“Ah,” Sam said. “That’s wonderful. Well, let me give you the tour so you can see exactly what we have to offer.”
“Please.”
As Sam turned away he leaned down until his lips were an inch from her ear. “Deep breaths, sweetheart,” he teased, a true smile on his lips.
Moving around her, he followed Sam deeper into the building.
…
He didn’t mean it the way it sounded, she told herself. Darian liked to tease. It was as normal to him as breathing.
All the romance nonsense they were dealing with was throwing them both off.
Rolling her shoulders back, she followed the pair through the beautiful winery. Already she could see them lining the hallway with peonies and ushering guests to the ceremony. This was the place they needed.
“This is our reception room,” Sam said, opening a set of double doors. “Of course, we could also do the wedding in here, though October should be nice enough to do it outside.”
She stepped into a stylish hall that could easily handle a large wedding party. Cathedral windows allowed natural light to pour into the room, and she tipped her head back to see the exposed beams rising toward the arched roof.
“Perfect,” she murmured.
“And we have the gardens.” Sam ushered them through the hall and passed an open set of French doors that led to a wide patio.
“Impressive,” Darian admitted.
Before them, manicured lawns stretched outward. Stone walkways were carved into the greenery, snaking toward a white gazebo that was obviously used as the alter space. Vineyard rows stretched behind the gazebo, creating a postcard perfect setting for the wedding pictures.
“We do a number of weddings here throughout the year, so our staff is fully trained,” Sam said. “We can line white chairs on either side of the path to accommodate your numbers.”
“And if it turns cool?” she asked. An outdoor wedding might be their only option given the time constraints, but she didn’t trust the weather to help out.
“If it’s cool we have temporary fire pits we can wheel into place along both sides of the guests. The gazebo can also be equipped with heat lamps so that everyone is toasty.”
“You’ve got it all covered.”
“This isn’t our first rodeo,” Sam agreed. “I’ve done weddings out here as late as November. We should be fine.”
She wrapped her hand around Darian’s arm, drawing his attention to her. “Sounds like they know what they’re doing,” she whispered.
His fingers closed over hers in a brief touch before she let her hand drop. It was all she could do to not wipe away the phantom caress on her skirt. The simple touch shouldn’t bring her such pleasure.
Focus, she chided herself. You’re here to do a job.
Not daydream about unattainable men.
“It seems like you’re in the wedding business rather than the wine one,” Darian said, pulling her from her thoughts.
“We’re a small winery,” Sam agreed. “The wine we produce is mostly sold at our events or to the local community. It’s not enough to sell to major retailers.”
That caught her attention. “So do you pair your wines with any dining options here?”
“We do have a chef onsite during our events,” Sam said.
“If we booked this spot for the wedding, would your team be able to handle the catering, too?”
Sam hesitated. “I’d have to check with our schedule and get back to you. Managing a wedding this high profile would be a huge boast for us in terms of word-of-mouth and exposure. We want to accommodate you in any way we can.”
“I appreciate that,” Darian said. “Contact your people and let us know as soon as possible. If you can fit us in, we’d have to sit down and discuss a menu. We’d insist on a tasting, too, of course.”
“Not a problem. I’ll have the answer to you by Friday.”
Allison stared out at the beautiful view and felt hope swell within her. This was the place, she just knew it. They could throw a perfect wedding here.
“Sam, could you give us a few minutes to confer?” Darian asked.
“Of course. I’ll be by the front desk if you have any other questions.”
She waited till Sam was out of hearing distance before asking, “What do you think?”
Darian said nothing, merely walked down the three steps to the stone-tiled path.
“I’d vote yes,” she said, catching up to him as he paced down the aisle toward the gazebo. “The pictures will be breathtaking with this backdrop. I know the weather might be a concern but it sounds like Sam’s crew knows how to handle things. Worse comes to worse, we can move the ceremony into the reception hall. Those windows were incredible.”
He stopped, and she realized they’d reached the gazebo.
“Darian?”
“Give me your hand.”
With a sigh, she set down her bag and moved into position, knowing he was trying to get a better sense of what Jenny would see on the wedding day.
“We stand here,” she said, pushing him into place under the archway.
He held out his hands, and without a word she slid hers into his.
His fingers were warm and sure as they closed around hers.
Electricity shot down her spine. Breathe, she told herself. This is simply play acting. Your not actually a couple planning their dream wedding. But standing under a gazebo in a spectacularly romantic setting, all she could think about was how close he stood and how good he smelled. Sandalwood paired with something more earthy and uniquely Darian.
Because after all, he really was one of a kind.
She cleared her throat, trying to think of anything other than the romantic setting in which they stood.
“This is where they say the ‘till death do us part’ bit,” she said.
“Or at least till something better comes along,” he added, his thumb gliding across her knuckles.
“How cynical of you,” she said, trying to ignore the absentminded caress.
He arched a brow. “Are you telling me you believe in true love? You spend as much time chained to a desk as I do.”
Careful, she thought. Don’t let those lines blur even more. “For Jenny’s sake I hope there can be something lasting between two people.”
“It’s a nice fairytale,” he agreed.
She tilted her head to the side. “This is why confirmed bachelors shouldn’t plan highly romantic events.”
He scoffed at her words. “I can be objective about all this. It makes me the perfect planner.”
“If you ever end up married, make sure you warn your wife about that imminently practical heart of yours.”
He looked down at their clasped hands, quiet for a moment. “I doubt I’ll ever end up in a gazebo like this, but I’m sure you will.”
A curious pain stabbed her chest. He’d never marry, but she would. She’d have to be blind to miss the implication there. Swallowing the unexpected lump in her throat, she shook her head. “I’d never need something this elaborate.”
“You’re a simple girl at heart.”
She lifted her chin, telling herself the words weren’t meant as an insult. “Yes,” she said. “I wouldn’t need to spend thousands on a single day to be happy. I’d be fine with a trip to city hall and a promise to spend our lives together. At the end of the day, it’s our commitment that would matter, not any third party’s opinion or blessing.”
A soft smile shaped his mouth. “I’ve said it before. You’re one in a million, Ali.”
“I’m not that special.”
His hands tightened on hers. “Now there I have to disagree.”
Startled, she glanced up to find his gaze boring into her eyes.
Standing with him, their surroundings fell away. With his hands on hers, her mind stopped cycling through all the dozens of things they needed to do. Instead, stillness filled her. Anticipation she had no business feeling.
His gaze dropped to her mouth and she c
ouldn’t help darting her tongue out to wet her lips. The blue in his eyes darkened at the action.
He can’t, she thought. We can’t.
She wasn’t the kind of woman he wanted. That truth had been the foundation of their relationship for years. Surely the tension in the air was just in her head.
But what if it wasn’t?
Her heart rate quickened.
It was one thing to have a secret fantasy or two, but it was quite another to think that dreams might actually come true.
Did he just lean closer? She held still, eyes on his mouth, too nervous to even breathe.
Kissing Darian was nothing if not a bad idea. It would change everything between them. She wouldn’t be able to rely on their professional relationship to keep him at arm’s length anymore.
You’re leaving, a wicked part of her whispered. Where was the harm in one taste of the forbidden before she quit?
The thought wasn’t as insane as it should be. In a month they’d be over anyways. If there was ever a time to act on reckless desires, wasn’t it now, when the clock was already ticking?
All she had to do was rise onto her tip toes, tilt her lips up to his, and—
“Well, aren’t you two pretty as a picture.”
Allison jerked back at the interrupting voice. Darian’s hands left hers as they both spun to see Sam in the path.
She didn’t know what the winery owner read in their faces, but his cheerful smile dropped away.
“Uh,” he said, embarrassment coloring the words. “I came to give you our services package.” He held up an innocent brochure. “I thought it might help you make your decision.”
“Of course,” she said, struggling to slip back into her assistant guise when what she really wanted was to tell Sam to go anywhere else. “That is very thoughtful. Thank you for bringing it out to us.” She took the pamphlet and reached down to grab her bag.
“I think this place is a real contender,” Darian said.
She fished a card out of her wallet then held it out to Sam. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow to let you know what we’ve decided. Is that all right for your timeline?”
“Yes, I’ve no problem holding the space for a few days. I hope we’ll be able to help you have a wonderful wedding here.”
“I’m sure you will.” Not looking back at Darian, she started down the path, pulling Sam with her to ask him questions about the venue.
After their moment by the gazebo, she was nervous about getting back into the car for the journey home, but it turned out she shouldn’t have worried.
As soon as they pulled away from the vineyard, Darian took a newspaper out of his bag and read for the entire drive back.
Leaving Allison to stare out the window and wonder. Had it all been in her head?
Chapter Five
The air smelled of flowers.
Darian tightened his grip on the coffees in his hands as he headed for the entrance to the flower market. Strangers on the street smothered yawns as they passed him, and he had to agree it was an ungodly hour for a Saturday morning.
Sleeping in wasn’t a luxury he often had time for. Even on the weekends there were any number of issues he needed to deal with. But after the week he’d had, today might have been a good day to make an exception.
After visiting the tea house venue, he’d decided Sahra Vineyards was definitely the way to go. That had won a smile from Allison. One that had said without words he should always trust her to know what was best. He’d left her to negotiate the terms with Sam and focused on the daily operations of his company.
In fact, his assistant had been rather scarce in the past few days. That shouldn’t be surprising given the amount of work he’d dropped on her. He’d have to be sure to make it up to her with her Christmas bonus. She’d only popped into his office to deliver the odd file or get his approval on the invitations. It’d been a balancing act to construct a guest list that included Jenny’s friends, his business contacts who’d be expecting an invite, and the key society members that would ensure the wedding made it into the papers.
But when Friday rolled around they’d managed to get all the invitations sent. Hell, he’d even arranged for cake tasting samples to be dropped off later today so he could scratch one more item off his ever-growing to-do list.
And through it all, nothing the least bit untoward had happened with Allison.
He sighed, shaking his head. In the few instances he’d seen her these last few days she’d been her usual professional self. They discussed the wedding or the company.
But never had either of them mentioned what had almost happened in the gazebo.
It’s for the best.
If he’d had a hand free he would have run it through his hair. Another man might have wondered if he’d misread the situation, but there were two things in this world Darian King knew beyond a shadow of a doubt. Business and women.
And Allison hadn’t had innocent thoughts on her mind when she’d looked up at him with those big soulful eyes of hers.
He wasn’t a man who appreciated surprises, and yet, standing where Jenny would exchange her vows, staring down at Allison, he’d experienced just that.
He’d never expected to fall prey to the desire to kiss this particular woman. Hadn’t expected to see her pupils dilate with an answering need.
She was his employee for God’s sake. He was a walking cliché.
But that didn’t erase the memory of her staring up at him with such delicious expectation.
“Stop it,” he growled to himself, shaking his head. Of all the women in the world, she was the last one he should desire. Allison was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Professionally speaking, of course. He couldn’t lose her over something as trifling as lust.
She never said anything, an insidious inner voice pointed out. Obviously she doesn’t want you enough to ruin your working relationship.
Which meant today would be a day like any other. Just another task to accomplish between colleagues.
He may have actually convinced himself if Allison hadn’t chosen that moment to walk out of the market.
Darian slowed to a stop as he caught sight of her.
Gone was her perpetual rotation of suits. Instead she wore a pair of dark jeans that looked like they’d been painted on. Her short maroon jacket hung open, showing off a form fitting T-shirt. Unfortunately, her gauzy floral scarf hid any cleavage from view.
She obviously hadn’t spotted him yet, since she scanned the sidewalk around her. Her usual bun was missing and in its place was a simple hair tie pulling back her riotous brown curls. How had he never realized how long her hair was before?
It occurred to him that he’d never seen the person she was outside the office. The most disheveled she’d ever been with him was one late night when she’d left off the blazer and kicked away her heels.
But today wasn’t an office related task and she’d dressed accordingly.
It wasn’t her fault her change wreaked havoc on his equilibrium.
Not for you, his brain told him. They’d worked together for four years without the thought of her crossing his mind in anything but a professional capacity.
Well…mostly.
She turned and her eyes landed on him. A welcoming smile lit her face and caused something to squeeze within his chest.
Forcing himself back into motion, he closed the distance between them.
“Double double,” he said, holding out her coffee.
“My favorite,” she replied, pulling her hands out of her pockets to accept the drink.
He watched her take a sip then close her eyes as she released a blissful sigh. “Perfect. Thanks.”
“I’ve got you covered.” And he did. He knew her coffee order, her Thai food preferences, her favorite topping combinations on pizza. She liked to switch to herbal tea after six o’clock unless they had to pull an all-nighter, in which case she took her coffee black. He knew more about Allison’s likes and dislikes than the
last ten women he’d dated combined.
“Are you all set for this?” she asked, opening her eyes, though she kept her cup cradled against her lower lip.
“As I’ll ever be.” His gaze lingered on her mouth. “Think we’ll have any luck?”
She let out a soft laugh. “We’d better. I’m not giving you another Saturday. It was nearly impossible to crawl out of my nice warm bed today.”
There was nothing salacious about the words, but his mind immediately conjured images of a sleepy Allison, beckoning him to climb under the covers with her. Was she a pajamas sort of woman or did she prefer satin and lace? Or better yet, nothing at all?
He hissed out a breath.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
She frowned at him, but let it slide. “Come on, let’s head in. I scoped out a few booths I think we should take a look at.”
Following her into the market, he saw a long line of stalls bursting with colorful blooms. Though he could identify the odd rose or tulip, beyond that he was lost.
“I don’t suppose they have a map or something,” he mused.
“What, you want an app that will direct you to the exact right stall we’re searching for? Siri, lead me to peonies.”
“Who needs Siri when I have you?”
She tossed him a smile over her shoulder. “Truer words have never been spoken.” She pulled out a sheet of paper from her bag then handed it to him.
“English garden roses, dahlias, and ranunculuses.” He frowned. “Ranunculi?”
“Don’t know, don’t care,” she said, pressing against his side to study the sheet. The scent of lavender wafted from her hair, making it far harder for him to think than it should have. “I did some research last night. These are the flowers that look somewhat similar to peonies but actually grow this time of year.”
He blinked. “You did that?” He hadn’t even had time to think twice about this expedition.
She looked up at him, obviously attempting to drown him in the dark depths of her eyes. “I’d do anything for you.” His mouth went dry before she added, “And Jenny, of course. I’m just as committed as you are to making this wedding perfect. If that requires a little more research, so be it.”
Right Billionaire, Wrong Wedding (Sexy Billionaires) Page 5
