Zack casually leaned back further and propped his leg up over his knee. “Go on.”
“W-well. I think it’s good that we center on the history of the winery and vineyard and the reason you decided to keep everything…contained.”
He nodded thoughtfully. A grin of amusement curled his lips again. “Was that all you were thinking?”
“Excuse me?”
“It seemed to me that you had your mouth open,” he said, his eyes dropping to her lips, which caused her to subconsciously lick them.
This was not working out very well for her. Blue had never been so hot for a guy like this and he was not making it easy for her. Was this some sort of test?
Have mercy. Please let me not screw this up.
All she could think of was throwing her notes on the ground, leaping over his desk, scattering his notes aside as she did so, and sucking the life out of him with a passionate kiss. She wanted to feel his firm body with her own hands and enjoy pleasuring him but she had to get her mind away from that all.
She clearly must have been working way too hard. She was having uncontrollable erotic thoughts about this man. It both thrilled and frightened her at the same time.
She could feel the sexual power from across the table. It was too palpable. Blue reached for a glass of water on the side table and took a long swig.
“If you’re going to work around me, Miss Monroe, you’ll need to get used to my…sense of humor. I often put people on the spot to see how they react. It’s good practice.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because. It’s mind games.”
“Who’s playing mind games?”
“Well…” Be careful what you say, Blue.
“Miss Monroe, life is stressful as it is. Work can be even more so. Our motto here at Romero Winery and Vineyard is ‘work hard, play harder.’”
“Of course.” Blue pulled out her notepad and began taking notes. “I’ve read about your philosophies.”
“And you’ve probably heard that as many as ninety-nine percent of doctors' visits stem from stress-related illnesses.”
Blue swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“Having a sense of humor is not just the ability to tell jokes, but the ability to take a joke.” Zack’s expression melted into a warm smile.
Blue smiled, sheepishly. “Sorry.” It was then she remembered not long ago seeing and hearing the vineyard workers cheerfully having fun while pruning the vines. They even enjoyed a laughter session. It was refreshing to see a highly-energized, positive work environment. She had experiences at her job at Channel 31 News as anything but cheerful and positive. There was a whole lot of backbiting, backstabbing and backbreaking work going on there. She loved reporting and worked with some fine co-workers but all it took was a few sour grapes to spoil what could otherwise be a healthy work environment. There didn’t seem to be any workplace politics going on at Romero Winery and Vineyard. None that she could sense, anyway. That in and of itself spoke volumes about their boss, Zack Romero.
“No need to be apologetic. I noticed how stressed out you appeared when you got out of your car today.”
“You were watching me?” Blue looked out at the window to Zack's left and could see her parked car not far across the lawn in full view. Of course, he had a clear view from his office. And he must have noticed that she was fiddling with her skirt that kept riding up when she moved the first day she arrived to work there a few weeks ago. Oh, heavens!
“When my staffers…and contractors, come to work here, I like positive energy. We give it and we expect it. Negativity breeds illness and we want our crops to flourish, and most importantly, our valuable employees to do so as well.”
“I like that,” she said. Feeling more foolish than before. There she was thinking, wishfully thinking, that he was making a pass at her when in fact he was just trying to get her to lighten up. He probably read her anxiety-ridden body language. Oh, God!
“I trust that you’ve tasted Romero Wine by now?” he arched a brow, flirtatiously.
Oh, God! Would I ever love to taste your wine. Blue had heard of Zack Romero’s reputation with women. The man had a commanding presence, a killer body and charm to die for. She could imagine what a sexy lover he would be underneath the silky sheets.
“Well, no. Well, yes.”
“Oh?” A grin played across Zack's lips. “Which is it, Miss Monroe?”
“Sorry, I’m just…” a bit flustered right now. I can’t even think in your presence for some bizarre reason.
He pressed a button on his intercom system. “Yes, sir?” The bodiless voice sounded on the other end.
“Please bring the Merlot, 1976.”
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”
“We have a wine tasting room as you know but for the moment I’m going to improvise.”
Blue’s heart hammered in her chest. Was Mr. Zack Romero about to do what she thought he was about to do?
“I’m going to give you a lesson, Miss Monroe.” A smirk curled his sinfully sexy lips.
“A lesson?”
“Yes. I’m going to give you a lesson on how to taste a Romero.”
Heat rushed to the soft flesh between her legs. What did he just say?
“I’m going to show you how to capture the true essence of Romero Winery,” he continued, grinning slightly. His dark sexy gaze burned into her. “It is an important aspect of working here that you fully appreciate all that we are. Our taste is our business.” His eyes drifted to her lips and she subconsciously licked them.
Taste? Your business?
Blue swallowed hard. Girl, you’ve handled politicians, gangsters, protesters and dangerous weather conditions as a reporter. You can handle Zack Romero. Alone.
“Okay,” she said, trying to summon her inner confidence.
Moments later, a member of his staff set the table up in his office for some experimental taste testing. The gentleman covered the oak table in a white satin cloth then laid out a few glasses and two bottles of wine.
“Now, remember, Miss Monroe. Wine tasting is not wine drinking. You are only whetting your palate,” Zack said, standing at the wine tasting table with Blue at his side, looking on.
He uncorked the first bottle on the table then poured her a glass of red wine. “This is the result of one hundred percent estate-grown grapes from our own vineyard.”
Blue had heard a lot about family owned and operated vineyards and the intimacy they often provided but this was…different.
Splendid. Blue was giddy all of a sudden. She didn’t know why. A private tasting with Zack Romero? This was not how she had envisioned this day to be. It was thankfully better.
From the first day she had arrived, the air around the estate was filled with the fresh fragrance of juicy grapes and flowers and the breathtaking scenery almost stole her breath away. Blue would volunteer here, never mind work here, just to soak in the delightful views every day. How nice to be able to live on the property.
“Got it,” she said, trying to hide her trembling. What was she afraid of? Heck, she’d never done this before. What was he expecting her to say…or do? What was she to look for…to taste for?
“In wine circles, tasting is the sensory evaluation of this magnificent elixir. This practice is as ancient as wine making itself.” She loved to hear the sound of Zack’s smooth, delicious deep voice. It wasn’t just what he said, but the way he said it.
“That’s intriguing to know,” she said, jotting down some notes on her pad. Blue placed the notepad and pen down on the table and took the wine glass from Zack. She was ever aware of his eyes on her the entire time. That didn’t really do much to help her nervousness.
“There are four stages to wine tasting, Miss Monroe,” he said in a low voice, his gaze capturing her own.
“The appearance.”
“Yes,” she said, noting the beautiful, sparkling red liquid in her glass.
“Then there is
the aroma of the wine,” he said, as he stood close to her with a glass of his own in his hand. He lifted the glass near enough to her nostrils so she could catch the sweet scent.
“Next is my favorite phase. The taste. The sensation in my mouth,” he explained in a low voice. “Some tasters spit it out when done. But I’m a man who enjoys swallowing.” A sly grin etched his face. “I like the flavor to slide down my throat,” he said, dark passion burning in his eyes, his voice smooth, deep and slippery like raw silk.
Blue’s body grew weak and flimsy. Her inner thighs throbbed out of control now. I want you.
No. Get a hold of yourself, girl, she scolded herself inwardly. Why were her thoughts traveling down the direction of naughty lane? She had thoughts of him sensuously tasting her between her thighs and squeezed her eyes shut momentarily and drew in a deep breath.
Stop thinking, Blue. Don’t even go there. You’re working!
There was just something so seductive and connecting about sweet wine and smooth sex. Like you could ever have a chance with Zack.
Zack’s scent was arousing and delicious. Blue had to steer her thoughts away from him.
She sipped from the glass at his insistence and oh, the taste was delicious, sweet, silky, fascinating. “Oh,” she moaned in her throat.
“Smooth, isn’t it?” Zack said with a satisfactory boyish grin.
“Hmm,” she voiced again. That was all she could say.
Zack’s gaze followed Blue’s luscious lips. Heat surged through his body at her mesmerized gaze. A delicious fire blazed in the darkness of his eyes. The woman looked stunning. His crotch jumped, to his chagrin, at her sexual response to tasting his sweet wine. Oh, the things he could do to her to make her scream out, never mind, moan with delight. He could bet that she would taste of sweet wine.
Control, Zack.
Abstinence. You’re not quite done yet. You still have another day to go. It was a crazy few weeks without the silky touch of a beautiful woman, like Blue, in his arms. He’d thought he would have gone crazy out of his mind.
Why surely he could control his feelings towards this stunning woman before him. He was beginning to harden between his loins so he had to trail his mind away from Miss Monroe.
Control.
“Hmm. You have an impressive portfolio of wine, Zack.”
“Mastering the art of women…I mean, winetasting, is essential in order to get the most experience of your consumption of fine wine.”
Blue stood there grinning. It was obvious to him that she’d caught his Freudian slip of the tongue.
Good. At least she didn’t seem the least bit offended.
“The final stage is what we call the finish. The aftertaste.”
“Good. That was quite an experience. Sweet, savory. Memorable.”
“I like that. I appreciate your comments.”
He poured another glass after uncorking the next bottle. Her first glass was, of course, still full, since the intent was not to drink. It was to take a taste. “Now try this one.”
“What is this?”
“A dry white wine.”
“Now, Miss Monroe, when you take a taste, you take a small sip and let it roll around in your mouth this time.”
Why had he told her that? He could visualise her rolling a part of him inside her mouth. Oh, God! He was, of course, referring to the wine.
Enough. He commanded his thoughts back to matters at hand. Not on some fantasy.
Control.
The truth was, Zack was a playboy. He loved women more than he loved fine wine. He just couldn’t trust chicks as much these days. Yet, something deep inside him told him that Blue Monroe was different. He’d had women openly flirting with him in situations less intimate than this one. One even playfully tried to rip off his shirt.
Blue was different.
Gracias a Dios!
“You have wine dribbling from your lips, Miss Monroe,” he said in a low voice that sent her pulse racing like mad. Her inner thighs tingled. He reached his finger to brush it off her but the electricity pulled her hard in his direction. Before she knew it, Zack had lowered his head to hers. She could feel the heat of his sex. She could almost taste it.
Kiss me. I want to taste you so badly, Zack.
As if he could hear her wishes, Zack softly brushed her lips with his and electrical currents surged through her blood. She shivered uncontrollably at the sensation of his amazing lips on hers as he kissed her seductively. Wow! Rainbows seemed to arch inside her belly at his light strokes and oh, so delicious taste. The silky feel of his lips on hers was delightful; it stole her breath away.
Have mercy.
She had never known what it was like to be kissed by a reputed highly experienced lover like this. Zack had the touch! No wonder he was known as a playboy.
They both placed their glasses on the table. Zack snaked his strong arm around her waist. She could feel his power. A potent surge entered her body from his. He slid his warm, moist tongue inside her mouth, swirling so magically and she tilted her head back and moaned in pleasure. She was exploding with fireworks inside from…his passionate kiss. Oh, wow! He pulled her closer to him and lifted his finger to trace the outline of her jaw and lifted her head back up to his. Their tongues danced and became sweetly entwined. Zack tasted delicious like sweet, red wine.
French kissing her until she was dizzy and her legs felt weak, Blue’s body continued to heat to scorching levels. She could feel the dampness pooling inside her panties. Her sex pulsed uncontrollably as he held her firm, his hand sliding down cupping her behind as he groaned with pleasure.
Oh, God! I want you. Take me now.
She was enthralled by the magical expert kiss of this…sex god! She was in ecstasy. She was intoxicated with his salacious lovemaking of the lips. She arched her back in delight. Zack leaned her against the table pushed against the wall and like love-hungry animals, he swept the expensive wine glasses aside with one quick motion and shifted her up on the table. She could feel the hardness of his erection pressing through his pants as the heated passion consumed them with delight. His lips followed the sensitive skin on her neck as his hands massaged and held her body. She wrapped her arms around Zack’s neck while he continued to pleasure her with his hotness, sucking on her lips causing them to tingle like she’d never felt before. The sensation of his skin on hers was magical.
How could this be?
There was a strong electrical connection between them, an explosive chemical reaction that could not be denied.
She was kissing Zack Romero. Blue was making out with her hot and oh, so sexy boss. She was dreaming. This wasn’t real, she mused. She was dreaming.
Oh, sweetness.
She thought she would die from too much excitement pumping her heart.
Heat.
Then, breathless, Zack pulled away. He looked into her eyes and a sudden change in temperate seeped through them. He looked away, clenching his jaw as if cursing under his breath.
“I’m sorry,” he said, breathing hard. His voice hoarse. “I should not have done that.” A serious look slid across his handsome face.
Sorry?
For kissing me?
Am I that hideous?
“W-what?” Blue whispered, breathless. Blue was trembling inside. Her body was throbbing. She needed release soon but now she would not have that satisfaction. Why did he stop? She straightened her top and drew in a deep breath. She could feel her pulse beating hard in her throat.
Sorry?
He was sorry?
“Is something wrong?” she murmured.
“No. We have work to do, Miss Monroe.”
“Now,” he said as if nothing happened moments before. Moments ago, he looked disappointed with himself when he had rearranged the table and ensured Blue was okay. “I shouldn’t have done that,” he admitted again in a smooth, deep voice. “Please forgive my moment of…indiscretion.”
“No. I…we…I kissed you. It’s okay…” Blue dropped he
r gaze to her notepad. She was feeling terrible for some reason and she didn’t know why. She was disappointed he stopped. Was she ashamed for wanting him? Or for him rejecting her?
“Let’s start again then, shall we?” He leaned forward while sitting behind his desk in the sun-filled glass office. His hands were clasped on the desk. His gaze fixed on hers. “First things, first. I will need you to work with Venus tomorrow and she will show you around the office to get a feel of the work that goes on at this end of the business. You’ll be spending another two weeks in her section.”
“Okay,” Blue agreed, scribbling down the notes.
“She’ll give you access to some of the material you’ll want for the documentary. And trust me, there will be plenty to keep you busy in your research.”
“Good. I have a question.” Blue could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of rejection that he did not pursue her further. But she was there to do a job. She realized that a man in his position could not afford another family scandal like the one that plagued his brother. In fact, the Romeros always seemed to be in the local news for one thing or another dealing with their love lives or their dating adventures. She really didn’t want to be one of them.
Yes, let’s pretend it didn’t happen. Let’s start all over again. She thought the words in her mind but her heart was crushed by the sentiment.
So did this mean she would never again have the pleasure of his lips…or more?
He paused, saying nothing.
There was an awkward silence for a moment and Blue was aware of her own breathing and the sound of her heart pounding in her chest.
“Can I interview you about the special new project that you’re working on for the Viticulture program at the college? That’s one area we haven’t covered yet.”
“Yes. But not now. Much later.”
“Oh. Okay.” Blue spoke softly, trying to hide her disappointment.
“At the end of your research phase, I will take you personally on a few formal wine tastings.”
“Oh,” was all she could say. What was wrong with her? She was usually way more coherent and talkative than she was now. Holy cow! This man had some bewitching effect on her.
The Playboy Billionaire (The Romero Brothers, Book 3) Page 5