"I got that from my private stash in my office. Amelia’s company does the social media for the winery, so every now and then, they ship her a case. She's not able to drink it because she’s still nursing, so she gives me some."
I studied him, noting that while his words seemed very matter of fact, I could hear pride in his voice. I could see it in his eyes. At the same time, I saw sadness, or maybe guilt as well. I wanted to ask about it, but it was none of my business.
"I need to talk to you privately, Ms. Pearson. If you finish that wine, we have an excuse to go to my office without it looking suspicious."
My stomach fluttered, but I couldn't be sure whether it was anxiety about his intentions or hope that he had intentions. Good golly, I was a mess.
As if he knew my concern, he said, “This is strictly a business talk." He shook his head. "Admittedly, it's going to be unconventional, but I swear to God, I'm not trying to make a pass or anything."
It was really stupid how much those words hurt. Didn't he think I was worth making a pass at?
Fortunately, he hadn't put very much wine in the glass, which told me he'd been planning to get me alone when he’d gotten it for me. I took a couple of sips and then gulped the rest down.
He nodded toward the hall that went to his office, and I preceded him. He walked behind me, and I hoped no one could see us. I didn't want to have a reputation with my new coworkers for sleeping with my boss. If he were asking Mrs. Curtis to do this, I'm sure no one would think twice. She was old enough to be his mother. Then again, she was a fairly good-looking woman, so maybe they’d think he wanted a cougar. I shook my head to rid it of all the thoughts careening through it.
When we got to his office, he shut the door behind us. "Go ahead and take a seat on the couch. This is business, but it doesn't have to be formal.”
I did as he asked, sitting on the couch.
He went to the bar in the corner of his office and poured himself another drink. "Would you like another glass of wine?" He held up a bottle.
I really did, but I shook my head. "I like to keep a clear mind at an office party. I don't want to become a part of office gossip."
He ran his hand through his hair. “Fuck. I didn't think of that." He looked toward the closed door as if he was wondering whether partygoers were assuming the worst. Finally, he sighed and brought his drink to the couch. He sat next to me, though not too close, and turned his body to face me. "I'm just going to come out with it, okay?"
I nodded, wishing I had the glass of wine if only to have something for my hands to fidget over. What was going on? Was he going to fire me?
"I have a very inappropriate proposition to make to you."
My eyebrow arched and my entire body went rigid. He said inappropriate, not indecent, but that didn't mean they didn't refer to the same thing.
He waved his hand. "It doesn't involve sex. I promise that's not what this is all about."
For some reason, that didn't completely reassure me.
"As you know, we had a board meeting today, and I let some of the members know that I was suspicious of them. They, in turn, let me know that they felt I was a liability to this company because I was a rich, single male who could ruin the company with scandalous affairs." He laughed derisively. "Fucking hypocrites. It's okay for my father to bully, intimidate, and bribe people, skirting the boundaries of legality in business, but heaven forbid I fuck anyone."
I blinked, wondering why he was telling me all this. Sure, I was his assistant, but it still felt like TMI.
He gave his head a quick shake. "Sorry. I'm just still really pissed off. The point is, they told me that because I wasn't married I wasn't settled, I wasn't stable. They indicated that potential new clients and customers would see that as a liability. Apparently, being a single young man means I'm helpless to the whims of my dick."
Once again, I wished I had wine because right about now, I could've used it, partly from the shock of his language but also to cool the heat flashing through my body at the mention of his dick. How crazy was that?
I swallowed as I ignored the heat and focused on his words. "Are you tasking me with finding you a wife?" That was another thing not on my job duties. How did even one go about doing that?
"Not exactly."
So, what the heck did he want?
He took another drink, his eyes staring at me intently, and a strange feeling grew deep in my gut.
"What I'm asking is if you'll marry me.”
CHAPTERFIVE
James
Her mouth dropped open. Her eyes rounded like she couldn't believe what I’d just asked. To be honest, I couldn’t believe it either. Up until the moment the words left my lips, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get them out. But I had, and she stared at me like I'd grown a third eye.