12. Noah
Noah
ABOUT AN HOUR into my tour with Laurel, I knew I’d need to get Ryan to run over things with me again at a later date. I was doing my best to pay attention to what she was telling me about the business, but my mind was too busy documenting every little nuance about her instead.
From the mile-high black heels to the A-line skirt that hugged her curves like a lover, I was having a difficult time concentrating on anything other than the tempting picture she made.
She wore a prim white button-up blouse tucked in at her waist, but she’d left the top couple of buttons free, so I kept getting glimpses of the smooth skin beneath.
Every now and then she’d glance over her shoulder to make sure I was paying attention, and when her soft blonde curls brushed against the upturned collar, it made me want to pull it aside and kiss my way up her elegant neck.
It was difficult to reconcile this beautiful, sexy woman with the girl I’d left behind. But what had I expected? The last time I’d seen Laurel, we were teenagers. We’d just graduated and had our whole lives ahead of us, or so we’d thought.
“Noah?”
“Sorry, what?”
We’d just made our way into the kitchen’s wine cellar, where we’d first reunited, and when Laurel crossed her arms and eyed me, I knew I’d missed a question somewhere along the way.
“I asked if you planned to make any changes to the menus as the new CEO. We serve a picnic or light meal as a lunch option, a full menu for dinner reservations, or the usual appetizers that accompany the tastings.”
“Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’m still working on the logistics of moving my life back here. But maybe we can go over the meals and their pairings throughout the week and you can bring me up to speed. If I feel it needs some updates—or you do—we can look into making them then.”
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.
“Good morning, everyone. Mr. Chamberlin here—”
“Noah.” Laurel glanced at me, and when I winked, her eyes widened. Then I turned back to the staff members. “You can call me Noah.”
Laurel cleared her throat. “Well then, Noah is going to need your help around here for a few days while he learns the ins and outs of how we run things. Also, try to be on your best behavior. We want to impress him.” They all chuckled but nodded. “Okay, get to it, and Pete?”
The stocky guy with the shaved head and apron standing over by the oven turned our way.
“Let’s serve him up the rib-eye for dinner tonight.”
“You got it, boss lady.”
“Very good. If any of you need me, I’ll be around.”
I followed Laurel out of the kitchen and down the hall to our offices, and once we reached them, she said, “I have to go and check in on something with Ryan. Will you be all right here for a bit?”
Truth be told, I didn’t want to let her out of my sight. I was enjoying watching her in her element. Knowing I couldn’t trail her all day, however, I gave a clipped nod and gestured to my office.
“I’m sure I’ll manage. I’ve got some books to look over, and if they stress me out”—I held up the bottle—“some good wine to drink.”
“ Great wine to drink.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you join me for dinner tonight and we can enjoy it together?”
Laurel grinned, and I wanted to kiss her so badly I ached, but she took a step back and shook her head. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“But I need to taste the food with the wine. We need to go over the pairings.”
She nodded and bit down into her lower lip. I had her, and she knew it. “That’s true, and we definitely will. But you have enough to go over today. We’ll work on the menu throughout the week and have Pete join us so we can add or take away foods.”
Ah, she wanted to bring along a safety net. I wasn’t upset by that. It just meant she was feeling the same things I was, and that was going to make things over the next year very interesting indeed.