August.” Someone shook his shoulder. “Come on. We have to get up.”
He shifted his body and managed to get his head halfway off the pillow. Leila. It was Leila. In bed with him. Still naked. Thank God the whole night hadn’t been a dream.
“Come on.” She shook him again. “We’re supposed to meet Nonna and Poppa for breakfast in the lobby in fifteen minutes.”
Fully awake now, he put his arms around her and pulled her back to him. “How about we stay right here and order room service?”
He kissed her neck. Her body relaxed, melting into his, and a smile graced her face. “We can’t ditch my grandparents. No matter how much I might want to.”
He didn’t want to ditch Nonna and Poppa either, but if they left this room, the spell would be broken. They’d have to get back to the planning and the orchestrating and the pretending for everyone else that they loved each other while pretending to themselves they didn’t. Or did they?
He rested his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. “But if we go to breakfast, we’ll have to put on clothes.”
Leila laughed, still snuggled up against him. Clearly, she wasn’t in any hurry to get out of here either.
“And you wouldn’t put on clothes when room service delivered our food?” she asked, tracing her fingers up his arm.
“Nah.” What would be the point when he’d only be taking them off again? He brought his lips to her shoulder, kissing his way down. “Come on, let’s text your grandparents and tell them we’re still in bed.”
“No!” She propped herself up on her elbow and gaped at him. “Then they’ll know we had sex. Or that we’re having sex again, which is worse.”
“Umm.” August stole a kiss from her incredulous lips. “They got us a hotel room,” he said when he pulled away. “I’m pretty sure they knew we were going to have sex before we did.”
When they’d left Silverado Lake, he’d been hell-bent on this exact thing not happening, thanks to Sam’s lecture, but Leila’s brother had been wrong. August wasn’t messing with her. His feelings were real. He simply didn’t know what to do with them outside of this room.
All the more reason to stay right here.
“I don’t want my grandparents thinking about our sex life at all.” Leila stared up at the ceiling with a grimace. “That’s so weird.”
“It’s not weird.” He caressed her shoulder while he still had the chance. “Your grandmother has always been a hopeless romantic. She’d be all for us making love.” He was all for it now too, and Leila still wasn’t trying to get out of bed. “I like being with you.” That was all he needed her to know. “Alone. Like this.” When they could both simply be real.
“I like being with you too.” She turned fully on her side to face him and wrapped her leg over his. “And last night was pretty great.”
“See, now that kind of talk is not going to make me want to get out of this bed.” He could do better than great. He had no doubt he could achieve mind-blowing and amazing, given the opportunity.
August moved his hands up the sides of her body and then over her breasts, knowing exactly how she liked to be touched, what turned her on.
“Oh, God,” she moaned, but then started to wriggle away from him. “Wait. We can’t. We just can’t. I want to.” She leaned over and kissed his lips. “I soooo want to, but we have five minutes to throw on our clothes and get down to the lobby. They’re probably already sitting at a table waiting. You know how Poppa doesn’t like waiting to eat.”
“All right. You win. We’ll go get some breakfast.” He pulled her in close once more so he could leave her with a long, heady, tempting kiss that would stay with her a while.
Leila kissed him back, arching into him slightly, her hands wandering from his shoulders down to his abs. She leaned back, breathing heavily. “Maybe we can steal an hour or two in my cottage when we get back to the winery.”
“Really?” She was going to take a few hours off work in the middle of the day? He shot her a skeptical smirk. “What happened to being a workaholic?”
“You’re broadening my horizons.” She squeezed his butt and then threw off the covers and started to get dressed.
“I’m happy to keep broadening your horizons.” He forced himself to get up too, admiring her while he walked to the dresser where his suitcase sat next to it. “You want broader horizons, I’m your man.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” With a flip of her hair, Leila disappeared into the bathroom.
August gave her some time and then followed so he could quickly wash up and brush his teeth. While Lei fussed with her hair in the mirror, he pulled on the change of clothes he brought and then went back into the bedroom and repacked his suitcase. Unfortunately. Rushing to meet her grandparents wasn’t exactly how he’d like to end this date.
Leila walked back out, her hair smoothed into a ponytail, her face and eyes both bright. “If an hour or two during the day isn’t enough, you could always stay at my place tonight.” She gave a casual shrug. “Only if you want. Everyone expects us to be staying together anyway.”
He didn’t like the ring of uncertainty in her voice. Did she really think he wouldn’t want to stay with her? August crossed the room and took her shoulders in his hands, making sure his gaze stayed with hers. “I know things are complicated. I know our lives are very different and the future isn’t exactly clear. But I don’t want you to think this was some casual hookup for me, Lei.”
She peered up at him, her expression soft and open. “It wasn’t for me either.”
“So we’ll take it day by day.” He might not be able to commit to her, but he cared about her. “And enjoy the time we have.”
“Yes.” She rested her hands on his chest. “I need more of that in my life—enjoying the moment. I’ve been too worried about the future since I got home.”
“I need to enjoy the moment more too.” The future hadn’t been his problem, but rather the past. The loss, the guilt whenever he let his thoughts drift to this woman. There were no guarantees in life—he knew that better than anyone—but these next few months were a gift, and he intended to treat them that way.
With that in mind, he snuck an arm around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. No, not only a kiss. With Lei, there was no such thing as only a kiss. Their lips spoke for them—connecting and knowing and understanding and expressing things they couldn’t say.
“Is it tonight yet?” Leila asked, her lips still pressed to his.
“This is going to be the slowest day of my life,” he groaned.
Grinning, she broke away from him. “Anticipation isn’t a bad thing.”
“Right. Anticipation.” August trudged to the dresser and unplugged his phone. The screen lit up with a whole list of notifications. “Huh. That’s weird.” He studied the numbers.
Leila zipped up her suitcase. “What’s weird?”
“I missed three calls from Forrest already this morning.” Those notifications were all he needed to see to bring reality slamming back down. He wasn’t here to be spending nights with Leila. He was supposed to be doing his job. Forrest rarely called him when he was away. August always kept his boss informed on what was happening, but the man usually left him alone.
Leila rolled her suitcase to where he stood. “What does he want?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him much since I came out here.” He shoved the phone into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled his suitcase off the stand. “I’ll call him when we get back to Silverado Lake. I’m sure it’s not a big deal.”
If only he felt as confident as he sounded.
* * *
“I would say this trip was exactly what we all needed.” Nonna sat in the backseat of August’s truck looking quite pleased with herself. He could detect the triumph in her eyes even with her quick gaze into the rearview mirror.
And, really, who was he to argue? “You were right, as usual.” He glanced sideways at Leila, who was sitting a lot closer to him on the truck’s bench seat than she had been on the way down the mountain yesterday.
A secretive smile softened her mouth, making him want to kiss her again. In fact, during the hours they’d been on the road, all he’d thought about was kissing her again.
Taking his right hand off the wheel, he eased his arm around Leila the way he used to when they drove around in his father’s old truck.
“You two seem different somehow. Lighter,” Nonna observed. “Didn’t I tell you a break would do wonders for your stress level?”
“You sure did.” Leila rested her hand on his thigh, giving him a jolting reminder of how her hands had felt on his body last night. Ten more minutes. They had already driven through Silverado Lake and would arrive back at the winery—and Leila’s cottage—in only ten more minutes. And once they got there, he planned to get exactly no work done for the rest of the day.
“Thank you for convincing us to get away, Nonna and Poppa.” He glanced at her grandparents, who were sitting as close as two people could possibly get with seat belts on. “I can’t tell you how much we needed this time together.” One night had changed everything. Leila had always been the only woman who’d managed to spark hope in him, and somehow, she’d worked her magic again. He felt lighter with her now, unburdened and free.
“You are so welcome.” Leila’s grandmother squeezed his shoulder.
“Make sure you remember this feeling,” Poppa added. “Life isn’t easy. Marriage isn’t easy. But it’s the times like these—the moments of happiness—that’ll hold you together no matter what comes your way. Sometimes, you have to go out and make those moments happen.”
August watched in the rearview mirror as Nonna laid her head on Poppa’s shoulder and the man pressed a tender kiss on her forehead. They were speaking from experience. Nonna’s illness couldn’t have been easy for either one of them, but they were the picture of strength, devotion, and affection. What would it be like to have that with someone? Someone to share burdens and pains with instead of isolating and carrying those things alone?
“I was actually surprised you two made it to breakfast on time.” Leila’s grandmother giggled. “If we were forty years younger, we might’ve wanted to stay in bed and take advantage of that romantic hotel suite.”
“Nonna!” Leila turned her head to gape at her grandmother, but August simply raised his eyebrows at his fiancée. See? They could’ve skipped breakfast, and her grandparents would’ve been totally cool about it.
“What?” Her grandmother smiled sweetly. “There’s nothing wrong with the physical expression of love, my dear. It’s every bit as important as words. You’d best remember that.”
“Oh, we’ll remember,” August assured the woman with a wink at Leila. He would have no problem remembering to keep her physically satisfied. At least, as long as he had the opportunity.
August turned the truck onto the winery’s driveway and navigated the first switchback.
“So, what do you two have planned for the rest of the day?” Nonna asked, gathering up her purse.
He caught Leila’s eyes and fought a grin.
Her perfect lips pursed as though she could read his thoughts. “I need August’s help with some work in my cottage this afternoon. The kitchen sink is leaking.”
“Leaking?” Poppa leaned forward. “I fixed the sink last month. It can’t be leaking again already.”
“I’ll check it out,” August offered. Man, it was hard not to laugh.
“I can help you,” Poppa said gruffly. “I don’t do shoddy work.”
“Of course not.” Leila turned around. “I think it’s something I did. I probably cranked the faucet too hard. Nothing to worry about. August will take care of it.”
“I sure will.” He cast a glance back at Poppa. “But I’ll let you know if I need help.” Hopefully, the comment would keep the man from barging in on them at an inopportune time.
He guided the truck around the last switchback. “Do you two want me to drop you off at your house?”
“Nope. We’re going straight to the restaurant,” Nonna said. “After that long drive, I could use a light lunch.”
“Sounds great.” Leila’s tone lightened. She likely felt the same relief he did that her grandparents would be occupied for a while.
August turned the truck into the main parking lot and eased a foot onto the brake while he took a second to check out the Hummer parked a few spots away. His heart dropped. A Hummer was Forrest’s signature rental car choice.
“Who’s that?” Leila had noticed the vehicle too.
“It might be a friend of mine.” He drove the truck to the far side of the parking lot near the restaurant and parked along the sidewalk to put plenty of space between them and the Hummer.
Leila jerked her head, staring at him with wide eyes. According to the panic there, she’d figured out exactly whom he’d meant when he said “friend.”
August wished he could reassure her, but he had no doubt his boss was here. Right now, the important question was where had the man gone?
“I didn’t know you had a friend visiting.” Nonna opened her door and he quickly got out to help her step down to the curb.
“Uh, yeah. I wasn’t sure if he’d come, but it looks like he’s here.” Somewhere. And right now, he had to keep Forrest away from Leila’s grandparents.
“We’d love to meet him.” Poppa eased himself down from the truck and scanned the parking lot.
“I’m sure August will introduce us later.” Leila rushed to her grandparents and ushered them along the sidewalk. “But I’m starving too, actually, so why don’t we go sit down for lunch and then they can come find us after a while?” Her eyes narrowed, telling him he’d better not let Forrest find them.
“Great plan.” Since his boss’s car was parked at the other end of the lot, he hoped Forrest hadn’t made it near the restaurant yet. “We’ll come on by soon.” Or rather, he’d send his boss packing.
With one last desperate glance over her shoulder, Leila led her grandparents into the restaurant.
August waved and then trotted to the Hummer, trying to determine in which direction Forrest would’ve headed first. There weren’t many choices. He’d likely either gone to the wine barn or right into the vineyard. Damn. He really should’ve called his boss long before now.
Veering to the left, he ducked into a row of vines and followed the worn dirt path. It seemed he’d chosen correctly. Forrest stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out onto the valley.
“Hey,” August called, speeding up. “What’re you doing here?” He couldn’t help the accusatory tone. Forrest’s arrival was not a welcome surprise. He and Leila should be holed up in her cottage right about now.
“What am I doing here?” His boss strode to meet him. “I’m here for an update. Other than the vague financials you sent, I’ve hardly heard from you since you left.”
“I didn’t realize you would be babysitting me on this assignment.” His words held a sharp edge. Forrest typically didn’t worry about what he was doing when he was on-site. “What do you want to know?” He had to get rid of his boss fast. This would be a problem for Leila—Forrest showing up whenever he wanted when her grandparents had no idea what was really going on. And if it was a problem for Leila, it was a problem for him.
“For starters, what steps has Ms. Valentino taken to increase revenue?” Forrest glared at him, a belligerent slant to his eyes. “Her time’s almost up. I think it’s best if you start working on a transition plan to bring this place fully under the Kingston brand.”
“She still has a month.” He’d been hoping they wouldn’t need a transition plan.
“Maybe I didn’t make myself clear when I sent you out here.” His stepped closer. “I don’t want Ms. Valentino or her family staying. That’s not the goal, August. In order to do what needs to be done here, we need them out of the way.”
August took a long pause before responding so he didn’t come across as overly defensive. “Why? Leila could be a valuable asset to Kingston. She’s sharp and educated. And she’s got a good plan to move this place forward.” She might not be using conventional business practices, but she’d rallied the community for the event. She’d generated excitement and interest.
“We don’t need her.” Forrest shrugged like he didn’t understand why August would think they did. “She’ll only be in our way.”
“I see.” He let a few seconds pass until he could be sure he’d control his tone. Why had Forrest’s shrewd, merciless business practices never bothered him before now? “You never intended to let her stay either way.” From the very beginning, this deal Leila made doomed her to fail.
“I warned her it would be an uphill battle. But she needed the partnership.” And Forrest needed a new challenge.
“This is her family’s place.” His poker face started to slip. “You can’t kick them out.”
“I’m not kicking them out,” Forrest shot back. “We have an agreement, and when the terms aren’t met, they’ll have to leave. They’ll still come out with a nice retirement.”
“They don’t care about retirement.” Poppa would never want to retire. He’d want to wander this land for the rest of his life.
“Let me be very clear this time.” His boss had a way of looking right through a person. “Your job is to make sure Ms. Valentino doesn’t succeed in reaching that thirty percent profit increase. That’s what I want you to do.”
August quickly weighed his options. He’d never been emotionally invested in a job. In fact, some probably would say he’d always been as shrewd as Forrest. The Valentinos’ fate mattered to him, but he couldn’t let Forrest know or his boss would send him packing right now. If he wanted to help Lei, he had to play along.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” he lied. He made sure to hold eye contact. “I’m already heavily involved in everything the family is doing. In fact, Leila and I were together a long time ago, and she didn’t tell her grandparents about the partnership with Kingston. So when I showed up unannounced, she told them I had come to visit because we’re getting married.”
Forrest threw back his head and let out a good cackle. “Married? And they actually believed her?”
Right. It was hilarious because he wasn’t marriage material. “Listen, if you want me to make sure to sabotage their efforts to reach that thirty percent increase, you’re going to have to go along with this ruse too.” This was the only way to protect Nonna and Poppa. “If you stick around, you’re staying as my friend and colleague. And you’ll need to keep out of my way.”
He braced himself for pushback, but the man nodded. “All right. Fine. You can use Ms. Valentino’s deception to our advantage. You need to be involved in their plans. We need to know what they’re doing.”
“Right.” August eased out a breath. Forrest had made one thing clear. If August chose to be with Leila, he would have to give up everything else.