Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Sophie
I arrive at the winery early this morning, my mind still whirling from the night before. That kiss. I mentally sigh… That kiss was something else.
It had surprised me how much fun I'd had with Alex. He'd been the perfect gentleman—for the most part, anyway—laughing, debating, and joking with me, even helping me heckle the visiting team. I’d actually relaxed, which lately was a rare feat.
Then that kiss-cam had found us, and he hadn’t hesitated.
I touch my lips, which still tingle from the impression his lips made on mine. That moment had been electric and thrilling in a way I’d never felt. It had instantly seared into my brain, and now I can't stop thinking about it.
Fucking hell. I’m his boss, for crying out loud!
I have to get my shit together. Hooking up with the hot apprentice goes against all ethical codes hammered into me by my father. You never mix business with pleasure, and you never take advantage of an employee. Plus, I am certain Brennen Murphy wouldn’t approve. As scattered and distracted as my boss seems, I certainly don’t want to get on his bad side.
The fermentation room door opens, and in saunters the subject of my thoughts. Alex is every woman’s ideal with that million-dollar smile, thick broad shoulders and chest, and that relaxed, easy-rolling glide of his. It's obvious that life goes his way and molds itself to his every whim. It is something I am unfamiliar with and one hundred percent envious of.
"Morning," he drawls, an inviting grin on his handsome face. He holds up a coffee cup. "I made a strategic choice. Coffee, black, right? You didn’t seem like a pumpkin spice kinda gal."
My brows shoot up. How did he know exactly how I liked my coffee?
"Yes, that's perfect. Thank you." I bite back a grimace at the huskiness in my tone. "I was so focused on getting here early that I forgot my morning coffee."
He cringes. "Forgot coffee? How does that even happen? Sounds like a nightmare."
I giggle.
Did I just giggle, for cripes sake? What the hell is wrong with me?
"It does, doesn't it? My mind was on filling those fermentation tanks you cleaned out yesterday," I lie. I got here early because I needed some time in here without him in my space where I could think. But now here he is and so are the butterflies in my stomach.
His dark eyes brighten with interest. "That soon? What varietal are you thinking?"
"Not a varietal but rather a blend. The coastal white I'm about to bottle turned out so good, I decided to do a full run of it. It's a nice white blend, high acidity, slightly sweet, perfect for a picnic or just by itself."
"That sounds delicious. I'd love to try it if you think it's ready."
“Sure." I wave him over to the large storage tank I have ready for bottling and pour a small sample. He holds the glass up to the light, twisting and turning it as he swirls the wine around against the glass. "Nice light legs, good color."
I narrow my eyes as he evaluates my latest experiment, my heart in my throat. After years of having my ideas and creations lambasted, I've become sensitive to criticism. It’s an area of improvement I need to tackle.
Alex sticks his nose in the glass and pulls in a deep breath, a hum rumbling at the back of his throat. I shiver, feeling that sound in my bones. He swirls the glass again and repeats.
"Great bouquet. I'm getting a mix of banana and melon, and maybe a pinch of peach. Interesting." He sips the wine and aerates it, then swallows. I'm on pins and needles, praying he likes it.
I know the wine is amazing because I've been trained to know a great wine when I taste it. But this is my baby — my first real wine created entirely on my own without my father or brothers hanging over my shoulder, controlling my every move. They'd scoff at this light wine, proclaiming it beneath their talents, but I don’t care. I know it’s good.
I know this wine will sell, and that's what the Celtic Knot Winery needs right now — a blockbuster consumer wine that will fly off the shelves.
His twinkling gaze turns to me and his lips rearrange in a slow, breathtaking smile. "I knew it would be a transforming experience to work with you. Sophie, you're a damn genius."
My eyes widen as my heart swells with his compliment. "You really think it’s good?" I ask, pathetic as I fish for more compliments.
"No. It’s not good ; it’s fucking fantastic!" He takes another sip and swishes it around his mouth. "Mmm. This would go great with fruit and cheese, and probably seafood, too. Very drinkable. It's not a one and done kind of wine."
I bob my head in agreement. "That's what I was going for. It's the type you can drink on a Sunday afternoon out on the patio with food, or enjoy by itself, or even with a fancy dinner."
"Exactly." He stares into the empty glass forlornly. "Damn, Sophie. You’ve got a real winner here." He looks at me. "You say you're making another batch of this today?" His eyes are hopeful.
"Yes. Now that you've cleaned and prepped those old tanks, we can start today."
He leans a little closer. "And I can help, right? I'd love to get hands-on experience with this one."
I freeze, my core clenching at the steamy image his last words induce. I shake my head to clear it. For fuck's sake, this guy has me all twisted up.
Alex's face drops, reading my reaction wrong. "I can't? Why?"
“Huh?” I squint up at him, trying to focus on his words. "You can't what?"
"You shook your head at me when I asked if I could help make the wine."
"Oh!" A nervous laugh escapes before I can bite it back. "Oh, no. I mean, yes. Yes, of course, you can help. That is, if you want to. I mean…"
I wave my hand through the air, indicating the fermentation room and doing my best game show hostess impression. "Unless you'd like to work on something else. There's plenty for you to do." I bite my lower lip. "I'm sorry, but you were a big surprise for me yesterday, and I haven't really come up with a job description or task list for you."
His head tilts and his lips curl in a lopsided grin as he surveys me, his eyes briefly dropping to my mouth. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to help, Soph."
My heart rate jumps, feeling like a drumline in my chest, and warmth spreads through my core at the nickname.
"I'll get busy on cleaning up other stuff after we're done," he adds. "How's that?"
"That sounds great." I clap my hands and rub them together. "Okay, then. Let's get busy."
Several hours later, I straighten from the crouch I'd been in for a while and stretch my back. "Well, that's a solid start." I glance at my watch. "It's lunch time. I was planning to run across the street to the little cafe. Would you like to join me?"
"Ah, sorry, Soph." A grimace mars his handsome face. "I promised Isabella I'd have lunch with her today. She’s gonna explain the winery’s history and how everything works at Celtic Knot."
Disappointment floods my chest, and I nod as I stare at the ground. I've never asked a guy to have lunch with me before, so the rejection stings.
"Oh, okay." Maybe I misread last night after all.
"But I'd really love to have dinner with you,” Alex adds. “There's a little pizza joint just around the corner from my apartment. It's over by the beach. Would you like to join me?"
The lump in my throat dissolves instantly, and I smile in relief. "Yeah, actually, that sounds like fun. That place is really good, too, especially if you like New York style pizza."
Alex scoffs, and that easy smile flashes across his face. "I like all pizza. I don't care what style it is or where it comes from. If it has a solid crust and melted cheese, I'm good."
I laugh, feeling tons lighter. "We’ve made an excellent start, so now it's time to get the bottling ready. Want to help with that after lunch?"
His infectious grin pulls an answering one from me as he replies, "Hell yeah, I do!