Unentangled

by Katherine King

  She flushes but she doesn't pull away as I take her arm to lead her to our table where I introduce her. All the men are immediately enamored with her, some of them inviting her to sit next to them. She foils my plan to have her sit next to me as she accepts the invitation of Brian, the youngest of the group who is about thirty. I oddly don't feel jealousy as I watch them throughout the night, her laughter ringing out, enchanting everyone including me and the other ladies at the table, with her ideas and her beauty.

  She’ll be mine again soon.

  I know she feels it too.

  She can flirt, completely beguile Brian as much as she wants because I know it’s me she wants deep down inside.

  "Ladies...gentlemen..." I say as I stand once the dessert dishes have been cleared, suggesting, "How about a night cap in the vineyard?"

  Everyone is in delighted agreement and I lead the group out into the vineyard where I had previously arranged for solar powered lanterns and blankets to be laid out in a row along the vines. Some opt to sit to relax and take advantage of the clear night sky to look up at the stars while others remain standing to mingle, discussing the varieties of grapes that my vineyard produces. Emma is the perfect hostess as she mingles easily with everyone, quietly orchestrating the staff as to who will be having refills.

  Slowly, the group disperses over the next hour and head back to their assigned rooms. I decide to walk the oldest board member, Ethel, who uses a cane at the ripe age of eighty-one but refuses to retire from the board, back to her room, concerned she may trip in the darkness.

  Ethel pats my cheek endearingly as I swing her door open, sighing wistfully, “If only I was younger...”

  Chuckling, used to Ethel’s cheekiness, I give her a quick kiss on her cheek.

  As I pull back from her, she says wisely, “That girl, Emma...she is as besotted of you as you are of her.”

  Grinning at the cunning capability of this elderly woman to see through people to their core, I confess, “I hope you are right, Ethel.”

  Patting my cheek again, she says confidently, “My dear boy. She doesn’t stand a chance against you and that charm.”

  Chuckling my way back to the restaurant, I arrive to see that everyone has left and Melissa is just cluing up. Deciding to lock up myself tonight, I send her quickly on her way. After I walk around checking to make sure all kitchen equipment has been turned off before turning off the lights, I walk to the alarm panel at the employee entrance.

  My eyes catch on something moving in the vineyard.

  My heart skips, then seems to beat in triple time, as I realize it's Emma. She hasn't left and is now sitting on the blanket, looking up at the stars.

  Without hesitating in seizing this unplanned moment, I quickly grab a bottle of red wine and two glasses. Softly sliding the patio door closed behind me that leads from the restaurant to the vineyard, I inhale deeply, strangely nervous. I’m careful to be quiet as I slowly approach her, my heart thudding in my ears, my stomach doing somersaults at this turn of luck.

  I startle her as I sit next to her and she immediately tries to stand but I grasp her hand, saying simply, "Stay."

  I see her hesitate but I hold her eyes, trying to let her see that I care for her. She sighs but resettles herself on the blanket. I slowly release her hand to pour us each a glass of red.

  "You know, I never did this before you. Now every night, whenever I can, I always make a point to sit and relax in the vines somewhere," I admit to her as I hand her the glass. She takes it, her hand trembling, remaining silent as she lays it on the ground next to her.

  Laying my wine glass next to me on the ground as well, I focus my gaze up at the stars for a few moments. Sitting here, next to her, my body is craving hers. To feel the softness of her inner thighs again.

  Explore more fully the soft, velvety wetness between her legs.

  "It kills me that you are with him," I whisper my confession.

  I feel her look at me and I turn my head to meet her gaze.

  I see a moment’s indecision cross her face before she admits softly, “I’m not with anyone. Dave was only a couple of dates. I’ve never been with him.”

  My heart races. I hold her eyes, willing what she has said to be the truth.

  “Why did you let me think otherwise?” I ask, even though I think I know the answer.

  “Because I was trying to keep you away,” she admits softly. “I thought it would help.”

  Unable to help myself, I reach out my hand to cup her face, rubbing my thumb along her jawline. She tries to pull back but I stop her by sliding my hand back to wrap around the back of her neck, firmly but gently forcing her to hold my eyes. Watching her eyes intently, I lean forward and slowly touch my lips, lightly, to hers.

  "Emma," I whisper against her lips, inhaling her breath, allowing it to fill me. She closes her eyes.

  Opening my mouth over hers, I feel her lips part slightly and I tentatively – so very slowly - reach out my tongue to touch hers.

  It's the most stimulating moment of my life.

  Unable to stop, I bring up my other hand to grasp the other side of her face, along her jawline. I deepen the kiss, devouring her with my mouth.

  Pushing her gently back against the blanket, my head feels as if it will explode, my heart thundering, my cock begging.

  Please don’t make me stop... - I silently pray.

  Lying on top of her, I run my hands up her sides, along her outer thighs, all the way up to where her breasts are pressed against my chest, absorbing the feel of her curves that I’ve been so desperately wanting to touch.

  "Emma," I whisper again reverently against her lips before I lean slightly away from her to trail one finger down the edge of her neckline, lightly running my finger over the slopes of her breasts.

  I continue to move my finger, tracing over the peak of her breast, then continue down her side, noticing that her dress’s zipper is on the side. Grasping it between my thumb and forefinger, I gradually lower it, listening to her rapid breaths. I bring my hand back to slowly push her bodice down. Unclasping her bra in the front, I watch as her breasts pop free. Licking my lips, I am about to take my first taste of them when I feel Emma stiffen.

  Looking up at her eyes, I shake my head as I whisper, "No, Emma. No more running." I gently kiss the sides of her mouth, coaxing her to stay.

  Placing my hand on her bared breast, I whisper against her mouth, "Let me....please..."

  I hear her sigh. Not waiting another second, I trail my lips down her jawline, to her ear where I whisper, "I can't wait to taste them. It’s the one thing that I have regretted about that night."

  I feel her hands come up to my hair, her fingers winding through it.

  Entangled.

  Leaving her ear, I kiss my way down her elegant throat, pausing at the erratic beat of the pulse in her neck. Continuing, I cross over her collarbone, then finally I reach the start of her cleavage. I lightly trail my tongue over her beautiful mound to find her puckered nipple. Closing my mouth, I lightly use my teeth to pull it into my mouth. Gently suckling - first one - before moving on to the other.

  "Lucas..." I hear her whisper, her hands tugging on my hair, sending my already speeding heart racing a little more.

  Pushing myself up to kneel before her, I push her dress up, not stopping until it is bunched around her waist. I look at her laying sprawled before me, in my vineyard, about to make another fantasy that I had of her, come true.

  Tugging on her underwear, I slowly pull them down and off her legs. She lays there, biting her lip, driving me mad. I quickly undo my belt, pushing my pants down, now anxious to be inside of her.

  To feel her surrounding me again.

  Lowering myself on top of her, I grasp my cock and slowly, while watching her eyes, I slide myself in deep.

  She feels hot and tight. I feel a pulse start in my cock and I know I won't last long.

  "Emma," I whisper into her ear, as I lower myself onto her fully, gyrating my hips to press
myself deeper.

  She responds by wrapping her legs around me, tightly. I slowly withdraw before pushing myself back in, so very deep inside of her.

  "You are my dream, Emma," I whisper and pull out to slide back in again.

  Hot and tight...

  Her arms come around me, her hands sliding down to cup each of my ass cheeks, encouraging me.

  I lose my grip on my control. Using one hand to cup her ass while placing the other on the top of her head I hold her firmly in place as I jackhammer my hips, over and over into her. I completely lose control, thrusting myself deep inside of her, marking her unlike I have never done with any other woman, making her mine as I feel myself ejaculate, spasming so deeply inside of her. For a brief moment after my heads clears slightly, I feel remorse that I didn't take her with me, until I feel her squeezing around me, causing a second round to spurt from me.

  I lose my breath momentarily as I absorb the effects of the most intense orgasm I have ever felt.

  I collapse on top of her, my breath hot and heavy in her ear, my heart pounding. It takes a few moments for my head to catch up. Pushing myself up onto my elbows, I look into her eyes. I see caution there, her body stiffening slightly as I allow my cock to slowly slide out of her body. It's as if she is waiting for my next move.

  "So beautiful," I whisper before kissing her gently, and I’m rewarded when I feel her relax.

  Lifting my head, tearing my lips way from hers, I ask softly, "Will you come home with me?"

  She hesitates, causing my heart to stop.

  To fear.

  She finally nods her head yes. I place a swift kiss on her lips before I kneel between her legs to fix my pants. Standing, I mentally snap a picture of this perfect vision of the woman that I know will be forever mine, looking so beautiful and lush with her breasts glowing in the moonlight, between her legs glistening from where I had left a part of me.

  I reach down and clasp her hand to pull her to her feet before helping her to fix her dress. As I finish zipping the final inch of her dress up, I lean down and whisper in her ear, “I will never forget this moment, taking you here in the place that I love.”

  I hear her quick inhale of breath just as I straighten away from her. Grinning, knowing I’ve made her flush, I thread my fingers through hers, before bending to scoop up the blankets. Gently, I tug on her hand to prompt her to walk with me back to the restaurant. I drop the blankets in a heap on the floor immediately inside, uncaring of where they land, before locking the sliding patio door. I don't let go of her hand as I set the alarm or as I lock the door after we exit. Walking her to my car, I open the passenger side, ignoring the fact that her car is parked right next to mine.

  I’m not letting her go to drive the short distance to my house. She’s staying with me in case her doubts start to creep in so I can push them away.

  Sliding into the driver's seat, I turn on the car and back out.

  Reaching across the center console for her hand, I place a kiss on the back before suggesting, "Let's stop for Quinella."

  She squeezes my hand in return as she responds, "That would be great."

  Within a few short minutes, we arrive at the cottage.

  "I should get some clothes," she says softly as I park.

  Shaking my head, I reply, "No way. I’m removing that dress at my house."

  I hear her shocked gasp, just before I plant a firm kiss on her lips, as I reach out and take her key from her hand. I quickly exit the running car, taking the steps to the cottage two at a time.

  Chapter 11

  Emma

  Watching Lucas using my key to the cottage from where I’m seated in his car, I can’t help the feeling of surrealness whirling through me.

  "What am I doing?” I can’t help but ask myself aloud.

  I had promised myself to stay away, but his persistence and complete openness in wanting me over the past few days, had worn me down. I knew it was only a matter of time before he would succeed. How could anyone avoid his advances? He was stunningly beautiful, his warm blue eyes always intense when he held my gaze, causing my body to always react to him from across the room.

  Sighing, I shake my head.

  I know I should have stopped this, but now it was too late. If I got out of his car right now, tried to put distance between us, I know Lucas wouldn’t leave. He’s too persistent, confident in what he wants and right now he has his sights set on me. Whatever happens between us in the future could mean our professional relationship would flourish or come to an abrupt end. It’s a terrifying thought for me, someone who prided herself on working hard, making my own way in this world, not to mention absolutely loving everything about my current position.

  Over the past couple of weeks, I had considered leaving my position, due to this undeniable chemistry between Lucas and I – to remain unentangled from him - but I had come to love the vineyard as much as the restaurant and inn.

  It has somehow slipped underneath my skin, deeper than I had imagined, and right now I didn’t want to be any other place than waiting for the disturbingly erotic man that had once again seduced me tonight.

  “What about California?” I silently question myself. I firmly and abruptly push it away. This will probably end as quickly as the attraction began. Hopefully at the end of whatever this is, we can retain a professional working relationship.

  It’s not as if I would be at Reid Vineyards forever.

  I just want to be here.

  Just for now.

  To explore this man.

  I watch as Lucas open the doors and quickly swoops down to lift a wriggling and happy Quinny into his arms. I watch in amusement as she gives him a few quick kisses and see his face squint as she lovingly licks his jawline. He quickly kisses the top of her head before he steps inside. A few seconds later and I see a light come on and go out a few seconds later. Then he is back outside, striding confidently in that sexy swagger he has to the car, while holding Quinny in one arm and her bag of food in the other.

  I can’t help but admire his physique as the car headlights illuminate him.

  Yeah...there was no way I could have resisted him. Even now, after having him less than a half hour ago, I want him again.

  I feel myself pulse between my legs, my heart beat picking up from knowing I get to go home with this man.

  Lucas opens the back door to place Quinny in the back seat and I coo to her in welcome with a wide smile on my face.

  I feel so very happy.

  Content.

  Lucas grasps my hand once we are back on the road, my stomach filling with butterflies as it hits me again and again that Lucas is taking me to his home.

  That I’m spending the night with this beautiful, sexy man.

  As he pulls into the driveway, he kisses the back of my hand before telling me to wait for him to open my door. It’s these small things that make me feel that I’m the center of his universe.

  He holds his hand out for me to grasp as I exit the car and as soon as the car door shuts behind me, he pushes me up against it.

  Lowering his lips to my ear, he whispers, "I can't believe you’re here."

  My nipples tighten, between my legs where we had been joined, pulsating deeper, more of our combined liquid slipping from me.

  “Me either,” I whisper, as I pull him into me for a quick kiss on his neck.

  Now that I’m here, that I have accepted this attraction for now, I plan to enjoy him.

  Every seductive inch of him.

  Lucas pushes away from me and then with a wink, he opens the backseat door and reaches down for Quinny. I watch as he lays her on the ground to have a pee break, his large hands so very gentle with her. Quinny quickly uses and not wasting another moment, Lucas is back to grabbing my hand to tug me to the door of his house. He slides his key in quickly, then grinning widely at me, he swings the door open to tug me inside, flicking on a light switch as I cross over the threshold to his home.

  He waits until Quinny is also inside
before shutting the door and locking it.

  And I suddenly feel nervous.

  Overwhelmed.

  My palms sweat as I take in his penetrating blue-eyed gaze.

  Sensing my nervousness, Lucas pulls me to him, sliding his arms around me in comfort before laying his cheek on top of my head.

  "Would you like some wine?" I hear him murmur into my hair.

  Nodding into his chest, I admit to myself I need the wine to settle my nerves.

  He releases me and heads towards the kitchen where he pulls a bottle of white from his wine cooler. I watch him, how his hands are strong and steady on the wine bottle as he smoothly removes the cork. I watch how his long dark hair lies lightly against his collar, that is still ruffled from our session in the vineyard, the top five buttons of his shirt still undone exposing the hard, defined planes of his chest. I flush, loving that I was the one that made this man look so unkempt.

  That he had just been fucked by me.

  I’m slightly shocked at my inner thoughts. But this man, he makes me feel things like I have never experienced before. He makes me so sexually aware of myself as a woman.

  I watch as he grasps both glasses of wine, walking towards me.

  I can't wait to have him inside me again, - I silently acknowledge, suddenly feeling empowered and all nervousness leaves me.

  He holds my eyes, and I know he knows my mood has shifted.

  That he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

  I feel myself swell further between my legs, wanting him so bad.

  "Want to go to my room?" he asks softly as he hands me my wine.

  I nod.

  God, I’m already on fire.

  I take a sip of my wine, his eyes watching me as he does the same.

  He grasps my hand again, and I follow behind him, my desire becoming more and more heightened, knowing that he is going to give me what I want.

  Opening his bedroom door, he flicks a switch that turns on the two bedside lamps. My gaze wanders around the room, feeling like I’m having an out of body experience, as my mind tries to catch up with physically being in this beautiful man's bedroom. He releases my hand to cross to a wall that is nothing but windows. I hear him unlock them, surprised that they fold back completely, allowing the night air in to touch my skin.