Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
W ords jumbled in Luke’s brain but couldn’t make the journey to his mouth, likely because other parts of his body were demanding to take over. He’d had a half erection since coming home to find her in a towel. No, that had been a full hard-on, which he’d managed to tame by thinking about the article he was writing for a local wine journal. Nothing like mildew and aphids to take the edge off your raging wood.
Except now the erection was back in full effect after what she’d said.
“Uh, we’re kind of late here.”
“Right. I know. Sorry, I wasn’t suggesting anything.” She looked away and went to grab her purse. “I’m ready.”
She sure was. The front of her hair was pulled back so that the wavy locks hung down her back. Like him, she’d fancied up, wearing more makeup than normal. She looked sexy and seductive, especially when he took in the formfitting purple lace dress. He’d always known she was beautiful, but this was the closest he’d come to approximating how she looked under her clothing. He could hardly wait to see for himself. And maybe, just maybe, that would be soon based on what she’d said.
Down, boy, don’t get ahead of yourself.
“Are you ready?” Her question dragged him back to the here and now.
“Yep.” He pivoted and gestured for her to precede him. “After you.”
He grabbed his keys and locked the door on the way out. Then he held the car door for her.
She glanced up at him, her freshly glossed lips taunting him. “Thank you,” she murmured.
He watched her legs, so sexy in those gorgeous black strappy sandals she was wearing, and after she was settled, closed the door.
On the way to the driver’s seat, he tried to talk down his arousal. Damn, it was hard, especially when he climbed into the Jeep and got a fresh nose full of whatever scent she was wearing.
The air between them was so charged, he wondered if a fire might break out. He chuckled at the ridiculous thought as he started the engine.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“Really? You just laughed for no reason?”
He backed out of the driveway and cast her a sidelong glance. “You really want to know?”
She swallowed and looked away, and he threw the car into drive. They rode in silence for most of the ten-minute drive. As they approached the winery, she said, “You look really nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Like, really nice.”
“Yeah, I got that based on what you said back at the house.” Which he could hardly stop thinking about.
“I think I’m an idiot for insisting we keep our hands off each other.”
Right now, it was taking everything he had not to touch her. But wait, their rule only included the house, didn’t it? Right now, he could barely remember his name, let alone some asinine set of regulations they’d set up.
He pulled into the parking lot. Guests wouldn’t be arriving for another half hour or so.
He turned off the car and jumped out to open her door. He helped her out, taking her hand and savoring the rush of exhilaration that raced through him. “Just to clarify. I can touch you now, right? Outside the house?”
“I don’t think we ever decided that for certain.” She glanced at where their fingers connected. “Like this?”
His lips curved into a smile. “I’ll take what I can get.”
She turned her hand, putting her palm against his and twining their fingers. Then she rested her other palm against his chest and leaned into him. “You can do more than that if you like.”
His body surged with lust. “I would like very much.” He tipped his head down to kiss her, but the sound of a car pulling into the lot drew them apart.
She let go of him and took a step back as Cam and Brooke parked next to them. Cam stepped out of the car and only spared them a brief look. “I see we’re not the only ones running a bit late.”
He rushed around to help Brooke get out of the car, and the four of them walked into the winery together.
Luke touched the small of Kelsey’s back. “I need to help organize a few things. Grab a glass of wine if you want.”
“Can I help with anything?”
He looked around. “I don’t know. Maybe ask Brooke?” Cam had already disappeared into the kitchen.
Kelsey smiled up at him. “Sure. See you in a bit.”
As people began to arrive, Luke went to the first wine tasting station on the bridge overlooking the vats. Guests received their glasses when they checked in with Brooke and Bex, then made their way to Luke, who would pour chardonnay.
Kelsey appeared, joining him at the table where he was standing. “Brooke said I should come help you pour. That way you can focus on talking and answering questions.”
He grinned, glad to have her as his companion. “Lucky me. I hope you’re good with a wine opener.”
“Good enough, though I’m sure you can teach me some moves.” She was flirting with him again, and all he could think was how badly he wanted to kiss her.
He leaned toward her as the first group of guests approached. “You’re going to kill me tonight. But it’s going to be the best death.”
She flashed him a smile as she picked up the bottle for the new arrivals. He talked to them about the chardonnay and about his vineyard management, answering any questions they had. As the group moved on, Luke took advantage of the moment to slip his hand along Kelsey’s waist.
It felt so good to touch her. It was as if he’d crawled through a desert and had just found an oasis. He leaned close to her ear, barely resisting the urge to lick along the edge of her flesh. “You smell so fantastic.” He felt her shiver.
She sidled closer to him, and he squeezed her waist. This night was going to take forever. And what would happen at the end? He could only hope she wanted what he did.
Liam and Aubrey came up then, and Luke poured wine into Liam’s glass. Aubrey held up her water bottle with a sigh. “Sorry to miss out.” She turned to Kelsey. “How are you doing?”
“Good, thanks.”
Another few people joined them, and Luke started his spiel. They asked a few questions and then sipped their wine for a minute. He overheard Aubrey talking to Kelsey.
“I talked to the parole board, and he’s in Washington now,” Aubrey said, keeping her voice low.
Kelsey looked relieved. “That’s great to hear.”
Aubrey sipped her water. “I’ll be in court first thing Monday for the restraining order. Sorry I wasn’t able to get in there sooner. Don’t worry, these things are a slam dunk in your case.”
“Thanks so much for your help on this,” Kelsey said, giving her a quick hug.
“It’s my pleasure.” She gave Kelsey a warm, earnest smile before joining her husband, and the group took off.
Luke took a step closer to Kelsey. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Sounds like things are going well.”
“As well as can be expected. I’m glad he’s out of the state.”
He heard the relief in her voice and wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and hold her tight. “Me too.”
George and her grandmother arrived at that moment, and Kelsey was delighted to see her. They embraced as Luke shook George’s hand.
“Now this is a role reversal,” George said, laughing. “You’re serving me.”
Luke grinned as he inclined his head toward Kelsey. “Actually, she’s pouring.”
Kelsey thrust the bottle at him. “Not this one.”
Luke laughed and poured wine for both George and Ruby.
“How’s it going with you two shacking up?” Ruby asked. Her eyes glinted with mischief, and Luke knew she was teasing.
Kelsey coughed, and Ruby handed her the wineglass. “You need a sip of this, dear.”
Kelsey took that sip and gave it back. “Thank you. Things are fine.” She sent a nervous glance toward George. “Uh, Noah’s back in Washington now, so I’m feeling better about everything.”
Ruby waved her hand. “I had to tell George about it. I hope you don’t mind.” She put her arm around George’s waist and looked up at him, her gaze sparkling with something different now. “I’m afraid we aren’t good at keeping secrets from each other.”
George slid his arm around her shoulders and chuckled. “Afraid not.” They were joined by more guests, and Luke did his thing. Then he and Kelsey were alone again for a brief moment.
He grabbed a bottle of water from the table and took a long drink before turning to Kelsey. “Is that okay with you? Your grandma telling George about all that? I have the sense you haven’t told many people.”
“It’s weird, but I’m actually okay with it. Before this week, I think it would’ve bothered me because, yeah, I’ve kept it to myself for the most part.” She glanced away, her gaze dipping to the tanks below them. “I’ll admit…I was terrified when I got that text the other day, but knowing that I’m not alone helps.” She looked at him again, and he took her hand.
“You are absolutely not alone.”
Another group arrived, and it was a steady stream until dinner. He and Kelsey sat at a table with mostly people they didn’t know, plus Luke’s parents. It was a fun, raucous party, complete with crowd-pleasing thank-you speeches from both Cam and Hayden. Luke could’ve said something too, but preferred to stay out of the limelight.
Dad, who sat on Luke’s right, leaned over and said, “Nice job tonight. Your mother and I are so proud.” She was on Dad’s other side and was chatting with the person on her right.
“Thanks, that means a lot.”
“I, ah, I noticed you and Kelsey seem rather cozy.”
Luke wondered if his dad was aware that they’d been intermittently holding hands under the table. He’d clearly caught the charged looks they’d been sharing. Shit, were they that obvious? “She’s a great girl.” What else was he supposed to say?
“Seems like it. Your mom would like to have you both to dinner soon. Should I deter her? I don’t want to push you into something prematurely.”
He wasn’t sure if he was ready for dinner with the parents. “I’ll let you know. We’re taking things very slowly.” And it was killing him.
Dad nodded. “I’ll stave your mother off.”
“Thanks, Dad, I appreciate that.”
Dad clapped his shoulder. “You got it, son.”
Dessert was served, and soon people began to get up. Luke leaned over to Kelsey. “I need to go help with the wine pickup.” Some people had preordered cases, while others had bought wine tonight.
“Oh, I said I’d help take payments,” she said. “I’ll come along.”
They’d set up a checkout area on the other side of the bridge, where they warehoused wine for club members. There was an exterior door there, which made wine pickup easy.
Kelsey sat with Brooke and Bex and took payments, while Luke, Cam, Hayden, and Jamie filled the orders. Their half brother Dylan plus a few other Archers jumped in to help, which was much appreciated.
By eleven thirty it was down to just the principal wine folks and Kyle.
Luke collapsed into a chair in the tasting room along with everyone else. “I’m beat.”
Bex kicked off her shoes and set her feet in Hayden’s lap so he could massage them. “Try being six months pregnant.” She let out a massive yawn.
“You guys should go,” Cam said. “We’ll take care of what’s left.”
“The hell with that,” Luke said. “The rest can wait until tomorrow. Unless we need to handle any food situations in the kitchen.” He looked over at Kyle.
Kyle shook his head. “Everything’s put away and cleaned up. I had a good crew in there tonight.” They’d hired some folks from The Arch and Vine and The Arch and Fox, the restaurant at the Archers’ hotel, to help out. “I should get home. Maggie’s going to need a break from Ripley.” Their son was just over a month old. He clapped a hand on Hayden’s shoulder on his way out. “Great event, little brother.”
Hayden smiled. “Thanks.”
Kyle took off, and Luke looked over at Kelsey who had her feet propped up on another chair. Those shoes were sexy as hell, but he imagined she couldn’t wait to get them off. The question was whether she’d let him do the removing.
“So I guess we’ll meet back here tomorrow to finish clean up?” Jamie asked.
Luke stood. “Yep. But don’t expect me before noon.” He went over to Kelsey and held out his hand. “Come on, gorgeous, let’s hit the road.”
She arched a brow at him, probably wondering why he’d called her that in front of everyone. He had nothing to hide. She was a beautiful woman, and he was completely under her spell. And he didn’t really care who knew it.
She put her hand in his, and he pulled her to her feet. She winced, and he had his answer about the shoes.
Grabbing her purse, she cast a smile about the room. “Good night. Thanks for letting me help out.”
“Thank you for helping,” Cam said. “We’ll lock up. Night, Luke.”
“Night.” Luke escorted Kelsey outside and then swept her into his arms.
“Luke! What are you doing? Put me down.”
He carried her across the parking lot to his Jeep. “Not a chance, sweetheart. I saw your face—your feet are killing you. No surprise looking at your shoes. Sexy as hell, but not for standing like you did most of the night.”
“Well, I didn’t realize I’d be helping out like I did. But I enjoyed every minute.”
He deposited her into the passenger seat. “I’m glad. Now take those shoes off, and I’ll carry you into the house too.”
He closed the door and rounded the car. Slowly. He wasn’t looking forward to getting home where the hands-off rule was in effect. He was so sexually worked up, he thought he might explode.
Despite his snail’s pace, he made it to the driver door and climbed inside. She already had her shoes off. A minute later, they were driving down the hill toward town.
“I had a really great time tonight,” she said. It was dark, so he couldn’t see much of her face. “I love listening to you talk about the vines and the grapes.”
“Thanks. I loved having you there.”
Silence reigned for a couple of minutes before she said, “I guess it’s pretty obvious we’re dating.”
“Probably.” He let the word out slowly. “Is that okay?”
“Yes. In fact, I was hoping we could talk about that.”
He tensed as he pulled onto Main Street and drove through town. “What do you mean?”
“When I agreed to come stay with you, I was nervous about how it would affect our relationship. Or whatever it is we have going on. I didn’t want it to accelerate things.” She paused. “I’m still…hesitant.”
The tension inside him released, but it wasn’t relief. It was disappointment. Not with her, with himself for stupidly allowing his hopes to get out of hand.
“I understand. You’re still welcome to stay with me as long as you like, and we’ll keep our relationship—or whatever it is—in check.”
He turned onto his street.
“I’m not being very clear. Sorry.”
He tensed again as he drove into the driveway and parked the car. “What do you mean?” He looked over at her, and the porch light cast its glow across her face as she turned toward him.
“I mean I want to repeal the no-sexy-times rule. Immediately. If you’re okay with that.”
The lust he’d worked so hard to quell all night came roaring to a head, making his body thrum with need. Anticipation coursed through him as he looked her in the eye. “I’ve never been more okay with anything in my entire life.”