Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1)

by Gemma Brocato

  Luke made himself comfortable on her neatly made bed. “You didn’t. I got a call from the office.”

  “This early?” She moved to stand in front of him.

  Skating his hands over her waist, he maneuvered her between his knees, curving his fingers over the soft cotton covering her hips to reach the small of her back. Jac stroked her fingers through his hair. Her touch made it difficult to find his voice. “Yeah. There’s trouble brewing. Unfortunately, I’ve received orders to get my behind back to Medford this morning.”

  She frowned, her fingers stilled. “Seriously?”

  He nodded as he snaked one hand up her ribs. “Problems with the nurses. The CEO thinks it will work to our advantage in the contract negotiations. He’s called an emergency board meeting. Attendance is mandatory.”

  “Oh, Luke. I’m sorry you have to deal with this. But I’m sorrier to lose my teammate. We work really well together.” She dropped her hands to his shoulders.

  Heat jolted from the point where she massaged his muscles, to the pit of his stomach, continuing the rest of the way south. When he pulled her onto his lap, her soft bottom nestled into the curve of his hip with a burst of electricity and something more. He palmed her cheek, urging her mouth to his.

  “Yes, we do,” he whispered against her lips before he claimed them.

  He kept the kiss gentle, sipping softly, his mouth clinging to her lips. And as easy and gentle as it was, it was maybe the most sensuous kiss he’d ever shared. Jac responded with joy and passion, freely taking what he offered and returning it with heat and heady desire. Heart thudding behind his sternum, he gave up trying to analyze his emotions and just went with the feeling.

  Pulling his lips from hers tore at his soul. He rested his forehead against hers. Each soft exhale she released brushed his face, another form of a kiss. He whispered, “I want to see you in Medford. What day will you be back?”

  “Not until Saturday afternoon. Jules invited me to stay an extra night, so she could share more about easing into agriculture. I’ve already changed my flight home.”

  “Do you have plans that night?”

  “I’m supposed to meet Bella for dinner and a movie.”

  “Damn!”

  She lifted her head, staring directly into his eyes. “I can cancel.”

  Hope exploded in his chest. “Really? You don’t think she’d mind?”

  “She’ll understand. She was disappointed you and I didn’t have a chance to get better acquainted the last time we met. I know I was.” A happy grin played over her mouth. “I think she was secretly hoping we’d hook up while we were here.”

  This was good. Not only was Jac interested in continuing a relationship when they returned to the real world, but her best friend was in favor of it. “Text me as soon as you get in. With any luck at all, this problem with the nursing staff will be resolved by then, which means,” he caressed her knee while holding her gaze, “you’ll have my undivided attention.”

  Moving his hand near the juncture of her thighs, he gripped her soft flesh and reclaimed her lips. Gentle be damned. This time, he unleashed the passion he’d held in check earlier. He slipped his tongue past her lips, a promise of things to come. She wove her fingers through his hair and responded with abandon.

  Blood sang through his veins and his cock stiffened under her lush behind. She wriggled against the pressure, adding more steel to his shaft.

  After a minute, she eased away. “I think I’m going to adore your undivided attention.” She chuckled, the sound swirling around his heart like a gentle breeze. “How soon do you leave?”

  He gusted out a heavy breath. “I should be on the road already.”

  Jac scooted off his lap and backed away from him. Her gaze dipped to his groin, where evidence of his need was a solid ridge in his athletic shorts. Dragging her eyes back to his face, desire stamped her features. He resisted the urge to grab a pillow from the end of the bed and pull it over his lap, not exactly sure why he’d bother to hide his arousal from her. They shared a mutual attraction and had already enjoyed each other’s bodies.

  Struggling to will his cock into submission, Luke stood and jerked his T-shirt low on his hips. He met her sweet smile with a grin of his own before he walked to the door.

  She followed, resting her hand on his forearm, stalling his departure. An invitation stood out in the sultry heat in her eyes. “I’m looking forward to seeing you Saturday.” She stretched up on her toes and kissed his cheek.

  His heart shifted in his ribcage at the unbelievably tender brush of her lips. At the promise of what could be between them. He laid his hand atop hers and tightened his grip. “Me too. Have fun the rest of the week, and learn lots. I’ll be eager to hear your plans for the future.”

  And with any luck, he’d figure prominently in them.

  Jac closed the door with a quiet sigh. She’d come into the week with expectations of a bright, professional future, but not such a terrific personal outlook. Now, her professional plans had been derailed—or to be fair, rerouted—and her private life, like a chrysalis, had morphed into a brilliant opportunity. She tossed herself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, seeing hazel eyes filled with passion instead of the patterned plaster.

  It was early yet. Ninety minutes before she had to be in the dining room for the scheduled breakfast meeting. The prospect of working on the team building exercises with anyone other than Luke dimmed her enjoyment of the program. But she was determined to stay and complete the course. And she welcomed the chance to pick Jules’ mind again. It still amazed her the woman hadn’t grown up in the industry. She’d chosen her course and done everything she could do to steer her new path.

  It was what Jac wanted for herself.

  Rising, she headed toward the desk to collect her iPad. Tablet in hand, she climbed back on the bed, nestled against the pillows that carried a faint whiff of Luke’s distinctive scent. She already missed him. Her feelings for him had grown surprisingly fast. They’d spent the last two days nearly attached at the hip. A small grin accompanied the sweet anticipation of their date upon her return to Medford.

  She checked her email to see if her cousin had responded yet. Of course she hadn’t. It was much too early for a woman who typically slept until ten or later. As a self-employed medical transcriptionist, Rowena set her own hours, preferring to work late into the evening, after doctors posted their daily notes. Since the schedule worked for her, Ro had never bothered to change it to a more conventional eight-to-five workday. The woman was too free spirited to conform very much.

  Jac launched her browser, and after a moment’s thought, searched for agricultural trends in the northwest. She knew which herbs she’d grow, something with dietary emphasis on super foods. She wanted to see if her growing season and climate would be conducive to pursuing alternate crops. She was particularly interested in blackberries. Jeez, I’m already learning.

  Staring at the photo of the vineyard on the wall, she idly wondered if she should consider growing grapes. The area around Eugene had just the right soil and conditions for the vines. She wouldn’t have to open a winery if she could find a small vintner to buy the fruit.

  Excitement plumped like a grape in the sun as she considered the idea.

  Chapter 12

  After an hour of bookmarking promising sites, Jac began shutting down the tabs she had opened. Her phone chirped with the alarm she’d set. She’d been up for two hours and her stomach was rumbling.

  Walking into the dining room, knowing Luke wouldn’t be there, felt a tad lonely. She shouldn’t be anticipating his company quite so eagerly but she couldn’t help herself. After filling her plate from the buffet, Jac joined Sally and Belinda at a table in the corner.

  “You missed a fun little concert last night,” Sally said. The woman wore a garish yellow T-shirt wit
h red capris.

  In contrast, Belinda’s outfit could be called dour, her gray blouse straining her buttons, paired with tight black jeans. Even her voice was grim. “Jeff and Jeremy got wasted and started singing along when the quartet played ‘Moon River.’”

  “What’s a Moon River?” Jac asked.

  “That song from the movie Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” Sally hummed a few bars of the song.

  Still drawing a blank, Jac shook her head. “Was that a movie? I thought it was a song by Deep Blue Something.”

  Belinda snorted and shook her head, setting her curly gray hair in motion. “You are so young. Your generation has a lot to learn. ‘Moon River’ was the title song of the movie. One of Andy Williams’ best works.”

  Jac sure as hell wasn’t going to ask who Andy Williams was. And her generation might have plenty to learn, but they had a lot to offer as well. “Oh. Did the guys only sing that song, or were there others?” She could only imagine FIG and DIG singing karaoke with the student string quartet for accompaniment.

  “Marcus stood right behind their chairs and laid his hands on their shoulders.” A wicked grin lit Sally’s face. Clearly, she liked seeing the dorky guys reined in. “Gentle, but very persuasive. Then he took their wine away. After which, the boys lost interest.”

  Belinda leaned back in her chair and sent a shrewd glance around the room. She dropped her fork to the plate with a clatter. “So, where’s your partner?”

  Sadness swarmed Jac. “He was summoned back to his office. He left before seven this morning.”

  “Sucks for you.” Sally brightened and sat straighter in her seat. “Hey, you could join our team. Girls against the boys.”

  Belinda shot a sneer at her co-worker and crossed her arms over her ample bosom. “We should probably let Jules decide who Jacqui should be paired with. Don’t want to be presumptuous.”

  Good Christ, it was as though the woman didn’t want Jac on her team. Well, she didn’t really want to be on the same team as the lawyers because of their constant bickering, but the idea they—or at least Belinda—didn’t want her, stung.

  A wave of longing for Luke’s company hit her, hard. She shrugged it away. “I’m sure Jules will come up with a good solution.”

  Jac devoted her attention to the scrambled eggs on her plate as Jules strolled into the room. After stopping to say good morning to the quieter-than-usual, green-around-the-gills insurance agents, she moved over to the beverage station. Opening a tea bag, she dropped it into a cup. Vapor steamed over the rim as she poured hot water into the mug.

  A broad grin stretched across her face as she made her way to Jac’s table, cup in hand.

  “Good morning, ladies,” she greeted them. “Jac, I’m sure you know Luke got called back to the office early.”

  “He stopped by my room to let me know he had to leave.” She didn’t add how he wouldn’t have needed to stop by if she’d stayed in his room a little longer this morning. Waking up next to him had been wonderful, but it had happened far too early in their romance. Or whatever they had going.

  “Well, his departure presents a dilemma for the teams, you in particular.” Jules nabbed the remaining upholstered chair and sat next to Jac.

  Sally’s plate scraped the table as she pushed it away. “She can join our team.”

  Belinda cleared her throat and sent a piercing glare at Sally. Jac held back a snort. Belinda just blew her chance of being named to the Team Playing Hall Of Fame.

  “Nice of you to offer, Sally, but I had something else in mind.” Jules pivoted in her seat and focused on Jac. “If you don’t mind, I’ll be your partner for the rest of the week.”

  Surprise caught Jac unawares. She’d never expected this. “Really? That would be pretty darned fantastic.”

  “Wait just a minute. Wouldn’t she have an unfair edge in the competition, if the director of the program is on her team?” An unflattering note of jealousy deepened Belinda’s voice.

  Jules shook her head. “Not really. Because each set of exercises today will require brainstorming to solve the problem. Since Jac and I have never worked together, your team will actually have the advantage. You and Sally are already familiar with each other’s thought processes, so you should be able to work faster to achieve a solution.”

  “I’d love to be on your team, if you’re sure.” What a relief. Thank goodness she wouldn’t have to be the lady lawyers’ walking hemorrhoid for the rest of the week, unwanted and most unwelcome, at least by Belinda.

  The legs of Belinda the Crotchety’s chair caterwauled on the tile floor as she shoved away from the table. Grunting, she stood and propped her hands on her hips. “I still don’t think it’s fair. Come on, Sally. Let’s take a little walk before the competition begins.”

  Sally was slow getting to her feet to follow. Belinda snapped her fingers and the younger lawyer leapt from the table. She nodded and scurried away.

  Jac gaped at Jules, brows raised. “What the fuck? Is there a contest I don’t know about? Does the woman know how not to be competitive? You sure you want me on your team?”

  “I’m sure. I’ve already spoken to Marcus about it and he’s taking over the instruction today. Dude all but chortled when I asked. He’s going to mix it up so he can stump me. But with you on my team, we’ll be fine.”

  She spoke out the corner of her mouth, her brows drawn in a mock-frown. “But, if it appears Belinda is getting too bent out of shape, you won’t mind goofing off a little, right?”

  Jac smiled easily at her companion. “I’m all about goofing off. What’s the activity this morning?”

  “Scavenger hunt. Which works perfectly for me to give you a guided tour of the farm. We can chat about growing seasons and fertilizers today, which will leave us free for a little girl-talk Friday night, instead of a boring tutorial.”

  Girl-talk? Like we’re friends. Jac welcomed the idea. She’d enjoyed spending time with Jules last night. The woman was an exceptional second choice to having Luke as her teammate. “I’m sure it won’t be boring.”

  “Yeah, it would, but it’s a necessary evil if you’re serious about getting into such a crazy business. This way, it will be more interactive for you.” Jules stood and pointed at Jac’s sandaled feet. “Cute as hell, but not a great shoe choice today. We’ll start in fifteen minutes, so be ready to run.”

  Not waiting for an answer, Jules strode out of the dining room. Despite missing Luke more than she should, this day was shaping up to be pretty awesome. Jac carried her dishes to the bus tub in the corner, added more coffee to her cup before following Jules from the room. She sent a nod toward the lingering agents as she passed their table.

  Twenty minutes later, Jac met the rest of the group on the front porch. She’d added a lightweight jacket, tied around her waist, to her outfit of tennis shoes, yoga pants and a T-shirt that read Nothing Bad Ever Ended In Tini.

  Marcus explained the rules as he passed out clue sheets and large canvas sacks. “You’ll locate the items by following the clue on your sheet. Each solved puzzle leads to the next. Once you find all your items, you’ll have to figure out how to assemble the final product.” He handed a slip of paper to Jac with a grin and slid a sidelong glance toward Belinda. “Your clue list will be extra-long, eliminating the unfair advantage of having Jules as your partner. You’ll end up with a lot of pieces you might, or might not, need.”

  Jules, who’d changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, rolled her eyes. “Are we allowed to know what we’re building?”

  Crossing his arms over his massive chest, Marcus smirked. “Everyone else will, but you’ll just have to figure it out. We’ll call it a handicap.”

  “That’s a pretty big disadvantage.” Jules pouted. “What do you think, Jac? Too big?”

  Confidence that had dipped at the length of their list bu
rgeoned back to full strength in her chest. “Probably not. Maybe one of us should be blindfolded as well,” Jac teased.

  Belinda harrumphed loudly from her seat on the porch railing. The wood creaked as she jumped off and snatched the list from Sally’s hand. “Let’s just do this,” she snapped.

  Marcus kept his expression bland. “The last clue you find will be a picture of what you’re supposed to build with the pieces you find. You have until noon to find everything on your list and return to the pavilion by the gift shop to assemble.” He shot a hard stare at Belinda and Sally. “There is no prize on this other than knowing you worked as a team to solve a problem and bring a product to market.”

  “Whatever.” Belinda pursed her lips into a very thin line. She spun on her heel and promptly tripped over Sally. Righting herself, Ms. Cranky-Pants scowled at everyone assembled and brushed past Jeff and his cohorts as she raced down the steps toward the waiting golf carts. She hollered, “Let’s go, Sally.”

  Sally stared after her, sighing. “Can I get a new partner?” she mumbled.

  Marcus plucked the list away from Jac as she made to follow the rest of the team builders. His dark brown eyes were filled with apology. “Sorry, Jacqui. Your handicap of pairing with Jules means the other groups get a ten-minute head start.”

  Jac watched the other participants retreat from the porch. Frustrated that she wasn’t immediately allowed to follow, she arched a brow. “Really? Suddenly, having Jules as a partner is tremendously less appealing.”

  “Ha. I could have penalized you with a thirty-minute time out and you’d probably still beat everyone else.” Marcus folded his arms over his massive chest.