by Michelle Lee
“Ahhh, Il mio benvenuto di benvenuto di Jules. La sono soddisfatto così ha occupato Enzo sulla sua offerta a visitare la nostra vigna. È il mio piacere di darla il benvenuto. Per favore di venire ho molto mostrarla.” The nice man rambles off in Italian, his eyes going back and forth between Dash and myself.
“What did he say?”
I lean over to whisper, explaining what Carlo said. “Basically he welcomed me. He’s glad I took up Enzo’s offer to visit and that he has much to show me.”
“Oh. He better not show you too much,” he whispers in my ear, giving my hip a squeeze.
“Dash, he’s not… he’s just… never mind…” I can’t believe he would think that. I’m seeing a different side of Dash I never thought I would. It makes me smile on the inside.
“Oh, please forgive me, you speak no Italiano. I speak English good, okay?”
“Carlo, thank you so much for allowing us to come today. I know you are very busy, and we will not take up too much of your time.”
“Nonsense, um, my vineyard is your vineyard. Enzo told me all about you, and I am in awe of your beauty.”
I feel my cheeks heat up, and Dash squeezes my hip again. “Thank you. You and your brother are very gracious. This is my boyfriend, Dash Ford. And the gentleman by the car is Russell, he’s um… Dash’s um… guardia di sicurezza.”
“Ahhh, si, security. Pleasure to meet you, Dash.” Carlo reaches out his hand to shake Dash’s.
“Nice to meet you too, Carlo.”
“Shall we start?” he asks, motioning for us to enter the main house.
“Thank you.” I intertwine my fingers with Dash’s as we follow Carlo inside.
Carlo turns around to see if we are following. His eyes land on us and then roam over to Russell. “He coming too, no?”
Russell answers, “Nah, just going to stay here, enjoy the scenery, catch up on some emails and whatnot.” He waves his phone. Carlo smiles and continues up to the main house’s door.
“This is our main house. From here you can see all of the vineyard. We will head to the tasting room, yes?” Carlo points to the open French doors that lead out to a terrace. Through them, you can see the entire vineyard sprawling out along the countryside.
“That sounds wonderful, Carlo, grazi. And the view rivals that of your vineyard in Napa,” I compliment; it’s the truth, really, as we follow Carlo down a hallway and a flight of stairs.
We enter a long, narrow room. The arched entrance is mimicked throughout the entire room. The walls are painted a rich, deep, burgundy red and are covered with racks and racks of wine bottles. Two long rectangular tables sit in the middle with several chairs around them. At the end of the room are several large barrels stacked in twos. Paddle fans hover above us, sitting still. There is no natural light, only the soft glow from the lights of the fans. The room is cool, and I shiver. Dash wraps his arm around me, trying to warm me up. Doesn’t he know his touch does that every time? I melt into his side.
“Please sit, sit,” Carlo commands.
Dash pulls my chair out for me and takes the seat next to me. Meanwhile, another man enters the room all dressed in black. He doesn’t say anything as he enters the room; he just stands at attention, his hands clasped behind his back, and he waits for Carlo.
“This is Lorenzo. He will be assisting us,” Carlo introduces and informs us.
Lorenzo simply nods, smiling.
“Lorenzo, rende il grigio di pinot,” Carlo tells Lorenzo.
Lorenzo scurries off and then returns with a bottle of wine and hands it to Carlo.
“Perfezionare,” Carlo agrees, eyeing the label.
Lorenzo carefully opens the bottle and hands it to Carlo. He pours a small amount into two glasses, and then Lorenzo passes the glasses to Dash and me.
“Grazi,” I reply, taking the glass.
Dash takes the other glass, looking at the small amount of wine inside, and then looks to me for help. I carefully twist my wrist in such a way that the wine elegantly swirls around the glass. I then hold it up to the light and inspect it thoroughly. Dash follows me lead, doing the same but not as gracefully, which is surprising since he’s so graceful and agile on stage. As a matter of fact, the wine sloshes around and some spurts out. I suppress a giggle.
Holding the stem of the glass, I bring it to my nose, close my eyes, and inhale, my lips part slightly. I take another deep breath, and I feel like I’ve gone to heaven. I bring the glass to my lips, taking a small sip. With my eyes still closed, the liquid swirls around on my mouth. My tongue juts out slightly, getting a drop on my lips, and then quickly slips back into my mouth. Then I swallow the rich liquid.
Even with my eyes closed, I feel Dash staring at me and he squirms a little in his seat. I wonder if he’s thinking about the first time we had tasted wine together in Napa when he surprised me. I take another sip, the rich, warm robust liquid rolling around on my tongue. I lick my lips, savoring every delicious drop. I open my eyes and see Dash staring at me, his mouth gaping open. I encourage him to follow and taste the wine. Dash picks up his glass and attempts to do what I just did. He chokes and sputters before forgoing the tasting and takes a huge gulp. I don’t hide my laugh. His eyes land on mine, and he just shrugs like he meant to do that all along.
“Carlo, it’s exquisite. The notes of apricot and pear play so nicely together. You and Enzo have really outdone yourselves with this one.”
Dash gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind. He mouths, “Pear? Apricot?” Again, he just shrugs and takes another gulp. I just shake my head while he smiles.
“Grazi, Jules. I’m thrilled you enjoy.” Carlo smiles and motions for Lorenzo, who leaves and comes back with several bottles of various colors.
We continue to taste several more wines. I try to teach Dash how, but quite frankly he could care less. He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. His mouth wraps around my lobe, sucks, and then let’s go. “I’m more than enjoying watching you taste all this wine, but I can’t wait to get you back to the hotel so I can taste you.” His tongue flicks my earlobe.
“My friends, our tasting is finished,” Carlo informs us as Lorenzo leaves the room.
“Carlo, thank you so much. This was just… I don’t know how to put it in words. Thank you,” Addressing Carlo, I stand up.
Dash follows my lead, when I notice him squirming. My eyes rake over him, landing on the bulge in his pants. My cheeks heat up, my bottom lip slipping between my teeth. He wanted to taste me? I want to taste him and savor every last drop. What is he doing to me?
Dash notices where my eyes are staring. He reaches for my hand, pulling me into him; his lips find mine. His lips are warm and full, and the taste of sweet wine lingers on them. He tries to push our kiss further, need taking precedence over manners. I pull away, noticing the muscles in Dash’s body, straining to control himself.
“Ah, amore,” Carlo interrupts.
“Sorry,” I apologize.
“No need, mia Jules, young love is very powerful,” Carlo replies. “Shall we?”
Carlo leads us back the way we came, and before we know it we are back right where we started, in front of the French doors. Dash looks to me, and I know he can see the disappointment written on her face—I can feel it. I don’t want our time here to be over. There’s something about this place that calls to me, comforts me. It might have to do with the fact that it’s away from prying eyes. Dash gives my hand a light squeeze, attempting to comfort me; showing he understands what I’m feeling. Just being near him is comfort enough. Just knowing that he understands makes my heart skip a beat.
“Jules, I’ve prepared a small lunch for you if you would like to stay,” Carlo explains.
My whole demeanor changes; I feel lighter, happier. I so didn’t want to leave so soon. “Grazi, Carlo, that sounds wonderful.”
“Please, please, go out on the terrace. Lorenzo has served your lunch out there, please,” Carlo instructs.
I head for the terrace doors, and when th
e warm afternoon sun hits my face I close my eyes, inhale deeply, and lift my face up to the sky. “Beautiful.” Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe this place. Dash follows behind me, and we make our way to a table that is under an umbrella garnished with an elaborate assortment of fruits, meats, cheeses, and breads. My stomach rumbles as I take my seat.
I look over, and Dash is just standing in the middle of the terrace staring at me. “Well, are you just going to stand all the way over there, or are you going to join me, Mr. Ford?”
Dash shakes his head, his eyes coming into focus. It takes him a moment, but he eventually makes his way toward me. “That’s better.”
Dash takes the seat across from me, and part of me is disappointed. I wanted him as close to me as possible. My need to be as close to him as I can is overwhelming. Dash senses my need. “As much as I want to be right next to you, I won’t be able to enjoy the view and stare at the most beautiful scene before me.”
“Oh.” I thought he was going to say something else. Again, he senses my disappointment. “The view being you, Sunshine.”
“Oh.”
“You’re so different here, and I have to say I love it. I know these past couple of days have been draining on you, but seeing you here so relaxed, so comfortable, makes me so beyond happy. I wish I could give you this every day.”
“You give me the best thing, Dash. You’ve given me you, and that’s all I want. The rest… well, the rest is just part of the territory, and I will learn to handle and deal with it in time.”
“I just wish you didn’t have to. I would give it all…”
“No. No, don’t say it. I wouldn’t trade anything for what we have. I love you. I love every aspect about you.”
“I love you so much, Sunshine. So much.” Dash leans across the table, avoiding everything on it. His hands cup my cheeks as I lean up and into his touch. His lips touch mine, and I am lost in him. His lips move with mine, lovingly, unhurried. His lips linger, ghosting against mine. “You’re my soul,” he whispers against my lips before pulling away and sitting back down.
My lips tingle, and my heart is wildly beating in my chest as I attempt to regain my senses. Taking a deep breath, I clear my throat and my thoughts. “So, shall we?” I finally ask, swiping my hand across the smorgasbord that is our lunch.
“No, wait. I almost forgot something.” Dash immediately gets up, his chair scraping against the concrete, and starts to leave. He stops and turns to me. “I’ll be right back.” To say I’m confused would be an understatement. What could he have forgotten? Before I can formulate an answer, Dash is walking back through the terrace doors carrying the silver-wrapped box from the car.
“Here, your surprise.” Dash hands me the box.
“What’s this?”
“Just a little something something. Open it.”
I was never one to tear into wrapping paper, not even as a child. To me, the wrapping paper was always too pretty to ruin, and this paper is no exception. I unwrap the box avoiding tearing the silver paper. Dash’s leg bounces, hitting the table every other bounce. His eyes are glued to the paper. I have a feeling Dash is a rip-right-through-it kinda guy. With the paper discarded, I open the box, my eyes staring at what is nestled inside.
“Dash?”
He simply smiles, nodding his head, encouraging me to continue. I pull the small, lacquered wooden box out and place it on the table. My fingers trace the intricate design of woven flowers and ribbons on the lid. My eyes begin to glisten. “Dash, it’s… it’sbeautiful.” My voice is shaky.
“Open it.” His eyes gleam with anticipation.
My fingers find the lip of the lid and pry it open; the song Dash wrote for me begins to play. I look up at him; tears escape even though I’m smiling. “That’s my…” I start.
“Your song,” he finishes for me.
I’m instantly in his arms, my lips on his. Our kiss is gentle, tender, and filled with so much emotion. Dash wraps his arms tighter around me, pulling me impossibly closer to him. I feel his heart pound inside, and its rhythm matches mine. We are so in sync; we are one. Our lips continue to express how we feel, and lunch is practically forgotten until my stomach interjects with a low rumble. I pull away, nestling my face into his chest. My stomach has the worst timing.
“I think someone definitely needs to eat,” he teases.
“I don’t need anything to sustain me but you.” It’s so the truth.
“Be that as that may and for me too, I think our stomachs would disagree.”
I peer up at him, his eyes fixated on mine. He makes me feel so much, sometimes too much. “I guess a girl can’t survive on Dash Ford alone,” I play.
“As satisfying as I might be in some ways,” he continues to tease, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Mr. Ford, you are very satisfying.” My voice comes out low and sultry.
“So are you, Miss Bennett. Although I can’t seem to get enough of you.” His voice is a primal growl.
“How is everything?” a voice interrupts.
We turn to see Lorenzo standing on the terrace, popping our intimate bubble.
“Wonderful, Lorenzo, grazi.”
“Do you need anything else?” he asks.
“No, thank you. We have everything we need,” I answer, my arms tightening around Dash.
“Very well,” he says and then disappears through the terrace doors.
Dash kisses me on the forehead. “Let’s eat.”
I reluctantly pull myself away from him and sit back down in my own seat. I close the music box and place it carefully back in the box. “Dash, thank you. This, I mean, I just, well, thank you. You don’t know what this means to me…” Although I think he might have some idea.
“You’re very welcome. I’m glad you like it.”
“Dash, I love it.”
“Well, then, I’m glad you love it. Now, eat.”
“So bossy.”
“You liked my bossiness last night.”
“Yes. Yes, I did.”
“Good. I hope to be bossy later.”
“I hope that too.”
We enjoy the rest of the afternoon eating and talking and just being. It feels really good to be away from all that is Redemption; really good. As wonderful and perfect our day at the vineyard was, we are now heading back to the hotel, back to everything. On the ride back, the day plays over and over in my head. I feel Dash glance over at me as I stare out the window, the music box clutched firmly in my hands as I take in the beautiful scenery before it changes. Russell is quiet in the back seat. He didn’t say anything when we made our way back to the car to leave. Even though he has to be here, he senses that Dash and I need him to be invisible. I am so grateful for that today. We continue our way back, and I don’t want to lose the feeling that visiting the vineyard has given me. Peace.
WE PULL UP to the hotel, and of course there are cameras already flashing before we even get out of the car. Russell is out first once the car stops, and a few members of the security team break through the crowd and join him. Russell helps Dash out and Alex—I think that’s his name—helps me out. Russell brings Dash to my side who wraps his arm around me, pulling to his side protectively. “I’m sorry, Sunshine,” is whispered in my ear. Russell easily pushes the paparazzi aside and they part like the Red Sea; Russell is my Moses. We enter the hotel’s lobby unscathed. And for once, all that happened was the flashing of cameras and screams of loving Dash; no words of hate, or any for that matter, were directed at me. Unbelievably, I’m still relaxed, and I have a feeling it has to do with the amount of wine I consumed today; it’s made me feel tingly all over. And as if to prove my point, I hiccup. “Sorry,” I apologize. Dash just smiles and shakes his head. Russell guides us toward the elevators, when a very muscular, hard form accosts Dash. Russell does nothing except lead us to the side of the elevators where there’s no one. I’m taken aback until I realize who it is.
“Ahhhh, are the lovebirds back?” The body has a booming voice.
Vic.
“Yes, we’re back. Now get the fuck off me.” Dash attempts to push Vic off of him.
“Jeez, don’t get your panties in a twist, Dashie poo,” Vic teases.
Dash cringes, nostrils flaring as he gives Vic the evil eye. I take it he doesn’t like being called Dashie poo. I think it’s kind of cute. I start to snicker, and Dash flashes me a threatening yet non-threatening look. I know he’s trying his damnedest to look menacing, but he’s just so damn cute. A laugh starts to bubble up, and I squash it with my hand over my mouth. Dash glares at me but loses it quickly. A small grin starts on his lips until it becomes a full-blown, teeth-showing smile. He shoves Vic’s shoulder as if the big wall of muscle is going to budge. Again, it’s cute.
“So, I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow night is all set.” Dash nods, and I am a little confused as to what Vic is referring to. I hate being out of the loop.
“All set for what? You guys aren’t performing tomorrow?”
“All set for the birthday boy here.” Vic wraps his bulging arm around Dash’s neck, threatening to give him a noogie.
I know my brain is a little pickled at the moment, but how could I forget that tomorrow is my boyfriend’s birthday? What kind of girlfriend am I? The worst kind, that’s what. “Tomorrow is your birthday… I lost track…” I stare off into nothing. I can’t look at Dash right now, I’m so embarrassed I can’t even look at Dash right now. He must wonder what the hell is wrong with me—how could I forget his birthday. I know I’ve been going… I have… there’s been… none of it is a viable excuse as far as I’m concerned. I need to fix this.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t. We’re all getting together in the dining room tomorrow night around eight. Got it? No backing out, Ford. I know where you sleep,” Vic threatens.
“I don’t understand,” I state, confused.
“Dash, here, doesn’t really like celebrating birthdays.”
He doesn’t like birthdays? How do I not know that? I should know that, right? But I don’t, and that doesn’t sit well with me.
