I put the ball down and putt, not making a hole-in-one, but I got close to the hole.
It’s his turn next, and he does manage a hole-in-one, to his surprise. I pout, but he comes over to me and places a kiss on my lips. “I’ve always been good at finding holes.”
We make our way around the next few holes, and he slaps my ass several times to distract me, but I think he’s secretly hinting he wants something else. Something he’s damn sure to get later. I take the opportunity to stare at his ass when it’s his turn. How a man makes jeans look so fucking sexy, I have no idea, but he certainly does, and I love it.
“I got a hole-in-one!” I scream when I finally do, then launch myself at him for a hug. He wraps his arms around me and gives me a heated kiss that carries so much sensualness. We’re lucky there aren’t many people around.
“Well done, gorgeous. I knew you could do it.”
“You’re still winning the game, though?” I ask. He nods. “Come on, mister, let’s finish. I’m getting hungry.”
“We’re going to lunch when we are done here.”
We finish the game with him beating me by a mile, not that I really care. It was fun to just be with him.
We make our way back towards the winery and cellar door of the vineyard, where he pulls up outside the restaurant.
“Wait here,” he says. He climbs out of the car, makes his way inside, and returns with a picnic basket moments later. He puts it into the back of his car, and we then drive back towards the housing estate.
Arriving at his place, he pulls me into the backyard, where he has set up a picnic area in the undercover building where his lounger chairs are located. He does have a spa, but that is indoors and by his swimming pool. Fairy lights are hung up around the outdoor area, making it look like glow worms. I turn to him and watch his face light up.
“This is perfect. Thank you.”
“I know the weather isn’t picnic-friendly, but I also thought we could race inside if needed and finish the picnic there. Later, we can take a dip in the spa together.”
“I didn’t bring my swimwear.”
“You don’t need it.” He waggles his eyebrows.
I laugh as he drags me over to the picnic area. He places the picnic basket down and pops open the lid, pulling out a bottle of wine and two glasses. He opens the bottle, pours the liquid into the glasses, and hands one to me.
“Cheers to the first of many dates.”
“Cheers.” Clinking our glasses together, I take a sip of the wine. He takes my glass from me, placing it down on the table between the loungers. “I was going to suggest we eat first, but I have something else I’d like to taste beforehand.”
He pulls me towards him and lowers his mouth to mine. The kiss is needy, greedy and makes me breathless. As he tugs my shirt up over my head, he growls as he reaches flesh. His reaction is a sound that is erotic in every way.
“Growl again,” I beg.
He does, making me moan as he lowers his lips to my chest. I know we will not make it to eating the picnic, at least not straight away.
He lowers me to the lounge chair and grabs the wine. Tipping a little from his glass over my stomach, he proceeds to lick it off.
This man is everything I want.
He’s taken the time to get to know me and surprises me in little ways. Every day I can feel the walls I built falling away to reveal my shattered heart to the man before me. He already owns my body. I know that with the counsellor's help, I’ll be able to open my heart and give it to him completely.
Twenty
DECLAN
We park up the driveway outside my Nana’s place. Zane, Ravin and Aaron, along with baby Indigo, is here. I decided that Winter might as well meet my entire family tonight, but a pang of guilt sits in my gut that my mum isn’t here with us. I know she’d adore Winter. She always wanted me to find a woman who is patient and kind.
Squeezing Winter’s hand, I ask, “Are you okay?”
“A little nervous. What if she doesn’t like me?”
“That’s not possible, beautiful. My siblings are here, and I think they like you.”