Romancing the Wine: A Boxed Set of 9 Newest Novellas from Award-Winning Authors

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Romancing the Wine: A Boxed Set of 9 Newest Novellas from Award-Winning Authors Page 34

by Jan Moran


  With her head still dizzy and her legs trembling, Lily walked down stage steps, clutching the bar for support. Her brother, Jake, embraced her in a tight bear hug. “Lil, that was brilliant. I’m so proud of you.” He kissed the top of her head before his older brother by five minutes, LJ, pushed in.

  “I’m speechless. You’re always singing around the house but your performance tonight was incredible. I’ve videoed you and we’re going to put it on YouTube.”

  Friends stood around congratulating her performance and before long her face ached from the wide smile she couldn’t remove. She nodded, thanking everyone, and her eyes flicked around the crowd searching for the one person she wanted to see. Where was Diego?

  Her tummy fluttered nervously as she scanned the room. He wouldn’t have left her, surely? Excusing herself, she strode around the small space of the club and when she didn’t find him, headed for the exit. Was he outside?

  An anxious knot of foreboding twisted inside her belly but she dismissed it. Tonight had been a success. She was a success.

  With a bounce in her step she sauntered down the steps. Carefully tottering in her heels, she walked along the uneven cobblestones in the lane way.

  Then she saw him, on the phone.

  She waved but he didn’t acknowledge her. “Diego?”

  Drawing closer to him, she saw him abruptly end the call before shoving his mobile into the pocket of his trousers. His eyes were dark and foreboding.

  Her smile faltered slightly. She closed the distance between them. “I was looking for you.”

  “And now you’ve found me.”

  “Is there something wrong?” She reached out to run her finger gently along the smoothness of his jaw.

  “No.”

  “Tonight was the best night of my life. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know how you did it but it was amazing. Thank you, thank you.” She threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his.

  She kissed him till she felt his rigid stance soften.

  “You’re welcome.” His hands settled on her hips. “You did great.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “Ready to go?”

  “I want to go back to everyone, I’m literally bouncing off the walls.”

  He gave her bottom a playful smack. “Go back. I’ll take you home later.”

  “Is everything okay?” she asked, noting the stiffness in his shoulders.

  “Of course,” he said in a reassuring tone that didn’t reassure her. “I’ll be in soon.”

  Two long days had passed.

  His hand hovered over the phone before he reminded himself. Do. Not. Call. Lily. It was time to cool things between them. They were spending too much time together and he was still in a foul mood over Camilla’s taunts.

  So instead of working on the spreadsheet in front of him, why was he thinking about Lily? Lily and her glorious titan hair spread over his pillow wearing nothing but her lacy panties. He needed to focus on work.

  His sister’s words continued to ring in his ears. Mocking him. Laughing at him.

  He wasn’t in love. His sister was being ridiculous with her “pie in the sky” ideas.

  He’d show her that he was right and she wasn’t.

  Ridiculous!

  He rubbed his fingers along the stubble of his jaw. If Camilla was so clever, she’d see her long-time friend and dance partner Eduardo was in love with her. Had been for some time. So who was she to tell him he was in love?

  Besides, you didn’t fall in love with someone in one week. Love took time to develop, years to mature. Look at his parents. Look at his grandparents. Love had taken time.

  He shuddered, remembering his younger, former self. Back then, he didn’t respect traditions and family. But the emotional rollercoaster he’d ridden with Laura was the wakeup call he’d needed.

  Laura. The name tore through his lungs.

  How stupid could a man be? He’d been in love, or so he’d thought. Within three months of meeting, she’d been wearing his ring. Two months later he’d driven to the end of St Kilda pier and flung the modest diamond ring into Port Phillip Bay.

  Scourging himself of the ring had been cathartic. It also reinforced his belief that he would never fall in love nor would he ever marry for love. Look at the fool he’d been. Leaning back in his chair, he massaged the tightness in his neck.

  He’d put some space between him and Lily hoping to make things easier but all it had done was make him cranky and angry.

  He rubbed his eyes, absently.

  He missed her? No. He was missing the sex. It was the great sex between them, nothing more. Liar! What about the movies? Croquet? Dancing? Dinners? Okay. So he enjoyed her company. So what? The sex was incredible and he liked being with her. Didn’t mean he was in love. In love? Forget it.

  Half an hour later his fingers itched and he could no longer resist. He reached for his mobile phone and messaged her. Free to go to the movies tomorrow night? He pressed send. He drummed his fingers on the polished oak of his antique desk. Five seconds later he checked again. No reply. His fingers drummed a dozen drumbeats on his desk and still nothing. Diego resisted the urge to check again. The phone would beep when a message arrived.

  He shoved the mobile into the top drawer of his desk and swivelled around to face his laptop. Time to clear emails.

  Lily stared at the message on her phone.

  Diego wanted to see her? An unexpected urge of longing ran up and down her spine. After dropping her home on Sunday night, she’d resigned herself that Diego was no longer interested. He’d been so aloof despite his generosity and when she hadn’t heard from him, she was sure it was The End.

  Stupidly, she’d eaten too much chocolate and drunk endless cups of tea.

  She had to remind herself on a daily basis that they weren’t involved in a meaningful relationship. But then he’d do something really great and it broke down yet another one of her carefully erected defences.

  Her heartbeat stepped up a notch. What to do? Reply straight away? Wait? Say yes? Say no? Ask why he’d been so aloof on Sunday night? Who knew a fling could be so complicated? She missed being in his arms. She missed the way he was so attentive to her bed. She missed the fun they shared. In all, she missed him.

  Yes. I’ve missed you! Lily deleted the text. Silly. She was going to scare him off.

  So she simply replied yes ☺

  That night Lily sat in front of the TV waiting for Diego to pick her up. The boys were out so she was alone. She stood, she sat, she watched the clock, she watched the stupid show that was on TV.

  With exceptional good looks and confidence to boot, was it any wonder she’d been attracted to him? Not in her league. Besides, he’d been upfront, told her from the beginning their affair would be short.

  Soon she’d be travelling and would surely meet other handsome men. And when her heartbeat quickened it would confirm what she already knew, Diego was a romantic fantasy. Everyone knew good- looking men made women’s hearts flutter, didn’t they?

  Her thoughts held her attention longer than the chef demonstrating the Fig and Vanilla Baked Alaska.

  The doorbell chimed. Finally.

  A quick flick at her watch told her he was right on time. She opened the front door and her breath stuck in her throat as it always did at the sight of him. Leaning his arm against the doorway, he looked downright dangerous dressed in dark jeans and a black shirt.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi,” he replied, his gaze burning into her. They stared at each other, not bothering to hide their hunger.

  “The boys are out,” she said, her mouth parched and dry.

  He strode in, kicked the door shut with the back of his foot and gathered her in his arms. Strong fingers tangled in her hair anchoring him to her as his mouth came crashing down on hers. She responded to his kisses and they became more urgent. Their tongues duelled as his hands moved southwards, running up and down her spine before resting on her hips.

  “Yo
u’re so beautiful,” he whispered, running his tongue along her ear. Anchoring her to him, he pressed against her, his hands cupping her bottom.

  Her hands slid up and wound themselves around his neck. She wanted to know why she hadn’t heard from him in two days yet all rational thoughts evaporated when he kissed with such urgency and his arousal pressed hard against her belly.

  She needed him like the air she breathed. When the time came for them to part, she’d deal with the fall-out then, but for now, she wanted him, wanted him with a desperation that shocked her to her core.

  With fluid motion, he’d stripped her jeans and panties down her legs. She stepped out of them and her ballet flats.

  “Place your arms around my neck,” he insisted. He placed his hands on her bottom and lifted her with ease so her legs wound around his waist. With the wall supporting her, she rubbed herself wantonly against him and smiled as a guttural groan escaped his lips.

  “You’re killing me, Lily,” he said, giving her another punishing kiss.

  With her breathing in tatters and her cries for more, Diego wondered if he could last a second longer. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  Haphazardly, he undid his jeans and with shaky hands managed to push them down his thighs with his boxer briefs. His erection sprang free.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  “Hurry,” she whimpered into his ear. “I want you.”

  She nipped his ear with her teeth and he grew harder, if that was at all possible.

  The sex was wild and his focus consisted of being buried in her. He plunged in with little preliminaries.

  “Diego,” she cried out, making his heart stop.

  “You okay?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  “Don’t stop.” She moaned, clutching at his neck.

  He withdrew slightly and then back in. It felt so darn good, he did it again. And again. And again.

  He forgot about everything except the blinding need to come. Within seconds he saw stars dance in front of his eyes. Throwing back his head, he roared out her name as his orgasm hit with the force of a semi-trailer. His vision blanked. With his seed spilling into her, his legs gave way and somehow managed to hold her as they collapsed onto the carpet. Every cell in his body tingled from his explosive orgasm. And no wonder.

  He looked down. He’d forgotten protection. Dear God. Dios Mio. What the hell had he done? His heart stopped. He’d never forgotten to protect his lover!

  Never!

  Instead of taking Lily to the movies, he’d had wild sex against the wall. What was the matter with him? He had the manners of a lion. He was supposed to have taken her out and instead he’d taken her without protection. Bile rose in his throat. He disgusted himself. Moving away, he staggered to his feet, struggling to dress. Tugging at his pants and boxers, he couldn’t look at her. “I’m sorry.”

  “What’s the matter?” she asked, her voice unexpectantly calm. He stole a glance at her, and a quizzical look passed across her face. His gaze took in her beautiful lips, still swollen from his kisses.

  He took a step back. “What we just did…”

  “Was wonderful.”

  How could she smile when he’d behaved so badly? He ground his teeth together. “I hurt you.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  A wave of dishonour washed over him. He held out his hand and assisted her to a standing position.

  The smile on her lips disappeared, replaced by a straight line. Worry lines marred her forehead. “Diego, what’s going on?”

  “I didn’t use a condom,” he confessed as another wave of shame washed over him.

  Her eyes widened at the realisation. “It’s okay.” She stepped toward him, reaching her hand out to him.

  “No, it’s not,” he said briskly, still unable to believe what he’d done.

  “I’m on the Pill,” she said in a calm, low voice.

  He expelled a hiss. Relief hit him in the solar plexus. So there wasn’t a chance of her getting pregnant, but that didn’t excuse his disgraceful behaviour.

  She stepped closer and ran the back of her fingers along the side of his face. “What we just shared was amazing.”

  “I was too rough.”

  “No, I wanted it as much as you.”

  The sex had been mind-blowing. But for a moment then, he’d been totally and completely focussed on his own fulfilment. The blinding need had been so intense, nothing like he’d ever experienced…or would ever again. “I should go.” He moved toward the door.

  “Don’t go.” She put her hand on his sleeve. “Do we have time to make the movie?”

  “Lily, I can’t be next to you. Do you honestly think I could sit next to you when I can smell your scent on my skin?”

  He paused as he saw her flush. Best to be honest. “I don’t trust myself around you.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I came here tonight to take you out on a date. And instead I took you, against the wall, like an animal. I’m sorry.”

  Her face paled.

  “I’ll call you later.” He pushed her aside, opened the front door, slammed it shut behind him.

  Chapter 9

  Lily stared at the closed door. Her skin still tingling from the explosive orgasm that had ripped through her. The pleasure had been so intense that she thought she might faint.

  Giving herself so completely and utterly had been special, because she loved him. Really loved him.

  The realisation had hit her as he’d thrust into her; she’d never felt so complete. There was a bond between them. She trusted him implicitly. Had been totally uninhibited. Why? Because she loved him. The answer had been a revelation. It also frightened her.

  He wanted a wife, but he didn’t want to fall in love. Whereas she wanted it all.

  Her confession had almost burst from her lips but she’d stopped at the sight of ashen face and slight tremble in his lips. The condom issue had been a big one for him. She instinctively knew he’d marry her, out of duty, if she was pregnant.

  But what of his dreams? What about hers?

  So she’d lied. She knew her cycle and there was no way she’d be pregnant. Telling him she was on the Pill was the right decision.

  Her heart ached at how their amazing coupling had ended. Instead of time together, she was alone with only her thoughts to keep her company.

  The following day at work, Deena gave her the end date of her contract. Three days. Three more days of working.

  During her lunch break, she opened her favourite Internet page. Cheap international flights.

  She made her selection there and then. Leaving Melbourne, arriving LA. She chose the cheapest airfare, every cent was precious to her.

  Now booked and paid for her, she leaned back in her chair at the realisation. The realisation that she was finally going to travel overseas and was leaving in two weeks.

  Two weeks.

  Her heart skipped in anticipation.

  She. Could. Not Wait.

  There was so much to do. So little time.

  The following night, she stood in the kitchen and did a quick check of dinner. All good. The boys were out and she’d planned a special dinner for her and Diego. She wanted him to know that she’d booked her flight, there was an end date to their fling, but most importantly, that she wasn’t pregnant. He needed to know that.

  The doorbell chimed. Right on time. As always. Making her way to the front door, she hummed a tune before opening it. Standing there with a bottle of wine in one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other, he gave her a dazzling smile. “Hi.”

  God, he was gorgeous.

  He stepped forward and kissed her mouth in a way that said, back off, fellas, she’s mine. If only.

  He tasted of minty freshness and a hint of coffee.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, handing her the flowers.

  Her face warmed at his compliment and she knew she’d miss him when their affair ended. Really miss him.

  “Come in.” She gestured inside before
he closed the door behind them.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  He lifted the bottle in reply. “A crisp white wine.”

  Following her close, they stopped in the kitchen.

  He sniffed the air and smiled. “Smells delicious.” His Spanish accent was more noticeable. Tonight was the first time they’d seen each other since he’d hightailed it the other night.

  They were both on their best behaviour.

  “Can you get the wine glasses from there?” She pointed to a cabinet. “I’ll put these beautiful flowers in a vase.” Breathing in their scent she said, “Thank you, Diego, they’re stunning.”

  “My pleasure,” he said.

  His smile seemed strained, making her wonder if he was still upset about the other night.

  Within seconds he’d opened the bottle and poured the golden liquid into two stemmed glasses. “Let’s go outside.”

  With Melbourne showcasing more glorious Autumn weather, Lily had set up the dinner so they could eat outside. Candles, in glass jars, were strung up around the lemon tree giving the darkened back garden a romantic, cosy look.

  The candles on the table flickered in the dusk light.

  “This looks lovely.”

  With her mother’s best cutlery and crockery, the table was decorated with a hand embroidered cloth, sewn by her maternal grandmother many years ago.

  Seated at the small table, Lily removed the fine mosquito netting from the table, displaying a number of appetisers.

  “You’ve gone to a lot of effort,” he said, admiration shining from his eyes at the number of plates decorating the table.

  His appreciation of her work made the mad rush worth it. “I enjoy cooking.”

  Taking a small sip of his wine, his gaze returned to her face. “You’re not drinking?” he asked, seemingly absently.

  She looked at her glass. So caught up in her thoughts, she’d forgotten to drink. She savoured her wine, wondering if he’d been thinking about an unplanned pregnancy…like her.

  “I’m not pregnant,” she blurted out. Her period had started that morning. “I have to confess, I’m not on the Pill.” She watched his eyes widen with shock. “I’m sorry I lied, but you were so upset the other night, I wanted to alleviate the stress you were going through. Besides, I know my cycle.”

 

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