Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) (3 page)

“Well, I’ve never heard her described that particular way.” Jac smiled at the idea of her zany friend being sane.

“In my experience the entire department thrives on a witch hunt.” Luke’s tone was glum. “They are constantly looking for a scapegoat to pin the latest trouble on, instead of considering the source of the trouble.”

“I think that’s the case with most organizations.” She reached for a piece of bread. Time to change the subject. “Where did you move from?”

“Most recently from Tampa. I’ve always lived in the southeast, so this is an interesting change.”

“How so?”

Luke spread butter on the piece of sourdough bread he’d selected. “The climate in Oregon is cooler and more temperate. Still terribly humid. There are a lot of rainy days in the northwest.”

“So right,” Jac replied, tugging on her hair, closer to straight than curly today. Humidity sucked, which was why she typically wore her hair up. She never had trouble making small talk, so why were they talking about the weather?

“Why are you here? And by here I mean at team building camp.” The expression in Luke’s eyes seemed open and curious. But something else lurked and smoldered, more than mere friendliness.

Low in her body, Jac experienced an answering heat. She cast about, trying to recall his question. “Oh . . . um, I’m up for a promotion and since I’ve never supervised people before, the owner wanted me to learn some tricks to boost cooperation between my department and other internal clients. Although, being out of the office hasn’t stopped the calls from coming in. I guess it’s nice to be missed.”

“Trouble?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. I’m in client services and sometimes our customers can be demanding. Medical billing, records and privacy concerns, all can be a bit of a nightmare.”

“Tell me about it,” Luke sympathized. His gaze clouded. “Probably a lot like personnel and budget management.”

Jac leaned to her right as the waiter put a bowl of stew in front of her. Her shoulder brushed Luke’s. Warm, welcome heat from the contact thrilled her. Even though she sort of already knew the answer, she asked, “What brought you here?”

Luke fisted his hand on the table, tapped it a couple of time, while a muscle in his jaw popped.

Oops, sore subject
.

“Let’s not talk about work anymore, okay? Honestly, I’d rather talk about the weather or baseball than my job. Or whether or not you have a husband.” He lifted one brow and tipped his head to the side.

A small sizzle raced across her belly. “Uh . . . no, no husband. Not even a boyfriend in sight.” And she hadn’t been heavily involved with anyone since her college sweetheart.
Damn him.

He nodded. “Good. I didn’t have a chance to get to know you at happy hour. I’m glad to fix that now.”

The slow lift at the corners of his mouth drew her in. Made her believe he really did think it was good she didn’t have a significant other. Jac paid scant attention as the waiters finished serving and cleared out of the room.

Jules interrupted the conversations happening around the room. “So let me explain what you can expect this week.”

Flirty Insurance Guy leered across the table at her. “I know what I’d like to expect.”

Jac stiffened in her seat and gaped at the man. Luke lifted the bottle of wine by his bowl and leaned into her as he topped off her glass, making sure to brush her shoulder with his chest. His thigh nudged hers, making her gasp. The carved edges on the stem of her goblet cut into her fingers.

“Smile like I’ve said something sexy,” Luke whispered against her ear.

He could have asked if bears shit in the woods and she’d have found it hot. Letting a sultry expression claim her face wasn’t a difficult task. Across from her, FIG narrowed his eyes, and said nothing more. Finally, he jerked his head toward Jules instead of continuing to stare at Jac. Seeming oblivious to the byplay around the table, Jules had continued explaining their schedule.

Thankfully by the time the remnants of their meal were cleared away, Belinda, the lawyer seated on FIG’s right, had diverted his attention. Luke had kept the conversation rolling along with her and Jules, treating them to stories about his grandmother and her wine snob inclinations. Jules’ laughter tinkled musically in the dining room. The entire meal felt more like time spent among friends than with relative strangers.

It was easy to engage in and enjoy the conversation and the food. Jac was actually surprised to discover she was disappointed as the meal ended. A few of the participants, wine stems in hand, ventured out to the large screened porch jutting off the side of the house.

“You going to join them?” Luke waved to the people drifting outside.

Jac was torn. She’d like to, if Luke were going. But she already felt the effects of the two—or was it three?—glasses of wine she’d had. “I don’t think I should. I’m probably going to have a headache tomorrow as it is.”

“We could find you a glass of water, or a cup of coffee.” Luke crooked his fingers as if encouraging her to change her mind. “Come on. It’s early. Would you like to take a stroll? It’s a beautiful evening.”

A breeze wafted through the window behind her, perfuming the air with the heady scent of jasmine. “A walk might be just the thing to clear my head.”

A grin bloomed on Luke’s lips, illuminating his face. With unexpected poise, he rose off his chair, extending his hand. She hesitated only a second before accepting. A now familiar spark blossomed as she slipped her palm against his. Tugging, he pulled her out of her seat. Her momentum carried her to his chest. A high-voltage current arced between them and traveled at breakneck speed to her diaphragm, making it hard to catch her breath.

Luke’s eyes widened and he slipped a steadying arm around her waist. Her head spun but she didn’t think it was because of the wine she’d consumed. It definitely had more to do with the magnetic man holding her. Keeping her eyes on his face, she eased away, regretting the loss of warmth.

“Sorry. I told you I’d had too much wine.” Her laugh was self-deprecating as warmth flooded her face.

“I’m not sorry,” he said. He dropped his gaze to her lips, lingered a moment, then those hazel eyes returned to lock with hers. “Let’s go get some fresh air. It will do both of us good.”

Chapter 3

Oh, God
! Jacqui Bishop felt amazing in his arms. Lithe, supple, hot, and trembling. If it hadn’t been for the fact she’d had too much wine at dinner, Luke might have pulled her closer, held her longer. Only a jerk would take advantage of her tipsy state. It was partially his fault she’d drank more than she was used to at dinner . . . he’d kept her glass, as well as his, full throughout the meal.

For now, he’d have to be content to just draw her hand through the crook of his arm and lead her outside. With luck, a walk would clear her head. Not that he’d had any spectacular luck to speak of in the past four months. To be honest, having her this close wasn’t going to ease his desire one little bit. Funny, he couldn’t make himself care.

When he’d met her last month, he’d appreciated her looks and her quick grin. Their brief meeting had left him disappointed she hadn’t attended the last happy hour Bella had organized.

When he’d crossed the threshold of the dining room, he’d been pleased and excited to see her standing next to Jules. The prospects for the week definitely looked golden. She was the consummate dinner companion, keeping the conversation flowing and lively. And now, she was going to take a moonlight stroll with him. He couldn’t believe his good fortune.

On their way past the dining room sideboard, he picked up a bottle of water. It dangled between his fingers as he escorted her past the other people gathered on the screened porch. The outside door screeched as he pushed it open, reminding him of long-ago summers.

“You know, when I was a kid, the twang of the screen door spring was the sound of freedom.” He twisted off the bottle cap, splashing a bit over his fingers. He handed it to her, wiping the excess off on the back of his jeans.

Jac sipped, then snuggled close against his side as they navigated the steps to the gravel path. “It reminds me of my grandparents’ farm. They had a door with scrolled woodwork on the bottom half.”

They reached the bottom step. Luke adjusted his grip on her arm, still holding her as they walked under a pretty vine-covered arbor. “A lot of my friends spent their summers playing video games. Not me. I’d slam out of the house first thing and ride my bike until the streetlights came on. Or I’d play at the playground right down the street from my parents’ house. I could make it across the monkey bars in five seconds. The park’s still open, but no kids play there anymore. Everyone is too busy.”

Even in the dim light, he noticed the flicker of sadness passing over her face. “Too bad kids don’t really get to be kids these days. Heck, most adults don’t know how to slow down either. I haven’t had a vacation in four years.” Jac shook her head. The glow from the lamps lining the path glinted on her hair, creating a halo fit for an angel. “I took a month off after college, before I started my job. Now it’s just work, work, work. And I don’t mind. But I think I’d like my life better if I worked for myself.”

Curiosity grew like a dandelion. The woman intrigued him on so many levels. “Is that what you want? To run your own business?”

“I like what I do . . .” She didn’t finish the thought.

He let silence reign for a moment, before prompting her. “And?”

“I don’t like living in the city. Medford is small, yet it still feels crowded on occasion. I have a loft downtown with a view of the mountains and lots of green space. But I want more than a view. I want the actual terrain. I want to get up in the morning and smell fresh air, not diesel fumes.”

“You could move out of the city and commute in,” Luke pointed out as he steered her toward a rise at the edge of the vineyard. Trees rustled in the cool evening breeze.

Her hair bobbed on her shoulders as she shook her head. “From where I’d want to live, the commute would be too long. I’d never have the time to enjoy the land. I’d be in the city or the car all the time.”

“If you moved to the country, what would you do? You don’t strike me as a farm girl.”

Jac stopped, pulling her arm from his. She took another drink before handing the water back to him. “That’s the thing. I believe I am. My grandparents’ farm is still owned by the family. I could go there and grow herbs and spices.”

He capped the bottle and pushed it into his back pocket. Settling his hands on her shoulders, he peered through the dark at her. “Is that what you want to do?”

“Yes. No.” She shifted her gaze away from him and stared at the rows of grape vines rolling out from where they stood. She raised a hand to her forehead and rubbed, as if troubled by a perplexing and complex problem. “I don’t know. I love my job, and I’m good at it. But I think I’d be good as an entrepreneur. I could be successful. If you could do anything you wanted, what would it be?”

He dropped his hands from her shoulders. Taking a step away from her, he shoved his hands into his pockets. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had asked him that question. Probably his Nona, after he’d told her about his move to Medford.

He considered for a moment before answering. “I’d teach. I’d love to work at a university in a finance or hospital administration department. I was an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa. It was a great program. I really miss teaching.”

“Why aren’t you pursuing it now?”

“The opportunity at St. Simeon came along. It was too good to turn down.”

“Colleges in Medford offer healthcare admin classes. Some really good ones.” Reaching out, she plucked a leaf from a nearby tree. She tugged it between her fingers.

His cock jumped at the idea of her tugging on him the same way. Between the water bottle shoved in his back pocket and his surging erection, his jeans were entirely too tight. He shifted his hips, hoping to ease the uncomfortable restriction without drawing attention to his rising problem. “I’ve had my hands full trying to get the medical center on track. I’ve been working sixty to eighty hours a week getting up to speed. I don’t see that easing back in the near future.” And wasn’t the thought of the monumental job in front of him an instant soft-on?

He missed teaching. Truth be told, despite how much he’d loved his job in Tampa, the collegiate gig had offered more satisfaction. Giving it up almost became a deal-breaker for him when he considered taking the job in Oregon. At the time, the money and the opportunity to make a difference at St. Simeon’s had been right. Now the challenge seemed insurmountable, the hours never-ending, and the money not nearly enough to compensate for the headaches he’d inherited.

He grasped Jac’s hand, energy flaring between them as he wove his fingers with hers. The action felt natural. They resumed walking in silence. Eventually, they reached an incredibly large oak tree at the top of the rise. Jac trailed her other hand over the bark before she leaned against the rough surface.

She raised her face and stared into the branches overhead. “Oh, it’s lovely out here.”

The sight of her exposed neck set his lips, and other parts of his anatomy, to twitching. Luke wanted to trail his tongue up the long column of her throat until he reached her mouth. He barely knew her and already desired her more than he’d thought possible. It had been far too long since a woman interested him this way.

She straightened, smiling at him, and he lost interest in resisting. It was as if she was the sun and had an irresistible gravitational pull, drawing him close enough to get burned.

With less than two steps, he crowded into her personal space, planting his hands on either side of her head, leaning in. Her delectable body warmed and excited him. Moving one hand to her head, he plunged his fingers into her heavy golden-red hair to cradle her scalp. Her velvety brown eyes turned a shade he’d call whiskey. Which, he thought idly, was appropriate. Her scent and heat were intoxicating.

As he lowered his mouth to her throat, she slid a hand up his chest. A shot of lust and adrenaline jabbed from the point of contact directly to his groin. His sac drew up tight against his body as his cock answered the action with a throbbing pulse of blood. Laying his lips on her throat, he carefully held the rest of his body away.

God, his attraction to Jac had been strong the day he’d first met her. Now, it was off the charts. He didn’t want to frighten her. He was startled enough at his reaction to her nearness.

She tasted of honey and heaven as he nibbled his way along the tendons in her neck, nipping and licking from her shoulder to just below her ear. Her skin was smoother than a twelve-year-old scotch and twice as heady. His world spun like a centrifuge on high.

Angling her head slightly, she brought her mouth into proximity of his lips. With next to no effort, he claimed them. At first, just a tiny brush, but on his second taste he discovered her lips had parted. He wasted no time dipping his tongue in the slick, hot opening. If his eyes hadn’t closed, they might have rolled back in his head.

One of her hands reached to cup his cheek while the other dropped to his belt loop and her fingers clung there. With the tiniest of jerks, she pulled him close, moaning softly as his erection pressed into her. He groaned in response and circled his hips, rubbing against her with abandon.

A loud burst of laughter, coming from the direction of the vineyard, interrupted them. Luke pulled away, tugging on Jac’s hair as he did.

“Ow.”

“Sorry. Someone’s coming.” He smoothed a tangled strand, the texture soft and silky.

“Talk about incredibly bad timing,” Jac muttered. She straightened from her spot on the trunk of the tree. “It sounds like FIG and his friends.”

The laughter grew louder. “Fig?”

He jumped when she pulled the water bottle from his back pocket.

She unscrewed the cap before she replied, “Yeah. There were so many of the insurance agents, I kind of gave them nicknames, to keep them straight. Flirty Insurance Guy sat across from us at dinner. Boisterous Insurance Guy and Daddio Insurance Guy, BIG and DIG, were at the end of the table by Marcus. And Steve was on your left.” Her voice was husky, almost smoky, and filled with humor.

She took a drink from the bottle and all Luke could think of was her lips on him.

He blinked. “Steve?”

“He’s the only one whose name didn’t start with ‘J.’ He was easier to remember.”

“Ah.” God help him, Jac was not only beautiful, but witty as well. Her throat worked as she swallowed more water. Damn, he was having a hard time pulling his gaze away.

Steps crunched on the gravel near them. The BIG, FIG, DIG dudes moved into view. Jac smoothed her sweater with a graceful motion. She took a step away, establishing a professional distance between them.

“There you are, darlin’,” the heaviest guy called.
Must be the flirty one
. He continued in a singsong voice. “We’ve been searching for you.”

“Well, you found me.” Jac’s voice remained pleasant, with just a hint of ‘oh, damn!’
in it.

FIG leered at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to play on our team? We could use some artistic talent for the exercise tomorrow.”

Luke clenched his fists and stepped toward the agents. No fucking way were they going to steal her from him.
Assholes!

Jac laid her hand on his arm, restraining him as she gestured to herself. “You are assuming I have creative talent. Probably not the smartest idea.” Without releasing her hold on Luke’s arm, she leaned forward. In a low voice, she said, “I completely lack the arty gene. In fact, all my walls are beige, because I think that looks best.”

Luke bit his lip to keep from laughing. No person in their right mind liked beige. Unless they were guys, or color blind. And judging by the way Jac coordinated the vibrant, sunny colors of her clothes and the jewelry she wore, he’d bet she was lying through her teeth just to be nice.

“I bet you can be very inventive . . . when you want.” FIG’s tone was laced with innuendo. He lowered his gaze to her chest and licked his lips.

“That’s it.” About to lunge, Luke found his momentum checked by Jac’s fingers pinching his tricep. Damn, it hurt. “What? No one should talk to you like that.”

Giving her head a small shake, she gestured to FIG and his friends. “I think they’re just having some fun. I bet they had at least as much to drink as I have. Sometimes, alcohol fuels my tongue, which might make me say they’re just overly zealous loudmouths. But, I’d never say anything mean unless I’ve had a few drinks. I’m sure Jeff or Jeremy,” She pressed her hand to her lips, the gesture almost embarrassed, “or Jake, sorry, I’m horrible at names. Anyway, I’m sure these fun gentlemen mean nothing by their words.”

Luke relaxed and worked to keep his face bland. The men just beamed, as if completely unaware Jac had just buried an insult in what she said. Another reason to be infatuated with her. Together, they were going to make a kickass team.

“Well, it’s late and I supposed I should call it a night. I love wine, but it makes me so very tired.” Jac wound her arm through Luke’s and rested her head on his shoulder. The light pressure sent a torpedo of lust to below his belt. She stifled a yawn before continuing. “I guess we’ll see you guys tomorrow. Will you be hitting the breakfast buffet? Jules told me they bring pastries in from the best bakery in Santa Rosa. She guarantees they’ll take care of any cravings you might have. Oops. I mean sugar cravings.”

The guy named Steve patted FIG’s paunch, jiggling the flab. “Jeff here has an undeniable sweet tooth. So we’ll see you tomorrow.”

Steve seemed to be the responsible one. Luke recalled seeing a full, untouched goblet of wine sitting in front of the guy’s plate. Thank heavens one of them was sober.

After saying goodnight, the four of them shuffled away from them. Jac chuckled softly as she moved after them.

“Hang on.” Luke snagged her wrist. “What you did was pretty awesome.”

“What did I do?” She glanced at him, all wide eyes and arched brows.