Bar Down (Grand Marquee Manticores #2)

Chapter 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

ASH

After signing more autographs and taking pictures with the fans, Eli and I finally leave the arena. It’s a beautiful day in Traverse City as we drive the M-31 along the bay with the windows down, listening to the local hits radio station. The water is still and a beautiful blue color, and the sun is reflecting off of it. A variety of boats are out, from pontoons, to yachts, to sailboats, and even kayaks and paddleboards. People are riding bicycles in their dedicated lanes and the park along the bay is full of tourists and locals, playing volleyball on the small courts there or lounging in their hammocks or on their picnic blankets.

“It’s such a beautiful day,” I say, rolling the windows up and turning on the AC.

Eli hums and looks around the bay with as much adoration as I just did. This place is truly incredible and the drive up to the cabin on Lake Leelanau is just as beautiful, with so many trees and greenery the closer we get. Eli turns the radio volume down and turns in his seat enough to face me. I don’t know if I should be concerned or not.

“I’m sorry, about earlier. I—” He takes a deep breath and looks to the side. “Juuse thought our meeting this morning was a date. I made it clear that it wasn’t, but I also didn’t hide from him. I told him I’m gay.”

I nod along, a smile blooming on my face. When I look at Eli, he looks nervous, eyes wearily tracking me for a reaction. “Eli, that's great! I’m so proud of you.” His face softens and he smiles.

“I also told him I’m seeing someone,” he says, his hand grabbing mine where it dangles from the center console. Eli links our fingers together, squeezing once, before letting go and tracing his fingertips along my palm, my wrist, up my arm and along my vine tattoo. His fingers are warm against my cold skin and his touch leaves a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

“You did?” I manage to get out.

“I did,” he says, linking our fingers again and bringing my hand up to his mouth. Good thing there’s no one on this road, because I am too distracted by this beautiful man and the way he’s touching me. His lips are warm against the back of my hand and I’m left empty and cold when he places it back on the center console. His hand continues to hold mine and that makes me smile.

“You know, if you wanted to go to the boat party, I wouldn’t have an issue with that,” I hear myself say. I would probably not go since I’m trying to stay sober, but Eli could go enjoy himself. Make some new friends.

“Do you want to go?”

“Not really.”

“Good thing we have other plans then,” he says smugly.

“So, you weren’t lying to him about that just to get out of it?”

“Nope. I made a reservation at Chateau Chantal.”

I hope Eli doesn’t see the grimace on my face. A winery is probably not that much better than a boat party for me. But I can’t say that. He made a reservation. He wants to take me on a date. I smirk and look over at him. “Are you trying to woo me, Eli?”

“Is it working?”

I laugh. “Maybe. But you know you don’t have to do anything special or fancy. We can just hang out at the cabin, go kayaking.”

“Are you really turning down a six-course meal right now? In favor of kayaking?” he asks, one eyebrow raised.

“I wouldn’t say I’m turning it down,” I mumble, “just saying I’ll do anything with you.”

His hand gives mine another squeeze. “I know, ilo . I just think this date is long overdue.”

My chest swells and I can’t help but smile at him. How did I get so lucky to fall in love with the best, most thoughtful person in the world?

Eli

The sky is a beautiful mosaic of orange and blues by the time we park at the winery. The Old Mission peninsula drive is one of my favorites and I’m grateful the weather is nice enough for us to enjoy the outdoor vineyard tour. We get paired up with a few other people for the tour and they all seem to be couples. The two women whispering and stealing kisses from each other in front of us look so happy. They have matching tattoos on their left ring fingers and I think this might be their honeymoon.

Watching them fills me up with hope. Maybe that can be me one day. Maybe I can be comfortable enough to truly be myself. I look over at Ash who is thoroughly engrossed in what the guide is telling us about the history of the place and the types of grapes they use for their wines. I smile and move closer behind him bringing my mouth to his ear to whisper, “Are you having fun, sopoliini ?”

When he turns his head just a little to look at me, our eyes hold and I want nothing more than to tell him how much he makes me feel . My heart is pounding and he smirks before moving along with the group. I blindly follow him and think, I’ll follow you anywhere.

I stop behind him again and wait for a response. He turns to give me a glance over his shoulder again and whispers back, “That’s a new one. What does that word mean?”

I bite my lip and look around me. There’s no one behind us since we’re at the back of the group and the rest of the people are too focused on the actual tour, so I take a deep breath and summon some courage.

My hand finds Ash’s like it knew exactly how close it was. I let our fingers thread together but don’t take my eyes off of him. He looks down, surprise showing on his face but I can’t stop smiling. Ash smiles back and pulls me along so we don’t fall too far behind. “Are you distracting me with physical touch so you don’t have to tell me what that word means?”

I chuckle and decide he’s earned this one. “It means cutie pie. ” His smile is wicked as his thumb caresses the back of my hand in acknowledgment. It’s a set of different words that won’t stop swirling around in my head though.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

But I can’t say them yet. I need to show him first that this means more to me now. That I’m not going anywhere.

When the tour is over, we’re seated at a small table on the patio. The view of the bay from the top of the hill is breathtaking. Both Ash and I are admiring it when the server shows up to ask us our drink preferences or if we just want to stick with what’s paired with each meal on the menu.

“I’m fine with the menu choices.”

“I, um, I’d like to hear your non-alcoholic selections, please.” Ash takes a sip of water and his eyes dart my way as he listens to the list of options. He lands on ordering some sparkling grape juice and more water.

“Not a fan of wine anymore?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

“It’s not that,” he says, fidgeting with his hands on the table. The sun is starting to go down and he looks so damn good in his white short sleeve button-up. The contrast between his dark red hair and the green vineyard behind him makes me smile softly. He looks so pretty it’s hard not to reach out and kiss him.

“Everything okay?” I ask when he doesn’t continue.

“Yeah,” he blows out a breath. “I’ve been sober since I got back from Finland. Since starting to go to therapy.”

Oh . Oh, of course.

I’m such an idiot, why the hell did I bring him to a winery?

“I’m sorry. We can go somewhere else if you’d like,” I say, getting ready to stand up.

“No, absolutely not. This place is amazing,” he rushes in to say.

Fuck, I should have known better, there was no alcohol at the cabin, and he didn’t go out partying with anyone the last few nights. Before I can kick myself some more for my stupid decision, Ash reaches out for his glass of water and in doing so brushes his hand against my own in a caress that makes me shiver. “Thank you for planning this amazing date,” he says, tongue darting out to lick his lips.

“Anything for you,” is all I manage to say.

Ash’s eyes drop to my lips and he smirks. “Careful throwing that around, I might actually believe it.”

“You should. I mean it.”

The intense stare we share is broken by the first course—amuse bouche. When the server goes to set my wine down I say, “Can I actually also switch to the non-alcoholic options?”

She eyes me with a look that says you came to a winery and you won’t drink any wine? but she gives me a nod regardless and promises to be right back.

“You didn’t have to do that. I promise I can handle myself around others drinking,” Ash says.

“You already know I don’t drink that much to begin with. Besides, I don’t need it to have a good time with you.”

Ash smiles and we enjoy our six-course dinner, finishing it off by sharing a plate of crème br?lée until the sky gets dark and we’re ready to go home.

Under the cover of darkness and other cars around us, I follow Ash to the driver’s side of the car and back him into the door. My hand glides to the collar of his button-up and I tug his face closer to me, tasting the dessert we just had on his lips. Ash’s hands twist in my hair—which definitely needs a haircut now—and he deepens the kiss.

It doesn’t last long, however, and we break apart when we hear someone whoop and cheer from a few cars over. I pull back with more reluctance than I expected and look over my shoulder. The two women from the tour earlier are smiling at us and wiggling their eyebrows. I can’t help but laugh and Ash looks at them and gives them an enthusiastic wave.

When we get home, we go straight to Ash’s bedroom, but we don’t have sex. We spend the night together, cuddling and kissing, and whispering sweet nothings to each other. And I think I want this— him —forever.