Chapter 15
Aspen
Ten days later
Ten days had passed since the horrific fire.
I hadn’t been able to see what little was left of the Kingstons’ property, but I’d heard there’d been next to nothing with the exception of a single small vineyard.
At least the family had accepted the offer, taking one of the vacation villas for an extended period of time.
I’d learned that Montgomery was helping the family in every way he could.
He’d seemed entirely different since that night.
He also had something up his sleeve, the need for revenge remaining in the forefront of his mind.
I was almost shocked that he’d simply gone back to work.
But I knew he had something planned. That scared me more than I wanted to admit.
From what I’d been able to tell, there’d been no other incidents, everything within the winery running smoothly.
Too smoothly.
I felt as if the shoe was going to drop any day. Or worse. The thought had left me sick inside since the crash.
Sighing, I tossed my phone after staring at the screen for almost a full two minutes, waiting for the damn thing to ring.
I wanted everything to be perfect for the new ad campaign, but I was beginning to doubt that a portion of my attempts were going to come to fruition.
I stared out the window, trying to make a plan B.
“You’re a workaholic.”
I purred as soon as I heard the strange yet ultra-sexy lilt in Montgomery’s voice. He’d been entirely different the last few days, lighter than normal. He’d also worked with me side by side as I prepared an entire marketing campaign.
But I had to admit, I wouldn’t have been able to do as much work if I hadn’t been provided the perfect assistant.
Jackson.
The fact he’d allowed his brother back into his life had been the most surprising aspect of all. The two men were almost identical in every way, except that Jackson had an intense passion for art, allowing my creativity to flow like wildfire.
There was excitement in the air, so many of the employees eager for the future.
Little did Montgomery know yet, but I’d managed after doing a little begging to sign Wolfe Wineries up for the upcoming highly anticipated music and wine festival.
Bottlerock had been an event Wolfe Wineries had participated in for years.
Then Montgomery had put a stop to it. I’d signed my name to the contract without asking his permission, something I hoped I wouldn’t regret.
Giggling, I shifted back and forth in my chair, the office I’d been provided allowing me a stunning view of the estate.
I was planning on a little surprise for him later that evening.
As long as everything was put into motion.
“So?” I asked sweetly, giving him a wicked smile.
“So,” he said, gazing down the length of me before turning his attention to what Jackson and I had just finished sketching out. “All work and no play make for a very disobedient brat.”
“I’m not a brat.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “Oh, yes, you are.”
I had whiteboards positioned in several locations in the room, notes and designs all over my desk.
Thank God, Jackson was an artist. He’d managed to bring my ideas to life.
However, the sinspiration, as I’d taken to calling my rather provocative thoughts, were all because of the man leaning against the doorjamb, his arms folded.
He appeared far more relaxed than normal, his dark red polo shirt highlighting his eyes.
“Well, I do have a slave driver for a boss you know,” I said teasingly.
“Uh-huh. It’s almost three. I’m going to guess you skipped lunch. Didn’t you?”
I shrugged, unable to stomach the thought of eating.
He walked inside, every step he took making me swoon. I couldn’t believe an entire ten days had gone by since the amazing time at the lake. “I guess I’ll need to have a long talk with that boss of yours.”
As soon as I allowed the delicious memory to slide into my mind, so did the same jolt of fear I’d had just before the wreck had occurred.
I had no idea how we’d managed to survive after hitting the tree head on.
Unfortunately, the Ferrari hadn’t fared so well.
I would never forget the two gunshots, the headlights of the monsters following us blinding us.
Even though I’d only been partially conscious after the incident, I remembered the way Montgomery had broken through the passenger window, pulling me to safety then cradling me in his arms. I would never be able to get his wail of despair out of my mind. I’d known then just how much I meant to him.
He’d been like a mother hen ever since, still concerned I’d been injured. While I remained on edge, my gut telling me that whoever was responsible was planning another attack, the fact security had been beefed up certainly helped with my nerves.
“Where’s Jackson?” he asked as he turned his attention to the latest poster, the pictures ones I intended on using for several different magazines.
It was another project I’d barely been able to slide inside the deadline.
I wouldn’t have without Jackson’s influence.
The man knew everyone who was important and influential in the business.
I wasn’t certain I could have made several things happen without his help.
“Doing a few errands.” I laughed after saying the words, sliding out of my chair and walking toward him. “Do you like the photographs?”
After wrinkling his nose, he shot me a look. “Not fond of the model you used.”
I tossed one of the balled-up pieces of paper from my desk, ideas that I’d discarded. “You’re incorrigible. It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
“Mmmm…” He narrowed his eyes as he turned to face me, his nostrils flaring. “I want you at my house tonight. There is no question about whether you will come. You will obey me.”
The look on his face was carnal, his eyes like darkened pools of lust. I adored the way he looked at me, his desire burning from deep within. He closed the distance, peering down at me as he pursed his soft lips.
He was powerful, oh-so debonair, and on this bright, beautiful day, he was very, very hungry.
“What if I say no?” I whispered, enjoying how easy it was to tease him.
“Then you know what will happen. I’ll hunt you down and capture you.
Then I’ll punish you. After that I’ll fuck you like a wild animal.
Then I’ll keep you in one of my cages. It will depend on if you’re a good girl as to whether you’ll remain there the night.
” He cupped the side of my face, his grip firm.
He was completely in charge of me, and he knew it.
He’d already managed to capture me, including a portion of my heart.
When he rubbed his thumb back and forth across my lips, my body swayed.
I was forced to cling to his shirt to keep from falling.
He had such a powerful hold over me. He’d brought me more and more into his world, sharing simple likes and dislikes.
I’d learned about the room in his house, the one created for his wife.
A playroom. Just thinking about it gave me the shivers.
Maybe one day he’d unlock the door and take me inside.
“Maybe that’s something I’d like.”
He took a deep breath. “Be careful what you ask for, lady.” Very slowly he pressed his lips against mine, pulling me even closer to the heat of his body.
I was thrown into a quiet moment of peace.
As if there was no one else around, no deadlines for copious amounts of work.
As always, the taste of him ignited the fire between us, the jolts of electricity sparking through every cell and tendon.
I was breathless as I clung to him, his kiss remaining gentle at first then exploding with need. Sadly, as soon as the intimate moment had begun, he pulled away, taking my hand into his.
“You’re coming with me,” Montgomery stated, already dragging me toward my office door.
“Whoa. I can’t go anywhere. I’m trying to finalize a very important meeting.
I’m sitting on pins and needles.” I’d also tried for several days to confirm an appointment with one of the chief executives of Costco, the woman who determined what wines would be stocked in their stores.
I’d tracked her down, finding out she was in Napa visiting another client.
I’d literally begged her assistant to set up a meeting, including plying the girl with flowers.
I was learning to be just as ruthless as Montgomery.
Now I just had to wait to see if my tactics had worked.
“You know you are required to follow my rules,” he growled.
“You are a very bad man. At least let me grab my phone.” I managed to pull away from him, racing toward my desk. As usual, he’d already pushed my excitement into overdrive.
“I am.” He laughed as he pulled me down the stairs to the truck he’d been using. When he opened the door, he winked. What the hell had gotten into the man?
“Where are we going?” I asked as he pushed me onto the seat.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I’m not sure I like surprises.”
“You’re going to need to get used to them.” He wasn’t paying any attention. As he jumped into the driver’s side, his grin remained. “Buckle up.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
As he rolled out of the parking lot, he stopped just before hitting the road.
I expected him to turn toward the entrance to the winery.
Instead, he turned the other way. For a few seconds, I was fearful he was taking me to the cut through, forcing me to take a look at what was left of the Kingstons’ property.
When he pulled into the gravel parking area of the barn, I was shocked.
“What are we doing here?”
He cut the engine and remained where he was, continuing to look out the windshield. “It’s past time to move on with my life, Aspen. As I told you before, you’ve taught me how to live again. You’ve also given me a reason to want to. Come on. Just trust me.”