by Chloe Blake
Lost in the kiss, she ran her palms up his chest. She trembled from the intensity of his gaze, but she needed more than a nice suit and a shave to get past the hurt of him walking away. She jerked back and wriggled from his grasp.
“I appreciate your apology, but you don’t get to just waltz in here and act like everything is okay.”
“I shouldn’t have left you like that. I’d take it back if I could. I’d take back a lot of mistakes I made. I wasted so much time, but then, if I hadn’t, I never would have met you. You’re the only thing I don’t regret.”
Stunned by the sincerity in his face, she murmured, “Why did you come?”
He straightened his tie and grinned. “I need a lawyer.”
Her eyes narrowed. It wasn’t the declaration she was looking for, and he knew it. She shook her head and stuck out her hip. “I don’t know whether to slap you or kiss you.”
“I’ll take the latter.” With one quick jerk, she was in his arms, crushed against him, their mouths locked and molded perfectly. He broke the kiss only for a moment. “I love you, Nicole. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.”
Someone behind them cleared their throat, and they turned to see her new boss standing in the doorway. Nicole stiffened; she needed to keep this job.
“Mr. Dechamps,” the older man began to stutter with a frown. “Uh, we’ve been looking for you. We’re ready to start when you are. I didn’t know you, uh, knew Nicole.” His eyes slid to her.
“We’re ready,” Destin said. Then he turned to Nicole. “Right?”
“We are?”
Destin turned to her. “Seguay’s legal team is here. My father is selling a portion of his land in France to him for a wellness resort.”
“You’re kidding. But won’t that hurt his wine output?”
“Father is letting me streamline his production. I’m going to make him more efficient.”
She smiled. “I’m so proud of you. You came to help your father.”
His gaze turned serious. “No, Nicole, I came here for you.”
Destin turned to Nicole’s boss, still in the doorway. “Miss Parks will be joining us.”
“Sir, Miss Parks doesn’t handle our international territory.”
“I know. But she handles mine.”
Nicole held back a smile when her boss began muttering under his breath. She grabbed her papers and followed Destin out of her office, stopping to give a folder to the scowling man. “Richard Dean,” she said gravely. “Actor. He has nine dogs.” She dropped the files into her boss’s hands, chuckling when she glimpsed his face.
She caught up to Destin before he entered the conference room and pulled him to the side. “Hey, one more thing before we go in there. I love you, too.”
She kissed him quickly, then skirted around him to join the group.
Epilogue
Rio Grande do Sul, eighteen months later
Nicole hurried into the kitchen of the main house just as Luiza was placing the tops of toasted French buns on two fully stacked roast beef sandwiches. Nicole had been so busy that morning planning for the incoming guests that she’d skipped breakfast. Her stomach rumbled as Luiza’s staff prepared the daily menu, and the savory smells permeated the fully modernized kitchen—stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, track lighting and a wood-burning oven.
Just steps away was a fully stocked bar with seating, a couch-lined lounge area by a stone fireplace and a large room of rustic dining tables. A glass wall overlooked the landscaped courtyard, and the picturesque countryside boasted rows upon rows of healthy grape vines.
They’d done it. Vin Amante Winery and Resort was alive.
Twice a day, tour buses dropped off locals and foreigners seeking the wine and relaxation that Travel and Leisure magazine had rated five out of five stars. Their second wave of guests should be arriving at any moment for an afternoon of wine tasting along with a four-course lunch.
She smiled to herself when she saw the giant pot of rabbit stew simmering on the stove.
“Is he still down there?” Nicole asked Luiza in Portuguese, the language coming more naturally now.
“Sim, we haven’t seen him all morning.” Luiza placed their plates on a silver tray and slid it in front of Nicole.
“This Bauru looks amazing.” Nicole plucked a few french fries from Destin’s plate and popped them into her mouth. With a knowing smile, Luiza tossed a few more fries on the plate.
“Ooooh, can I get a little cup of the stew, too?” Nicole added, and Luiza complied.
Nicole marched the tray across the lawn toward the cellar. Through the trees, she studied the spa facility that was just a short walk from the winery’s main house. Standing outside on the steps, Anton was overseeing the departure of their resort guests. The few guests she could see had smiles on their faces. She nodded, knowing firsthand the healing powers of the outdoor bathhouse, massage rooms, yoga gazebo and sauna.
Reaching the cellar, Nicole flung the door open, and her heels echoed on the stairs. It was still an unassuming gray structure on the outside, but the inside, through the doors and down the stairs, had been transformed into a comfortable space. There were electric sconces on the walls and a large chandelier hung majestically over the refurbished dining table—which was raised to accommodate twelve high-backed chairs. Their greatest addition was the luxury bedroom with the king-sized bed they’d added in the back alcove.
It didn’t compare to their bedroom at the château, but it came in handy when they worked late.
Bottles upon bottles of Dechamps label and Vin Amante label wines lined the walls, but only a few were out and ready for the tasting tours.
Magnus met her at the last step, and she slipped him some fries from Destin’s plate. Then she grabbed a Vin Amante bottle from the shelf and set it on the table next to their food.
“Destin, it’s lunchtime!” she called out toward the bedroom. “I have to scarf this down before the buses get here.”
Nicole found a bottle opener on the island in their stocked kitchenette, but paused when she spied a row of glasses with mini pours of red wine. She peeked around to the lounge area and found the leather couch empty, but the electric fireplace was still on. She raised an eyebrow when she realized the bedroom door was closed.
“Baby,” she said, moving toward the door. “Are you asleep?”
Just as she reached for the knob, Destin opened the door, stepped through, and closed it behind him.
He blinked and cleared his throat. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She blinked back. His hair looked like he’d been running his hand through it. Can this man ever not look sexy? She noticed he was wearing the green plaid button-down she’d bought him in New York.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He smiled and pulled her against him, softly claiming her lips. She had more questions, but she forgot them when he deepened their kiss. Her arms linked around his neck, and her fingers teased his nape.
“Let’s go in the bedroom,” she whispered against his mouth.
She felt him pause and frowned.
“I need you over here first.”
Destin led her to sit at the dining table and brought over the wine glasses from the kitchenette. He slid the first one in front of her. “Taste.”
He was a maniac. He’d begun thinking up new formulas the minute the renovations were done. She loved his obsession, though, because it made him happy. His gaze was so intense today, she wondered what was so special about these three infusions. She gave the glass a swish, held it to her nose and then tipped it into her mouth. She let it sit on her tongue and frowned dramatically; she knew he was dying to stump her.
“This is your father’s Cabernet Franc. Is this the two-year-old batch?”
He huffed. “How do you do it?”
She shrug
ged. “What have you been doing down here all morning?”
Another wine glass appeared in front of her. Destin bent to her ear and kissed it before whispering, “You’ll never guess this one.” She turned over her shoulder to capture his lips, but he quickly stepped to the side. He was up to something, and it spurred her on to beat him at his own game.
Lifting her gaze to his, she slowly licked her lips, then ran her tongue along the edge of the glass before taking a sip. His lips parted, and she ran her gaze down his body before returning her attention to the glass in her hand.
“This is Vin Amante. Maybe a year old. It’s developing nicely.”
Destin pressed his lips together and shoved the third glass on the table. With a triumphant smile, she grabbed the glass and tossed the garnet liquid back without her usual ritual...and stilled.
Clove, chocolate, elderflower, oak, truffle. Her brows drew together. “What is this?”
“Do you like it?”
“It’s a Cab Franc. Spicy, but subtle. I like it a lot.”
“Like you.” He placed a mock-up of a violet wine label in front of her. Her name was written in gold in the center. “I began tinkering with the flavors the week we met.”
Tears formed quickly in her eyes. She rose and pulled him close, kissing his lips through the wet tracks over her mouth. She knew how much the wine meant to him, and it was a true declaration of his love to include her.
“Thank you. It’s a beautiful gift.”
“You’re welcome, but that’s not all.” He led her to the bedroom and opened the door.
The dimly lit chandelier covered the bed in a warm glow and placed a spotlight on the small velvet box sitting open on the red duvet. Nicole’s heart raced as she stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the ring’s huge princess-cut diamond. She blew out the breath she was involuntarily holding and let the tears again fall from her eyes.
Destin’s arms surrounded her. He kissed her neck and the side of her face, then whispered against her cheek.
“Marry me.”
Like she’d refuse. She’d fallen for him the day they met, literally. Breaking his grasp, she reached for the ring and slipped it on her finger, noticing the halo of small diamonds in the setting and around the band. It fit perfectly. Then she turned to him and began unbuttoning her blouse.
“I will, on one condition.”
His gaze got caught on her open blouse. “Anything.”
“I want a family,” she breathed, letting her skirt fall to the floor.
He blinked and swallowed hard. She smiled at the surprise in his eyes. “She’ll have your eyes, but my brains,” Nicole said, tossing her shirt on the floor.
A slow smile spread across his face and he walked toward her, pulling his own shirt over his head. “He’ll have your smile, but my spirit.”
“She’ll be stubborn,” she said playfully, sliding onto the bed in her lingerie.
“He’ll be level-headed,” he teased, following her and covering her body with his own.
Later, lying in each other’s arms, hot and sweaty in the rumpled covers, their hearts full, they smiled at each other in between tiny kisses.
“I think you’ve gotten over your aversion to lawyers,” Nicole said, gazing at Destin from the crook of his arm. Her ring sparkled where her hand rested against his chest.
Destin rolled toward her and pressed the length of her body against his. Breathing hard, he pulled her closer with a satisfied smile. “Only one lawyer.” He kissed her, then pulled back quickly, his brows drawn. “Do you miss New York?”
Nicole twisted her lips. She missed her friends, but she was able to fly them to the resort for free. Her girls had already visited three times and had plans to come in another month. And Nicole occasionally did business in New York for Seguay—he’d decided that if any city needed healing, it was NYC.
“No, not really.”
“What about negotiating a hard sell or closing a deal? You used to love that.”
Nicole held up her ring. “Well, we’ve just entered into a partnership,” she said, pushing him onto his back and straddling his hips. “So if you’d like to start negotiations now, I’m ready.”
Nicole smiled against Destin’s lips, content, her blood still pumping after closing the most significant deal of her life.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from HER UNEXPECTED VALENTINE by Sherelle Green.
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Her Unexpected Valentine
by Sherelle Green
Chapter 1
“Baby, was that an earthquake I just felt? Because when you looked my way, I swear you rocked my world.”
Nicole LeBlanc cringed when the man wearing entirely too much cologne got a little too close to her personal space. She took a step closer to her friend Aaliyah Bai, who was trying to contain her laughter.
“They call me Romeo,” the man said as he ran his tongue across his teeth.
“Of course they do,” Nicole said sarcastically.
“I bet your lips have been lonely waiting for me to walk across the bar,” he continued. “I saw the way you were looking at me.”
Nicole rolled her eyes as she downed the rest of her drink. It never ceased to amaze her that the sleaziest of men always seemed to approach her when she was out at a bar. Granted, a bar wasn’t the ideal place to find a decent man, but come on. Why did she have to attract the slimy guys?
Nicole turned to face the man. “Listen, buddy, since I’m feeling generous today, I’m going to give you five seconds as opposed to three to get the hell away from me.”
“Damn, you’re feisty.” His eyes brightened, and he placed his unwanted hand on her shoulder. “I can only imagine how you’ll be in the bedroom.”
Time’s up. “You’ll never find out,” Nicole said as she grabbed his thumb and twisted the way she’d learned in her self-defense classes.
“Shit, baby, that hurts,” he whined. Nicole twisted his thumb a little more to prove her point, satisfied when the flirtation left his eyes and was replaced with pain.
“I was just trying to give you a compliment,” he said, shaking the hurt from his thumb when she let go. “Females these days are crazy.”
When he walked away, Aaliyah finally released the laughter she’d been holding in. “It’s only our first night being in LA, and already you’ve almost brought a grown man to tears. Not sure his horrible idea of flirting was worth you almost breaking his thumb off.”
“I didn’t apply enough pressure to break off his thumb,” Nicole said. “He was just being a wimp. I mean, who calls himself Romeo anyway?”
“Oh, my goodness,” Aaliyah said. “Hollywood isn’t ready for you.”
Nicole smiled as she ordered another drink. “I hope I’m ready for Hollywood.”
“You are,” Aaliyah said as she placed a hand on Nicole’s shoulder. “This is an amazing opportunity for you, and although I’ll miss you at Bare Sophistication back in Miami, I’m glad I can visit to help with the pop-up shop in LA.”
“Thanks, Aaliyah.” Nicole took a sip of her delicious cocktail as she thought about everything that was in store for her over the next couple months. She loved being the lead makeup artist and hairstylist for Miami’s Bare Sophistication Boutique and Boudoir Studio in addition to all her freelance work, but now it was finally time to spread her wings.
After making a connection with a television producer who was attending a beauty trade show where she was a vendor, Nicole was given the opportunity to temporarily uproot her life to Hollywood to be the lead makeup artist and hairstylist for a series of Valentine’s Day themed commercial ads being filmed. The commercials would all tie
together as advertisements for a Valentine’s Day documentary about love and relationships. Since the previous makeup artist and hairstylist suddenly quit, Nicole had a lot to prove.
The hardest part about coming to LA was leaving behind her friends and business partners, Summer Dupree-Chase and Danni Allison, owners of Bare Sophistication Miami. Fortunately, the women were very understanding of the opportunity and even better, the ladies decided that Bare Sophistication would have a pop-up shop in LA with an opportunity to do a local commercial for the boutique. Kyra Reed, current assistant manager for the Bare Sophistication Chicago location, would be in LA as well to manage the shop. Nicole would assist with the pop-up when she wasn’t filming, while Aaliyah—the Bare Sophistication Miami boudoir photographer—would travel back and forth between Miami and LA to help with the boudoir portion of the business.
Nicole and Aaliyah had arrived in LA hours prior to scope out the location of the pop-up shop and get Nicole settled in her temporary apartment. Her first day on the job didn’t officially start for another couple days, and although she’d never say the words out loud, she was nervous about her first major position on a television set.
Aaliyah hopped off her stool. “I’m going to head to the bathroom. Can you order me another mango margarita when the bartender returns?”
Nicole nodded in agreement before returning to her drink. Just shake off the nerves, LeBlanc. You’ve got this. She had no doubt that she’d spend the entire weekend chanting those words to herself.
She ordered Aaliyah’s drink and began planning her next few days in her mind. Her thoughts were momentarily interrupted when a man approached and sat in Aaliyah’s recently vacated stool.
“Magnificent,” she heard him say when he was seated.
Not again, she thought. Aaliyah hadn’t even been gone two minutes before another guy decided to hit on her.
“I’m not interested,” she said, turning to face him. The man in the sleek navy blue suit looked up from his phone.