She was angry at him, she realised. She had missed him and this—whatever it was between them. His recent distance and cool reserve felt unnatural. It had seemed like a very deliberate rebuff to prove a point. Which was?
She wanted to dance with him. She wanted him to hold her in his arms again. He knew her better than she knew herself apparently, because he’d been prepared to wait her out.
And it was hard to stay angry at a man who was anything but arrogant. He was caring and kind and fun and ... the sort of man she should have fallen in love with instead of Andrew all those years ago.
‘Hey,’ he said, reading her expression. ‘Why so sad?’
‘I wish ... I wish things were different.’
‘I don’t. I’m here in the Hunter Valley with a talented, beautiful woman who’s currently considering dancing with me. Life is good.’
Jet choked out a laugh, caught out once again by Dan’s sincerity. To her embarrassment she found herself blinking back tears.
‘Jet, Juliet,’ Dan whispered and reached up, gently brushing away a tear with his thumb. ‘It’s one dance. How about it?’
He stepped back and held out his hand, waiting.
Jet closed her eyes and before she’d even opened them again, her fingers had already found his.
Chapter Twenty
Dan tugged Juliet towards the dance floor. Juliet or Jet? He wasn’t sure anymore, but it didn’t matter. He’d missed her. Go figure. They’d been sharing a house together and he’d felt her absence keenly.
On the dance floor they stepped easily into each other’s arms, keeping enough distance between them to appear respectable. Yeah, Dan was well past respectable when it came to his thoughts about this woman. He ached for her in a way he never had for any woman. All they’d done was kiss, but it had lit a fire in him that had remained burning steadily despite his determination to give her the space and distance she’d made clear she needed.
Screw space.
Dan stepped in closer, bringing her body against his. And waited. She stiffened, standing straighter, and then after a moment relaxed against his chest. She placed her head on his shoulder.
Dan felt like the luckiest guy in the room—luckier than the groom, and he had a sneaking suspicion Brett’s younger sister was adored by her new husband.
Jet released a long breath and they started moving together. Contrary to his dig at her need to be in control, she didn’t fight him. Instinct told him it was a welcome relief for her not to have to retain control if Andrew was as big an arsehole as he suspected.
But he wasn’t going to think about any of that now. For the moment, he had Jet in his arms and he was going to enjoy it.
‘What do you think?’ Her voice was muffled against his shoulder.
What did he think? I think I’m in heaven, he thought. Instead he said, ‘Of?’
‘The wedding.’
‘Good effort.’
She removed her head from his shoulder and stared daggers at him. ‘Good effort, you can do better? Or good effort, it’s been a satisfactory event?’
He bit back a smirk at her prim accent. ‘Satisfactory. Tonight’s success will be noted on your employee review.’
‘When do I get my opportunity to provide feedback on management, then?’
‘Never.’
She laughed. A real, genuine laugh that shook her shoulders and Dan was filled with a sense of relief. She stopped laughing and gave him a reproachful look when she saw his expression.
‘You’ve been avoiding me.’
He stepped in closer and didn’t answer until she’d returned her head to his shoulder.
‘You seemed to need it.’
‘I ... thought so. Now I’m not so sure.’
‘Why?’
She laughed again, but it sounded tight. ‘You know why.’
‘I want to hear you say it.’
She stopped moving and he knew he’d gone too far. He didn’t regret it, though. He was determined to make her feel like she could be open with him.
She sighed. ‘Don’t make me say it. Then it will become real.’
He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, deciding on a change of subject. ‘I miss your old hair.’
‘I do too.’ She relaxed against him again. ‘Blondes don’t have more fun. It’s not true at all.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I could help you with that if you like.’
‘Dan,’ she breathed.
‘Don’t say don’t,’ he shot back. ‘Tell me what you want instead.’
‘Not here. I can’t. Your parents, the other guests ... ’
Dan wondered if that’s how her life had been married to Andrew Temple. Always worrying about what people thought and how to act. Well, he wasn’t Andrew Temple.
‘I didn’t say we do it here.’ He pretended to be horrified. ‘I said you can tell me. What sort of man do you think I am? I’m not that easy. I have standards.’ Actually he wasn’t and he didn’t when it came to Jet, but there was no need to make light of it or he’d just come across more desperate than he already was.
She shot him an exasperated look.
He could feel her breath on his cheek and her nose was so close, it was almost touching him. He couldn’t resist and smoothed her hair again. ‘How about I start? It’s killed me keeping my distance from you this week. And don’t get me started on how hard it’s been not teasing you. Truly. Do you always burn toast or was that just to piss me off?’
Her eyes sparked. ‘I don’t like that toaster. I think it needs replacing.’
‘So an Australian would say “Hey Dan, this toaster is shit. Can we get a new one?” Instead you sacrificed numerous pieces of toast in your silent protest.’
She was grinning at him and his stomach clenched at the sight.
‘And what was with the late night coffees?’ he went on. ‘How can you even drink caffeine that late? I was worried I was going to be kept awake from the aroma wafting upstairs. Seriously, ten-thirty at night. What are you, some sort of addict?’
She narrowed her eyes at him but she was still smiling. ‘Of sorts. I prepare an iced coffee the night before I go for a run. That way it’s ready to have straight out of the fridge before I start my run.’
Typical. Jet was always organised.
‘What about you then?’ she said. ‘What’s with the drinking late at night alone in your room? Should I be worried?’
‘Hardly. I’m a winemaker. I wouldn’t have had to drink alone if you weren’t pissed at me.’
‘I wasn’t pissed at you. You were pissed at me.’
‘A bit. I don’t like being made to feel like an inconvenience.’
Jet’s grin vanished and her face fell. ‘I’m sorry—’
‘Uh uh.’ He pushed a finger to her lips. ‘I can’t believe I’m telling a woman not to say sorry, but please don’t. I want you to tell me why you made me feel that way. It was pretty obvious from the way you were kissing me the feeling is mutual.’
Dan waited until he was sure Jet wasn’t going to say the dreaded sorry words or bite his finger off in frustration. Both were possibilities. When her expression calmed, he removed his finger.
‘Yes, the feeling is mutual, but—’
He went to return his finger and she swatted it away in frustration, laughing this time.
‘I don’t want to hear buts. I like the first part without the buts,’ he told her dropping his hand.
She threaded her fingers through his. ‘I was trying to be fair to you. Your father’s right. At some point I’ll be leaving. If I let myself get involved with you, then when I do go, I’ll be no better than your ex-fiancée. I’d never ask you to give up the estate, but my life is in Sydney, not here.’
‘How about you let me make the decision about whether I want to get involved with you?’
‘Because I know you’ll go with your heart.’
‘And what’s so wrong with that?’
She looked away, making it appear as if
she was watching the guitarist. ‘It’s not good to lose your heart to anyone.’
‘Because that’s what you did with Andrew?’
Her brow creased and her gaze remained on the musician. ‘No. Yes. You know what? I actually don’t know anymore.’
‘You told me yourself, he’s a controlling man. Was it possible you thought you were in love with him, but he was very good at getting what he wanted all along?’
She met his eyes and their golden depths were haunted. ‘You think he tricked me?’
‘No. Don’t underestimate yourself. I think he did everything in his power to make you his wife.’
Jet released a shaky breath. ‘And he’s a powerful man.’
‘Probably one of, if not, the most powerful in Australia. He set his sights on you, Jet, and you saw something in him, too, don’t forget that. But don’t let that experience colour what this is between us. I don’t ever want you to lose your heart when it comes to me. I want you to catch your breath when I kiss you, tremble from my touch, cry out and say my name, but your heart is yours to keep until you choose to give it freely.’
Jet stared at him in shock. OK, he’d probably said more than he should, once again.
‘Too much?’ he guessed.
Jet shook her head, biting her lip until it looked like it hurt.
‘This is where you say something so I don’t feel like a complete idiot,’ he pointed out.
‘You’re not an idiot ... Oh, you’re ...’ She reached up and stroked his cheek. Whatever he was, he was definitely a guy because somehow her simple touch was enough to make him harden.
It was his turn to look at the guitarist. Anything to take his mind of the way she made him feel. Shit. This wasn’t good. The cute singer had started playing a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘I’m On Fire’.
Jet laughed softly. ‘Too much?’
‘No. I can never get enough of you. Now back to me. You were saying “Dan, you’re ...”’ Dan figured if he could keep things light he wouldn’t combust right here in the middle of the dance floor.
‘You’re ... a good man.’
He rolled his eyes and his shoulders fell involuntarily. ‘That’s it? Really?’ He no longer needed to keep himself in check because her words had killed his desire.
‘No. Wait. I’m not very good at this.’
‘What? Communication? Feelings? Is it a British thing?’
She shoved his shoulder gently. ‘No, you idiot. It’s not British. It’s just me. I never had parents who doted on me and as much as Elizabeth loved me, she wasn’t a demonstrative type. Andrew certainly didn’t talk about his feelings unless it was to express his distaste about something.’
‘Wait. Hang on a minute.’ Dan lowered his hands to Jet’s hips, ignoring the fresh surge of lust the simple contact created. ‘Surely you had boyfriends before Andrew?’
‘Yes, I did. But no one ever really serious.’
Holy shit. No wonder she was remote at times. Another thought occurred to him. ‘Are you telling me no one has ever told you they love you?’
Jet sniffed like the thought had never crossed her mind. ‘No, I suppose not.’
I suppose not? It was a tragedy a woman this bright and lovely had gotten to this point in her life and never heard the words I love you. Even when he’d rarely seen his father as a child due to his work in the police force, his last words to his son at night had always been ‘I love you.’
Jet shrugged like it was no big deal. ‘It doesn’t matter.’
‘Alright. Here’s the thing,’ Dan said. ‘It does matter. A lot. When I have a wife, it’s the first thing I’ll say in the morning and the last thing I’ll tell her at night. I’m one of those annoying people who leaves notes lying around too. Usually with a casual “I love you” sign-off just in case you weren’t one hundred per cent sure how I feel. I’ll probably name a wine after her.’
‘Dan—’
‘I’m not finished. There are texts too. I’m the sort of guy who will send his wife a text that says “Thinking of you. Love you”. And not just because I’m bored with whatever it is I’m doing, and thinking of what we can do in the bedroom later that night, which has got me distracted—although there is that.’
‘You’ve certainly given this a lot of thought,’ Jet said weakly.
‘What can I say? I’m a family man at heart. Or in your words a “good man”. It will be enough for someone one day, I hope.’
‘Dan. Stop. Just stop. Please.’ Jet put a hand to her head, her expression uncertain. ‘You’re ...’
Dan waited, preparing himself for the likelihood of another nice but general compliment. He knew he should apologise for running off at the mouth like that, but he figured Jet knew him well enough by now to appreciate he wore his heart on his sleeve.
‘You’re like a fine wine,’ she said softly, so softly he almost didn’t hear her above the singer’s vocals and the guests’ conversation. ‘The sort that’s been carefully cellared for many years and you wait, just keep on waiting, because you want to make sure it’s the absolute right time to open the bottle. You think about it a lot. You wonder if you’ve built it up to be something it’s not. You worry that when you do finally taste it, you’ll be disappointed. But then you work up the courage to take a first sip and ...’
And? Dan was still holding onto her hips and he had to force himself not to grip her too tightly because the expectation was killing him.
Jet closed her eyes and released a breathy sigh. ‘And it’s wonderful. On so many levels.’ Her eyes flickered open again, glowing under the fairy lights. ‘First the aroma. Warm and spicy. Comforting too, with an undertone of something richer that makes your blood run quicker. Then the taste. Mmm.’
Her ‘mmm’ went straight to his groin. Expectation wasn’t killing him anymore. Pure, unadulterated desire was. Jet licked her lips and Dan swallowed a groan.
‘You taste decadent. There’s so many different layers to discover. The bright notes that are fun and make me smile. Then the lushness hits you. So much depth, so smooth, you can just get swept away. And when you do, that’s when you discover the spice. It’s there on the first taste, but it’s just a hint like it’s being cheeky. If you wait, the spice opens up into something else entirely. It’s breathtaking but not overpowering. Just perfect in every way. And lastly, the finish. The taste lingers deliciously so you can’t forget. You don’t want to forget, because you’re fairly certain it’s the best wine you’ve ever tasted.’
Jet and Dan stood still on the dance floor gazing into each other’s eyes, completely unaware of the other people moving around them.
Jet gave him a shy smile. ‘If you haven’t figured it out by now, you’re a rich Shiraz by the way.’
‘I ... I think I got that.’ His voice sounded rough and Dan coughed. Wow. Just wow. He was speechless. Almost. ‘What do you mean you’re fairly certain?’
Her face lit up with the intensity of her smile and Dan wondered if he was glowing too.
‘Well, I’ve only had a taste so far. I’m scared to take a second sip in case I built it up too much in mind.’
‘Only one way to find out. If the vintage is as good as you say it is, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.’
He placed both of his hands on the side of her face and studied her for a moment. She was so beautiful. She was so ... everything. And she didn’t look scared anymore. She looked vital, exactly as she should be. Nor did it matter they were among guests or that his parents were around here somewhere.
All that mattered was Jet.
He leaned down and kissed her, inviting her to drink him in.
Chapter Twenty-One
Dan only realised the ringing wasn’t in his dream when his phone woke him. Squinting at the bright sunshine streaming into his bedroom, he extended an arm and felt around on the bedside table for it.
He frowned when he saw the number and hit ‘accept’.
‘Hey Dad. What’s up?’
‘Aside
from the fact you’re not in the tasting room right now and your mother is having to cover for you?’
Dan swore under his breath and quickly removed the phone from his ear to see what the time was. He swore again. It was just after midday and he’d been due to start an hour ago.
He returned the phone to his ear. ‘Damn. I’m sorry. Give me ten minutes, OK?’
‘It’s alright. Just head down when you can. It’s not too busy today. I’m actually trying to get hold of Jet. Is she there?’
As if she’d heard her name, Jet sighed and shifted in her sleep. The sheet that had been covering her shoulder slipped off to reveal the smooth expanse of her back.
Dan swallowed and cleared his throat, the sight of Jet’s alluring curves chasing away the last vestiges of sleep.
‘Yeah, I think so,’ Dan lied. ‘Pretty sure she’s having a sleep in like me.’
‘I figured as much. She did a fantastic job organising the wedding last night and deserves the rest. Unfortunately, I’m going to need you to knock on her door though. It can’t wait. I’m downstairs at the front door of the cottage. Can you let me in once you’ve woken her up?’
‘Is everything alright?’ Dan was wide awake now and acutely aware that both Jet and he were lying naked upstairs together while his dad was at the front door.
‘Everything’s fine. It’s good news, actually.’
‘The investigation?’ Dan pressed.
‘Yes.’
His father’s one word answer told Dan all he wanted to know, which was it wasn’t open for discussion until Jet was downstairs.
‘OK. Give me a minute.’ Dan disconnected the call without waiting for an answer and put his phone back onto the bedside.
He rolled over and surveyed the woman in his bed. Some woman, he thought. If he was a rich Shiraz, Jet was ... beyond expectations. The reason they were still sleeping now was because it had been at least four in the morning before they’d finally settled in each other’s arms, sated and exhausted.
Dan reached over and put a warm hand on Jet’s shoulder, his thumb tracing lazy circles over her skin.
Jet released a quiet moan and Dan hardened. Damn it. If it was good news, couldn’t it wait?
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