When he touched her lips, just a subtle brush of his fingers, Josie caught one between her teeth.
She flicked the tip with her tongue, and he made a low sound in his throat. His breath fanned her neck when he continued, “I wanted you. You know that. But Josie, we laughed, had such a great time together. I loved making love with you, but…”
She released his finger. “But what?”
“But that weekend, I really thought I could fall in love with you.”
“You didn’t know anything about me.”
“Sometimes two people recognize one another even though they don’t know one another. They just click.”
“Then you found out I hated working for my dad’s winery. That was a deal breaker.”
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her around until her legs were draped over his and they were nose to nose. “No, Josie. The deal breaker was when I woke up to find you gone.”
“I left a note.”
“One that basically said ‘Thanks for a good time. Let’s not do this again.’” His face was harsh, from frustration and what looked heartbreakingly like pain.
“What did you want me to do?”
“To give me a chance. But I realized you were dead serious when you said you wanted nothing to do with another man who made his living by making wine.”
She tried to pull away, but he held her by the back of the neck, refusing to let her get any distance. Any breathing room. “Is it wrong that I want a man to love me more than he loves a handful of grapes?”
“No, but it was wrong that you assumed I wasn’t that kind of man.”
Chapter Eight
God, how could he make her understand that not all men were created equal? Even though her logic was making him crazy, he wanted her so damn much he was having to keep a firm grip so his hands wouldn’t shake on her skin. It seemed crazy. Hell, it didn’t seem. It was.
He’d spent two nights with this woman, and he’d somehow figured out she was the one for him. Her outer package—as knockout as it was—was only one of the things that attracted him. He admired that she was passionate about her art. That she lived in a quirky old travel trailer. And that she was loyal to the people she loved.
But now, that loyalty was standing between him and what he wanted. It was standing between Josie and the future they could have together.
“My dad’s never been a happy man, not since the day my mom left.”
“Have you ever considered that his happiness isn’t your responsibility?” he said, keeping his voice even when he wanted to shout. “The only person’s happiness you should worry about is your own. And it’s obvious that you aren’t doing enough of that.”
“I know, and I’m leaving Bitter Pecan when I get back to Texas.”
Trace’s chest felt light, as if someone had filled it with helium. “Where to?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m just gonna hitch my trailer to the truck and roll.”
That lightness inside him didn’t last because what had he really expected? That she would tell him she planned to turn west and head straight to him? Wasn’t as if he was a guy with a secure future right now.
But one thing he was secure in was that he wanted Josie. Wanted her in his bed and in his life. “I’m not tied down either.”
She blinked and her eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks. “But…but you live here in St. Helena.”
“That doesn’t mean I have to.”
“But your sister said—”
“Sweet Ficus winery isn’t the only gig on my horizon.” Yeah, he probably should’ve mentioned to Casey earlier that he’d been contacted by a number of vineyards. Word that he wasn’t working in the family business was making it around the state.
“Maybe not, but you love wine, and that won’t change.”
“I don’t own a vineyard like your dad.”
“Your family does. And I saw the expression on your face when Casey mentioned your family’s business. You want to be a part of it.”
She was right. He’d been a helluva a Ranger, but the thing that had often kept him alive, had kept him putting one damn foot in front of the other, was the thought of one day coming home and helping grow his family’s vineyard. But people, and dreams, changed.
And he was beginning to see that he could work somewhere besides Sweet Ficus and still be happy. He loved his parents and his siblings, but he couldn’t lay his future at their feet. “They’re doing what they think is right.”
Her beautiful mouth pulled down into a scowl, making him want to kiss her. “They’re obviously idiots, then.”
“I’ll be sure to mention that to my sister.”
“Anyone who’s talked with you for five minutes should know what a hard worker you are. Not only that, but you care—about people, about wine, about your family.” Josie slipped her hands over his shoulders, up his neck to cup his face, making Trace feel like he was the center of her universe. Making him realize what it felt like to be comforted and cared for. “So few people get to do what they really love in this world. You can’t throw that away.”
“Even if it means losing you?”
Her lashes dipped then, shielding her expressive eyes from him. “I like you, Trace. I really do. But I want the time and space to chase my own dreams.”
“I’m not your dad. Why would you think I’d ask you to sacrifice for me? I want you to chase your dreams because you make amazing art, and most people think art and wine mix beautifully.”
A small smile lifted her lips and some of the tension inside him eased. “What would you do if I showed up here in St. Helena?”
“I’d pull you out of your truck and kiss you until you didn’t know your own name. Then I’d find a place for you to park your Airstream. Then I’d take you to bed and stay there for a week.”
Her tentative smile went full wattage. “I like the sound of that.”
He pulled her closer and said against her lips, “If you like the sound of that, then you’re gonna love the feel of this.”
When he took her mouth, she melted into him and slid her fingers through his hair. And now that he had her in his arms again, had her listening to his reason, he didn’t feel the need to rush.
Instead, he moved slowly, like a sweet dessert wine trickling down the inside of a glass. And her tongue and lips against his were so delicious. She scooted closer and rubbed against the fly of his jeans, sending a jolt of need through him. God, she was warm and willing in his arms.
This was what had been missing in his life these past few months.
Josie. Just Josie.
Maybe now he wouldn’t have to do without her anymore.
He skimmed a hand slowly over her spine to cup her ass. The moan that vibrated through his mouth said she approved, so he did it again with his other hand and pulled her tight against him, slid her up and down, making himself see stars.
He wanted his hands all over her naked skin, but they were out in the open here in the vineyard. So he released her mouth, and her tongue darted out and slipped along his upper lip in a teasing flick. Between heavy breaths, he managed to get out a few words. “We’re…uh…outside.”
This time, her smile wasn’t sweet. It was pure seductive temptation. “Why yes, we are.”
He caressed her cheek and smiled into her eyes, dark with arousal. “I want to make love with you.”
“You were right. I love the feel of this, so…” She eased back and her hands went to the snaps on her shirt.
Was she—
Pop.
Man, he loved those freckles right there—
Pop.
Her bra was suddenly exposed. The sliver between breasts told him it was hot pink with silver polka dots. His new favorite colors.
Pop.
He stilled her hand before he forgot where they were. “Maybe we should go back to my place.”
She glanced around at the vines—lush and green, heavy with fruit that wouldn’t be harvested until the fall. “Do you expec
t someone to come strolling through here tonight?”
“No, but—”
She kissed him. It was the first time Trace remembered a woman ever shutting him up that way, but he kinda liked it. When she was apparently satisfied she’d fried all his circuits, she eased away. “What’s life without a little risk?”
It wasn’t a damn thing. That’s the reason he was putting his heart at risk tonight. Josie could—had—hurt him, but if he didn’t try to win her over, he would regret it with everything inside him. So he kissed her back until she was clutching his shoulders, making sounds that said she was on board with his plans. He gave her bottom lip a small nip and ended the kiss to say, “Be forewarned. I’m going to make you scream.”
Her eyes widened and she popped another snap. “I do like a man with aspirations.” Then she pushed against his shoulders and stood, her legs planted on either side of his. With quick movements, she unsnapped the rest of her shirt and let it drop to the ground.
Oh, hell. This was a show he could watch every day. He leaned back on his hands and smiled up at her.
“You look like you expect a tub of popcorn.”
“Oh, I have a completely different snack in mind.”
“I like you, Trace Cowan.”
The softness in his chest hinted that he more than liked Josie Jennings. But he didn’t think she was ready to hear that. “More stripping. Less talking,” he teased.
Like a true Texas girl, she toed off her boots with ease. But when she stepped between his legs and began to shimmy off her jeans, Trace slipped into a flesh trance.
Her skin was a beautiful cream and her hair was a tumble of color on her shoulders and down her back. “I love your hair. Soft and sexy,” he said, “just like you.” Then he took her hand and tugged her down to the blanket.
She gave his shirt a pointed look. “You still have your clothes on.”
He ditched his shoes and pulled his shirt up his torso.
“I bet your chest has its own fan club.” Her warm palm landed on his right pec, sending a direct line of communication from his chest to his dick.
He gave a strangled laugh and got caught up in the cotton fabric. “What?”
“I’d buy a poster of it.”
Finally, he was able to wrestle his way out of what had been a relatively manageable shirt this morning and stared at her, lying back like he’d been a few minutes before, which showed off her breasts in that sexy pink bra. Her smile was both sweet and tempting, and she ran a hand over her own chest, in between her breasts, and down her stomach until her fingertips flirted with the edge of her panties.
His mouth went dry as he thought about her slipping her hand under that scrap of polka dots, between her legs, and—
“Trace?”
“Huh?”
“You went somewhere.”
“Between your legs.”
“Well then.”
“I mean—”
“I think I know what you meant. Do you like to watch when—”
“No! Yes. Hell.” He hung his head and tried to pull in a full breath. “I know this sounds stupid when I’m about to strip off in the great outdoors, but the first time you do that for me, I want you in my bed. Surrounded by candlelight and pillows.”
“You’re a romantic.”
He knelt in front of her feet, and with firm hands, he pushed her knees apart. And there was heaven. “No, Josie, I’m just a man. One who’s about to put his mouth on you.”
Her knees wobbled, pressing against his hands, but he shouldered between her legs until he could smell the heat coming off her. See that a few of those polka dots were slightly darker than the others.
He slipped his tongue along that soft fabric, tasted the unique flavor of Josie. Sweet and hot and spicy. He tugged at the fabric and caught movement from the corner of his eye. Josie’s hands were clutching the picnic blanket like it was the only thing keeping her tethered to the earth.
And as much as he wanted to tease, take his time, make her crazy, he needed her.
And in his heart, he knew she needed him. And not only this way. She needed someone who would support and encourage her to do what she loved.
But for now, he would make her realize how damn good they could be together. So he tugged down her panties and slipped them off her legs. And then there she was in front of him—beautiful, vulnerable, trusting.
He put his mouth on her, gave her the most intimate kiss in the world, and before long, she was trembling under him. When he would’ve slipped a finger inside her, she caught his hand and panted, “You.”
She wouldn’t have to ask twice. He shoved down his pants and boxers and slid on a condom. Josie flicked open the front clasp of her bra, and Trace stroked himself once. He wanted his mouth right there, sucking at her while he drove inside her.
He stretched out on top of her, and she cupped those beautiful breasts for him, their pretty pink tips hard. He grazed his teeth over her and her hips bucked under him.
This might be a hot, wild ride for both of them. Josie clamped her legs around his hips, opening to him. Bracing above her, he guided himself inside her welcoming heat, the pleasure making him close his eyes with the force of it.
“Oh,” she sighed when he was fully seated.
“You…Josie…” He didn’t know what the hell he wanted to say. That she felt amazing? That her body felt like the home he’d been missing? That she healed a piece of him he hadn’t even realized needed healing?
With a languid movement, she wrapped her legs around his waist and looped her arms over his shoulders to urge him closer.
So he put his mouth to her breast, tugging and sucking, as he slowly slid in and out of Josie’s body.
Every slick glide of her skin against his felt like an out-of-body experience. Taking him somewhere he’d never been before. Heaven was a pale word for it.
Her hips came up to meet him, and she was making needy sounds in her throat. He wanted to do this all night, joining and rejoining with her.
But she needed more. She needed him to take her over.
So he hitched her legs higher on his back, braced himself above her, and slid home. Hard.
“Oh, God.” Her eyes flew open.
“Yes?”
“A million times yes.”
“Reach between us.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m about to get serious, and I can’t do this and play with your clit at the same time.”
Like an obedient schoolgirl, she did as he said and her eyes took on a dazed sheen. He rocked into her with strong thrusts, and her neck arched, making her breasts a temptation he couldn’t resist.
He took a nipple between his teeth, and immediately felt her muscles tighten around him. Their tempo went from fast to frenzied.
Josie wrapped herself around him like she never planned to let him go. And as she came, she screamed his name.
Chapter Nine
When her scream of release faded, Josie’s body and mind were still on overload, complete Meltdown City. Not only because of that amazing orgasm but because being with Trace felt so right.
Both physically and emotionally, they blended together like the perfect shades of blue and yellow to make a gorgeous green.
How had she ever walked away from him before?
Although she’d finished, he was still moving inside her, his eyes locked on her face. He was with her, looking at her, into her like she was everything he’d ever wanted. Would ever want again. One side of his mouth lifted, but his words were slow in coming. “You…screamed.”
“Now it’s your turn.” But she reached up and locked her mouth to his, kissed him with all the passion and hope she had inside her, until he thrust and held tight against her, his body rigid with his release.
When their lips parted, his breath was shallow and his eyes were closed, but his expression…it was a picture of absolute satisfaction. And that filled Josie with a pleasure she’d never known before.
The physica
l connection was one thing, but for some reason, this man—someone she’d spent so little time with—got her. Knew her. And she knew him.
Trace kissed a line down her temple to her jaw. Then he rolled them to the side and buried his face in the crook of her neck. “Good God, Josie.”
She ran a hand down his back, trying to soothe them both from the excess of emotion swirling around them. Could this confusing, elated, scared-to-death feeling be real love?
Even if it wasn’t, what was inside her was something too strong to ignore. Soul deep, she knew Trace was her chance at happiness, at moving on and building her future. As she looked up at the sky quickly morphing from deep orange to midnight blue, she smiled. “Based on this outing, I think I could learn to like California.”
He eased back to look at her. “I can’t promise you this kind of adventure every day.”
With gentle fingers, she brushed his hair from his handsome face. “Vineyard lovemaking or not, I have a feeling being with you would be better than an adventure.”
“Josie, I wanted to ask you about the galleries—”
She quickly covered his mouth to avoid a fib she never should’ve told. “That’s not important tonight. We have all the time in the world to talk about art and wine. Tonight, I just want to lay here with you and look at the stars.”
Lacing his fingers with hers, he said, “I’ve never been here before.”
She knew he meant he’d never been in this emotional place, but she took in the beautiful and fertile landscape all around them. For the first time ever, a vineyard seemed like a happy and welcoming place. “I haven’t either, but I know I’d like to stay, which means we have plenty of time to feel and say everything.”
“So you’re coming to California?”
“Yes.”
A smile on his face, he kissed her and pulled the blanket over them so they were wrapped inside a soft cocoon. She rested her head on his chest and breathed in his warm scent, letting it relax her. Before long, Trace’s even breaths ruffled her hair.
St. Helena Vineyard Series: Love So Sweet Page 5