Never.
A few nightmares don’t control me. There was a time when they did, but that time is long gone.
My work brings me contentment. The vines bring me contentment.
My father, brother, sisters. Even my mother, though we’ve never been as close as she is to the others. All of them bring me contentment.
I can’t ask for anything more.
“We’ll drive over to the winery now,” I say to Ashley.
She nods, still rubbing her arms. For someone who seems to enjoy talking, she’s been pretty quiet for the last several minutes.
“Wait,” she finally says.
“What?”
“I’m not sure…”
“What?” I repeat impatiently.
“I shouldn’t stay here. It’s obvious you don’t want me here, and now that Diana’s leaving tomorrow… I think it’s best if I pack my bags and head back to California.”
“Aren’t you getting credit for this internship?”
“Yeah, but I’ll just register for some classes to make it up. I can still register late.”
“Ashley…” I have no idea what to say. I’ve been a jerk. I know it, but I can’t seem to help myself.
She lifts her brows, as if asking me to continue.
“My uncle made a deal with you, and he’s still the boss here, at least until this season is over.”
“Yeah,” she says. “But this is clearly not going to work out.”
“Fuck.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means fuck. I fucked up. I fucked this whole thing up.”
She nods. “You did. And so did I.”
I can’t fault her words. We’re both to blame.
“I’ve been an asshole,” I say.
“You have been, and I’ve been rude and insensitive.”
“You have been,” I say.
“I’m sure we both have our reasons.”
“I’m sure we do,” I agree, “but we’re adults, and we’re professionals.”
“True.”
“So what can I do to get you to stay?”
I have no idea what to expect, but what she ultimately says isn’t anywhere on my radar.
“You can kiss me again.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Ashley
I clasp my hand to my lips.
Did I really just say that?
Good going, Ash. He’ll be gunning to get rid of you now.
His eyes darken once more to the mossy green. He inches closer, and he opens his mouth.
He’s going to say something douchey. I know this already, and I brace myself.
Until he grabs my hand away from my mouth, and his lips are on mine, probing the seam.
I open gladly, and he sweeps his tongue around mine. This is no gentle kiss. Not soft, like the last time.
This is a raw kiss. A kiss borne in anger and unsated lust.
Oh, yes. He’s angry with me, as I am with him. The ire coils through me and around me, and the growl from his throat enrobes me in that gorgeous red color of his voice.
We’re swimming in a sea of Syrah, our lips sliding together, our tongues twirling. He cups one cheek, and his other hand… God, yes. He covers my breast and squeezes lightly. Just lightly, but my nipple tightens and is so hard I swear it could cut a diamond.
Instead of giving it the hard pinch it yearns for, though, Dale slides his hand upward to my shoulder and glides the strap of my tank down my arm so one breast pops free.
The air hits my nipple, and it’s harder than ever now.
He releases my cheek and, with his other hand, slides the other strap of my tank down until both my boobs are free.
He breaks the kiss and inhales a sharp breath.
“God. Your tits are as perfect as I knew they’d be.”
They’re nice, round and perky, but they’re small. A B cup on a good day. His sisters and mom all have huge boobs. He’s used to—
But before I can dwell any more on my small tits, he clamps his lips around one.
I gasp, and my nerves skitter along my flesh. His mouth is burning hot on my nipple, the suction so perfect and complete.
I thread my fingers through his amazing honey hair. It’s soft as silk, just as I knew it would be. I could spend hours touching his hair. Touching him. He groans against the flesh of my breast, his lips still clamped around my nipple.
The throbbing between my legs has intensified into a deep ache, a deep need. I want him. I want Dale. I want all of him.
Right. Now.
“Is anyone else coming in today?” I ask, breathless.
“Maybe,” he rasps. “Don’t care.”
I close my eyes, letting the sound and color of his voice embrace me in a psychedelic hug. The feelings overwhelm me. Feelings of lust and desire and pure passion. I want more of his kisses. More of his mouth on my body.
He cups my other breast, teasing the nipple with his fingers. It’s already taut and hard, and his touch… God, his touch…
A sigh escapes my throat with a high squeak. A sound I’m not sure I’ve ever made before. A sound for him. For Dale.
He lets my nipple drop. It glistens from his mouth, and his breath is hot against me. “I could suck on these all day.”