An hour after finishing all the paper work, Elle flops back into her chair. Utter exhaustion mixes with pure elation as a huge grin pulls at her lips. “I can’t believe we did it,” her voice is filled with amazement.
“Well, I can.” I stand behind her, rubbing the tension out of her shoulders, loving how she moans at the softest touch. “You were amazing. Hell, if I wasn’t already invested in Bella Luna’s, I would have jumped on-board, too.”
She chuckles and looks up at me as she rolls her eyes. Her hand covers mine at her shoulder and a look of concern replaces the playful one that was there just a second ago. “We need to talk about earlier.”
Without letting go of her hand, I slide into the chair next to her. “Okay, well, I thought last night was fantastic. Five star performance. You?” I wink, pulling her hand up to my lips for a sweet kiss.
Elle chuckles briefly before the amusement vanishes. “I’m serious, Owen. What are we going to do? What are we going to be, half-owners and…and…lovers? No one will ever take us seriously.”
She’s adorably cute, but very much so misled. “Elle, first of all, if we keep up at the business end of this deal like we did this morning, no one will even bat an eyelash about us being together. And, secondly, if you think I’m going to walk away from what we had last night, well, then you’re crazier than I initially thought.”
Loosening my tie, which has seriously felt like it’s been strangling me from the second I put it on, an idea blossoms in my head. “Things have a funny way of working out, you know. For instance, I can’t stand being in this monkey suit.” Tossing my tie on the table, I undo the first few buttons of my crisp, white dress shirt. “There was a time when all I thought about was shit like this.” Extending my hand over the table, I indicate the piles of paperwork we’ve spent the last twelve plus hours working on.
Standing from my seat, I lean down and capture her lips in a hot-as-hell kiss. Wrapping my hands around her small waist, I lift her up so that her ass sits on the edge of the conference table. Ridding myself of the rest of my shirt, I toss it on the floor. “How does this sound?” I flutter my lips against her neck, her only response a quiet “hmm.”
“I love it out in the fields, more than I ever thought I would.” My lips dance across her collarbone as my fingers work the buttons of her top. “And you love it in here. You’re in your element.” My hands roam up her legs, hiking her skirt up along the way. “Besides, you look stunning in these,” I whisper in her ear, running my fingers along the tops of her stockings.
Angling my head back from her, I meet her eyes. There’s a worrisome look there. “Stop, Elle. You won’t fail.”
“But, I did. The only reason today happened was because of you and Nick.” Her voice wobbles despite the success she’s earned.
“No, sweetheart. She fell in love with your vision. This place is in your heart and in the short time I’ve been here, it’s become a part of mine too. Just not this side. It’s freer out there. The sun on my back, the grapes in my hands. Plus, knowing you’re in here waiting for me, well, that makes it even better.”
Her head rolls back as I kiss the tops of her breasts. My thumbs skim her puckered nipples through the satin of her bra. “What do you think, Elle?”
After lowering her bra, I pull her nipple deeply into my mouth. She groans, lacing her fingers into my hair and holding me against her chest. “That’s not a very articulate answer,” I joke, moving my lips around her pink skin.
“I can’t talk. Fuck, I can’t even think,” she groans again before pulling me back to her body.
“Good. Then just feel and we’ll figure the rest of this out later.”
Without warning, her hands fumble with my pants. Wasting no time, I shove them down just enough to free my cock. I reach around to my back pocket and pull out my wallet. Handing her the condom, I watch in fascination as she tears the wrapper open with her teeth. With a sexy slowness, she unrolls the latex down my erection and stares into my eyes. “Take me, Owen. Now.”
Arching her hips, and resting some of her weight on her hands behind her, I shove her satin-covered pussy up to meet my waiting cock. Sliding her panties to the side, I push into her. “God, you’re so wet.”
“And you’re so hard…oh, God…Owen…” her words turn into breathless pants that come out in time to the rhythm of our movements. Her legs wrap around my waist and I slide my thumb in between us. When it brushes over her clit, she purrs in satisfaction. Looking down at her, her long brown hair tumbling down her back, her rich chocolate eyes darkening with desire, her body pulling tighter and tighter as we get closer and closer, it all pushes me close to the edge of my control.
Adding some extra pressure, I move my thumb in rapid circles over her clit. Her eyes roll back, her pussy clenches, and her breathing deepens. “Owen…” she calls out as her orgasm courses through her.
“Oh, fuck…Elle…” her name tumbles from my lips on one last thrust.
Holding her beautiful face in my hands, I softly kiss her lips. “Besides,” I say, adding to my earlier line of conversation, “I think these midday romps might be fun.” She smiles against my lips and I know she’s seeing the beauty in my plan.
***
“I can’t believe this is actually happening.” I stare in amazement at the gigantic hole in the ground where the small cottage used to be.
“Well, believe it, man, because the cement truck is here. Time to pour the foundation and get this project started.” Nick’s voice is full of excitement as he knocks on my hard hat. The last few weeks have been a bit crazy getting everything in line, but the fact that we’re actually starting today is a huge reward.
Pete walks up next to us, and like three little boys fascinated with the huge machine in front of us, we stare as the workers start filling the foundation. Clapping a hand on my shoulder, Pete says, “This is real good work, Owen. Vincent would be proud.” His words draw a smile across my face.
For the rest of the day, we help with the cement pouring and start with some more minor tasks. There isn’t much we can do right away, so I keep on with my usual jobs. It isn’t until late in the afternoon that Elle catches up with me down out in the fields.
“Hey, babe,” she greets me, stretching up on her toes to pop a quick kiss on my cheek.
Looping my arms around her, I lift her and swing her around. “Hey yourself, beautiful.” She must have already wrapped everything up for the day, because instead of her usual attire, she’s changed into cut-off shorts and a tank top. Even though tennis shoes replace her stilettos, her legs still look amazing.
“Hungry?” she asks as she bends down to pick up the picnic basket next to her.
Like I wolf, I eye her. “Always for you.” She smacks my chest and rolls her eyes.
“Wasn’t this morning enough for you?” Her fingers comb through my hair and her voice takes on a more seductive tone.
“Nope,” I seal my lips over hers, “I’ll never have enough.” Her laughter rolls from her lips just before she pulls away from me.
“You can have more later, after we eat.” She adds another eye roll for good measure. “The food, after we eat food,” she responds to my sly smile.
“It’s really beautiful out here.” Elle looks out at the field from under the large tree where we usually have our picnics. The sun is falling behind the small hills that dot the landscape in the distance, but all I see is her. I never thought I’d be happier than when I was working with my investment firm in Boston. God, how wrong was I?
Pulling her to my side, I kiss the top of her head. “More beautiful than watching me work out here?” I laugh against her hair, knowing that her cheeks are turning a nice shade of pink.
“I do– ” her attempts at defense are cut off by my lips.
“You do, too. I don’t mind, though.” She jabs me in my side at my joke. “I like catching you staring at me.”
“Wait a second,” she exclaims, crawling on my lap. Now straddling me, with my back pr
essed up against the thick tree trunk, she holds my face in her hands. “The only way you could know I’m staring at you,” her fingers graze over the light stubble on my jaw as her thumb sweeps over my lip, “is if you’re staring up at me.” Her lips gently press against mine as her hips grind in my lap.
“Caught red-handed,” I smile against her lips, holding her close to me. She shoots me a look, suggesting she’s anything but surprised. After another heated kiss, she crawls off my lap and situates herself between my legs so that her back is pressed up against my chest. We enjoy the rest of our meal and bottle of wine overlooking our vineyard as the sounds of the construction crew fade into the background.
Chapter 10
Elle
“Owen,” I call out into the almost complete darkness of the wine cellar. “Are you down here?” Of course, I know he’s down here; this is where he’s spent most of the winter working on the latest harvest. Wandering down the cool hallways, I have to admit, I miss the hot summer months when Owen would walk around the fields. Catching the more than occasional glimpse of him shirtless, his hard, lean muscles glistening in the sun, would often be the highlight of my day.
“In here,” his low voice calls out from a hidden room. Sidestepping a few stray oak barrels, I find my way into his own private cellar. Bottles of his favorite wines are scattered about the room. A proud smile curls at my lips realizing Owen has really found his own place here at Bella Luna’s. When the construction was in full blast through the fall, he worked long, hard days under the sun. With Nick by his side, he was a force to be reckoned with. His poised control is the principal reason the main structure was done in just over three months. Now, the remainder of the task is left to my charge. Sure, Nick and Owen will lead the crew in hanging drywall and running electric, but the interior design, the overall feel of the venue is left to me.
I watch on dreamily as Owen scribbles a few notes into a notebook on his makeshift desk. “What are you working on?” My voice pulls him out of his work.
After popping a quick kiss to my cheek, he pulls me onto his lap. “A new pinot noir Peter and I have been working on. The grapes were perfect for it and now we’re just working out some of the details.” Reading over his shoulder is like looking at gibberish. Actually making the wine is something I never really got into. That was Vincent and Peter’s job. I learned all the internal organization. Now that Owen’s here, I couldn’t be happier knowing that the lifeblood of this company is in his hands. He’s become passionate and creative in his new venture, promising nothing but a bright future for our company.
“Can I get you a glass?” he offers after he closes his notebook.
Tipping my cup to him, I shoot him a look. “Like you have to ask?”
“So I spoke with Nick earlier,” he mentions casually as I twirl the stem of my empty glass between my fingers.
“And?” I prompt, gesturing with my hands as excitedly as I can. He knows I’ve been waiting on pins and needles to see if we’ve cleared inspection and now he’s dangling it in front of me like some proverbial carrot.
“We’re all good, love. You knew we would be.” His words settle the bundle of nerves that have been in my stomach all day. Watching him uncork and pour two large glasses of wine also help abate some of the nervousness.
“Cheers!” We clink our glasses together and drink, knowing that we can go ahead and start booking parties for the end of the upcoming summer. In a mere six months, we’ll be hosting our first wedding. All of a sudden, a new knot of nerves bunches where the previous one had been.
Owen feels me tense in his lap and he rubs his hand over my back. “Relax, Elle,” he coos into my ear before turning my face to meet his. “Remember when this whole thing started?” I nod at his question, seeing exactly where his line of reasoning is going to go. “You thought you couldn’t land an investor. You thought I would walk away. You thought there was no way in hell we could make us work. And yet here we are.” His broad smile eases away any lasting concerns I may have had.
Nuzzling into his shoulder, I relax against him. “You’re right, babe. With you, anything seems possible.”
“Anything?” he arches a seductive eyebrow. “You up for a round of cellar sex?”
Slapping him on the chest, I gasp, “Owen Christopher Carmichael, you make it sound like some kind of hardcore BDSM thing when you call it cellar sex.”
He purrs against my neck. “Hmmm….I wouldn’t mind tying you up.” Despite my protests from moments ago, the thought of him holding me hostage down here sends shivers across my skin. “See, I knew you secretly liked the idea.” His husky laughter sends a new round of goose bumps skittering everywhere.
“As much as I’d love to, we can’t. Your mother– ” his blank stare cuts my sentence short.
“Way to throw ice on it, sweetheart,” he jokes.
Standing from his lap, he adjusts himself behind his pants. “We need to be at Romano’s in a half hour to meet your mom for dinner. Or did you forget it’s her birthday?”
His movements take on a sudden hurried rush. “Uh, no. Of course I didn’t,” he offers a lame-ass excuse, clearly indicating that he had in fact forgotten his own mother’s birthday.
Lacing our hands together, I pull him away from his work. “It’s okay. That’s why you have me,” I quip as we leave the cellar together.
***
By the time we make it to the restaurant, Owen’s mom is already there. She stands to greet us, tapping the face on her watch as she does. “Sorry, Mom,” he says as he leans in for a kiss on the cheek.
“Yeah, yeah,” she laughs him off, moving to his side to greet me. “Elle, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Ms. Carmichael and happy birthday.”
Shooing away my formality, she pulls me into a tight embrace. “It’s Celia. Please stop with the Ms. Carmichael crap.” My cheeks turn pink at her admonishment, but my heart swells. She’s always made a point of making me feel welcome, even that first day I showed up at her doorstep to drag Owen to work. Never having had a close relationship with my own mother, I’ve really come to enjoy the one Celia and I are cultivating.
After the waiter takes our orders, Celia clears her throat and holds up her glass of water. “I know it’s my birthday and all, but I’d like to propose a toast.” We raise our glasses, letting her say her piece. “Cancer sucks,” she laughs, flipping her middle finger oh-so-discreetly at the invisible beast that was her cancer. Her spunky attitude is one I admire so much; it’s the same one I see mirrored in Owen.
He laughs, adding, “Sure does, Mom. Hear, hear.” He raises his glass, thinking that’s the end of her speech.
“I’m not done,” she chides, shooting him a rueful look. “So, like I said, cancer sucks, but I kicked its ass!” Her smile could light up the night sky. Reaching over next to me, I squeeze Owen’s hand in mine. He grins broadly at his mom, his eyes shining with all the emotion he feels for her. “Today marks six months of being cancer free and I couldn’t be happier.”
We both wait for her to clink her glass to ours, not wanting to cut her short. “This is the perfect way to celebrate, Mom.” Owen’s voice is filled with love and appreciation.
“There’s no one else I’d rather spend my birthday with.” Her voice is sweet and kind as she smiles at me. “And you’re not so bad either,” she adds jokingly, looking at Owen.
“Very funny,” he rolls his eyes, taking his pinot noir from the waiter.
We engage in small chat through most of the meal. Of course Owen talks animatedly about this season’s harvest and the latest in the construction. After our plates are cleared, Celia clears her throat once more, letting us know she has something important to tell us.
“So for my birthday…” her voice turns youthful and fun as she folds her napkin before placing on the table.
“Oh that’s right,” Owen fumbles, pulling an envelope out of his jacket pocket. Sliding it across to her, he’s ridiculously proud of his ‘Over the Hill’ card,
the one I told him was lame.
“Thanks, sweetie.” She pats the envelope lovingly, but doesn’t open it. “I got myself a gift,” she dangles that out there for a minute, making Owen’s brow crinkle in confusion. “I’m moving to Florida.”
Shock bathes over Owen, his fingers tightening around mine on his lap. “Where? When?” After a pause, he adds, “How?”
Celia takes a deep breath before diving into her explanation. “I knew you’d be concerned, but please hear me out. Aunt Dee-Dee has a condo in Florida. Since Uncle Andy passed away last year, she could use some company.”
Just as Owen is about to open his mouth in protest, I’m sure, Celia shushes him. “And now that you have Elle,” she looks over at me with gratitude and not an ounce of jealousy or meanness, “and the vineyard, you’re more than occupied.” Her voice carries her usual don’t-mess-with-me tone that I’ve come to love.
“Are you sure, Mom? I mean the doctors–” Celia’s agitated huff cuts Owen’s sentence in half.
“They say I’m fine. And they have doctors in Florida, too, you know?” She reaches for Owen’s hand as his fingers tap a crazy rhythm on the table. “Oh, honey, I know you’re worried, but I promise you, if there’s one single problem with my health, I’ll fly home in an instant. But I need this. Besides, it’s too cold up here anyway.”
After a brief moment of consideration, Owen concedes, pulling Celia’s hand up to his lips for a quick kiss. “You’re right, Mom. I’m sorry for questioning you. What can we do to help you?” That he said “we” and not “I” makes my heart flutter in my chest. Of course, having spent pretty much every moment together in the last seven months, we’ve been inseparable, but this is personal stuff; this is real life. And the fact that he’s chosen to include me in his, repeatedly, makes me love him even more.
“Nothing really. I just need you to take care of the house.”
Owen looks to me briefly, before answering Celia. “Of course, anything you need.” Squeezing his hand in mine once more, we both smile over at his mom as she shines with happiness at her newfound freedom.
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