voice when she’d asked if he loved her had caused doubt to worm its way into her conscious and lay waste to what little confidence she had left.
But her concerns were silly. She and Josh had chosen each other for a reason, and that knowledge would get them through every bump in the road. This was where she differed from her parents. Daphne and Rex had had to get married. That was the way they did things back in the day, but Ellery and Josh had weeded through a lot of wrong ones to find the person who would suit them best. They balanced each other and complemented each other. On paper and in life, they made sense.
Ellery sucked in a deep breath and smiled at everyone at the table. “Josh and Mia are here. I think it’s time we order and get this weekend started.”
“Finally—I’m starving,” Claire said, shoving the empty bread basket to the center of the table and looking up at the waitress. “I’m ready to order.”
Ellery looked over as Mia and Josh appeared in the doorway. Her fiancé looked gorgeous in a cashmere sweater and jeans that hugged his frame. His blond hair glinted in the flickering light cast from the fireplace. This was a beautiful man.
And he loved her. Or at least Ellery thought he did.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Evan,
I’m sorry if I made you feel awkward. It’s awkward for me, too, and there are so many things I want to say to you, but I haven’t had the courage. Sometimes I don’t know myself . . . or why I do the things I do. Let’s set aside time to talk, and then maybe you’ll understand why I didn’t tell you I was coming to the vineyard. Would you come to the party? I’ll make sure we have time to talk. Again, sorry for the confusion.
Dee Dee
Ellery tossed her phone on the dresser, ran her fingers through her hair, and contemplated the turned-down bed in the room she was sharing with her fiancé. It was nearly eleven o’clock, and she’d expected Josh to be back at the rental house by now.
After dinner they’d all gone to the small bar off the restaurant to have an after-dinner drink. Ellery was surprised to find Clay Caldwell there. Seemed Madison had invited him when she’d run into him at Elmo’s Bar last week. Ellery couldn’t think why he would want to come for her birthday party outside of him being bored with his regular scene. But whatever. All the guys stayed behind to have one more bourbon before turning in, which suited Ellery fine because she wanted to shower, dab some perfume between her breasts, and be absolutely prepared for seduction when Josh locked their bedroom door.
She’d been sitting there for the last twenty minutes, trying to figure out how to get the party in their bedroom started. Sliding into bed and reading by the soft lamplight would look as if she weren’t waiting to sex him up. He might not get the idea. But then again, hiding the sexy dominatrix-vibe lingerie beneath the demure robe could make for a naughty surprise. Or she could toss the satin robe aside and spread herself out on top of the coverlet. Obvious, true, but the leather bustier and fishnet stockings held up by the satin garters showed a lot of flesh. He’d be stupid not to understand her intentions. The downside was she’d never role-played anything remotely BDSM. Either Josh would jump her bones . . . or run.
Picking up the phone, she checked her texts for the third time in five minutes.
Clicking his name, she read the last text she’d sent him again. Coming to bed soon? Key word is coming.
Josh had responded with a kitty cat emoji and a high five. Seemed promising.
Ellery went to the antique dresser and fluffed her hair, then wriggled her breasts up in the bustier, turning to make sure her ass looked firm and high. Check. Check. Check.
She could hear her friends laughing outside in the common area as they watched late-night television and drank wine. Usually she would stay up with them and talk the night away, but Ellery had confided to Madison that she needed some alone time with Josh. So when they’d arrived back at the rental after having a final glass of wine—that Ellery really hadn’t needed—she’d said good night and slipped into the master suite. And now she was waiting, slightly drunk and bored.