“What?” I screech. I’m shocked and saddened that Ryan would say something like that, especially at a business function. “Nothing is progressing between us.”
Luke cuts me off by raising his hand. “He even told us how you two went on a date not too long ago.” I sense Luke’s effort to suppress his anger. “I don’t know what exactly went on between you two, but I don’t like being caught off guard.”
“Let me explain.”
“Please do.”
“I went to dinner with Ryan months ago, before I even saw you at the reunion. It was just dinner, but even that didn’t feel right. I thought I had been clear with Ryan. I told him we were better as friends. He agreed, and I thought we were both on the same page, but him bringing it up today in front of you and Mrs. Bianchi means I clearly need to have another talk with him.”
Luke uncrosses his arms and relaxes his shoulders slightly.
“The dinner was unimportant, and I knew you already didn’t like Ryan, so I didn’t bother to mention it. I’m sorry you found out that way. I should’ve told you.”
“Why didn’t you tell them we’re dating?”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I was going to, I am going to. I just haven’t been able to find the right time to do it.”
Luke sighs and leans back in the chair.
He doesn’t have to say anything. I know what I need to do. I walk around to the other side of my desk, reach across him, and pick up the phone. I dial Mrs. Bianchi’s extension, hoping to catch her before her next meeting begins. She answers on the third ring.
“Hello.”
“Do you have a minute?”
“A quick one, just waiting for Monica.”
“I need to tell you something, Mrs. Bianchi.” I take a deep breath. “I messed up earlier, because I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want you to think differently of me or that I was acting unprofessionally, but I have recently started dating Luke.”
“I guess my husband was correct. He thought he noticed sparks between you two.”
“Truth is, I knew him in high school, and we decided to try a relationship again. I promise I won’t let it affect my job in any way.” I bite my lip.
“Luke is not an employee of the winery, and you’re both adults, so I don’t see any problem with it.”
“Thank you.” I relax.
“While we’re on the subject though, Ryan is my employee, and he had some interesting things to say at lunch today. Since you’re dating Luke now, I suppose it doesn’t matter so much, but I would encourage you to be clear with Ryan. I’ve never expressly prohibited employees from dating, but it can lead to hurt feelings and uncomfortable interactions.”
“I understand. I’ll clear things up with him.”
“Sounds good. Oh, and Jessica, I hope Luke makes you happy.”
“He does.”
I hang up. Luke pulls me down into his lap.
“Thank you.” He buries his face in my neck.
“I should’ve done it before.”
“Yes, but then we wouldn’t have the opportunity to have makeup sex in your office.”
“Luke…” I say his name in a warning tone, but his lips are already pressed against my neck. “Not fair. You know that’s my weakness.”
“I never said I play fair.”
He pushes me up from his lap, leans down, and places his hands on the back of my knees. He glides up the back of my legs and under my skirt until he reaches his destination. He squeezes my ass before hooking his fingers around the top edge of my panties. He peers up at me, and I know I should tell him we can’t do this. Problem is, I want to.
His warm hands skim my legs as he pulls my underwear down, and it makes me shiver. I grab his shoulder as I step out of them, and he kisses my arm. When he stands and takes my face in his hands, I hold my breath.
He presses his soft lips to mine and slides his tongue past them.
“You taste good,” I murmur. He moves his hands into my hair and kisses me harder. Our mouths grow eager as they battle for more. I bite his bottom lip, and he groans.
In one motion he drops his hands to my waist and lifts me onto the desk. He sits in front of me and pulls me to the edge, roughly spreading my legs apart and placing my heels on the armrests.
“In case you forgot, let me remind you how I make you feel.” He licks his lips, and I gasp. He buries his face between my legs, and everything else fades away. After only a few minutes, my legs are shaking.
“I want you inside me,” I breathe out.
He stands up and kicks the chair back, then reaches in his pocket and retrieves a condom. He quickly undresses and gets ready to remind me some more.
He crashes into me. First with his mouth and then with his body. I’m so distracted by the intensity of his kiss, I’m caught off guard when he swiftly enters me. I gasp. The sound seems to turn him on even more because he mumbles something against my mouth and pushes into me harder. The more I moan, the faster and harder he thrusts. I remember we’re in my office and I try to be quieter. The thought makes my heart race, and a rush of adrenaline courses through me. The idea that we’re breaking a rule, that we could be caught, is taking this encounter to another level.
“Luke. I want you to make me come on this desk,” I whisper in his ear before taking the lobe in my mouth and sucking.
“Absolutely.” He reaches between us and rubs in small circles. The waves of my orgasm ripple through me. I cry out louder than I mean to, and he tenses, releases, and crumples against me.
We stay this way for a couple of minutes, until Luke’s legs start to weaken. He kisses me on the forehead before pulling out of me. I smile as I hop off the desk.
“I don’t want anyone else to ever make you smile like that.”
“No one does.” I pick up my panties and put them on.
“I missed you.” He pulls his pants back on.
“I missed you too.”
“You don’t understand. I’m not sure I’ve ever missed anyone while I’ve been away on a business trip.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yeah, it’s a good thing.” He grabs my hand and gently places a kiss on it.
I canceled my afternoon meeting with Ryan yesterday. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind after Luke left. But I don’t want a repeat of yesterday’s lunch, so I need to talk to Ryan today. Luke offered to handle it for me, but his wicked smile as he said it let me know he would not handle the situation with compassion.
I knock on the door to the winemaker’s office.
“Come in,” Ryan yells from inside.
I enter, and he smiles at me from a desk strewn with papers, a stark contrast to my organized office. “Got a minute?”
“Sure.” He motions for me to sit in the chair across from him.
“I’m not here to make you feel bad, but I heard you told the others at lunch yesterday about our date. I don’t want any misunderstandings between us. I thought we agreed we’re just friends.”
“Yes, we are. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Why did you say anything at all? It was a dinner date. It happened ages ago.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m not mad. I just want to know what’s going on.”
“Okay. I would love to be more than your friend. I’m sure that’s not a big surprise to you. But I know you don’t feel the same way about me, and that’s fine.”
“You’re a good man, and you deserve a good woman. Unfortunately, that woman isn’t me. I care about you, Ryan, just not in that way.”
“I care about you too.” Ryan sighs. “That’s why I brought it up. One of the investors has had his eye on you from the beginning. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. At lunch yesterday, he watched as you walked away from the table. He watched you like you’re something that belongs to him.
I felt I needed to protect you.”
“I have to tell you something.” I fidget in my seat. This is going to be harder than I thought.
He pales and shrinks back in the chair as he realizes what I’m not telling him. “Come on…you slept with that guy?”
“It’s not like that.”
Ryan shakes his head. “Oh, so you think you’re special to him? I really thought you were smarter than that.”
“I’m going to give you a pass on that comment.” I look Ryan directly in the eye. “You don’t understand the situation.”
“Oh, I think I do. What is it? His money? His looks? What exactly is it you’re attracted to? Because it certainly isn’t kindness or someone treating you with respect.”
“That’s enough,” I warn.
“What the hell, Jessica? You go from one cheater’s bed to another? Because we both know that’s how this ends, right?” He’s flushed with anger.
I stand and move toward the door. “You’re out of line, and you’re making a lot of assumptions concerning something you know nothing about.” I slam the door as I leave.
I walk across the property and back to my office, the whole time praying he’s wrong.
Chapter 15
For the first time since Grant and I split, I’m not dreading a weekend without Amelia. I’ll still miss her terribly, but I’m excited Luke will be spending the weekend at my house. His apartment is beautiful, but my house is comfortable and homey. I can’t envision living in an apartment like Luke’s full time. I’m also eager to see how we interact as a couple under more normal, ordinary circumstances.
My blowup with Ryan left me frazzled for the next couple of days. When I told Luke about it, he was ready to come to the winery and straighten Ryan out. I assured him that wasn’t necessary. Ryan and I have been avoiding each other, and that works for me.
When I told Linda about Luke, she didn’t seem surprised. She said she could tell something was different and suspected I had begun dating someone. She was surprised to learn about my past with Luke and all the drama. I love Linda and consider her a friend, but I am her boss too. I probably overshare, so this time I left out some of the more graphic details from the past few weeks.
I glance at the clock and see it’s already four. “Linda, why don’t you start your weekend early?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, it’s been a long week. Get out of here.”
“Thanks. Have a nice weekend with Luke. Can’t wait to hear all about it.” She turns off her computer and gathers her belongings.
“You too,” I say right as I hear the office door close. She told me earlier she’s having neighbors over for dinner tonight, so I don’t take her speedy departure personally.
I’m eager to go home and get ready for Luke’s arrival. Mrs. Bianchi doesn’t mandate exact times we have to be at work. As long as we don’t abuse her generosity and leave at noon every day, we’re allowed some leeway to come and go as we please.
I make it home with time to shower and get dinner started. I’m not the type to always cook dinner, but with Luke’s travel schedule, I assume he eats out often. If he can spoil me with private plane rides and fancy clothes, I want to treat him in my own way. Tonight he’s getting chicken parmesan and homemade brownies.
Luke rings my doorbell as I’m sticking pans in the oven. I know it’s him, but I peer through the peephole anyway. He looks tired but peaceful. His relaxed demeanor softens his features and makes him appear more boyish, more like the Luke I remember from high school. When I open the door and see the outline of his biceps through his T-shirt, I’m reminded he is in no way a boy.
He smiles and hands me a bouquet of stargazer lilies. They’ve been my favorite since my mom started buying them for me when I was ten. She told me every girl should receive flowers, and she shouldn’t have to wait for a boy to give them to her. To this day we send each other flowers several times a year. I’m looking forward to carrying on the tradition with Amelia once she’s a little older.
“I pictured you using a fancy suitcase these days.” I point to the duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
He kisses me on the cheek as he steps through the doorway. “I was so used to carrying around my baseball stuff in a bag, I guess I never moved on. Some habits are hard to break.”
“Do you still play?” I realize I don’t know if he completely gave up the game he loved so much at one time in his life.
“Sometimes with the kids at the center. I played on a softball league a while back, but then I got too busy.”
“Well, maybe you’ll have a son or daughter to play with someday.” I cringe as the words come out of my mouth.
Luke sets his bag down by the bottom of my staircase and steps toward me. “I don’t want kids, but I do want to practice with you.” He presses his lips against mine.
I’m breathless and a little dazed when he releases me. This is the first time I’ve heard him say he doesn’t want children. A buzzing sound from the kitchen interrupts my swirling thoughts before I can ask him to elaborate.
“I smell chocolate.” he grins at me.
“Brownies.”
“My favorite.” He plants another kiss on my lips before heading toward the kitchen.
I straighten up the kitchen while Luke tells me about London and the tech company he was visiting. When dinner is ready, I plate the food and Luke opens a bottle of wine.
“I thought you might enjoy a home-cooked meal after being gone.”
“It smells great.”
“Do you like traveling so much?” I carry our plates to the dining table.
“I do. Or I used to. I enjoy seeing new places and meeting people, but it’s nice to be home too. My schedule has made it difficult to do some of the other things I enjoy.” Luke sets a glass of wine in front of me before sitting.
“When did you stop playing baseball? Did you play after college?” I place a bite of chicken in my mouth.
“I played four years at Florida State. I had offers to play in the minors, but I was burnt out. Knew I wasn’t going pro, so I decided to get my career started.”
“Did you know this is what you wanted to do?” “At twenty-two, I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with a business degree. I lucked out when a teammate’s dad basically took me under his wing and taught me about venture capital. He saw I was a hard worker on the field and took a chance I might do the same at his company. I still remember the first meeting I got to sit in on. It was a rush, these really smart people attempting to get deals worked out. The next morning I got into the office before everyone. I stayed that night until I could barely see straight. I was hungry to learn as much as I could. I continued to do that until one day, they called me in to participate in a pitch meeting. I was nervous, but I listened and tried to ask meaningful questions. They said I was a natural and began to give me more projects. I met Aaron a couple of years later at a conference in Miami, and we instantly clicked. Within a year I moved to San Francisco to launch AL Investments with him.”
“It’s really not fair that you’re good at everything you do,” I tease.
“Not true. I’m good at things I’m determined to be good at. Speaking of being good at things, what about your photography?”
“No, I haven’t had time for that in years.”
“Well, good thing I’m back.”
“Why? Are you going to pose for me?” I snicker at the thought.
“No, but I am going to make sure you find time to do things that make you happy.”
After dinner, Luke ignores my protests and insists on helping me clean up the kitchen. When we are done, he thanks me again for dinner and pours me another glass of merlot. I take out the trash, and when I return, Luke is no longer in the kitchen. He’s in the backyard, walking around the pool, sipping his glass of wine. I pick up my glass and join him outs
ide.
“Nice yard. I do miss having one of these.”
“Yeah, it’s nice to have a mini escape back here. Amelia and I come out here a lot on weekends.”
Luke sits on the cushioned loveseat and pats the space next to him. I ignite the fire table before sitting next to him. Despite its potential danger, fire is soothing to be around. Luke is fire.
He is uncharacteristically quiet, and it’s making him hard to read. He gazes at the stars. I consider asking him what he’s thinking about, but it’s so cliché. People will tell you what they’re thinking if they want to. Asking is annoying. Grant used to often ask me what I was feeling. Reflecting on it now, I don’t know that he ever really cared about the answer.
We sit this way for what seems like a long time. My mind drifts to other things: work, Amelia, what I want to make for dinner next week. Spending time with Luke is comfortable and easy.
“This really is a nice house.”
“Thank you.”
“I have to admit I was a little uneasy with the idea of being in the house where you had a life with Grant once, but I can see why you’re happy here. I don’t see him anywhere.”
“Well, I should hope not, since he’s never lived here.”
“Oh, I assumed…” Luke tips his head to one side.
“I moved out when I found out about Grant’s cheating. Grant is still in our old place, but it’s up for sale. I knew I wouldn’t be able to start over in that house. Too many memories.” I take a gulp of wine. I don’t enjoy speaking about Grant, especially with Luke.
The silence returns, and although I wouldn’t say it’s uncomfortable, I wish Grant had not been brought up at all.
“Want to go in the spa?” I ask after a few minutes.
Luke smiles at me. “Yeah.”
I shiver in the best way possible.
By the time I return to the backyard after changing into my swimsuit and fetching towels, Luke is already there. He happened to pack a pair of board shorts, but I wouldn’t have minded if he hadn’t. Luke sticks his foot into the water as I lay the towels on one of the lounge chairs nearby.
Crushed Page 14