anyway?
But, God, this kiss.
I want it to go on forever. I could taste her forever. Kiss her mouth, her nipples, her pussy. Every part of her.
I deepen the kiss, taking more of her—
She breaks the kiss and pulls away. “They’re coming, I think.”
Her lips are pink and swollen, even from the short kiss. Too damned short, but it was a hard kiss. An amazing kiss.
A kiss I need more of.
One of the workers knocks softly and then opens the door. “You guys ready in here?”
“Sure,” I say, as nonchalantly as I can.
Then I leave to greet our guests and bring them back.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Ashley
My lips are still tingling. I touch them, and they seem to vibrate lightly under my fingertips.
He kissed me.
Dale kissed me.
It didn’t last long, but it was even more amazing than his first kiss.
He wants me. I felt it. Not just in the kiss but in his erection pushing against my belly.
And God…I want him. I want him like I’ve never wanted anything.
“We have a treat for you,” Dale says as he ushers the guests into the tasting room. “Only a few cases remain of our Fuji apple wine from last season. We’ll be tasting it today, along with three of our reds. Take a seat if you’d like, and help yourself to some cheese and fruit. You’ll need the cheese to cleanse your palate between each wine.”
He’s smiling as he speaks. Dale Steel is smiling, and two young women, both blond, are hanging on every word.
I have plenty of people skills. I use them when I need them.
Apparently he spoke the truth.
Jealousy rears its ugly green head.
He’s smiling. Fucking smiling at these women! I can’t ever get him to smile.
The other guests are mostly older. Middle age and one couple who look like grandparents.
“This is Ashley White,” Dale says, gesturing to me. “She’ll be helping with the tasting today.”
Am I supposed to say something? I’m not sure, so I nod.
A couple more people straggle in.
“Come in. Welcome,” Dale says. “I’m Dale Steel, the assistant winemaker. Come in and join us. Get some fruit and cheese.”
The smile never leaves his face.
Ryan said he needs to improve his people skills? Seems his people skills are just fine at the moment. Until I notice the tension in his jawline, almost as if he’s grinding his teeth when he’s not speaking.
This is difficult for him. Probably as difficult as calling the apple wine a special treat for the tasters. He doesn’t consider it a treat at all, but he knows his job is to sell the last few cases of it. I have no doubt he’ll be successful.
Once everyone has a plate of food, Dale nods to me. “Let’s start with the apple, Ashley.”
I widen my eyes. He wants me to start? He’s not going to show me how tastings are done here by going first himself?
I inhale a deep breath. I’m almost a doctor of oenology. I can do a tasting in my sleep. So why am I suddenly freaked out?
Because I want to make a good impression on Dale. I want him to… Oh, God. I want him to like me. To respect me as an oenologist and sommelier.
Fuck.
I paste a smile on my face and hold up the bottle of Fuji apple wine. “I’m sure most of you are familiar with the top-notch apples and peaches grown here at Steel Acres.”
Lots of nods and vocalizations, except for one of the blond girls.
“Not really,” she says.
“Our apples and peaches are award winning,” Dale intervenes, nodding at her plate that contains a slice of apple and several slices of peach. “Take a taste for yourself.”
“Or don’t,” I say. “Let this gorgeous wine speak for itself.” I pour a tasting portion into a goblet with the Steel Vineyards logo on it and hand it to her. “Tell me what you think.”
“Really?” she nearly squeals. “You want me to go first?”
I fill several other goblets. “If you’d like to. Please, everyone else, take a glass. Swirl the wine around for a few seconds and then tell me what fragrances you smell.”
Blondie number one walks over to Dale. “Will you help me?”
“Of course.” He smiles.
And I shoot daggers at her with my stare.
She needs help smelling wine? No way will Dale fall for this flirty bullshit.
“I like the aroma,” one of the tasters says. “Smells just like a fresh apple.”
“Yes,” I say. “Fruit wines—other than grape of course—almost always mimic the fruits they’re made with, but try to dig deeper. See if you