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Heading into work on Monday, I arrive anxious.
I haven’t seen Lucas since he had shown up Friday evening, inviting me on a run. It had been awkward when Dave had arrived. I could tell by Lucas’s reaction that he was distraught.
I knew the exact reason why because it had been written all over his face.
And it terrified me.
My date with Dave Friday evening had been a complete disaster. I had been distracted, worried about Lucas all evening.
Like a ping-pong ball in motion, I had bounced back and forth between the urge to end the date early to seek out Lucas to telling myself to remain where I was because becoming involved with Lucas would be a huge mistake.
My head had won and when Dave had dropped me back to the cottage after I had forced myself to stay and finish dinner with him, he had politely walked me to my door despite my protests that I was fine to see myself in. I was awkward and uncomfortable, had been all evening, as I tried to force myself to keep my mind on the man in front of me – instead of the one my body seemed to be yearning for and I knew Dave knew the reason why I was distracted. It had hung heavily between us all night as I would absentmindedly try to maintain a conversation with Dave, but that didn't stop him from swooping down to kiss me after I unlocked my door. Feeling his tongue trying to gain entry into my mouth, I had enough pretending for one night and I had pulled away. It wasn't that it wasn't unpleasant; it just didn't do anything for me.
It didn’t electrify me.
Not like just being in the same room as Lucas electrified me.
That jolt of realization had made me send Dave away immediately, telling him that I didn't think things were going to work out between us.
Dave’s only response had been to ask, “It’s because of him, isn’t it?”
Knowing it was true but unable to admit it aloud, I had remained silent. Dave had eventually turned and left me – finally - alone on the porch.
Sighing deeply, I pull open the door to the restaurant, unsure how Lucas would treat me this morning. I had been fretting all weekend and almost gained the courage to walk to his home yesterday.
But I didn't follow through.
I was afraid of what would happen if I went to him.
Glancing around the steadily progressing restaurant, I look for Lucas but he is nowhere to be seen. I head up to my office, leaving my door open in the hopes that he would come looking for me. Pressing the button on my coffee maker, I watch as the coffee slowly drips into my cup.
I miss him, - I silently confess to myself.
It feels like forever, instead of only last week, that we picnicked together, watched the sunrise, walked in his vineyard.
When he had watched me with hope and caution in his eyes as he unlocked the door to my office.
My heart squeezes painfully as I recall the relief that had crossed his face when I had not curbed my response, my sheer delight in his thoughtfulness towards me when I had told him how much it had meant to me.
"Everything okay, Emma? You are staring at that coffee cup pretty intently," I hear Martha's concerned voice ask from my doorway.
Glancing over my shoulder at her, I respond, "I'm fine. Only needing my morning caffeine fix."
She pauses for a moment but must decide to drop her questioning as she says informatively, "Lucas is gone for the week. He decided last minute to attend a conference in Napa Valley that his father usually attends every year."
A spear of disappointment shoots through me and I feel an unexplainable loss that he won't be around. I admit to myself that I wanted him to show up on my doorstep all weekend, to ask me to watch the sunset again, to run next to him...anything.
"Okay," I sigh out, trying hard to hide what I’m feeling for Lucas and the disappointment in knowing I won’t see him for a while. "I'll start unpacking the boxes that were delivered early this morning. I think most of the linens have arrived. I want to get at least one of the inn rooms together for a photoshoot."
Nodding, Martha pauses, as if she wants to say something but she must decide against it as she says softly, "I'll be in my office if you need me. Even if you just need to talk."
Startled, I hold her eyes and see the knowledge, the awareness in her eyes of my inner turmoil. My throat feels swollen, my insides torn, as I break our gaze.
Finally – thankfully – after a few moments, I hear her leave.
Taking my cup from underneath the coffee maker, I forcefully push away all thoughts of Lucas and Friday night to throw myself into work. I begin by quickly checking the inn reservation system to see how many reservations we have picked up since I connected with online booking engines. The bookings have more than doubled and my spirits rise a fraction.
But only a fraction.
I keep myself occupied the rest of the week with focusing on work at the inn. I manage to finish a room and schedule a photo session, along with lining up advertising placements. I also drop by the winery to watch as Lucas's mom runs the winery with a knowledge that I hope to have some day and my admiration for her grows quickly. We develop a friendship very quickly and she invites me to lunch at her home on Thursday. Eagerly accepting, I arrive on her doorstep astounded at the monstrosity of her home which is of the plantation style, sprawling like an eagle overlooking the vineyard.
Answering the door, Lucas's mom warmly welcomes me in with a hug. We enjoy lunch outside on her back-patio area, talking about the wine making process, and I lose track of time as I absorb every word she says.
After finishing my meal, I say, "Thanks so much Mrs. Reid for your hospitality and sharing your knowledge. I should get back to the inn. The photographer is scheduled to arrive within the half hour and I want to do a last-minute check to make sure the room is as I want it."
"You are more than welcome, Emma, but please, you must call me Charlotte," she stresses warmly.
Smiling warmly at her in return, I reply, "Thanks, Charlotte, for the lovely lunch."
"You must come back again," she says as she takes my hands, squeezing tightly.
"You say when and I’ll be here," I respond eagerly, meaning it. I love the genuine warmth of this woman.
"Come for brunch Saturday at 11," she throws out the invite immediately.
Laughing, I nod before giving her hands a squeeze in return.
Friday comes and goes in a blur with the restaurant renovations now needing my attention with the small details. Saturday morning, I rise early for a walk first with Quinny before going on a run. During the run, I admit to myself that I wish Lucas was running next to me, chatting with me from time to time about the upcoming day. Returning back to the cottage, I shower, sipping slowly on a coffee as I dry my hair. I only had a banana for breakfast, wanting to save myself for what is sure to be a great brunch.
Arriving at the Reid's family home a few minutes before 11am, I ring the doorbell. As the door swings open, I’m unprepared to be suddenly staring into the intense blue eyes that I have missed, that had haunted me every waking moment of the past week.
That had been the feature of my dreams every night.
Face to face with him again, I have to catch my breath.
He's so tall and handsome as hell, - my mind silently acknowledges as my eyes eagerly run over his face.
"Mr. Reid..." I say breathless.
"Mom didn't tell me you were coming," is his abrupt reply.
"Lucas! That's no way to greet a guest," I hear his mother admonish sternly from behind him.
Lucas drops his hand from the doorknob and turns away, leaving me outside on the step, not bothering to invite me in.
"Please, Emma. Come in. I didn't realize my son didn't have manners," she says loudly to Lucas's retreating back.
“Maybe I should leave," I offer quietly.
"Nonsense. He's just in a bad mood," she says, dismissing Lucas’s response to me as nothing, as she grasps my forearm to encourage me to stay. Because I don't want to upset her further, I step inside. She gestures for me to precede her down the hallway.
I keep my eyes averted from Lucas as I enter the kitchen but his mother doesn't pause as she pulls out a chair next to Lucas at the kitchen island, waiting expectantly for me to sit. Not knowing what else to do, I take a seat.
"Would you like some coffee, Emma, while I finish up brunch?" Charlotte inquires as she heads over to the coffee maker.
"I'd love one but I can get it," I say, half rising from my chair, wanting to place distance between myself and the obviously angry man sitting next to me.
"You might as well sit. She won't let you do anything," I hear Lucas's voice murmur next to me.
"That's right. Brunch is my time in the kitchen to entertain. So, sit and relax," Charlotte insists as she reaches across the countertop to pour coffee for me.
I glance quickly at Lucas next to me as I stand awkwardly, half into and half out of my chair, wanting desperately to move away from him and his sullen mood, but knowing I don’t have any other choice.
I force myself to sit back down.
I concentrate hard on the simple task of mixing my coffee to my liking before taking a sip, watching as Charlotte flies around the kitchen over the rim of my mug.
My stomach is doing somersaults, being this close to Lucas and I have difficulty swallowing the hot liquid.
William asks his son several questions about the restaurant and inn, wanting to know if the targeted opening date of May twenty-fourth weekend will still be met, and it mercifully distracts Lucas out of his sullen mood for a moment. Lucas responds to each question, outlining that all the electrical, and plumbing has been completed with the drywall to be installed starting Monday. They speak about a few more business items as I continue to sit next to Lucas, wishing I was far, far away from here.
"Go take a seat in the breakfast nook, Emma,” Charlotte interrupts my thoughts. But she only makes things worse for me as she says, “Lucas, go keep her company while your dad and I bring in the food." I feel completely out of place as Charlotte has once again put me in a spot where I feel even more uncomfortable. I hear Lucas’s exasperated sigh before he pushes himself to his feet. Unknowing how to extract myself from this situation, I rise from my chair, and wordlessly follow Lucas to the breakfast nook, my eyes straying to his perfect ass, in those perfectly tight jeans of his, feeling awkward the whole way. My hands tremble as I watch him politely pull out a chair for me. He waits silently, his impatience at this fiasco written all over his face. I quickly cross to where he is, and as I sit, he remains to help me scoot my chair back into the table. My nerves prickle as he hesitates for a moment behind me. I wait for him to say something, or do something, but after a few moments, he finally moves to sit directly across from me instead of next to me. I don't know which seating arrangement I prefer; the prior one in the kitchen where he was way too close to me, or this one, as his gaze can now settle directly on my face, making me want to squirm in my seat.
Not knowing what to say and hating the silence, I inquire politely, "How was your trip to Napa?"
"It was fine," he replies abrupt. His tone has a hard edge to it, as he continues to watch me intently.
Nodding, feeling extremely uncomfortable, silently praying for Charlotte to hurry up, I decide the silence is better and break away from his intense gaze.
"Martha showed me the room you have ready and also informed me that you already have a photoshoot done," he says, breaking the silence. This tone seems softer, even if it is forced.
Meeting his eyes again, I see regret. My stomach flops, then clenches.
"Yes, I hope that is okay. We needed photos for the website and booking engines. We had several requests stating they loved the landscape photos of the vineyard but they wanted photos of the rooms before they would book," I respond, keeping my voice quiet but holding his gaze, wondering what his regrets were. Did he not like the room?
Was one of them hiring me? – my heart stops beating for a second at that thought. Despite everything, I have grown to love my job.
And I couldn’t imagine not seeing Lucas again.
Sighing, Lucas rubs the back of his neck before leaning forward to say softly, "I'm sorry I acted like an ass earlier."
"It seems I bring out the ass in you," I throw back without thinking.
His short burst of laughter before he smiles, causes my raised hackles to recede a little and I start to relax a little for the first time.
"It seems you do," he replies easily in agreement, grinning at me.
"Well now, here we go," Charlotte says loudly as she walks beaming into the breakfast nook area. My mouth waters as I see a platter of eggs Benedict set before me. William pops the cork on a bottle of bubbly wine and pours each of us a glass as we take turns helping ourselves to the delicious food. The meal passes quickly and I find myself thoroughly enjoying being here with Lucas and his parents. Thankfully, the awkwardness that had been between Lucas and me when I first arrived has completely disappeared.
Afterwards, I help Charlotte clean up after brunch, a glow from the bubbly wine staining my cheeks, as I assist her around the kitchen.
Observing my wine flushed cheeks, Charlotte suggests firmly, "I think Lucas should drive you home.”
"Oh no. That's fine. I can walk," I respond quickly.
"Nonsense," she says waving away my response. "Lucas," she raises her voice as she calls out to him in the breakfast nook, "Emma needs a ride home. I think the two glasses of bubbly has made her a little tipsy."
My stomach takes a nose dive.
Lucas emerges from the breakfast nook from where he was wiping down the table. My cheeks flush even more as his glance falls on me.
"I can walk," I insist quickly, once again.
His eyes seem to mock me as he takes in my flushed cheeks, even as a beautifully wide teasing smile plays at the corner of his mouth, as he replies easily, "There's no reason for you to walk. I’m driving right past the cottage."
I give up and with my cheeks burning, I take the plates from the countertop and begin loading them into the dishwasher.
"Ready?" Lucas asks, once the clean-up is done a few moments later.
Nodding, slightly nervous at being alone with him if only for a short ride, I follow him to the door.
"Thanks for coming, Emma. Same time next week," Charlotte says enthusiastically as she gives me a warm hug.
"Oh, oh! Now you are roped into the weekly brunches," William teases.
Charlotte lightly smacks him on the arm telling him to behave. I can’t help but laugh at their banter despite the upcoming unnerving car ride back to the cottage. Loving how they interact with each other, loving how they have so easily invited me into their home.
"I'll gladly be back next week, and the next week and even the next week after that if you keep serving those eggs Benedict," I joke.
"The menu is the same every Saturday," I hear Lucas say, rolling his eyes. "It's been a tradition since I was a born."
"In that case, I’m definitely in for next Saturday," I reply to Charlotte, pushing away my uneasiness in having to endure Lucas again next Saturday. After all, I would have to endure him all week at work.
Turning, I head out the door to Lucas's car. As I reach for the handle, Lucas gently knocks my hand away to open the passenger door for me. He waits for me to be settled before slamming it shut. I say a silent thank you that it is a short drive to the cottage.
As Lucas slides into the driver's seat, I watch how his jeans are tight in all the right places. My gaze slides to between his legs as he turns to grasp his seatbelt and I can't stop myself from wondering if the bulge I see there is from the bunched-up fabric of his jeans...
Or if it is the actual size of him...
I lick my lips.
Then my cheeks flush as I realize that the wine had affected my inhibitions more than I realized and I quickly avert my gaze before Lucas catches me ogling his crotch.
Nothing good would come of that.
"Are you interested in a run this evening?" I hear Lucas ask, snapping me out of my musings, and back to reality.
"I ran this morning but I definitely need another run after that meal," I respond after swallowing, my heart racing at his question.
At my inner thoughts about him.
Between my thighs is a yearning that only seems to be growing deeper and deeper when I’m around him.
He laughs, oblivious to my heightened sexual state, as he replies, "It is pure indulgence but my mother's eggs Benedict are worth it."
I nod in agreement and we both fall silent. I try to curtail the sexual pull I feel towards him during the drive but it’s hard with his masculine scent, along with his perfect physique, sitting only inches away from me. I envision how easily I could reach over and discover exactly what was material...
What was him...
When he pulls into my driveway, I open the door before Lucas has a chance to move.
I quickly exit the car, tossing over my shoulder, "I'll be ready around 7 for that run."
Shutting the car door, my steps light despite my inner turmoil, I quickly take the front steps up the front of the cottage, desperately needing a break from him and all of that sexual magnetism.
Chapter 8