“I’m saying they never pulled the trigger. Even though Sunset, now I know mostly Jerry, played by his own rules, it didn’t affect us overly much. Things could have been better, of course. Like the partnership we’ve been talking about and the things you already worked out with Min and Brooke, but it never became that big of a problem.”
“Until now. Until the brewery.”
“No,” I clarified. “Until you. If you think the brewery is the best utilization of that land, then you should do it. Healthy competition can be good. We could cross-promote the breweries like the wineries. But if Jerry thinks he can treat you like a second-class citizen, even if you’re part owner, he’s in for a rude awakening.”
Rae put her wine in the holder too. “I’m not sure I completely understand. What exactly will happen to Jerry?”
“Not ‘will happen.’ It’s already started. My father talked to the Seneca Lake Wineries Association. He’s informed every one of its members, pretty much all of the wineries on the lake except Sunset, that they’re to deal with you, and you alone. The contractors Jerry tried to get bids from will refuse to move forward without your go-ahead.”
“You’ve blackballed him?”
“No,” I clarified. “He’s blackballed himself by acting like a complete asshole.”
“But technically...”
“Ok, maybe technically we did.” I could help but smile thinking of Jerry’s reaction when he would have to start paying the piper for not playing nice. “But the guy deserved it. Probably a long time ago.”
“I...I don’t know what to say.”
“Are you upset?”
“Upset? Are you kidding me? Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty to win.” Lawyer Rae smiled. “I’m just in shock.”
“Honestly, I won’t be surprised if this is the kick in the ass he needs to realize this valley isn’t a big ol’ boardroom. We’re a tight knit community, especially among vintners, and that’s something he just never fully grasped.”
Rae shook her head. “I just,” our eyes met. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I wanted to get everything in place to tell you in person. That’s why I waited a few days.”
Rae stood. I wasn’t sure what she was up to at first, but when I tried to stand up as well, she gestured for me to stay. When she knelt in front of me, I hardened instantly. “Rae.” I swallowed.
She reached up, unbuttoned my shorts and looked at me with all of the control I no longer had. Powerless to the spell she cast over me, I helped her push my shorts and underwear down just enough to spring me free. The second her hands wrapped around me, and Rae lowered her head, I nearly came.
Wanting so badly to let her keep going, Rae’s lips wrapped around my cock as she glided up and down, there was only one thing I wanted even more. With a Herculean effort, I guided her off me and looked into her eyes.
“I want to be inside you Rae,” was all I said.
She stood, reached inside her sundress and slid her panties down tossing them next to the chair. “I’m on the pill.”
Holy shit. Rae without a condom. I couldn’t wait another second. Reaching up and forward, I grabbed her, pulling Rae on top of me. The oversized chair lounged back just enough to accommodate us both as she tucked her knees on each side of me.
Lifting her dress, I rubbed my thumb in circles, Rae’s eyes closing as I finally slid two fingers inside of her when I could tell she was ready. But then, feeling her wetness, I didn’t wait much longer. I couldn’t. Not after being without her these past few days. Rae didn’t need any further encouragement. Watching me the entire time, she guided herself down, as inch by blessed inch, I filled her.
I didn’t waste a second. But to be fair, neither did Rae, and she simultaneously kissed me and rode me hard. I met each thrust with one of my own, wanting so badly to come. When I could feel Rae’s legs tense, her breathing became more erratic as she pulled back and looked into my eyes, I knew she was close.
“Come for me, love.”
“Marco...”
“That’s not just an endearment,” I made clear. “I love you so fucking much.”
She came then, crying out my name. I buried myself deeply, Rae falling atop me as I said it over and over, somehow still able to talk through the most intense climax of my life.
“I love you,” I said it again and again, barely aware that she was saying it too. As we finished, I didn’t pull out. Rae didn’t move, despite the fact that she must have been uncomfortable. My face buried in her hair, I breathed in. Held her close.
“I guess we can safely say I’m off the market for good,” I told eventually her, wanting Rae to understand. I didn’t want another woman. Not now. Not ever.
“I’ll be honest,” Rae said, pulling off but not moving to get up. “This is the last place I ever thought to find myself when I came to this valley.”