Page 48 of Wine & Dine

19

It’s in his kiss

[Dolores]

Do I love him? How could I be in love with him? I shouldn’t love him. That would be dangerous. We hardly know one another. First of all, he’s Garrett Fox. He owns Fox Investors, which sounds important and influential. I’m Dolores Chance, diner owner in a small town located literally across the country. Which brings me to reason number two. We don’t live anywhere near one another. But neither money nor distance can change my heart.

I won’t tell him how I feel, though. I’ve learned my lesson well over the years. He seems just as surprised as me that he said such a thing. His eyes tell me not to reply to his off-the-cuff comment. Don’t ruin the moment and tell him the truth. Don’t destroy the moment and lie. Just let it be. So I do.

He quickly withdraws from me, fumbles to help me with my leggings, and tucks himself away. Hopping to his feet, he reaches down for my hands and tugs me to stand. I pull his jacket with me, and he shakes it out before draping it over his arm.

“We should probably head back,” he admits, whistling for Wally to rouse from his afternoon siesta. Wally yawns, stretches, and stands, taking his time to saunter ahead of us down the path leading to the inn. We follow in awkward silence. We haven’t gone far before Garrett reaches for my hand and stops me.

“Look, about that. What I said. I—”

My finger covers his lips to stop him. Please don’t say you didn’t mean it. He didn’t declare he loved me. He only said I loved him. He isn’t wrong, but we don’t need to discuss it. I don’t need to turn the tables and put him on the spot. Instead, I say, “Garrett, kiss me.”

He leans forward and takes my mouth, tender and sweet. His fingers loosely touch my jaw as he kisses me like he always does. The kiss tells me nothing has changed between us. We are still wildly attracted to each other. That’s all we need right now.

Slowly, he pulls back, taking my lower lip with his before releasing me. His forehead comes to mine, and once again, he says, “What are you doing to me?”

“Well, I can think of a few things, but we’ve already done them.”

He chuckles as he looks down at me. “Oh, I have a few more tricks.”

“Sounds like a treat for me,” I tease, and he laughs a little harder. His arm slips over my shoulder and mine goes around his waist, and although we walk back with fewer words, I still feel good about where we are right now.

+ + +

As I only have the one dress, we go more casual on our second night at the vineyard. We spent the afternoon napping, Garrett curled around me, and I feel rested for the first time in a long time. In the evening, we head to the bar where we order another sampling of wine and dance while soft music plays. Close. Tight. Together.

Tipsy, we return to the room where Garrett stops me beside the bed.

“I want to play,” he says, his voice turning darker, seductive, and rough as a finger trails down my arm. My back remains to him as he flattens his palms and trails them back up my arms.

“Okay,” I whisper, trembling with excitement and possibility. “A leash?” I tease, my voice cracking. Would I consider such a thing? I think that’s too much for me.

“I promise I won’t go that far.” He chuckles as he purrs near my ear. “Just let me lead.”

Nodding in response, I turn to face him. He kisses me slowly, taking his time to outline my lips, memorize my mouth, and circle my tongue. His hands wander as he removes my sweater and then lowers my jeans. I’d already kicked off my booties, and Garrett directs me, “Put on the red heels.”

I do as he says and stand before him in black underwear and a matching bra. Nothing lacy or fancy but still black. His eyes remain on mine as he tugs off his dress shirt along with the T-shirt underneath.

“Walk to the chair,” he commands, watching me with the eyes of a hungry predator. I do as he asks, taking my time, but my fingers twitch. Having his eyes on me like this and knowing he’s watching me move make me nervous. The sway of my hips. The tightness of my backside. The flip of my hair over my shoulder. My skin is hyperaware he’s going to touch me soon, and my sex clenches with anticipation. “Sit.”

I spin and fold down into the low-armed bedroom chair. Garrett slips off his pants but leaves on his boxers for the moment. He sits on the small footrest before me and strokes my upper thighs.

“Ever been tied up?”

“No,” I choke.

“How about blindfolded?”

“No.” My voice softens.

“Ever consider either?” His fingers skitter down my skin to my knees. I shrug. “It’s me, sweetheart. You can tell me.” If Garrett wants me to spell out my fantasies, I don’t think I can.

“Being tied up involves a certain level of trust.” My eyes shift from his. It’s not that I don’t trust him. I do. But do I trust this process? I’d be so vulnerable to him, and I already feel exposed. “I’d want to touch you too much,” I clarify, hoping to soothe the concern on his brow. The corner of Garrett’s mouth curls. “But I’m curious about being blindfolded. It seems the experience would be heightened without sight.”