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“Should I take that as a ‘yes’?” Alex stared at me, eyes wide.

“Maybe the wine is making me all warm and fuzzy,” I teased.

“Maybe we should have more wine.” He grinned. “But seriously, I need to explain.”

I shrugged and averted my eyes as I moved to pour us two fresh glasses of wine. “Tell me what you want, when you’re ready. I’m not pushing.” I bit my lip as I considered what I was doing. I still wasn’t convinced this was the right direction. If we drank enough, I might share some of my own secrets, but this time, gentlemen first.

Alex followed me back to the bar area and sat on one of the stools. “I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but it’s probably not exactly as you imagine.” He rubbed his face with both hands. “I’ve told no one. And I don’t know why. It’s not like I have anything to be ashamed of, but I suppose I don’t want to be pitied.” He eyed me carefully. “I especially don’t want you to pity me. I’ll feel like less of a man. I’m supposed to be strong.”

I tilted my head as I poured us the same sweet red dessert wine Max and Victoria had chosen for their souvenir bottles. This was one of my newer blends. I was exceptionally proud of how it had turned out. “I think you’re very strong. Chances are, anything you say will only verify my belief.”

He nodded and licked his lips, as if he were considering his next words carefully.

There was something about the way he looked, sitting there across from me, so innocent, so earnest, so fucking handsome. God, I loved his eyes. I wanted to drown in them. My eyelids lowered. I didn’t want to be reminded of how amazing it felt when he touched me, or how my skin broke out in goosebumps when he touched me. I didn’t want to think about how great his lips felt on mine, or how his kisses made promises I was positive his body would keep. Then I slowly opened my eyes and glanced at him, wondering how he felt about our silence, curious as to how he felt about me. In an instant, I had my answer. He stared at me, his hands gripping the bar so fiercely his knuckles were white.

I couldn’t help myself. I had to see if the second time was as intense as the first. My chin rose. My lips pursed. I stared at him through my thickly mascaraed lashes.

Slowly we leaned toward each other. Our lips were nearly touching when I heard a vehicle on the gravel drive in front of the winery.

I sighed and leaned back. Hoping this would be a quick delivery and we could get back to more important business. I’d gone far too long without a fuck. I didn’t need anything serious. I wasn’t shopping for a husband. Hell, I didn’t even want a relationship, but damn if I didn’t want Alex.

I groaned when I saw the vehicle pulling in. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “Limos mean more work. Usually, it’s some collector. At the same time, if they love wine and know wine, this can go quickly.”

“Do you want me to leave?” He frowned, and I suspected he was as disappointed by this development as I was.

“Not necessarily. It’s up to you.” I tried to play it off like this was no big deal, but I wanted him to stay, even if I was too proud to ask him.

Alex studied me a moment. He glanced at the limo. No one had even exited it. “You know, I brought my laptop. If you don’t mind, I can just work here. I’ll upload the images, send them to Max and Victoria so they can choose the one for the bottles.” He grinned. “Then, after you kick out the rich people, we can talk…and stuff.”

I smirked. “Alex, I can talk with anyone. With you, I’m more interested in the ‘and stuff’ aspect of our relationship.”

He snickered. “I’ll try not to disappoint.”

“You could never disappoint…” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a couple walking toward the building. It was my ex. “Oh…fuck.” I groaned.

In moments like this, I wished I had staff. I should hire people to work the tastings. I should have someone besides the seasonal workers to help with the gift shop. Oh, but I had to have a personal touch to the business. I was convinced this was why the business had grown exponentially in the last few years. I was a bit of a control freak. And I had this deep-seated fear that if I let anyone else touch the business, they would ruin it. So, I stretched myself thin. I managed everything except my blood pressure. I probably had an ulcer.

The door opened, the bell ringing even though I was standing right there. I stood proudly behind my bar, my chest pushed out, my already non-existent stomach pulled in, and my nostrils flaring. It was hate at first sight. Nearly ten years had passed and I still fucking loathed Chad.

“Oh, Charlotte, is that you?” I could see in his face the pleasure he was deriving from seeing me working. “I had no idea you worked here.”

“Chaddy, who’s this?” The curvy blonde on his arm asked as she pressed as much of her body as possible against him.

“Pumpkin, this is my ex-wife.” He sighed.

“Which one?” Her head tilted.

Chad tapped his chin like he was trying to remember.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, Chad! I barely recognized you.” I nodded. “It’s probably a combination of the hair and muscle loss. You might want to check and see if you have low T.” I shrugged. “And Rogaine can work miracles.” Then I turned to the blonde in his arms. “And which ex-wife will you be?”

“No need to get snippy. After all, you’re the one schlepping wine like a peasant.” His brow shot up.

I shook my head. “It’s worse than that. I own the place.”

“Huh.” He looked at the place differently now and it didn’t make me feel better. I’d seen it before. Chad wondered what he could do to possess it. Everything was meant to be acquired. I decided to shut him down from the start.

“I hate to disappoint you, but it’s not for sale. I own it free and clear. I don’t have a single loan or debt associated with the place. So, you can buy the wine, but that’s all I’m selling here.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

His eyes narrowed. “I doubt there’s anything here I’d want. You seem to be pretty old and used up.”

I’d almost forgotten Alex was there until he moved around the bar to stand beside me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and nuzzled my neck. “Charlie, care to introduce me?” He grinned before whispering loudly in my ear, “Apparently his eyesight is going too.”