Chapter 13 Kinley
The next morning, I was up at the crack of dawn. Despite what I’d told Wyatt, I actually fell asleep the second I went to bed. As a result, I was wide awake at five o’clock. Hooray.
I made coffee for myself, then went outside to enjoy it with the sunrise. This place was truly beautiful. A B&B would be a hit.
After finishing my cup, I went inside for a second one. Then I decided to lay out breakfast. I was almost done when Wyatt came out of his room. Damn, the disheveled “I just woke up” look was great on him.
Oh, this man. Why did he keep walking around half naked?
“Kinley,” he said, clearly stunned, jerking his head back. “You’re up early.”
Glancing at the kitchen table, he blinked several times.
“And that’s breakfast,” he stated.
I nodded. “I’ll make you some fresh coffee.”
He looked down at himself. “Fuck, I’ll put some clothes on.”
I liked sleepy Wyatt. He clearly had no filter. I laughed but glanced away. I loved looking at him far too much. It wasn’t appropriate at all.
“I’ll be right back.” He disappeared inside his bedroom.
I’d expected him to come out a few minutes later, but to my surprise, he returned in two seconds, wearing yesterday’s shorts. He ran a hand through his hair, probably intending to comb through it, but he only messed it up even more. He looked like a typical California surfer.
“Do you surf?” I asked, then wanted to face-palm myself. Talk about no filter.
He blinked as he sat down at the table. “No. Why?”
Try to think of a smart comeback, Kinley.
“I was just wondering... because you like the paddleboard.” Yeah, that was the perfect explanation.
“Haven’t surfed a day in my life. Never had the desire to.” Yawning, he added, “I need that coffee.”
Damn, he was so fucking adorable like this, with only half his neurons working, but I could seize the opportunity.
“So, what is it that we’re doing tomorrow tonight?” I asked as I handed him a mug, hoping I sounded very innocent.
Wyatt narrowed his eyes, leaning slightly forward. “Kinley, I’m sleepy, but not that sleepy. You can’t trick me into telling you.”
I grinned, shrugging. “All right, caught me there.”
“Figured you’d take advantage of me, huh?” he asked, taking a sip of coffee.
“Exactly.”
“You won’t get any details from me.”
I smirked. “I’m sure I won’t.”
“By the way, the trio suggested we meet today and tomorrow too.”
“Really? After working all week? You said you don’t believe in working weekends.”
“I don’t, but I think it’s a good idea. We do have a few more details to iron out.”
“True.”
For the rest of the day, I figured he’d give himself away a couple of times. No such luck. In the evening, we ate with the trio and Sage.
On Sunday, everyone on the team kept asking what we planned to do in the evening, but Wyatt repeatedly told them he hadn’t planned anything for the team. Every time, he looked at me and winked. Damn, the man was good. As a result, I was on pins and needles when we finished the workday.
We bid the trio goodbye, and as Wyatt and I walked out of the office, I said, “So, come on. You can tell me now.”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Wyatt!”
I assumed he meant that I’d see at the house, but he instead led me into the vineyard. I gasped when I spotted a table with two seats and twinkle lights everywhere. There was a gas grill next to the table.
“What’s this?” I asked. My voice was a bit dry.
“You wanted a dinner in the vineyard. Sage and I took care of it.”
“Wyatt, that’s so thoughtful of you.” It was way more than that, but I couldn’t put it into words.
“How did I do?”
“Hmm. I think you deserve a ten out of ten.”
He raised a brow. “You think? You’re not sure?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure how dinner will go.”
Wyatt laughed. “Take a seat. Sage put some steaks and corn and other veggies here, so I can grill them real quick.”
“Yum.”
He went over to the grill, and so did I because I wanted to help out. He immediately put on an apron, and I sighed.
Wyatt looked at me as he grabbed the handle of the grill, about to open it. “What was that?”
“You just love your aprons, huh?”
“I learned my lesson the hard way,” he said, opening the lid of the grill.
“How so?”
“I liked to butt my nose in everyone’s business when I was a kid.”
“Really? I can’t imagine that at all,” I teased.
“Especially in the kitchen. I got a real bad burn once.”
My smile dropped. “I’m sorry.”
“Ever since, I religiously wear aprons. The ones I have at home are all leather. Protects really well.”
“Hey, you know what? I’ll get one of those for Emily. You’re totally right. My sister often complains that when my niece wants to help out in the kitchen, she’s afraid that Emily will hurt herself.”
“I can send you links. I bought a few for Jeremy too.”
I felt warm inside. Wyatt Sterling kept surprising me.
“Is there another apron here?” I asked to distract myself.
“No, but I’ll give you mine.”
I shook my head. “That’s okay. I’m good without one.”
But before I could argue my case any further, Wyatt took it off and put it over my head. The backs of his fingers brushed my neck, and I exhaled sharply. My entire body felt like a live wire. I steeled myself as he went to my back and turned me around to tie it above my tailbone.
“There. Now you’re all set,” he said against my neck.
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, still trying to steel myself against something—I just wasn’t sure what.
Was it his sex appeal that disarmed me so quickly?
His charm? I had no idea. But I was certain that tonight, surrounded by twinkle lights and the sound of crickets singing, I wasn’t going to be able to remember that he was my boss.
Wyatt was simply too laid-back for that and far too charming.
The steaks and veggies were ready in no time.
“Something’s missing,” he said as we started eating.
“A glass of wine?” I shook my empty glass shamelessly in his face.
“That too. But I meant music.”
He took out his phone, tapping the screen a few times. “Siri, play Spotify. Something that goes with dinner in a vineyard.”
“I don’t think Siri is that proficient.” But to my astonishment, it was. The next thing I knew, we heard jazz playing. “Oh, that’s nice.”
Maybe a tad too romantic, but I loved it nonetheless. Everything was fantastic. I couldn’t stop looking around, taking it all in.
“Thank you for this. I’m not even sure what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just enjoy it,” he said jovially.
“Do you do this for all your employees?”
I shouldn’t have asked, but I needed to know.
Wyatt cleared his throat, putting down his fork and knife. “No.”
“So why did you go to so much trouble?”
“It wasn’t any trouble. You seemed to really want a dinner in the vineyard. I made it happen.”
His gaze was fixated on me, though I suspected he was actually looking at my lips.
I glanced at my plate, focusing on my meal. Why did I put him on the spot? What was I expecting to hear? That I was special?
After I ate my last bite of steak, Sinatra’s “My Funny Valentine” came on.
“I love this song.”
“So do I. I’ll add it to my favorites on Spotify.”
To use it for future dates? Thank goodness I didn’t ask that out loud at least.
Get yourself together, Kinley. This isn’t a date. God, I was mixing things up.
Wyatt and I gathered the plates, stacking them up.
“Thanks for doing this.”
“I told you, it wasn’t much effort.”
I swallowed hard, biting my lower lip. Obviously, I was making too much out of everything.
“Just the fact that you thought about doing it speaks volumes about you, Wyatt.”
“All good things, I hope.” The corner of his mouth rose slightly.
I nodded. “Very good things.”
He was close, and then he came closer still.
His mouth was suddenly on mine, and it was completely electrifying.
He ravaged me. There was no other way to put it.
There was nothing hesitant or slow about this man’s kissing.
He licked my lower lip, then pressed his mouth hard against mine.
His tongue was doing delicious things to me.
So delicious, in fact, that I got soaking wet—from a kiss!
I put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his back.
Then I lost my head completely. While Wyatt’s hand moved from my waist farther down to my ass, I shamelessly felt him up too.
His muscles were a delight. After I’d ogled them all week, this felt like a reward.
I could touch them to my heart’s content.
And I wasn’t holding back at all. Oh yeah, he was so damn sexy.
Wyatt growled against my mouth. I only realized what was happening when he grabbed my hand.
“No.”
Fuck. I’d been about to take off his belt. What. The. Hell. I gasped, taking a step back.
“Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t... I didn’t think.”
He stepped forward, still holding my hand tightly. “Don’t you fucking apologize. I was going to lift you up onto that table.”
“Wyatt—”
He put his fingers across my lips. “Don’t say anything.”
I nodded and swallowed hard.
“This can stay here in the vineyard,” he added,
I opened my mouth, then shook my head. He just smiled.
“You don’t need to say anything.” He looked at my lips intently, then glanced away. “Sage will clear up everything here. Come on, let’s go back to the house.”
“Good idea.”
Except... was it really? It was hard enough to resist his charm out here. I didn’t imagine knowing he was just a few feet away, right next to my bedroom, would make things any better.
To my surprise, Wyatt was a complete gentleman after that. He didn’t touch me at all. In fact, he was keeping a good foot between us as we walked side by side.
He started talking about the various types of wine that he thought were going to be hits, and I was grateful for the distraction. I hopped on that horse and ran away with it immediately, coming up with ideas for promos.
Look at us, slipping right back into professional mode.
As we reached the cabin, I took a deep breath, my nerves coming back full force. How is this going to work?
He opened the door, waving his hand forward, probably trying to usher me in. The tips of his fingers grazed my forearm. And what do you know? I felt hot again. Wyatt sucked in a breath, and I did the same. At least I didn’t moan.
“Good night!” I rushed into my room before he could reply.
I wasn’t a coward, but it was better to just put distance between us.
After closing my door, I leaned against it and smiled from ear to ear. Oh, well. Our kiss might have to stay in Napa Valley, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t bask in the memory of it right now.