Trouble Brewing (In Ashwood Book 2)

by Kinney Scott

  “Oh my, that is yummy.” Ravenna said, licking a bit of sticky apricot from her fingers.

  “I was going to give you a call today. Seth and I are having a get together at our place next Friday and I’m hoping you could come.”

  “I’d love to. What would you like me to bring?”

  “You don’t need to bring anything, but yourself.”

  “Now you know I can’t show up empty handed.”

  “Okay, we’re grilling. Anything to go with burgers or grilled chicken would be great. Surprise us.”

  “I will, and thanks for the invite.” The conversation slipped to wedding plans as Seth wandered up. He leaned to nuzzle a kiss at Natalie’s temple.

  “Hey sweetness.” His hands rested on her shoulder as Natalie snuggled into his hip.

  “Hi babe, want to sit for a bit?”

  “I’m just grabbing a coffee,” he said “and then I’m back to the tiny house.”

  “You brought a home here?” Ravenna asked.

  Seth nodded, “We did. We began this tradition last fall when we finished Natalie’s home and she brought it here during a test drive.”

  Natalie picked up the train of thought, “the moment we pulled into the lot, a small throng wandered up to take a look.”

  She looked up at Seth, as he finished, “Now when my crew and I finish a home, we bring it over. The community loves the opportunity to see what we do, and Amanda takes pictures for the website.” Ravenna admired the easy way Seth and Natalie finished each other’s sentences.

  “I’m heading back sweetness. Love you.” He said, stealing a kiss as he left.

  “I’ll be over in a few.” Natalie said, in a dreamlike state. Seth’s kisses were potent, and she was deeply in love.

  Ravenna waited for her new friend to recover. “The two of you, it’s rare.”

  Natalie sighed, “And to think I was foolish enough to drive away from here, and leave him behind.” She shivered, overwhelmed by what might have happened if she had stuck to her plan to travel and work out of her tiny-home.

  “You were smart enough to come back.” Ravenna soothed, seeing the slight distress that this stray thought brought to the surface. “If you hadn’t returned so soon, he would have hunted you down. That man loves you.”

  “Thank God. I wish we could get past the stress of the wedding, and skip to the married happily ever after part.”

  “Do you need help? I’ve been a bridesmaid in more weddings than I can count. I would be happy to lend a hand. I come from a catholic family, and have plenty of experience with that type of celebration.”

  “This is new territory for me. Kelsey, my maid of honor, is busier by the minute with her new business venture. We are both a little lost.”

  “Kelsey’s a rafting guide?” Ravenna asked.

  “Yes, and she’s working on developing an outdoor eco-tourism service just for women.”

  “That’s sounds incredible. I’d love a trip like that, focused on the outdoors, without testosterone to muddle things up.”

  “They haven’t even opened for their first season, and already her summer is nearly booked solid.” Natalie was proud of Kelsey, but knew she would see less and less of her best friend.

  “She sounds busy, please, give me a call - I’d love to help with your wedding. It would be a nice distraction from the brewery.”

  Natalie nodded, “Okay, you may regret it! Thanks so much. Hey, do you want to follow me over to the tiny house? We have it parked near the north entrance of the farmers market.”

  “I’ll join you there, after I’ve had a chance to look around. See you in a little while.” Ravenna wandered each row of stalls. She bought a large hand woven basket, and proceeded to fill it with her purchases. The crafts, potted herbs, and art would fill her tiny place and make it feel more like home.

  FOURTEEN

  Cars were parked two deep at Seth and Natalie’s place. Ravenna’s nerves kicked up a notch when she spotted Wade’s new truck out front along with several others she recognized from Whitewater and Mosquito Brewing.

  Kent and Amanda pulled in just as she walked up to the door. She waited to go inside with familiar faces. One hand balanced a pasta salad, her Grandmother Silvestre’s recipe, and across her other shoulder, a canvas bag held two bottles of wine from her family vintner.

  Hustling to help with her load, Kent reached for the large bowl she carried while Amanda held the door open to Seth and Natalie’s home. Ravenna took in the crowd, most she recognized, several she knew well, but only a few would consider her their friend. She put on a welcoming smile to cover her nerves.

  Most of the men huddled outdoors around two grills set up on the expansive deck. A crystal blue lake sparkled in the valley below. Natalie’s touches appeared everywhere. Cozy blankets folded on masculine leather furniture, sunflower canisters along the kitchen counter, and huge pots of flowers overflowing with pink, yellow and purple blooms.

  The moment Natalie spotted Ravenna she pulled her along to introduce her to a few new faces. These long-time Ashwood residents warmed to her, once Linnea and Rick pulled her into their circle of conversation. Wade smiled, tipped his head, but kept his distance, his arm wrapped possessively around Iris.

  Ravenna followed Natalie to the kitchen and opened one of the bottles of wine. Natalie, Linn and Kels each took a glass when Ravenna offered. After Kelsey tasted some of the Silvestre family vintage, she vowed to find more on her next visit to Portland.

  Stealing her away Natalie wanted her to meet another new face, a past resident of Ashwood who lived in a retirement community in Seattle. “Ravenna, I want you to meet Elsa, she is one of my dearest friends.”

  “You have a beautiful name, Ravenna. I’m from Seattle, and there is a street that runs by the University with the same name. Does your name have family significance?”

  “Yes, my father is Italian. He named me after the town where we still have family in Italy.”

  Elsa sighed, “I passed through Ravenna, Italy on a trip through Europe. I wish we could have spent an extra day in that beautiful countryside rather than Rome. It seemed more authentic somehow. It was so charming.”

  “It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to visit. Now that my cousins are older, they prefer to come to California and visit family.”

  “Do your parents live in California?” Elsa asked.

  “Papa left when he was about twenty. My extended family still owns a winery, but my parents run a small resort near Crater Lake.” Ravenna was surprised to hear the details of her life spilling easily from her mouth. Elsa had a way about her that encouraged people to open up.

  “That sounds lovely, you are so blessed. What rich family history you must enjoy.” Elsa’s genuine smile encouraged Ravenna to spend another twenty minutes sharing the small details of her life.

  Natalie left the conversation to mingle among her guests, making certain everyone felt as welcome as possible in her home. Finally, she circled her way back to Seth. He pulled her to his side, nuzzling into her neck, stealing a kiss.

  “Do you need anything?” She asked.

  “Now that you are right here, I’ve got all I need.” Her bright smile was everything to him.

  “Great party, do you need me to take a turn at the grill?” Wade asked, wondering if Seth needed a break.

  “Erik beat you to it,” Seth replied, “he’s grabbing more patties before taking over.”

  He nodded, always willing to lend a hand. “Let me know.” After digging into the cooler, Wade wandered off with Rick and Kent to go over construction details the men were wrapping up at the brewery. Soon one hundred percent of his energy would shift from the expansion to brewing again.

  Across the deck, he spotted Linnea. On either side of his sister stood the two women who possessed his thoughts. Iris, with her tall lithe body, contrasted to Ravenna’s petite fairy like form. Both women had similar inner strength. If he kept his focus he could learn to love Iris, yet everything about Ravenna cal
led to him. This collision tore at his soul, leaving him feeling guilty for thoughts that had never found action.

  “Wade,” Seth called, “can you toss me a beer?” the request shook him from the obsessive study, just as Seth hoped it would. His cousin was the only one aware of the depth of Wade’s preoccupation with Ravenna Silvestre.

  Shutting the door after the last guest drove away, Natalie sank into the soft leather couch snuggled in the crook of Seth’s arm. “Did you have a good time, babe?” he asked, knowing she did, the party was a success. Great food, surrounded by friends and family, Natalie looked tired, but content.

  “It was almost perfect. I just wish Ben could have made it,” She sighed. Natalie missed her brother, now that his job took him back to North Carolina so frequently.

  “Anytime you want to visit him on the east coast, I’d be happy to go. We could make a vacation of it.”

  “That’s a terrific idea,” she twisted to her back laying partially in his lap, and reached up to touch his face.

  He stroked her hair for a moment, and then scooped her into his arms carrying her upstairs to make love to her in the fading evening twilight.

  ***

  Glancing again towards Wade’s home, Ravenna wasn’t surprised to find it dark. He now spent more evenings as her neighbor, but not tonight. Tonight he had left the party with Iris. Ravenna liked this tall lovely woman, with her chocolate brown hair, long legs, and open friendly face. She clearly cared deeply for Wade. The two had shared bites of dessert, held hands while they sat hip to hip on Seth’s couch watching the baseball game, and left together after the party. She fought a pang of jealousy that should not exist, and chose to find a book to pass her time.

  Ravenna climbed the stairs to the loft, choosing a thriller to read, anything to find a distraction. Lately, the strain of Wade’s presence had Ravenna longing to confirm that Steven was right for her. She hoped his arrival the following week would reignite faded passion. In Vegas, her attraction to Wade had been pure lust, but she ignored his magnetism. Now, he seemed to occupy every space in her mind, pulled into a vacuum only he could fill.

  Steven’s arrival was on time and not a moment too soon. He insisted that she wait in her car at the arrivals parking lane, and not inside Portland Airport. The distance created by the efficiency of this method grated her. Though the days of romantic reunions at the gate were long gone, there was still something wonderful about those couples caught in a warm embrace at the airport. Steven didn’t see it that way, so she compromised, and waited outside her Jeep by the curb. He had texted about ten minutes earlier, and she expected to see him pop through the doors at any moment.

  Dark hair, crisp trousers, and a light lamb’s wool sweater, Steven stood out somehow in comparison to the rougher edged men that populated the northwest. His expensive sleek shoes looked ill prepared to take on the terrain that waited for him in Ashwood. Ravenna walked to him but he did not notice her right away. This wasn’t unusual, her small stature made her easy to miss in a sea of people.

  Spotting Ravenna standing beside her Jeep, as she parked illegally by the curb, wrinkled Steven’s brows into a frown. She should have remained behind the wheel and waited.

  “Steven!” she yelped, and leapt toward him, shocking him for a moment, Ravenna was not usually so demonstrative. He put one arm around her, unwilling to release the handle of his rolling suitcase, but she hung on until he bent his head down to give her a quick kiss.

  “Let me get rid of this suitcase, Ravenna.” He said, as he tossed his small bag in the back seat, and took the keys from her hand.

  “I will drive.” He said as he pulled her to him for a quick kiss, now that both hands were free. Steven moved past her to open the passenger door, waiting politely as she climbed in the car.

  Ravenna loved the way he took charge. Not that she wasn’t perfectly capable of accomplishing everything on her own. His nature put him naturally in control, and she loved giving him the reigns. He enjoyed taking care of her, and because they weren’t always in the same zip code his attention seemed more intense.

  “I’ve made dinner reservations and booked a room at a resort for tonight.”

  She smiled at his first lavish surprise, but added, “I wish you would have told me, I would have packed something special.”

  “It’s a full service resort, and will have everything you need.” He said without apology. “After we check in we will have time to explore the property, or soak in the spring fed hot tub in our room.”

  “How do you find these places? Thank you Steven, this sounds perfect.” She settled in happily for the drive and into their routine. He pampered excessively, and she soaked it up.

  While Steven checked in, Ravenna picked up what she needed from the shops near the lobby. The simple black bikini would only be necessary if they visited the pool. She chose a burgundy silk shift dress for dinner and simple lingerie, along with a few basic items the front desk could not provide. Steven insisted that she charge everything to the room.

  Dinner was perfection. The lodge featured a mix of seafood, wild game and organic northwest cuisine. She ordered a hazelnut-crusted salmon, Steven a thick, perfectly prepared filet mignon. The meal progressed slowly from a crab appetizer to a creamy chocolate dessert. As they caught up on the details of their lives, she remembered why their relationship worked. Steven’s intensity for life was consistent and passionate. He was an exciting man to be with, in and out of bed.

  After dinner, champagne and strawberries waited for the couple in their room. On the private deck, dim lights barely illuminated the exquisite hot tub, overlooking a river lined by tall dark evergreen trees. Ravenna wore her bikini, and sank into the hot water where Steven waited, a glass of champagne already in his hand.

  He drank in the view of her petite curves, holding her hand as she stepped over the edge of the hot tub. “You must have bought that bikini downstairs. Ravenna, that looks exquisite on you. I can’t wait to peel it off,” he said his eyes molten with desire.

  She descended the steps into the steaming water. “Oooh, that’s hot.” Her breath hissed out as she sank into the liquid heat.

  “Very hot.” Steven noted, his eyes locking on her slim body as she slid into the water next to him. His lips tipped into a smile that left Ravenna anticipating his next move. Pouring her a glass of champagne, he set it close by, and reached for a strawberry, holding it in his hands while she took a bite. The red juice of the fruit stained her lips, and he licked away the sweet taste with the tip of his tongue. He leaned back, watching as her nipples pearled against the bikini. His focus let her know he intended to satisfy her with thorough intensity.

  Steven’s hand slid around her neck to catch the thin string that held her bikini in place. He gave it a slow tug, and the two triangles of fabric slid forward falling away from her breasts. Her dusky nipples peaked as the cool night air circulated around them. She longed to sink into the heat of the water, but his gaze held her in place.

  Slowly his fingers slid from her neck trailing a line to tug lightly on her nipples that tightened under his possessive touch. She glanced down, finding the contrast of his tanned skin against her paler flesh erotic. He leaned forward as his other hand hooked around her body, snagging the other string to remove the top completely. He lifted the fabric and lay it carefully next to the bowl of strawberries.

  In the same movement, Steven picked up another berry, bit off half and used the juicy flesh of the fruit to tease her nipples with wet sticky strokes. He lapped up every drop of the sweet temptation with his tongue.

  Each lash pulled a purr from Ravenna. Her small hands trembled as she reached to skim her fingers over the hard planes of his chest. Steven cupped her ass, sending water sloshing when he pulled her to his lap, her slim thighs straddling his torso. She surrendered, tilting her head back in an open invitation to nip, bite and suck on the graceful line of her neck, breast and taut nipples.

  Steven moved with purpose, sliding his hands down he
r hips, releasing the string ties of the bikini bottoms. As with the top, he gathered the scrap of fabric and lay it carefully on the edge of the hot tub, again reaching for another berry. “Stand up, baby. I need to taste you.” He commanded.

  Ravenna slid from the heat of the water, into the cool night air. A shiver hit her body. The steam curling from the water barely soothed the chill. Again, Steven took a bite from the tip of the berry. With the exposed slick red fruit, he drew the pulp across Ravenna’s freshly waxed pussy. She knew that he preferred her bare. Her smooth skin was extremely sensitive, increasing her arousal.

  His eyes glowed with feral desire, as he teased every inch of her sex with the flesh of the ripe strawberry. His hand kept her in place, holding her firmly by the round globe of her ass. Possessed by his potent need, Steven pressed his tongue into her wet juncture, tasting strawberry mixed with her sweet arousal.

  “Ravenna, you are perfect.” He growled, taking her folds gently in his mouth, exploring every wet contour with his lips and tongue. As she pulsed forward for more, he pushed his tongue over the collection of nerves at the apex of her sex. His fingers slid inside, gliding easily, her molten excitement urging him on. Ravenna’s body bucked involuntarily riding the steady crescendo of pleasure.

  She had been so long without his touch. It did not take long for her to find her all-consuming climax. Waves of pleasure weakened her body, leaving her breathing in ragged gasps. “That was beautiful, babe. I’m taking you in bed.” He said as he stood in the water, his erection jutting forward, dripping with wet heat, and his impending release.

  Steven settled her back on the smooth sheets, tracing drips of water rolling off her body with his tongue. Ravenna stroked his powerful chest, gliding her manicured nails over the dusting of hair that pointed to the V of muscle defining his narrow hips. Using the tip of his cock, he teased her wet folds dipping in a fraction as she gasped. The fire in his eyes matched the heat that was building again between them. “I need to feel your mouth on my cock.” He growled.