to assuage it. That he was alive was what mattered most to me.
The night after we were rescued, Trevino and I had stayed up until dawn talking about life and love and sex. Actually, having a lot of sex.
We’d finally gone over our list of limits, which I’d insisted on even after he said we could do it another time. When he looked into my eyes and told me he’d be willing to give up the “kinky stuff,” as he’d call it, if I wanted him to, I told him in the most honest and direct way I could that I loved it. I loved calling him sir, I loved it when he took control, “forcing” me to endure pleasure like I’d never dreamed of, and I even loved it when he punished me. I’d put his hand between my legs, proving that I needed as much as wanted it.
In the hours and days that followed, I spent more time naked, and loving it, and had more mind-blowing orgasms than I could remember. Each time was better than the last. Each time, my love for him grew deeper.
While I’d spentevery night at Poppy Hill Ranch with Trevino, I’d come home to get ready for our date, anda few minutes before he arrived to pick me up, I came downstairs, and my father was waiting at the bottom.
“You look so beautiful, Eb. So much like your mom.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking his hand when he held it out to me.
“There’s something I need to tell you. Do you have a minute?”
I checked the time. “Trevino won’t be here for another fifteen at least.”
“Good,” he said, leading me into the living room. “Something significant happened this afternoon. A group of investors, if you will, are allowing me to save the winery.”
“That’s fabulous news.” I was stunned but also worried. “I hate to be negative, but are you sure you can trust this group?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything.”
Something occurred to me. “Does this have anything to do with Los Caballeros?”
His eyes widened, then scrunched.
“Not the winery, Dad, thecaballeros.”
“It does, but…”
“How do I know? Trevino told me, and before you ask, he had permission to.”
“I see.”
“In the same way you were able to tell Mom.”
“Tell me one thing,” he said, taking my hand in his. “Do you love him?”
“More than I dreamed possible. He’s a good man who loves me equally.”
“I’m happy for you, Eb. I think your mom would be too.”
I shook my head. “I know she would. She told me once that Trevino was her favorite of all the Avila boys. She also said it was because he reminded her of you.”
He looked down at our clasped hands. “I’m not sure I deserve that praise.”
“Trevino gets upset with me when I say negative things about myself. I understand now why he does.”
“What do you mean?”
“It hurts to hear someone you love be down on themselves.”
