Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) Read online

  He stilled his fingers, and released a pent-up breath. Heart racing like a thoroughbred, Jac slowly spun back to earth, grounded by the hand Luke had spread over her stomach.

  Propping himself up on one elbow, Luke pushed his legs under her raised knees. Languidly toying with the buttons on his shirt, she slipped one, two; three from their holes, exposing his chest a little at a time. Aftershocks still thrummed through her, heightening when her fingertips caressed the smooth skin on his pecs. She snuck her hand inside his shirt to fondle his flat nipple, eliciting his gasp. His hips bucked against hers, the hard line of his cock prodding her suggestively.

  Holding his smoky blue gaze, she said, “You had your way with me. Now, I believe it’s my turn.”

  One corner of his lips quirked, the half-smile sexy and endearing. “What did you have in mind?”

  “How about if I show you?” Bracing her hand on his chest, she pushed him back to the bed. Rising on her knees, she quickly unbuttoned the rest of his shirt. He lifted his hips and helped her pull it from his trousers. His stomach muscles bunched and he lifted his shoulder so she could slide the cloth off. The sleeves got stuck as she tried to yank them over his hands. Laughing, she paused long enough to undo the cuffs. She tossed the shirt to the end of the bed and trained her eyes on his body.

  Resting on her heels, her robe loose and open, she trailed her hands over his smooth torso. Dark blue ink decorated his ribs, an inch below the lower edge of his left pectoral.

  Jac peered at it. “I can’t read it.” Her breasts brushed his skin as she stretched over him to turn on the light. As she continued her exploration, he settled an arm possessively over her hip. Desire sizzled again as he stroked small circles on her sides.

  Jac traced the lines and swirls of his tattoo. The flourishing words were in Italian. She tried to sound out the pronunciation. “Vivere ogni giorno al massimo. What does that mean?”

  Luke flexed his hand on her bare flesh and pinned his gaze on her face. “Live every day to the fullest.”

  Without breaking eye contact, Jac bent and pressed a kiss to the words. “A lovely motto. Any special significance to it?”

  “No. Just a reminder to make each day count.”

  “Hmmm. Does this one count?” She brought her hands to his waistband and slipped the button there free. As she lowered the zipper, her fingers brushed the edge of his erection.

  He inhaled sharply and rocked his hips up. “Oh, yeah. It counts more than any other in the past few months.”

  Biting her lower lip, Jac skated her hand under the elastic of his boxer briefs, past wiry hair, to encircle his shaft. The angels had gifted him in the girth department.

  Luke moaned. “Oh baby, your hand is magic.”

  She squeezed. Hard muscle jumped under his smooth, hot skin. Watching his face, the way his eyes burned into hers as she caressed him, confirmed how much he enjoyed her play. She pumped her hand, thumbing the drop of moisture on the tip, spreading it.

  Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of his trousers, he panted, “Too many clothes. Don’t let go.” Luke shimmied the cloth over his hips, working it past her hand. His erection popped free, jerking in her grip. Her mouth went dry at the sight, the pulse between her legs kicking up about a billion times stronger.

  While he struggled to free his legs, Jac lowered her mouth to his cock and swiped her tongue over the head, tasting his salty, earthy essence.

  Thrashing to break free of the restricting trousers, Luke’s knee connected with the back of her head, and she saw stars. “Oomph! Hey, watch it, mister.” She released her grip on his shaft to rub her head.

  Luke bolted upright. “Shit, I keep hitting you in the head. First with a paint tray and now this. Not sure which is worse.” He grasped her shoulder, lifting his free hand to her hair.

  A chuckle built in her throat, growing until she had to let it out. “The paint was worse. At least this time, I have you naked. And in my bed.” She tangled her fingers with his, pulling his hand from her head. She rested their joined hands atop her thighs. “Yeah, this is definitely better.”

  Luke wrapped her in his arms and claimed her lips, cutting off her chuckle. Releasing her long enough to push off the fleece robe she still wore, he tossed it on top of his shirt at the end of the bed. Twisting, he pressed her back until she rested against the soft mattress.

  Her heart stuttered and trembled at the feel of him, stretched out partly over her. His lips and tongue were fevered, claiming her mouth, trailing down her neck. Re-staking his claim on her breasts, he kneaded the plump flesh between his fingers.

  Gliding his hand toward the apex of her thighs, he growled when he encountered her thong. He speared his fingers under the elastic and Jac lifted her hips to make his task easier. The scrap of lace joined their growing pile of clothing.

  Placing a hand on the inside of her knee, Luke pushed gently, opening her wide. “Need a condom.” He moved between her legs while groping for his pants.

  Jac swept her hand boldly down her body from breast to pubic bone, further, until her fingers disappeared into her slick folds. “Hurry. I want you in me.”

  “Oh, baby,” he groaned. Chest heaving as if he fought for each breath, he licked his lips, finally locating his wallet and digging out a small foil pouch. He held it high for her to see.

  Jac sat up and scooted closer. “You need help?”

  “You want to?” He offered the packet to her.

  She ripped it open and rising to her knees, straddled his lap. The warmth of his hands seared her hips, urging her closer. As she stroked up his cock, from base to tip, he shuddered. While she began easing the latex sheath over the steely rod, he found her slit. One fingertip flexed into her. Intense yearning flared, making her forget to roll the condom down.

  He stopped his finger’s upward path, leaving only the very tip in her, his expression expectant.

  “More,” she demanded.

  His face held pure lust, his eyes fiery. “I’ll move at your pace.”

  She wanted to go faster. She wanted more of him in her. And she wanted it now. Jac tried to lower herself to take more, but he retreated. Her gaze flew to his hand between her legs. She raised her eyes to his face as he laid a hand over hers and helped her roll the rubber down, slipping his finger into her at the same pace.

  Understanding dawned. He wanted to play with her while she played with him. Thighs trembling, she barely slid the condom down. He responded in kind, moving his finger a bit further into her. Whimpering, she repeated her part, to be answered by his motion. When she reached the halfway point on his shaft, he circled his finger in her. Delicious sensation built, her body strumming tightly.

  They finished the dance together, her fingers wrapped around the base of his cock, his fully inside her, pulsing and probing. She cupped his balls and squeezed, pleased to hear his shuddering breath.

  Flexing a hand on her hip, he growled, “I need you. Now.”

  He lunged, wrapped his arms around her, and propelled her to the mattress. His erection prodded her and he claimed her mouth as he pushed into her. The joy of being filled, stretched, washed through her. Each stroke rasped against her clit, sending her soaring. She moaned and matched his thrusts.

  As she reached toward the flame he’d ignited, he moved faster and faster. Legs and arms wrapped around him, his hips bucked between her legs. His groans into her ear spurred Jac to hold on as he drove their passion.

  Her body strained toward the precipice of desire, pulling tight, her inner muscles squeezing around his cock. Luke drove her higher with every movement, every thrust, every circle of his hips.

  Want and need pulsed like firelight. Luke slipped one hand between them to rub her clit. Sparks bloomed into flames as she came hard. A satisfied shriek erupted from her at the same time his victorious groan filled her sen
ses. He continued to grind against her. Wave upon sensuous wave crested within her with each deep slide of his cock.

  An incredible lightness, like floating, filled her in spite of being tethered to the bed by the weight of his body. His heart galloped in time with the throb between her legs, and his breath rushed in her ear as he panted his way to calm.

  “God, I hope I’m not too heavy. I don’t think I can move,” he muttered.

  “I think you feel just right.” She traced the indentations between each of his vertebrae. Reaching the base of his spine, she skated her palm over his buttock muscles. He bucked his hips into her, groaning as he did.

  He nuzzled her neck and lifted away from her, his cock sliding free of her body. Rolling away, his breath hitched. “Be right back.”

  The mattress gave as he eased off the bed. Jac drifted in a haze of afterglow, absently aware of the sounds of running water from the bathroom. Body still humming, her limbs were fluid and lazy. The faucet shut off, and seconds later, she heard the clink of a glass on the bedside table.

  Luke kissed her shoulder as he nestled in next to her. “Is your head okay?”

  Curling on her side, she placed a hand on his lightly furred chest. “My everything is okay.”

  “Everything, huh?” His teeth flashed white in the dim room.

  The sight of his quick grin made her purr. “Mm-hmm.”

  Outside laughter floated through the open window as the rest of the teams returned. He rubbed a strand of her hair between his fingers. “We should probably consider getting up. Don’t want to be late for team building.” His words said one thing, his tone told a completely different story.

  “I hate to end this little nap with a dinner with the insurance guys.” She sighed, struggling with residual guilt. “But they did help clean up our mess, so we should probably at least say thanks.”

  Luke’s eyes darkened as he ran his fingers down her arm. “I brought you some water. You need to drink it. What should we do about tonight? Do you want me to stay here? If you’d prefer to sleep alone, I understand.”

  Cuddled in his arms this way, the last thing she wanted to think about was sleeping alone later. But Luke spending the night would be a huge step. She chewed her lips as she thought.

  He saved her from having to answer. “We can work it out later. After dinner.” He winked.

  Did he want to sleep alone? Doubt reared in her mind, sharp and anything but subtle. Jac settled against the pillows, watching as Luke reached for his clothes and tossed her the fleece robe he stripped off her body in his haste. The garment landed on her face and she left it there, feeling him rise from the bed. Fabric rustled as he dressed.

  “I’m going to grab a fast shower in my room before dinner. I’ll see you downstairs,” he said.

  Pulling the robe from her face, she clutched it to her chest like a shield. “Luke?”

  “Yeah?”

  Sucking in a huge gasp of air, she breathed it out and asked, “Do you regret this?”

  He paused from tucking his shirttails into his pants. One side in, the other out, he leaned a knee on the bed, dipping toward her. “Hell no! Not even for an instant.” His mouth descended on hers, searing, confident; passionate.

  He released her lips, his eyes filled with desire. Her heart hitched at the intensity she saw. She spoke over the lump in her throat. “You just seemed . . .”

  His smile was self-deprecating as he cupped her cheek. “Baby, if I seemed anything less than eager or smitten, I’m sorry. I just don’t want to crowd you. I don’t regret making love to you. So get that idea out of your mind.”

  Relief blossomed, easing the constriction in her chest. “Okay. Good. Because I don’t regret it either.”

  “But you should know, I just used my emergency condom. I didn’t come prepared to find someone I liked enough to want to sleep with. So if you want me to spend the night, we’ll be sleeping only.”

  She sure as hell didn’t expect that. “Really? I was going to invite you back for round two. Maybe three.”

  “You’re straight up evil, woman. Can I trust you to behave yourself?”

  “Cuddling is good.”

  “Good, but not as great as . . .” His words trailed off as he stroked his hand up her leg, pausing at the juncture of her thighs.

  Tingling burst to life in her body. Maybe she shouldn’t tempt fate by inviting him back after dinner. She hitched the robe higher on her chest. “Not nearly as great as—well, maybe you should sleep in your own room tonight.”

  Disappointment shadowed his face but understanding warmed his expression. “You’d better get up and shower. They’ll be serving dinner soon.”

  He brushed her lips with his, a fast, friendly peck. Jac eyed him as he strode to the door, the back of his shirt untucked and brushing the curve of his butt. With his hand on the doorknob, he glanced back toward the bed, his sensual gaze brushing over her body, as if memorizing each line and curve. She shivered at the intimate touch of his glance, biting her tongue to keep from calling him back. He winked as he pulled the door open.

  With a quiet click of the latch, he was gone.

  Chapter 10

  Jules stopped Jac as she entered the dining room. “How’d it go?”

  Heat flashed into Jac’s cheeks. Oh, good Lord. Was she really asking about her and Luke? Jac hesitated, not sure how to respond.

  “With your boss? Did you give notice?” Jules clarified.

  Oh, that. Jac was still operating in the aftereffects of Luke’s excellent distraction. “Not yet. Although I have decided to quit. Ted isn’t ever going to recognize me with a promotion. Will you still have time to talk farming with me later?”

  Jules beamed at her. “After dinner. Did you enjoy the wine? I’ll crack another bottle and we can talk soil acidity and irrigation to your heart’s content.”

  “I drank a bit too much of your excellent wine.” Jac lowered her voice before continuing. “I needed a nap before dinner.”

  “I’ve made the same mistake before. Occupational hazard of running a vineyard.” Jules laughed as she snagged Jac’s upper arm. “Bring your coffee to my office after dinner. I’ll point you in the right direction.”

  Jules excused herself to greet another guest. Scanning the room, Jac found Luke engaged in conversation with Belinda and Sally. After stopping at the buffet for a glass of water, she made her way over to the trio.

  “You got all the paint out,” Belinda said as Jac approached.

  “It wasn’t easy, but yeah, eventually it all came out. Thanks for your help in cleaning up the mess. I hated to leave it to you, but getting as much of it rinsed out as possible was top priority.”

  Sally lifted her glass in salute. “No worries. Jeff and Jeremy ended up cleaning the bulk of the mess. It really wasn’t bad. Most of the paint ended up on the tarp.”

  Belinda scoffed. “Idiot Jeff stepped in the paint then walked away, leaving white footprints across the floor. I thought the top of Marcus’ head was going to blow off.” A disgusted looking grimace skated over her face. “I think Jeff is still on the porch with a bucket and scrub brush, trying to clean the bottom of his expensive leather shoes.”

  “That explains the cursing I heard as I passed the front entry,” Jac deadpanned. The lady lawyers chuckled.

  Musical tones rang out as Jules tapped a fork against the crystal wine stem in her hand. “Our evening activity will take place over dinner. Marcus and I have compiled three case studies where team building would certainly help achieve the goals. We’ll brainstorm solutions while we eat.” Jules had walked to the head of the table while she spoke. “Once dinner is over, you’ll be free for the rest of the evening. It’s Tuesday, and we regularly host the local population at the Rhythm in the Vines concert. The performance starts at half past eight at the pavilio
n where we had lunch today. You are welcome to attend. Tonight we have a string quartet from the local high school. They’re young, but talented.”

  Jeff padded into the room as Jules finished. He held his shoes in one hand, gold-toed socks on his feet. “Are you serving refreshments?”

  “A local Boy Scout troop holds a bake sale each week as a fund-raiser. I know they’d appreciate your money.”

  Jeff scowled. “I was thinking about more adult refreshments.”

  Jac gestured to the multiple bottles on the sideboard. “You are welcome to take a glass of wine with you. I only ask you to use a plastic cup instead of the crystal. Now, let’s eat.”

  Luke pulled Jac’s chair out first, and guided her into it before turning to his right to help Belinda. Jac’s heart leapt at his courteous behavior. Sally sat across the table, next to Steve. Jeff flopped into the seat next to Jac, banging his head against her shoulder when he bent to put his shoes under the chair. Third time she’d suffered a hit today. And only one of them had been pleasant.

  The aroma coming from stinky feet under the table was far from appealing. She leaned toward Luke, who slipped his arm over the back of her chair. It wasn’t exactly staking a claim on her, but Jeff got the message. After shooting a glare at Luke, he turned to Jeremy who was seated next to him.

  “Dude,” Jeremy complained. “Put your shoes on. Your feet smell and we’re in company.”

  “Shut up, Jerms,” Jeff replied. Fortunately he followed directions. His beefy hip jutted over the edge of his chair into Jac’s as he bent to slip his feet into his shoes. “Sorry.”