by J. H. Croix
With a mental shake, I exited her bedroom and decided to go see more of the business. By late afternoon, I’d been given a tour of the winery. I meandered through the fields, if only because I was curious. The crowds for the flowers were beginning to thin out when I saw a couple climbing out of their car, followed by a goat. A bloody goat.
Chapter Six
Anna
“Hey, Anna,” Aubrey called as she crossed the parking area with her pet goat trotting along beside her.
At that moment, I sensed Jasper’s presence. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him standing inside the gate that led from the parking area into the flower greenhouse. My skin prickled, and my belly did a little flip. Even from here, it felt like his eyes were peeling away all my layers. That had to be my imagination.
Looking away, I smiled brightly at Aubrey and Chance. “How’s it going?” Chance asked, ever cheerful. Chance was a retired professional soccer player from Australia. With his fit body, copper-brown hair, and blue eyes, he was hard not to notice, yet he only ever had eyes for Aubrey, who was a looker all on her own with her auburn curls and wide green eyes. All good looks aside, they were good friends to me, and I was glad I’d gotten to know them.
I’d met Aubrey and Chance by chance. No pun intended. They liked to travel with their pet goat, Pixy, but they’d needed to fly somewhere and called the farm because they heard we had goats and wondered if he could stay here temporarily. Thus, a friendship was born. Every so often, I went out of town, and it was nice to know someone local who I could ask to help in a pinch for taking care of the goats and the chickens.
“Hey there, how’s Pixy?”
“He’s good. He’s getting old,” Chance offered.
I looked down at Pixy. He was quite the character. He bumped his head against my knees, and I leaned over to pet him. “He looks healthy as can be,” I offered as I straightened. “What brings you out here today?”
“I was hoping you had a fresh batch of my favorite raspberry mead,” Chance replied.
“We sure do. Would you like to come in and get it?”
They followed me along the path into the winery. “Looks busy today,” Aubrey commented. “That’s good, right?”
“It certainly is.” Aubrey was aware of my financial stressors. “Where’s CJ?” I asked, referring to their young son.
“Chance’s sister has him for the day. Who’s the hottie standing at the gate?” she teased under her breath.
“He’s actually the son of my grandmother’s friend who owns half of this whole place,” I whispered. “It’s a long story, so I’ll have to explain later. Please be nice.”
Chance hadn’t heard any of this and strolled right on past Jasper who turned as I reached him. “How’s it going?” I asked, trying not to be nervous.
My lady parts did a little happy dance and my pulse took off the moment Jasper’s green eyes met mine. “It’s going well. You’ve had a busy day.”
“She’s always busy,” Aubrey chimed in at my side. Pixy trotted off when he saw Jasper and Tinker Bell in their small field nearby.
Jasper looked at her, smiling politely. Gesturing between them, I said, “Aubrey, this is Jasper West. Jasper, this is my friend Aubrey.”
Chance turned back and approached us, his ever-curious eyes bouncing among the three of us. Jasper looked at him quizzically. Chance had been pretty famous during his soccer career, but ever since he and Aubrey had settled down, they lived a fairly quiet life with their young son.
Chance cast Jasper an easy grin. “I’m Chance. Nice to meet you,” he said, holding his hand out.
“Have I seen you before?” Jasper asked as he shook his hand.
Chance shrugged. “Maybe. I used to play soccer professionally.”
“Ah,” Jasper said, that single syllable still managing to sound so very British and kind of haughty.
“They’re here for some fresh raspberry mead,” I explained as we began walking into the winery.
Jasper nodded. “Eloise mentioned she was finishing a batch this morning. She told me I had to have your permission to taste any.”
Eloise had been with the winery when my grandmother started it and helped run the business. I felt my cheeks heat. “I’ll have to explain to her that you actually own half this place. I haven’t had time to talk with the staff since you arrived. Today is one of my busier days.”
We soon stepped into the cool front section of the winery. Since we weren’t doing a tasting today, it was quiet. Aubrey caught my eye as Jasper paused to study the chalkboard behind the bar. I knew she was curious, but I didn’t have much to share about Jasper. Other than the fact that he’d shown up and was about to ruin my life.
I was tense and stressed and worried and anxious, and wondering if any other words could be used to describe the same thing. I shoved those feelings deep down inside.
“Come on back.” I gestured for them to follow me into the non-public area.
When I passed Jasper, I couldn’t help but notice his great ass. Every inch of him was muscular, and his ass was no exception. My hands tingled with the urge to touch him.
I wasn’t crazy, though, so I forced my eyes away. Eloise smiled as we came into the back. “Oh, hey, y’all,” she called, her Southern twang soothing to my rattled nerves.
“Please tell us the mead is ready,” Chance said, lowering his voice to a somber tone.
Eloise brushed her gray curls off her shoulders as she grinned. “Absolutely. If there’s one thing I can handle, it’s a schedule. As long as the ingredients follow my wishes, that is.” She looked over toward me. “I forgot to tell you, the couple who wanted to come out tonight to review some options for their wedding had to cancel because the bride-to-be has a stomach bug.”
“Did they reschedule?” I asked.
“For next week. The only problem is, I had already cooked those pizzas they wanted to taste. I hope you don’t mind if I take some home for the grandkids.” Her blue eyes twinkled when she smiled.
“Of course not. Do you two want to stay for dinner?” I asked as I look toward Aubrey and Chance.
Having them here would alleviate some of the intensity of Jasper. I did not know how to deal with my brand-new roommate under these strange circumstances.
“Hell, yeah,” Chance said with a grin. “We already have a babysitter tonight.”
Aubrey laughed softly, nudging him in the side with her elbow. “We do. We would love to. Are you going to join us, Jasper?” she asked, turning her pretty smile on him.
Jasper had been standing quietly, his eyes perusing the rows of wine bottles. Turning, he nodded. “Of course. I’m here anyway.”
“Oh, are you staying here?” Aubrey queried.
Chapter Seven
Jasper
Aubrey’s wide eyes stared at me. She was practically bubbling over with curiosity. “Yes, I am,” I replied.
Anna looked at me, her cheeks going a little pink. Bloody hell. All that woman had to do was look at me, and she sent a little jolt of lust sizzling through my body. Too bad she hated me.
“It’s kind of weird how Jasper ended up staying here,” she began. “Let’s go out front. I’ll grab a few pizzas and something to drink. Do you want some of the mead tonight?”
“I’m driving, so I’ll take water,” Chance said, holding his hand up.
“I’ll have some,” Aubrey replied as we all turned and followed Anna out to the front of the winery.
When Anna turned to go get the pizzas, she literally shooed me away with her hand when I offered to help. I sat down on one of the stools at the counter at the bar. “How did you end up here after playing soccer?” I asked conversationally.
“I fell in love.” Chance looped his arm around Aubrey shoulders and leaned over to drop a kiss on the side of her neck. Her skin went pink.
“We met on a trip,” she explained. “Chance’s sister lives in the area. It took some time, but we eventually found our way together.”
“Ah, I see.
Mind if I ask how you ended up with a goat?”
“We found him. He fell over in the road, and we stopped to pick him up,” Chance explained.
At that moment, Anna returned. She passed around plates and then set two pizzas on the counter. When I looked down at them, my mouth actually watered.
“Oh my. What are these flavors?” Aubrey asked as she reached for one of the bottles of wine Anna set in the middle of the bar.
“Well, these are for a wedding sampler. Each pizza has four flavors on it. This one has pear with goat cheese and a honey drizzle. This is prosciutto, fresh tomato, and basil. This is good ole pepperoni, and this last one is a variation on Greek with the olives we grow right here,” Anna explained as she gestured to the different sections on each pizza. “Does anybody need water or anything?”
“I do,” Chance reminded her. “Much as I would like to partake of the fresh raspberry mead, I’m going to wait.”
Anna hurried off, returning with a pitcher of water and four glasses. We settled in to eat, and it was truly divine. I was discovering that while I might be living in a rustic area, at least the food was going to be amazing. My omelet this morning currently ranked as the single best breakfast I’d ever had. This was now the best pizza I’d ever tasted.
Over dinner, Anna actually relaxed since the first time I’d met her. It was clear she and Aubrey were close friends. They chatted about local things and the oddities of taking care of goats. Chance told me about his online videos.
There was only one problem.
Anna undid her ponytail and her glorious strawberry curls fell around her shoulders. Her breasts strained at the fabric of her button-down shirt, stretching it slightly, and I wanted to undo that top button with my teeth. The more mead she drank, the more relaxed she became. I found a relaxed Anna to be downright intoxicating. She bordered on tipsy by the time dinner was done, but thankfully, she didn’t need to drive anywhere.
When Chance and Aubrey were ready to leave, we had to help them find Pixy, so I found myself wandering around the barn, calling out for a goat. I found one, but it was Jasper, and he head-butted me right in the shins again.
I looked down at him. “Really?”
Anna approached with the proper goat at her side. I supposed she was a goat charmer.
“That’s a sign of affection. I think he likes you. You do share his name, after all,” she commented.
Aubrey’s laughter reached my ears. “Oh, my God! I didn’t even think about that. That’s hysterical. That’s a sign, you know?”
“A sign?” Anna asked, her brows hitching up and practically flying off her hairline.
“I don’t know what the sign is. I’m just saying it’s got to be one. What are the chances that a man by the name of Jasper would show up and your favorite goat by the same name would love him?”
“I don’t have favorites,” Anna protested, looking truly horrified at this thought.
“We all have favorites. Jasper’s cute and affectionate. Tinker Bell is more standoffish and kind of princessy,” Aubrey observed.
I had to agree with her on that point although I chose not to share that opinion. I didn’t want to offend Anna over her goats.
“Nice to meet you, Jasper,” Aubrey called as she climbed in the car a few moments later.
Chance lifted his hand in a friendly wave. “Hopefully, we’ll see you again while you’re visiting.”
I waved as they drove off. When I looked back, Anna was nowhere to be found, but then I heard her talking. To what, or rather who, I didn’t know. Following the sound of her voice, I found her chatting with the chickens. “And he’s going to ruin everything. What should I do, girls?”
She stumbled slightly as she closed the gate to their small enclosure. I crossed over to her quickly, catching her by the elbow to steady her.
“I’m not going to ruin everything, Anna, okay? We’ll figure it out.”
She walked quietly alongside me before coming to an abrupt stop just under an archway decorated with strung lights.
“You don’t understand,” she said softly. “And why do you have to be so handsome?” This was accompanied by a poke in my chest with her index finger.
“Why don’t we just call it a night? You’ve had a busy day, and I’m sure you’re tired. Now definitely isn’t the time to worry about what’s going happen with my share. Plus, we have a month.”
Anna’s wide brown eyes held mine, and everything in my body tightened. This woman was making me crazy. I didn’t know how else to explain the intensity of my physical response to her. Her palm fell fully against my chest, and my heart lunged toward it. She took a shuddery breath.
“I think you should kiss me,” she announced.
Just then, she leaned up toward me before wobbling and almost knocking us both over. Catching my balance, I held her against me.
“I think not,” I finally replied. “We’ve had a bit too much to drink.”
“Of course, you’d say that. You’re stuffy, snooty, and a prude.”
With that, she nudged me hard in the side with her elbow and walked off.
Chapter Eight
Anna
When I woke, my head was pounding. Ugh. I slowly opened one eye and then the other, squinting at the sunlight angling through my bedroom window. My eyes landed on the clock.
“Oh, fuck. Ouch!” I exclaimed, cradling my forehead with my hand after trying to sit up too abruptly.
I had a hangover, and it was all Jasper’s fault. The moment I recalled Jasper, a wave of mortification slammed into me. I tried to kiss him last night. And he turned me down.
I’d gotten drunk, probably because I was so anxious and stressed about him being here, inspecting his half of the business. The whole situation just made me feel sick and worried and foolish. When Gram had died last year, somehow Jasper’s grandfather—whom I’d never met in person—had felt like this distant but warm and caring figure.
He’d always replied jovially in our correspondence over email and been supportive and encouraging. When I received notice that he had passed away from the lawyer handling his estate, I felt sad even though I’d never met the man. The attorney had assured me there would be no sale without my written agreement.
I didn’t know what I’d imagined would happen, but it definitely wasn’t Jasper showing up all British and sexy and making me feel judged.
I took a longing look at the clock, hoping maybe I’d read it wrong the first time. No such luck. It was still five-thirty a.m. I needed to get up.
The simple act of sitting up in my bed and swinging my feet to the floor had me feeling as if a cruel devil had a hammer inside my skull. I prayed Jasper was asleep although I doubted it. He would be up bright and early again to torture me. Now, I got to be embarrassed on top of everything else.
Wrapping my robe around me, I tiptoed to my door, annoyed that I even had to worry about dealing with someone else in my space. What in the world had his grandfather been thinking by insisting Jasper had to stay here for a month?
After I leaned my ear against the door and detected no sound, I opened it slowly and peered out. A quick scan revealed the living room and kitchen to be free of Jasper, and the guest room door was closed.
I tiptoed out and hurried into the bathroom. After I downed some ibuprofen to get rid of my headache, I climbed into the shower, hoping the steam would help me feel a little bit better before I had to face the day. Thank goodness today wasn’t one of the flower days.
Once I was done showering, I tied the sash to my robe and tiptoed out, crossing into the small kitchenette to start the coffee. Just as I was turning to tiptoe into my bedroom, Jasper’s door opened.
He stepped out, and my jaw almost hit the floor. Dear God. It wasn’t fair that he was so handsome. His dark hair was rumpled from sleep, and the shadow of stubble on his jaw only made him even sexier. His sweatpants hung low on his hips, and he didn’t have a shirt on. I repeat: He. Did. Not. Have. A. Shirt. On.
It felt as
if perhaps an emergency siren should go off alerting me to the fact that I needed to flee. Danger, danger. Too much British hotness entering the room.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and then looked my way. Even sleepy, even with bedhead, the moment his eyes landed on me, his gaze sharpened, and he looked completely alert.
My toes pressed against the cool hardwood floor. They literally wanted to curl because he was so hot. Gah! He had a dusting of dark hair on his chest that narrowed to a little trail. His body was all lean, rangy muscle. My mouth practically watered. It didn’t matter that I had a headache. I just wanted to lick him all over.
Jasper’s eyes swept from my face down to my toes, painted bright purple, and then back up. I felt hot and flushed, and butterflies burst to life in my belly.
I swallowed. “Good morning,” I finally managed, the words coming out too breathless.
“Good morning, Anna. How are you feeling?” he asked in that polite, crisp accent.
I took a breath, not getting all that much air in with my lungs rebelling against my effort to be in control. They were all like, Hell no, he makes us breathless, and we can’t do our job.
“Um, okay.” I gestured vaguely in the direction of the coffee pot. “I made some coffee. It should be ready in a few minutes. I’m just going to get dressed.”
I practically ran past him into my bedroom, wincing when I closed the door too loudly. I leaned my back against it, trying to catch my breath.
“Get a grip,” I whispered to myself. “He probably forgot you tried to kiss him.”
I wanted to hide in my bedroom. But I wasn’t a coward, and I actually had things to do. My stomach let out a growl, also reminding me I was starving.
Pulling out a T-shirt and a clean pair of overalls, I deliberately decided to go with the farm-girl look. I didn’t need to be sexy for him, not at all.