by J. J. Dorn
“We’re almost there,” he yelled over the roar of his sleek Ducati’s engine.
Jamieson revved the engine once again as we raced down the highway. I loved riding on the back of his motorcycle clutching tightly to him, it made my adrenaline pump excitedly.
We turned off the highway and down a couple of old country roads before we pulled onto a long driveway lined by large dogwood trees on either side. There was a massive gate in the distance I could see that was propped open slightly.
Jamieson maneuvered the bike expertly through the gate and we pulled up to a massive barn. There was a small cottage just to the right of the barn.
I pulled off my helmet as Jamieson dismounted the bike.
“Where are we?” I questioned him.
“Come on. I will show you.” He held out his hand for me.
He rolled open the massive wood doors of the sleek modern barn. He flipped on a switch illuminating the interior. There was a beautiful carved wood bar in the corner and a cluster of round wooden tables. In the back there was row after row of huge wooden barrels lining the walls.
“Welcome to Wellington Winery.” He smiled brightly.
“Oh wow.” I breathed, walking around the barn taking it all in. The barn was huge and beautiful. It had stamped concrete floors and beautiful Mason jar light fixtures throughout.
“This is great, Jamieson.”
“Thank you. Would you like to see the rest of it?”
“Of course I do.” I smiled brightly at him.
“Come on then,” he said holding out his hand to me once again.
He led me out back to the rows of grapes. They stretched for as far as the eye could see.
“How many acres?” I asked.
“Eighty so far,” He explained proudly.
“How long have you been working on this?”
“Two years. We also have a vineyard in Italy. That is why I traveled there recently. I was checking up on the crop for this year.” He informed me.
“I’m sure the addition of wine will only strengthen the Wellington whiskey brand,” I told him.
“Oh this is separate project. Ethan and I purchased the vineyard and this property ourselves.”
“What did Uncle Phillip have to say about that?” I wondered out loud.
“Let’s just say he is not happy about our recent acquisitions,” he said dryly.
“I can only imagine, but everything is okay with the company isn’t it?”
“Yes, Wellington Whiskey is stronger than ever. But I decided a few years ago I needed to have something of my own, that I created and that I controlled.”
“Well I think it is great and I’m sure it will be a huge success.”
“Thank you, that means a lot.” He returned my smile. “Do you want to see the cottage now?”
“Sure,” I told him and we lazily walked toward the small white cottage.
It was quaint but it had a beautiful wrap around porch that held an exquisite white wood porch swing. It was rustic yet chic at the same time.
“We are planning on turning this into a cafe for visitors.” He opened the door to the small house, motioning for me to head inside.
I followed him inside and took in my surroundings. There was something special about the space; it had a cozy and comforting feel to it. The walls still hung old black and white photographs. I walked over to examine them.
“It was an estate sale. The farmer passed away and had no remaining heirs so the property was sold with all the contents left in the barn and house. We remodeled the barn obviously but we haven’t started in here yet,” he explained.
“I think you should keep some of this stuff in here. It would make a great country atmosphere while paying tribute to the original owner,” I said examining each picture before me.
“Ethan said the same thing.” He shot me a grin.
“I can envision it perfectly.”
“We are planning to remove the walls and restructure into a restaurant. There are two back bedrooms and one small bath.” He led the way to the back of the house.
I followed him into the first room which was tiny and housed only a small wooden desk. The second room was slightly bigger and it still contained a wrought iron bed with a colorful quilt.
I ran my hand over the bed imagining the farmer’s wife knitting it herself. “This is beautiful.”
“Sure is.”
I looked up to find him staring at me intently. He had been watching me as I examined the space. He stepped closer to me, taking me in his arms.
“Thank you for coming with me today,” he spoke softly.
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I can’t wait for our trip to Santo Domingo. I’m really looking forward to some alone time on the beach with you.” He smiled.
“You are huh? Well I haven’t exactly agreed to be your date yet,” I kidded him.
“Like you have a choice,” he smashed his lips to mine.
I moaned as he kissed me deeply. Since our date night our appetites for each other had been insatiable. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other.
“Bend over, baby.” Jamieson drawled in my ear, tipping me forward to hang onto the foot of the iron bed.
“Jamieson I don’t think…” I gasped as he unbuttoned my jeans slipping them down my hips along with my panties.
“I can’t wait Jenna. I need you,” he growled.
I released my hands at an attempt to turn around and face him but he stopped me. “Hands on the bed, sweetheart. This is going to be fast and not gentle at all.”
His words sent bolts of excitement low through my belly. I replaced my hands on the bed in anticipation of what was in store for me.
I heard Jamieson unzip his pants and the thud as they hit the floor. He hadn’t even really touched me and I was in a total frenzy. I was sure the second he did, I would come apart.
I felt him come up behind me. He ran one hand down my hair and settled on the base of neck.
“Hold on tight, Jenna.” He slammed inside me.
“Ahh!” I screamed at the impact.
Jamieson pulled back and pushed forward again into me, this time quicker. He set the pace and I now believed what he told me. This was Jamieson undone; this was the man I remembered all those years ago that could completely own me.
He slammed into me several more times before I screamed as I found my release. Jamieson pulled back unrelenting and slammed into me one last time and then quickly pulled out, his cum shooting on my back.
I had never had a man do that before but I can’t say that it bothered me. There was something incredibly carnal about having him spread his seed on my bare skin.
Jamieson steadied me indicating for me not to move while he grabbed something to clean me up with. He then helped me pull my jeans back in place. When he was done, he pulled me upright and spun me around to face him.
He didn’t say anything at first he just stared at me intently brushing the hair from my forehead.
“I love you Jenna,” he spoke quietly barely above a whisper. “I have loved you for a very long time.”
I closed my eyes as I felt tears prick my eyes. These were the words I had waited over five years to hear. This is what I had wanted all this time. My tears were not out of frustration but of relief. I was so incredibly relieved he had finally told me how he felt.
“I love you too, Jamieson.” I told him back opening my eyes to find his.
He wiped a lone tear from my cheek with his thumb. “I should have told you back then. I should have said it the moment I knew. I wish I could go back in time and do it over.”
“It’s alright,” I said halting his regrets. “You’ve told me now and we’re together. That’s all that matters.”
I watched as something caught his eye and his gaze traveled to my neck. “You kept it?”
He asked lightly touching the round diamond around my neck.
“Yes.” I told him.
“I knew it would look b
eautiful on you.”
“Thank you for giving it to me.”
He smiled at me making my stomach dip in appreciation. He could turn me own so easily and I’m sure he was well aware of that fact.
“Shall we go?” he asked threading his fingers through mine.
“Alright,” I gazed at him intently.
Jamieson pulled his motorcycle up to my sister’s house an hour later. I had planned on going home to get my own car but I was running short on time after our trip to the winery so he insisted on dropping me off instead.
I hopped off the bike removing my helmet and handing it to him. He removed his own helmet and stood pulling me close to him. He kissed me so tenderly it almost made me dizzy.
“Call me if you need a ride home.”
“I’m sure someone will give me ride home but if they can’t I will call you.”
“Tell your parents hello from me,” he said kissing me one more time before releasing me.
He started the bike as I ran up the stairs to my sisters beautiful country home. I waved just before I opened the door. When I spun around to walk through it I almost ran smack into my sister.
“Oh! Hi there, Jacks. Sorry I’m a little late,” I greeted her.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Jenna, because it looks to me like you are playing with absolute fire there,” she warned watching Jamieson leave.
I knew Jacks had my best interest at heart but I wish she would back off just a bit. I knew she didn’t get her happily ever with Ethan but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have mine, or did it?
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
January 16, 2015…
I was drunk. I knew that. I also knew I was well past the point of caring what I said to him. I needed to know why he was in Vegas crashing my Bachelorette party. I needed to know what he wanted and I was hell bent on getting it out of him.
“I’m going to ask you again, Jamieson, why the fuck are you here right now?” I said staring him down from across our private VIP table.
“I think you know the answer to that question,” he replied smugly sipping his whiskey.
“No I don’t! I have no clue why you showed up here so please enlighten me,” I demanded.
He set his drink down on the small white table in front of us leaning forward. “Fine, but not here.”
“I’m not leaving with you,” I folded my arms over my chest in defiance.
“Then I guess you will never know.” He picked up his glass again and leaned back into his seat.
“Ahhh…why are you like this? Fine, let’s go,” I burst out in frustration and stood up, indicating I was ready.
Jamieson stood in return.
“After the bride-to-be,” he said motioning toward the exit.
I stomped off in my heels. I could feel him following close behind me.
“Where are we going?” I whined following him to the bank of elevators.
He ushered me inside one and then turned to grin at me. “My suite.”
“Oh hell no!” I yelled, trying to hit the open door button but he blocked my way.
“You said you wanted to know why I am here. I will tell you, but I don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Fine,” I grumbled and folded my arms over my chest.
When the elevator stopped on the top floor, we walked to the end of the hall. I shouldn’t have been surprised to see it was an opulent corner suite.
When he opened the door, I headed to the couch in the center of the large room and plopped down. I had walked a long way in my heels and all of my alcohol consumption was finally catching up to me.
“Here drink this.” He handed me a glass of water.
“Thank you.”
Jamieson poured himself another drink before sitting down on the couch next to me.
“Alright spill it. Why are you here?” I was sick of his avoidance tactics I wanted to know why he was basically stalking me in Vegas.
“It’s simple really. I made you a promise a while ago and this is me fulfilling that promise,” he said sipping his drink.
“Uhh…okay none of that explains anything so try again.” I clutched my forehead in confusion.
“What part was confusing?” He was being purposefully obtuse.
“Uh, all of it. What promise are you talking about?” I demanded.
Jamieson sighed letting out a deep breath. “The one I made you in the coffee shop over a year ago.”
I racked my brain trying to think what he promised me but my brain was too foggy to recall anything. “I don’t remember.”
He sighed again, this time I could tell it was in frustration. “Are you happy, Jenna?”
“Don’t change the subject, just answer my question,” I argued.
“I am. Just answer mine,” he growled.
“Fine! Yes I am happy. I’m engaged to a great guy and we are getting married.” I bit back at him.
“Do you love him?”
“Of course I do,” I volunteered quickly.
Jamieson didn’t say anything for a minute he just looked at me quizzically.
“What?” I asked.
“Do you really believe that?” He asked sharply.
“Um excuse me but who are you to judge my relationship? You’re an asshole.” I bit back.
“That may be true, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are lying to yourself right now,” he said, cocking his eyebrow at me.
“Whatever, this was a huge waste of my time.” I stood up to leave but Jamieson grabbed my arm stopping me.
“I’m sorry, please don’t go,” He pleaded, closing his eyes for a half a second. I could see he was silently chastising his own behavior.
Against my better judgment I sat down again and waited for him to say something that made some sense.
“That day at the coffee shop, I asked if you were happy. You didn’t say yes, you just asked what I would do about it. I knew before I even asked you the question you weren’t. You were pretending to be but you weren’t—”
“Jamieson…” I said his name at an attempt to protest but I couldn’t find the rest of the words to tell him he was wrong. I wanted to tell him I was happy again but I just couldn’t.
“I know, Jenna. You’ve forgotten how connected we are, but I haven’t. I promised you that day that I would make sure you would be happy and I meant it. That’s what I’m doing here; I am keeping that promise to you.”
“It’s complicated,” I told him.
“I’m sure it is, but Jenna, it doesn’t have to be.” He gave me a small smile and covered my hand that rested between us with one of his own.
His touch ignited something in me and I immediately pulled back from him. “We can’t Jamieson, too much has happened. Things are different now.”
He tilted his head looking at the ground for a minute before turning to stare deep into my eyes. “I know too much has happened and I realize it was my fault. I know that, but I also know you don’t love this guy.”
“That’s not true I love Cain,” I replied defensively.
“No you don’t. You couldn’t possibly love him, because you still love me. I see it in your eyes, Jenna. You can’t deny it.”
I felt my face flush under his intense scrutiny. “I won’t deny I still have feelings for you, Jamieson but I am going to marry Cain. You and I had our chance and you unfortunately blew it,” I told him and I felt the tears begin to slide down my cheeks.
Jamieson eyes went round with concern and he gently cupped my face wiping my tears. “I will fix this, Jenna, just give me the chance to do so. I love you. I always have.”
I pulled out of his grasp and stood up. “I just can’t, I’m sorry.”
I barely made it to the door of his suite. I was so dizzy. My emotions were overwhelming me. I needed some fresh air so I could think and clear my head. I couldn’t love Jamieson. I couldn’t possibly love him again or was it that I had never really stopped?
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
It was the
night before we were to leave for the Dominican Republic. Julian’s father had insisted on sending his private jet for us to travel in. I was all packed and ready to go. I couldn’t wait to get to the beach. Julian had informed us that we would be staying at his parent’s mansion on the water. We would be leaving first thing in the morning. Our friends had decided to go out, but Jamieson and I opted for quiet evening alone at home. We watched a movie and cuddled. It was absolutely perfect.
It had been a few weeks since the day at the winery when Jamieson told me he loved me. That day changed something in me. I was hopeful, truly hopeful about my life ahead. I no longer was living just day to day I was beginning to picture my life years in advance and in all of my premonitions, Jamieson was right by my side. I was in love with him and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
This moment was significant and I wasn’t even sure Jamieson realized it. Today was the day that marked the passing of our ninety days being married; we could now get a divorce if we wanted to. I knew my answer to that question, but I still wasn’t sure what his answer would be. He had not mentioned anything of our marriage since we had begun spending so much time together.
I decided today was the day to address it head on. After I got dressed this morning I opened up the red velvet Cartier box he had given me all those months ago. I slipped the stunning three stoned ring on my left hand with the matching wedding band and waited for the perfect moment to tell Jamieson I wanted very much to continue to be his wife, if he would have me.
Jamieson was laid lazily next to me on the couch, lightly brushing my arm. He trailed his hand up and down. Just the simplest touch from him sent shivers dancing across my body. I felt my cheeks flush from the contact. I lifted my hand to brush my hair away from my face. The light must have hit the gorgeous diamonds just right because Jamieson snatched my hand instantly seeing it.
“You’re wearing your ring?” He sat up next to me.
“Uh, yeah I decided to wear it today. I hope that is okay,” I told him nervously.
Jamieson didn’t say anything he just continued to hold my hand staring at the ring. I decided I should tell him why I was wearing it.
