Page 28 of Pure Seduction (Chamberlin Brothers 1)

Laurel smiled, and I couldn’t help but think I’d just passed some kind of test.

“That works for me.”

“Good.”

She turned away and rose on her toes to reach for one of the bottles in the highest rack. But when she began to sway, I quickly moved in beside her and placed a hand at her waist to hold her steady.

“Careful there.”

She sucked in a breath and then licked at her lower lip. “It’s these heels. They’re dangerous.”

She tried for a laugh, but it came out more a breathy sigh that made my cock throb. Shit, I’d barely touched her and all I could think about was backing her up against the cool brick wall and tearing the buttons off that very proper shirt of hers.

Instead, I let my gaze wander down to the shoes under discussion. “Hmm, dangerous is the perfect word for them.” The air in the cellar all but crackled with tension.

Laurel bit down into her soft, pillowy lip. “I think you should, um…” Distracted, she looked at my mouth, and it was all I could do not to crush my lips against hers.

“You think I should what?”

She blinked as though snapping herself out of whatever fantasy she’d just been indulging in. Then, clearing her throat, she reached for my wrist and gently pulled it from her waist.

“I think you should try that wine up there.”

She took a step away from me and then pointed to the bottle she’d originally been reaching for.

“It’s the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s one of our best sellers. It has those lush, opulent flavors you get when the wine is dominated by the fruit. The savory aromas of the allspice and blackberry compote meld on the palate into a final ripe plum flavor with hints of tobacco and clove spice. It’s exquisite, and right now, we pair it with the Hawaiian rib-eye steak that’s on the dinner menu.”

She walked a little further down the aisle and took out a second bottle.

“This is our oaked 2018 Chardonnay. It’s a rich, full-bodied wine that combines citrus notes with those additional oak-aged flavors like vanilla and baking spices. This one in particular has hints of marshmallow. It pairs beautifully with Pete’s linguine vongole, and for tastings the obvious Brie-style cheeses are a classic go-to.”

I took the second bottle she held out to me and ran my thumb over the label. The golden logo with the grapes and wine glasses embossed on it was as familiar to me as my own name at the top. It was also the emblem on the wrought-iron gate at the entrance of the property. An image I’d drawn as a child and Harry had used to create the family…empire.

How ironic, that he’d ended up driving away the son he’d always imagined would one day run it.

Not wanting to head down that particular path, I focused instead on the woman in front of me. “You know your stuff.”

Laurel’s spine straightened as she angled her dainty chin upward. “I do. You can ask me anything you want to know pertaining to the business. Whether it be in reference to the finished product or how it’s made. I’m well versed on everything that Ryan and his team produces and everything he’s thinking of producing. It’s imperative, considering these things are planned out years in advance.”

“Agreed. And I have no doubt you are at the top of your game, otherwise Harry never would’ve hired you. Your knowledge is impressive and, honestly, a surprise. I had no idea you were interested in the business.”

Laurel lowered her eyes to the bottle I held, and for the first time since she’d arrived this morning, she looked uncomfortable.

“I didn’t either, really. But after graduation…” She frowned. “I got a job here, and, well, it all just kind of fell into place after that.”

When her words faded and we were standing in the silence they left behind, I couldn’t help but think I was missing something. But before I could ask, or press her for more details, Laurel spoke again.

“Would you like me to take you over to the property’s main cellars? I could get Ryan to meet us there.”

“No. That’s okay. I think I’m going to focus on one thing at a time. Today I’ll stick to the villa. Get a feel for the inner workings of the place and take a look at the books.”

Laurel smiled, and then gestured to the Cabernet. “Well, take that with you. Later on, I’ll have Pete prepare the rib-eye for you to try.”

She walked by me, and the intoxicating scent of her perfume beckoned me to follow, which was just fine by me. I had no problem whatsoever walking behind Laurel, especially in those heels and that skirt.

We exited the cellar. Several staff members were gathered around the counter in the center of the kitchen, and when they spotted us, all talking ceased. As their eyes ping-ponged between us, Laurel stopped and smiled.

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