by Jen Talty
“Did you ask for it, or did my mom offer?”
That was honestly a loaded question. Because when Weezer had come to her offering her a job, part ownership hadn’t even been on Eliza Jane’s radar. Weezer had put that thought into her head. It had been a passing comment in one of their many video meetings, but it was Eliza Jane who’d come up with the numbers, though only after they’d hashed out the label agreement.
However, that was after Weezer had promised that her children weren’t interested and were on board with Eliza Jane having a piece of the pie.
Which had clearly been a bit of a lie.
“I’m going to be more honest with you than I’d planned.”
“You thought about lying to me?” He arched a brow.
“Not exactly.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I wanted to put you off. But I have some unanswered questions of my own, and maybe you can help me.”
He scooted even closer. For a second, she thought she should feel uncomfortable, but in reality, she felt like she was sitting with a close friend she was having a slight disagreement with.
But this was more than a little tiff. This was huge. And her heart tightened a bit over how she’d been so willing to cheat him out of what had been in his family for generations. She had no right to be so selfish. The River Winery hadn’t belonged to her family, and she had no right to ask for a stake in it.
Not even when it had been offered.
Of course, when she and Weezer had first discussed the possibility of a more permanent role in The River Winery, it was a year or two away. Eliza Jane would have had some time to get to know the town of Candlewood Falls as well as everything about the winery and the River family. She would have been able to ease herself into a decision.
But that’d all changed the second Weezer manipulated her family.
One the one hand, Eliza Jane couldn’t blame Weezer. However, Malbec wasn’t the kind of man who responded well to being backed into a corner. That was why she was willing to be so honest. He deserved the truth. At least, the parts she could tell.
And she needed to understand why she felt so connected to something that wasn’t hers or even a part of her past. She’d worked at a dozen wineries, and none of them had seeped into her bloodstream like this one had.
“The original plan had been for me to work for a year and see where things were. But I don’t think that was ever your mother’s plan.”
Malbec reached for his wine and downed half the glass. “And what do you think she was up to when she hired you?”
“Exactly what you’re thinking.”
“And how do you know what that is?”
“It’s the only possible scenario, given what’s transpired,” she said.
He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers, rubbing his thumb over her skin. “All I got from her was that you were alone in this world and that she wanted to give you an opportunity. That your father made an impression, and when she heard he’d died, she felt compelled to offer you a job. It’s not the first time my mom has taken someone in like that. She also mentioned that she could do whatever she wanted.” He let her hand go. “But I don’t get this matchmaker thing when it comes to giving you part of the winery. If she wanted us together, why promise you something that you’d get if we were to be—to be—a thing?”
“Wow. That was really painful for you to say, wasn’t it?”
He laughed. “No. The only thing causing me distress right now is trying to understand my mother’s motives and why my dad is going along with it. I mean, he drew up the contract, and it shocked me that he was so willing to give up that much of the business.”
“I can’t believe you saw the contract and I haven’t.”
“You really haven’t gone over it yet?”
She shook her head. “I was supposed to sign it this afternoon, but between meeting Chablis and Merlot and now this, well…it’s been pushed off until tomorrow.”
“Fuck.” Malbec reached into his back pocket and pulled out his cell. “I better let them know I’m not meeting them tonight.”
She reached out and folded her hands over his. “Please, don’t cancel on your siblings because of this. I don’t want to be the cause of any family fights. Today was hard enough.”
“Why? What happened with my brother and sister? Did they say something that upset you? Insult you? Because I’ll take care of them.”
“Oh. My God. Do you hear yourself? You’re giving me whiplash.”
“You usually do that to me.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “But, honestly, I don’t have the brain power to deal with Chablis and Merlot tonight, considering what’s happened. I’ll see them first thing in the morning. Do they know about the deal you struck with my mom?”
“No. But they either want you to talk her into selling, or they want you home so they can come work with you. And that kind of implies there is no room for me in either situation. Merlot was the most vocal on his thoughts on that.” Well, crud. That was way too honest. But Merlot was a bit of a jerk, so she shouldn’t feel bad for tossing him under the bus.
“How so?” Malbec asked.
“He made it clear that I wasn’t welcome.”
“He actually said that?” Malbec rolled his neck. “Did Chablis agree?”
“Merlot didn’t see how I could add value, and Chablis only said that this wasn’t personal but business,” Eliza Jane said. “The thing is, I got the impression they are more inclined to sell than to have you home. Is that true?”
“No. But there is a different issue,” Malbec said. “I wasn’t honest with you about Merlot and why he switched gears and became a parole officer.”
“What do you mean?” She searched her brain for the conversation that she and Malbec had had about his brother, Merlot. It hadn’t been that long ago, but she’d learned so much about the family in such a short time that some of it had jumbled together. “He went to Cornell, as well, right?”
Malbec nodded. “Chablis finished the same degree that I did before the firefighter academy, but Merlot only spent two years at Cornell before transferring to Potsdam and switching to criminal justice. That switch in degrees came on the heels of my big fight with my mom, which was also right after I broke up with my longtime girlfriend.”
“Someone who worked at the winery?”
He cocked his head. “How do you know about that?”
“I’m learning that everyone knows everything in small towns.”
He laughed. “Well, Racheal, my ex-girlfriend, was a local. She started working in the winery when we were in high school and stayed on through college. She had a lot of high expectations, including being in charge of some things, and that wasn’t going to happen when Merlot came on board. That bothered Racheal and caused some problems between us. I didn’t know that my little brother had a crush on her.”
“Oh. That’s never good.”
“Nope. And he felt the need to be the one to tell me that she was cheating on me.”
“That had to hurt.”
“It did. However, I didn’t want to believe it at first. But when a friend of ours was wrongfully accused of murder, she believed that he did it. Between that and me finally seeing the truth about her, well, it put an end to our relationship, and Merlot had a new interest in criminal justice.”
“That sucks for your friend.”
“It did,” Malbec admitted. “But the bigger reason he switched gears is that he felt I betrayed him when I left for Napa Valley, and he wanted nothing to do with the wine business to spite me. He’s still angry with me, which is probably why he was a shit to you today. If he thinks I want to keep you on, it will remind him of Racheal, and that was always a sore subject with him for a lot of reasons. I never would have put her in a higher position as an employee, but if she and I had worked out, well…” He shrugged.
“Merlot wasn’t a total shit. But he did seem a bit all over the place.”
“He is, and it gets even more complicated,” Malbe
c said. “I don’t know if he’d prefer we sell and be done with it all, or if he hopes we’ll reconcile our differences. I mean, we get along great, but there is this undertone that doesn’t go away. And the world thinks we hate each other because he acts like he hates me in front of people.”
“That would be a true statement.” She leaned in, wanting to feel the warmth from Malbec’s skin. “However, it’s obvious that Merlot admires and respects you. He wants to work with you. He’d rather the winery stay in the family.”
“You’re just saying that because it serves you.”
“It does serve me, but the contract isn’t signed, and my fate is so far out in the balance, I feel off-kilter.” His lips were a milliliter from hers, and that made her dizzy. “I want to be here. I deserve to have some skin in the game for my talents and my efforts. You’d want the same in my shoes.”
His mouth came down on hers hard, and his tongue slipped between her lips. There was no mistaking his intent.
And there wasn’t a chance in hell she would stop him.
11
Malbec
Malbec pulled her as close to his chest as he could. His tongue found hers and curled around it in a dance that felt familiar. He couldn’t explain why he was so compelled to hold her, but he didn’t want to let her go.
Of course, he waited for her to push him away since his kiss came out of nowhere. Besides being totally inappropriate, if this went any further, it would complicate things to the point of no return.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and straddled him. Her passion filled his veins with a fire he hadn’t felt in years.
Actually, he’d never had a woman touch his soul this deeply.
It wasn’t just about how his body reacted to her touch. It was about how his heart filled with passion, and his mind desired to know everything about her.
His pulse kicked into high gear. He struggled to fill his lungs with air. He slipped his hands under her shirt and splayed his fingers across her warm skin.
She moaned as he fumbled with the clasp on her bra. It took him a good two minutes before he was finally able to undo the damn undergarment. He almost had to break off the kiss so he could see what he was doing, and he feared if he had to do that, she’d realize her mistake and tell him to stop.
He jerked his head back.
She gasped, licking her lips and staring into his gaze. “What?” She leaned back a little. Her fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt. “Is there a problem?” She lifted it over her head and tossed it across the room. Her bra straps fell off her shoulders.
He tugged at them, exposing her perfectly round breasts and puckered nipples. He groaned. “No,” he whispered.
“Then why did you stop kissing me?”
He palmed her cheek. “I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
“I’m a big girl. You don’t need to take responsibility for my actions.”
“I’m not,” he said. “But I like you, and we will have to work together to figure some things out.”
“Yes, we will.” She unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt and ran her fingers through his chest hair. “And let’s not mistake that this doesn’t necessarily mean anything. We’re just getting it out of our systems.”
He arched a brow. “Are you saying this is a one-time thing? Because I don’t do one-night stands.”
“Good thing it’s still in the afternoon then.” She pushed to a standing position and toyed with the snap and zipper of her jeans.
He swallowed. Hard. “That’s a technicality.” Sitting up a little taller, he ripped off his shirt and pushed it aside. “Besides, once is never enough to put down to experience. You have to have a second opportunity to make sure your craving has been satisfied, and you’ve really put it behind you.”
“Are you ever going to shut up and take me to bed?”
He gave her a little shove, and she fell back onto the mattress, which was directly across from the sofa. It took him all over two seconds to rid himself of his slacks and another five to yank hers to her ankles.
She scooted up to the head of the bed, giggling. It was such a sweet sound. It tickled his ears and gave him warm goosebumps. He could listen to her laugh all day long and never get bored.
Her tanned skin glowed in the sunlight beaming through the windows. She had to be the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. Never in a million years had he believed that he could feel this much in such a short time, but Eliza Jane had brought him to his knees. One time wouldn’t be enough to satisfy his tastebuds.
A week wouldn’t come close to taming his desire.
He needed months to peel back the complicated layers that made up Eliza Jane. And the process needed to be done right. It couldn’t be like ripping off a bandage.
No.
Eliza Jane wasn’t the kind of woman who gave herself over easily. He would have to earn that trust.
And he planned to do just that.
He kissed her from head to toe, leaving no part of her untouched. She tasted like a sweet nectarine. He teased her, bringing her to the brink of climax, only to pull back until she begged him not to stop.
She rolled him to his back and climbed on top, rolling her hips and grinding. Her desperation spilled over to him, and he clutched her hips, digging his fingers into her soft skin. He gritted his teeth and swallowed a guttural groan.
“Yes.” She arched her back. “Malbec.”
“Slow down.” He tugged at her hair, pulling her to his chest and taking her mouth in a hot kiss, swirling his tongue around hers much like their bodies thrust against each other.
“I need you.” She nibbled on his neck, sucking and kissing wildly. “Please.”
He flipped her to her stomach, pulling her to her knees as he stood at the side of the bed. He entered her slowly while reaching around with one hand to find her hard nub. He rubbed gently in a circular motion as he moved inside her, entering her deeply but slowly.
“Oh, my God. Yes.” She glanced over her shoulder and pushed harder against him, increasing the pace.
There was no way he would remain in control, no matter what position he tried. She would always take charge.
And he honestly enjoyed that about her in more ways than one.
He leaned forward, holding both her hips, and thrust hard. He continued to do so until she convulsed around him, her climax overtaking him, forcing his to spill out. He continued for a few moments, at a much slower pace, rubbing her back, letting his fingertips feel every curve of her spine as they caught their breath. He collapsed onto the bed next to her, pulling the spare blanket over their bodies and hugging her to his chest.
She kissed his neck and wrapped her arms around his middle, letting out a long sigh.
Running his hand up and down her supple skin, he searched for the right words, but he came up with nothing. He had no idea what to say, so he chose to keep his mouth closed for a change. However, eventually, he’d have to come up with something. They needed to converse, and he needed to sound intelligent. And, of course, he couldn’t insult her or make light of what’d just happened.
He blinked.
He swore he’d never get involved with anyone who worked with him ever again. Hell, he’d kept his so-called relationships out of the wine business altogether. Racheal had made sure that he never wanted to mix any kind of business with pleasure ever again. She’d honestly thought that his family owed her something.
They didn’t owe her a damn fucking thing.
But this was different.
God, he hoped it was different.
“You just tensed up like an angry bird.” She patted the center of his chest.
“Sorry.” He inhaled sharply through his nose and let it out slowly through his mouth.
“Did you just come back to reality?”
“A little bit.”
“Yeah. Me, too.” She pulled the blanket tightly around her body and sat. She scooted to the foot of the bed and snagged both wine gl
asses.
He found his underwear and put them on before taking the beverage. He took a long sip. “Oh, that’s good.”
“Better than sex?”
“Hell, no. I don’t think anything can top what we just did. Ever.”
“Flattery might give you a second opportunity.”
“Good to know.” He chuckled. “I’ve got some other compliments if you care to hear them.”
“Let them simmer for a few hours.”
He lowered his chin.
“It’s just a possibility. I’m not making any promises.” She raised her glass. “It’s been a very long time, and I was horny.”
He tapped his wine against hers. “Here’s to being hard-up.”
“We’re pathetic.” She took a sip and then set the drink on the nightstand. “I know I shouldn’t bring this up while we’re still in bed, but that probably wasn’t the smartest move.”
“Nope. But you’re the one who said we needed to get it out of our systems .” He curled his fingers around the back of her neck. “Are you cured of your desire for me?”
Playfully, she smacked his forearm. “I plead the fifth.”
“Well, I’ll take the stand and tell the truth.”
She reached over and covered his mouth. “That won’t be necessary. I get the picture. But you know this can’t keep happening. We are oil and water. And whether you like it or not, I’m signing that contract tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry. But that contract won’t be offered.” He slipped from the bed. Sleeping with her had been a mistake. It wasn’t because he didn’t care for her, though—because goddamnit he did.
More than he wanted to admit.
But he was about to crush her heart flat.
Right now.
“That’s not for you to decide,” she argued.
“No. But I know my mom, and she’ll pull back because of everything that is going on. She’ll draw up one with the label, and I’ll ask her to increase the percentage for that. But the ownership of The River Winery is off the table. I’m sorry. No matter what we do, that’s my family’s business. Whether we sell today or not for decades, it belongs to my siblings and me and any future children any of us might have. It can’t go to you or anyone else. I can’t allow it.”