Estate Affair

by Sara Orwig

  All the time they talked, he played with her hand or he reached out to caress her nape. Every stroke fueled her desire, but she was still determined to avoid getting too carried away. Finally he stood and offered his hand. “Let’s dance.”

  Lara walked with him to the dance floor that was inside the dimly lit restaurant. When she stepped into Eli’s embrace, she could feel his warmth, smell his aftershave. As they moved together, he pulled her closer.

  “This is what I wanted. Better than the steak. You said your goal was to get your mother out of the Ashton job. How do you plan to do that?”

  Lara looked up at him. “When I get established as a lawyer, I intend to move her in with me, maybe not into my house if she doesn’t want to, but somewhere nearby. She deserves that and she’s taken care of me my whole life. Now I want to take care of her.”

  “That’s an excellent goal.”

  “That’s why I don’t want anything to interfere with school and getting my degree. Or passing the bar exam,” Lara said, her thighs brushing Eli’s. Too clearly, she remembered being held in his arms while they both were naked, remembered his warm breath on her ear as it was now. “There’s no place for a man or a relationship in my life right now. I’m twenty-six. There will be time later.”

  “Baby,” he teased. “I’m thirty-seven.”

  “Senior citizen,” she flung back. “Or maybe you’re heading for a midlife crisis. Thirty-seven and you’ve never been married?”

  “Nope. I’ve had some disastrous relationships that I’d just as soon forget. Twenty-six and you’ve never been married?”

  “No. I’ve had some disastrous relationships of my own that I’d just as soon forget. Some domineering men that I’ve known.”

  “So to add to my sins, I’m lumped in with the domineering men from your past?”

  She looked away from his piercing gaze. “Maybe you are. You do fall in the masterful class.”

  “Hopefully I can make up for that in some manner with you,” he answered solemnly.

  “It’s back to law school for me. That’s why I don’t want to get involved with anyone at the moment. I can deal with a man later.”

  “Did you ever think you could do both?”

  “No. Law school is demanding, and I want to maintain my grades.”

  “You know that old saying about ‘All work and no play makes Jane a dull girl—”

  “Well, that’s Jane’s problem. I have an agenda and I intend to stick to it. Actually, I would guess you’re focused when you want to be.”

  “I suppose. I’m thankful I met you in the summer when law school is out.” He leaned down to trace her ear with his tongue and she closed her eyes. It was heaven on earth to dance in his arms and be held close, to move in unison with him. For a time tonight, she might as well enjoy herself. The witching hour would come soon enough when she’d have to return to her world and tell Eli goodbye.

  She realized there was a lot more to him than she first thought. He wasn’t a playboy and he wasn’t like Spencer. Spencer thought only of himself. Eli put his family first in his life and she had to admire him for that. When he told her about his life, though, he sounded disillusioned and he was a fine man, too kind to go through life as dissatisfied as he sounded.

  The next dance was a fast number, and Eli was adept and sexy as he moved, spinning her around and then pulling her back into his arms. One time he stopped, took her hand and hurried back to their table to shed his coat and then they returned to the dance floor. Too well she remembered his bare, muscled chest. As they danced his eyes were hooded, hot with desire.

  Fast and slow, they went from one dance to another and sat down only when the piano player took a break. As soon as the pianist returned they were back on the dance floor.

  “You like to dance, don’t you?” she remarked.

  “What I like is touching you, holding you and looking at you,” he said in a husky, sensual tone that quickened her pulse. “Dancing allows me to do that.

  “I want you, Lara,” he whispered in her ear, turning her insides to jelly.

  “Stop trying to seduce me,” she said, leaning back and putting a degree of distance between them.

  “I merely answered your question. And when you move—that’s seduction!”

  “It’s getting hot here on the dance floor.”

  “I can think of some remedies. Come here,” he said, taking her hand. They walked off the dance floor and out of the dining room to the elevators. She looked at him quizzically while her pulse drummed. She was not going to another hotel room with him.

  “What are we doing, Eli?”

  “You said you were hot. There’s a terrace on the roof and it’ll be cool.”

  When the elevator opened, they stepped inside. He pushed the button and then turned to put one hand on the wall beside her while he leaned close. “I know I’m on fire,” he said in a husky voice. He was too close, his mouth too tempting and memories too vivid.

  She put her hand against his chest, “Eli—”

  “At last,” he whispered and leaned down to cover her mouth with his. Her heart thudded as his lips pressed hers and his tongue touched hers. She opened her lips to him, melting when his arms closed around her. She slid her arms around his neck while her drumming heartbeat drowned out all other noises. She was only aware of Eli’s strong body against hers, his mouth on hers, fiery and magic all at once.

  She slid her hands over his chest and desire swept her with the force of a forest fire. She was hot, aching for him, holding him and stroking his back, all her resolutions about resistance going up in smoke.

  He wound his fingers in her hair, tumbling her locks and spilling her pins. A cold draft of air hit her and she pushed against his chest. She twisted and saw the elevator doors were open. “Eli!”

  He raised his head, and the blatant need in his eyes heightened her own desire.

  “The doors—” she whispered, stunned by the consuming look he was giving her.

  “Eli—” she said again.

  He pushed a button and the doors closed and they started down. When he reached for her, she went into his arms, wanting him with all the pent-up need that he had built within her all evening.

  The doors opened to the restaurant and two laughing couples entered the elevator. Lara blushed as she stepped out. They gathered their things and then left.

  When they were in the limo, he pulled her into his arms to kiss her again.

  But knowing they weren’t alone, she quickly cut him off. He made her lose all restraint. He brought out the dangerous, impulsive side of her. She had so much to lose—but she couldn’t deny she wanted him, too. At the airport they boarded the plane. As they taxied to the end of the runway, many of the interior lights switched off. Eli pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist after buckling them both into the seat.

  “Now if you want to see a pretty sight, look at San Francisco when we take off.”

  She wound her arm around his neck while she turned her attention to the window. In minutes they had clearance and the plane gained speed, finally lifting into the air and climbing.

  She looked at the sparkling array of lights below, far more than she had seen from the tall building. “It’s beautiful!” she gasped. She turned to look at him. “I sound like a country bumpkin, don’t I? But it is dazzling! Thank you for this—for the whole evening.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. You have a passion for life, Lara.”

  “I have a passion for you,” she said in a soft, sultry voice. Inhaling, he tightened his arms and kissed her, taking up where they’d left off in the elevator.

  When he reached for the zipper of her dress, she caught his hands. “We’re not alone.”

  “The flight attendant is gone. She stayed over in San Francisco. The pilot is busy and I’m just kissing and touching you a little and you like it, don’t you?”

  “Far too well,” she whispered before his mouth covered hers again. His hands
played over her breasts and she ached to get rid of the barriers of clothes, but knew she needed to guard her heart against the onslaught of this charismatic, strong-willed man.

  They flew back to Napa and Eli drove her to the restaurant where he parked near her car. He cut the engine and turned to her. “My family is having a party to welcome some new neighbors tomorrow night. A couple has started a vineyard north of us and my mother wants to get to know them and introduce them to the neighborhood.

  “That’s friendly, Eli, even if they are competition. Although Louret Vineyards doesn’t have to worry about competition from a new vineyard.”

  “No. They really are new at this and they’re doing it on a shoestring, which also gets my mom’s sympathy.”

  “Your mother sounds like a great person.”

  “She’s a blue-ribbon mom,” he said, and Lara could hear the warmth in his voice when he talked about his mother. “Right now, residing with us, we have both my half brother, Grant Ashton, and Jack, Spencer’s illegitimate baby, and Jack’s aunt Anna. Grant’s niece, Abigail, was with us. My mother would take in just about anyone if she thought he needed a place.” Eli drew circles on Lara’s knee with his forefinger while he talked. His casual touch was fiery. She hoped she didn’t indicate the depth of the reaction she was having to his slight touch. “I want you to go the party with me, Lara. It’s casual. No big deal.”

  Startled she stared at him. “I can’t meet your family—”

  “It’s informal,” he repeated. “C’mon. It’ll be a far more interesting party if you’re there, and of course you can meet my family. Half of Napa already knows them.”

  “Eli, we shouldn’t get so involved with each other,” she said. Her arguments seemed to run off him like water off glass.

  “Lara, I know you’re going to law school in the fall. But we can be friends and go out together this summer. The party is at seven. I’ll pick you up at half past six.”

  “Are you listening to me?” she asked.

  “I want you with me and it’ll just be a bunch of people from this area. My family will be friendly.”

  “I’m not worried about your family being unfriendly.”

  “Good. I’ll be there to pick you up.” He leaned close to kiss the corner of her mouth, touching her lips with his tongue. Before she could turn her head to kiss him, he leaned away. “I promise you’ll like my family.”

  “Do you understand the word no?”

  “All too well. I don’t want to hear it now.”

  She closed her eyes and gave up. As his arms wrapped around her, he kissed her soundly. One more night out with him. A family gathering with neighbors. Where could the harm be in that, and how risky would a few hours with his family be to her heart?

  She pushed against his chest, determined to keep his hot kisses from escalating. “All right, Eli. Tomorrow night for the family party. I’ll drive to your house.”

  “Nope. We did that tonight. I want to pick you up.”

  She sighed in exasperation. “You’ll have to come around to the servants’ entrance. I’ll see to it that someone will let you in the gate.”

  “That works for me. I’m not overly welcome at the Ashton Estate anyway. Having you at the party will make it a whole lot better.”

  “I need to get names straight. Your brother is Cole.”

  “And he has a new wife, Dixie.”

  “Mercedes and Jillian are your sisters.”

  “Right. Jillian is married now to Seth Benedict. Seth has a little girl, Rachel. They’re all friendly people,” he repeated.

  “I’m not worried about them,” she said, leaning closer to him and pronouncing her words slowly as if he were deaf or couldn’t get through his head what was bothering her.

  “There’s no need to worry about ‘us’ because there is no ‘us,’” he said.

  “You say that, but then you turn right around and ask me out again. There will be an ‘us’ if we keep seeing each other.”

  “No, we’ll agree to keep this casual. In the fall you’ll go back to college and I’ll be working night and day at harvest.”

  “Eli, to put it bluntly, you’re a complication I don’t need in my life now.”

  “You’re pragmatic, practical. You have solid, admirable goals for your future. I think you’ll stick to them whether we spend time together or not.”

  “You can’t always predict whether you will or won’t fall in love.”

  “Neither of us has time for love,” he said. “We both control our lives, and we’re not going to let someone else step in and interfere.”

  “Maybe that’s why we clash even though there’s an attraction—we’re constantly fighting for control.”

  He arched one dark eyebrow and nodded. “I suppose. The attraction is bigger than the clash.”

  “Do you think so?” she asked sweetly, and he narrowed his eyes.

  “See what you think,” he growled, and pulled her to him to kiss her passionately. His kiss possessed her, made her his woman, spoke volumes about wanting her that he never put into words. His tongue stroked her mouth sensually, stunning her because she had never felt this way before.

  With her heart drumming, she wound her arms around his neck and returned his kiss, trying to have as devastating an effect on him as he did on her. Her toes curled and heat scorched her. Desire was compelling, making her want him just as she had that first night, but she fought her feelings and pushed away.

  “I need to go,” she said, and climbed out of his car. He got out and walked around. He pulled her close beside him as they strolled to her car. She turned to him. “It was a wonderful, magical night that I will never forget. When I’m with you, I’m Cinderella.”

  “I hardly qualify for Prince Charming,” he said. “I can’t go that route.”

  She didn’t tell him that he did qualify for Prince Charming in too many ways.

  “And as for Cinderella,” he continued, “She never gave Prince Charming this much trouble. She was never as feisty as you. She was dazzled and simply fell at his feet.”

  “Don’t hold your breath on that one,” Lara remarked dryly, and he wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to continue where he had left off with his kisses, creating a storm of need in her.

  She trembled as she kissed him. She wanted him with all her being, wanted another night of wild passion.

  Her arms went beneath his coat, and she ran her hands over his back, remembering every muscular inch of him, mentally envisioning him naked and loving her. She was on dangerous ground and she knew it. With all the willpower she could muster, she broke off their kiss and leaned away. “I have to go now. It was a fabulous evening.”

  “Yes,” he said in a husky voice. “Until tomorrow night.” He opened her car door and closed it behind her, waved and then strode away to his car.

  She started her engine and backed out, heading toward the highway. He followed her, staying close until she turned into the Ashton Estate. Then he turned around and drove north to his home.

  She sighed and shook her head. She was on fire with wanting him. Eli was bitter and sounded jaded about love, as if he had given up on it. Yet she could see the heart of gold that he hid.

  She thought back to the spectacular night they’d had and the exciting man that Eli was. She was charmed by the references to Cinderella. Even though Eli denied it—and he was far more lordly and earthy than Prince Charming—he was a prince to her. For five more minutes, she decided, she would believe in the fairy tale and then she would return to her practical world where fairy tales didn’t happen.

  She went to her tiny room in the servants’ quarters and slipped into a nightgown. She ached with frustration and unrequited desire.

  Tomorrow night she would meet his family. Trepidation filled her. He swore he wouldn’t get serious, yet why was he taking her home to a family party? And what on earth would she wear!

  The following night she took a deep breath and went downstairs and outside to wait at the
servants’ entrance. The back door opened and Irena and Franci stepped outside.

  “Mom!” Lara smiled at her mother and friend. “I take it you both want to meet Eli.”

  “Yes and since you’re standing out here, I guessed that you weren’t planning on bringing him inside where we can meet him.”

  “No, I’m not. I prevailed on one of the gatekeepers to let him in, but Eli isn’t welcome here. At least not with Trace, Lilah or even Walker.” She heard a car and turned to see Eli circling the house. “Here he comes.” Right on time, she watched as he drove up and climbed out of the car, coming to meet her.

  Convinced that Lilah Ashton would be furious to find one of her staff associating with Eli, Lara had intended to get right into his car the minute he arrived. She was anxious to get into the haven of the car and drive away from Ashton Estate. Then she forgot all about Lilah Ashton as Eli stepped out of his car and came toward her. He wore chinos, a tan knit shirt and brown loafers and her mouth went dry.

  Fighting the urge, she smiled at him. Solemnly he let his gaze drift over her and then met her gaze.

  “You look gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice and she was aware of her silky blouse and black slacks, her high-heeled sandals. He glanced beyond her. “Is this your mother?” he asked, walking up and offering his hand to Irena.

  “Mom, Franci. This is Eli Ashton. Eli, I’d like you to meet my mother, Irena Hunter and my friend Franci.”

  “I’ve heard about you and now I’m glad to meet you,” Franci said, shaking hands with Eli.

  “Yes, Lara talks about you all the time,” Irena said.

  “Mom! I do no such thing!”

  Irena, Franci and Eli all laughed. Irena’s eyes sparkled with delight. “You two have a fine evening.”

  “We will, Mrs. Hunter. It was nice to meet you both.” Eli linked Lara’s arm in his and they walked to his car.

  “Your mother is good-natured.”

  “She enjoys herself and everyone around her.”

  He took Lara’s hand. Her back prickled with sudden apprehension. She wanted to get Eli off the estate as fast as possible. She would never understand why he’d insisted on picking her up. If any of the Ashtons saw her with Eli, she was as good as fired. At the car, when Eli opened the door on the passenger side, she glanced back at the house. Her heart leaped to her throat at what she saw behind them.