Dinner was a lively affair, with conversation, ideas, and suggestions flowing as freely as the wine. Jac accepted the glass the waiter had poured but only sipped at it, preferring to stick to water. Each time she emptied the goblet, Luke topped it off from an iced pitcher on the table.
As the meal drew to a close, Jules complimented them on all of their ideas, a satisfied grin on her face. She reissued the invitation to attend the evening concert, then excused herself. The other diners wandered away from the table, leaving only Luke and her.
“Do you want to go to the concert or just take a walk?” He toyed with her fingers, holding her gaze as he asked.
She shook her head. “I have a meeting with Jules. We’re going to discuss farming.”
Canting his head, he gazed at her. “Taking the first steps?”
“Everyone’s got to start somewhere. Once I find out what I’m in for, I’ll have to decide. My continued employment at MedServices isn’t an option, so I have to do something. Might as well be something I want to do. It kind of feels like I’m about to open Pandora’s Box and there’s trouble inside.” She managed to ease her grimace into a grin.
Luke laughed and gave her fingers a squeeze. “I’ll bet you can handle it.” He pulled her to her feet as he stood. “Go talk to Jules about how to conquer the world of agriculture. I’m going to the pavilion with the rest of the crew. I’ll try to catch you later, okay?” He raised his eyebrows, his bright eyes earnest.
She pressed her lips to his, letting them linger. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”
“If it’s too late, I’ll just see you in the morning.” Luke picked up his wine glass and walked to the buffet for something disposable, tipping the rest of his drink into a red plastic cup. With a lingering glance he exited the room, his footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor.
Standing beside her chair, Jac stared at the empty doorway. She hadn’t expected to find herself at a crossroads in her life. Just as her career was imploding, she’d met a man who interested her beyond belief. She’d focused on her job so much for the past three years, she’d let her dating life languish.
Breaking the trend earlier this afternoon, after a long, dry spell, had been a truly amazing moment in her life. Her body continued to hum. Luke was a generous lover, and even if they couldn’t repeat the ultimate physical expression of their feelings, she’d welcome the chance to continue their closeness.
It stood to reason that just as she found a man she wanted to spend time with, she contemplated moving to a new city. And while a long distance affair would work for a short time, she didn’t want Luke to end up resenting her because she wasn’t there. In her experience, trying to maintain a relationship while in two separate cities led to wandering eyes and cheating boyfriends. Her college sweetheart had found an Italian honey to cozy up to while on a semester abroad. Once bitten . . .
She dismissed her anxiety. Everything worth doing was risky. Starting a new love affair at the same time as a new business might take her farther out on a limb than she’d be comfortable with. She had to weigh the risk versus the reward. It’s what any good team leader would do. Her frustrated sigh built, until she let it gust between her lips.
At this point, her world was on hold. She had to think of her future career and what it might entail for her. She just wished she knew for sure if Luke had, or even wanted, a place in it.
Defeat settled on her shoulders, a press of uncertainty. She shook it away, forcing her thoughts to what Jules had to teach her. Leaving the dining room, Jac headed across the hall toward Jules’ office. The door was ajar and the peppy chords of a popular song filtered through the opening. Funny, she’d never pegged Jules as a Top Forty kind of woman.
She knocked and waited a beat to push open the door.
Marcus danced across the space, wiggling his ass, and brushing at his shoulders as he lip-synced to the radio about shaking it off. Jac clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a chuckle. Seeing the heavily muscled man whip his head back and forth, and move his hands like he was trying to hold in his heart, was priceless.
He spun in an agile pirouette, rocking like a Bobblehead. The instant he caught sight of her, he jerked to a stop.
Eyes wide, an embarrassed snigger burst from him. “Oops. Busted.”
“Hey, don’t let me stop you.” Jac motioned for him to continue.
Marcus shook his head, quickly reaching out to hit the power button on the sound dock. “What can I say? That song gives me happy feet.”
“I know what you’re saying. I almost wanted to join in.”
His smile grew broader. “I wouldn’t have stopped you. Looking for Jules?”
“I was supposed to meet her after dinner for a farming tutorial.”
“Ah, going to learn at the feet of the master. It’s a good decision. Jules didn’t know a thing about agriculture when she bought this place. She mostly knew about shoes and such. She did her research and learned pretty damn quick how to make a go of it.”
Curiosity got the better of Jac. “She mentioned earlier she didn’t grow up on a farm.”
“Oh, hell no.” Jules’ voice came over her shoulder. The woman in question crossed the office and shooed Marcus from behind the desk.
Jac glanced at Jules. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“It’s okay. To answer your question a little more thoroughly, I grew up in Los Angeles. I worked in the family business for a while, but decided to get an education and leave the L.A. rat race for a simpler lifestyle. Hence the vineyard. I love wine, so it made sense.” Jules laughed. “Kind of a stupid reason. Except, once I toured the place and saw what I could make of it, I was hooked. The team building stuff is just a sideline. Our label is available in liquor and grocery stores across the nation.”
“We had to learn about distributors and state regulations,” Marcus added. “It was an intense year. We got lucky and the viticulturist wanted to stay on once we took over.”
“Viti-whatsit?” Jac wasn’t familiar with the term.
“He’s the guy who really knows how to grow grapes and understands the science and magic behind crushing them into wine.” Jules gestured to the framed certificates adorning one wall. “We’d be lost without him. He’s a prizewinner.”
“Impressive.” Jac meant it. There had to be fifteen awards adorning the wall. The oldest one, ‘Best Vintage from Food and Wine,’ was from three years ago.
“Marcus, would you mind checking on the concert while Jacqui and I talk? I hate to not be there, but the kids know what to do. You might have to keep the insurance guys in line. Jeff was—”Jules tossed a glance at Jac before continuing—“a little boisterous at dinner.”
“You got it, boss.” Marcus saluted, then pivoted toward the door.
As he walked through, he broke out in a chorus from the Taylor Swift song he’d been lip-syncing to earlier.
“He loves his pop songs.” A rueful smile on her face, Jules shook her head. “Okay, let’s talk soil and weather conditions.”
Jac spent two hours in the office, her head spinning at the amount of information Jules shared. By the time she left, her unofficial mentor had loaded her down with Department of Agriculture pamphlets and weather charts, and sheets of reference links Jac could use to find more information. Jules had fired questions at Jac as they discussed her plan to raise herbs and spices. Before they were done for the evening, Jules had all but begged for a chance to come to Eugene for a visit once the farm started growing again.
Jac climbed the stairs and walked absently down the long hallway to her room. Pausing at the desk, she dropped off the material Jules had given her, despairing of being able to fit it all in her suitcase. As she stared at the pile of paper, representing a potential future, calm settled in her gut. She hadn’t felt this hopeful about her path in a long time.
&nb
sp; Even when she thought she’d be getting a promotion at MedServices, she hadn’t experienced the sense of rightness she possessed at this moment.
Marching into the bathroom, she scrubbed off the last traces of the day. She walked out of her clothes on the way to her suitcase. It only took a moment to jerk on a black camisole and leopard print sleep shorts.
Sinking into the comfortable chair by the desk, Jac regarded the mussed bed, remembering the blissful interlude she’d shared with Luke.
Why had she hesitated to spend the night with him? His presence added to the belief she was headed in the right direction. She should be with him, celebrating. Instead, she almost felt like she was hiding behind closed doors. Partly, she figured, because she wasn’t sure she could control her emotions or reactions if he were in the room with her. But the other part of her wasn’t sure she wanted to.
Someone passing her room laughed in the hallway, a feminine giggle. A door closed. She threw her hands in the air. “I’m an idiot.” Unsure of what she’d wanted before dinner, she knew now.
She wanted Luke.
Glancing at the clock, she decided it wasn’t too late to visit. Plucking her room key from the desk, she hustled to her door, hesitating only a second with her hand on the faceted crystal knob. She peered down at her outfit. It covered enough, but she pressed her ear to the wood. The hall sounded empty. Opening the door, she darted her head out, scanning left and right. Discovering it empty, she headed toward Luke’s room. The plush carpet runner silenced her footsteps as she hurried along.
After a brief hesitation outside his door, she lifted her hand. Her knuckles barely made any noise as she knocked. Luke answered quickly, as if he’d listened for her.
God, he was gorgeous. His athletic shorts hit just above his knee and the gray T-shirt he wore looked soft as sin as it stretched tight across his chest.
“May I come in?” Her voice sounded shy.
In answer, Luke grasped her wrist and pulled her into the room. She landed against his T-shirt as he swung the door shut with a quiet click behind her. He curved his palms over her shoulders, steadying her. The only illumination in the room came from a soft bedside lamp.
“I’m not going to kiss you, because if I start I won’t stop,” he said.
“Oh.” She couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice. “Maybe I shouldn’t have come.”
“No, you should have come. I just wanted you to know why I’m not kissing you. I feel like I need a cast iron jock strap. One with a lock.” His laugh was pained.
“I was going to ask if I could sleep here tonight, but if you’re too uncomfortable—”
He stopped her words with his fingers against her lips. “We’re adults. I think—well, I hope we can behave. Climb in.” He gestured to the queen-sized bed.
She crawled across the mattress and slid between the luxurious cotton sheets. Before he joined her, he pulled the top sheet up and tucked it in around her.
She arched a brow. Luke smiled. “Better safe than sorry, right?”
“Oh.”
He stretched out on top of the sheet and turned toward her, elbow crooked and head propped on his hand. She bent her knees, allowing him to slide his thighs under hers.
Jac pulled her hand from under the sheet and reached up to stroke along his jaw. Stubble scratched her fingertips. As she drew near his mouth, he nipped at her wandering digit, then dragged her hand away and laced their fingers together.
“How did your meeting with Jules go?” he asked.
“I think I’m cut out to be a farmer.” Jac couldn’t hold the grin back. “She gave me a lot of tips and pointers. References. Now I just have to make sure my cousin doesn’t mind me moving into the farmhouse. She’s been looking for a reason to get an apartment in the city, so this might just do it. Jules told me about an Ag convention in Sacramento I’m going to register for. Lots to learn for sure.” She didn’t bother to stifle the yawn claiming her.
Luke released her hand. His chest brushed hers as he stretched across to snap off the light. The pressure of his body over hers was electric, shooting sparks from the peaks of her breasts to her center. She gasped as sharp heat throbbed between her legs.
Luke paused for only a second before finding her lips in the dark. He drank tenderly, sipping at her mouth like it was an exquisite vintage of wine. He ran the very tip of his tongue over her lips, not asking for entry, but rather promising something in the future. He tangled his fingers in her hair, angling her face to deepen the kiss. Other than the hold he had on her face and his thigh under hers, he didn’t touch anywhere else.
As much as she wanted to take it further, she knew she shouldn’t. Too much of her future remained uncertain. When she touched a hand to his chest, he eased away and laid his head on the pillow next to hers. Whispering goodnight, his breath was soft on her cheek.
He draped an arm over her waist, heavy, comforting. Before sleep dropped over her like a blanket, her last thought was of how easily she could get used to curling in his arms every night.
Chapter 11
Luke’s phone rang, startling him out of deep slumber. His cock was stiff and aching, a residual from sleeping next to Jac all night. Her spicy perfume scented the room. Choosing to ignore the phone, he shifted his hand over the sheets next to him. He popped his eyes open when his hand encountered the cool fabric that should have covered Jac, and found empty sheets.
The phone rang again as he flopped to his back, searching the small room for his missing sleep partner. The bathroom door was open, the room dark. His cock stopped throbbing like a snare drum when he realized he was alone.
Disappointment flooded him as he pushed up on his elbow. Dammit, he wanted her to be in the bed next to him. A faint glow seeped through the gauzy curtains covering the windows. Close to daybreak, if he had to guess. The ringing on the phone got louder, a feature he now regretted setting.
He seized the instrument from the table next to the bed, and swiped his thumb angrily across the screen. “What?” His tone was gruff. Hell, pissed off. He wasn’t sure if his anger was because some dumb shit thought it was a good idea to call at the ass crack of dawn, or because he’d woken alone.
“Good morning, sunshine. Did you get up on the wrong side of happy today?” His boss, Brian Evert, sounded freaking chipper by comparison.
“I wasn’t up.” Idly scratching his chest, Luke turned to glare at the clock. “Fuck, Brian, it’s oh-dark-thirty. Why the hell are you calling so early?”
“I thought you should know I’ve received notice the nurses are calling a sick-out today.”
Luke struggled to a sitting position, cradling his head in his free hand. “I’m afraid to ask why you sound so damn happy about this.”
Evert’s laugh bordered on evil as it crawled down the phone line. “This puts them right where I want them. We’ve conceded to everything they’ve asked and they’re still pushing. In the court of public opinion, the union will appear greedy and the hospital will come out like a fine, upstanding corporate citizen.”
Shaking his head, Luke countered, “Brian, it’s not going to look that way at all. The hospital still stands to lose. The last thing they asked for, the pay bonus for anyone working a holiday, away from family on a special day, was a drop in the bucket. We should have given it to them.”
“I don’t get bonus pay for holidays I work. Neither do you. It’s a matter of equity.”
As CEO, Brian wasn’t paid an hourly wage. And he might not get holiday pay, but he received a six-figure bonus every year.
Luke scraped the back of his fingers down his face, the stubble on his chin rasping against his knuckles. “The lack of your bonus not the point,” he argued.
“I need you back here today. I’m calling an emergency board meeting. It’s all hands on deck. Two this afternoon. The sic
k-out is supposed to begin with second shift. We want to form a response to be ready before it starts.”
Doing a quick calculation of drive times, Luke’s frustration surged. Even if he left now, he couldn’t make it home much before the meeting time. And he wouldn’t leave without talking to Jac. “I can’t be out of here before seven. Can you conference me in for the first half while I drive?”
“Catch a flight if you have to. The hospital will pay any tickets. We need you here to run the numbers before we go public.”
“I’ll do my best.” Luke disconnected while Brian was in the middle of saying good-bye. He stared at the empty pillow next to him. A strand of Jac’s soft russet hair stretched across the cotton. What time had she left? He’d slept better than he had since he’d accepted the job with St. Simeon. He must have been nearly unconscious to not hear her leave. Or she had some reason to sneak out. God, maybe he’d snored.
Tossing the phone to the mattress, he swung his legs over the side and arched his back. After shuffling his feet into the flip-flops he’d left under the dresser, he finger-combed his thick hair to flatten it. The shoes slapped against the soles of his feet as he moved. Cringing at the idea of making too much noise, he ditched the shoes. He was out the door and headed down the hall before he could change his mind.
Light shone under Jac’s door, painting the carpet in pale yellow. Luke tapped lightly against the wooden door and leaned his ear against it, listening for sounds of her moving within. Nothing. He knocked harder, gratified to hear what had to be chair legs scuffing across the floor.
He stood back as Jac opened the door. Backlit from the lamp on the desk, her hair became a fiery halo, her long legs tight and toned below her sleep shorts.
“Hi,” he whispered. “Are you okay?”
She beckoned him in. The door shut softly behind him. She pitched her voice low. “Yeah. I guess I was too excited to sleep. I came back here to send an email to my cousin. I’m sorry if I woke you.”
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