Two months later, Livvie arrived at Drake Morganthal’s house, which was more like a castle, actually. She stood in the entrance hall, her suitcase by her side as she looked around in awe. From the pictures on the Internet, she expected his home to look beautiful, but in person it was surreal. A security guard had let her in after making sure she was truly Olivia Collins, the lucky raffle winner. She was definitely the raffle winner. The lucky part remained to be seen.

A bald man in a dark suit, who introduced himself as Mr. Birkshire, had welcomed her to the winery and told her to wait in the entrance hall, and he’d go find Mr. Morganthal.

Livvie wondered if he was talking about the owner, Drake Morganthal. Last night, she’d made a bet with Carly regarding whether he would be here this week, and if he was, if he’d even give her the time of day. Livvie had bet that he’d either not be here, or he wouldn’t give five minutes of his time to some random raffle winner. Carly said that he would not only be here, but the minute he saw how pretty Livvie was, he’d personally show her a great week. Livvie adamantly disagreed.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Collins. Mr. Morganthal was delayed but should be here in a moment. Is there anything you’d like to drink while you wait?” Mr. Birkshire asked.

Livvie smiled. “Nope, I’m good. Thank you.” This whole thing reminded her of how she felt when she was sitting in a dentist’s office, waiting for her name to be called. She couldn’t understand why she felt so unnerved. Even if she was meeting one of the most eligible bachelors in the world, it wasn’t as if she’d be spending time with him this week.

Besides, today she was turning over a new leaf and taking back control of her life. She was tired of having a man dictate her every move for her, whether it was the producers at Raven’s Edge, her ex-boyfriend, Zach, who had cheated, or her first love, Liam, who had done a number on her. For the last few months, she’d been mourning over all of them. Every minute of every day her heart ached. It had taken her months to get back to herself after Zach. For one solid year, she had allowed Zach to call the shots in their relationship. She worked around his schedule to see him, she ate where he wanted to eat, and she never argued when he’d cancelled plans at the last minute. She’d been so scared of having another failed relationship; she’d lost herself.

As of now, she’d decided the ache in her heart had to stop, and she refused to fill it with another unhealthy relationship. She had painfully learned her lessons, and she had no interest in repeating them. She deserved to be with a man who respected her enough to commit and who loved her inside and out, regardless of her flaws.

Carly told Livvie the best way to start fresh was to go on vacation. Since she still didn’t have another writing job, she’d opted for the free trip. The raffle prize included airfare, car rental, and a one-week, all-inclusive stay at Morganthal Winery.

Staying at Drake Morganthal’s home was not exactly the best way to start her new life when she’d sworn off arrogant men. Her next boyfriend must be the opposite of arrogant. The moment she detected even a drop of conceit, he would be out of her life forever.

While she waited, she continued to look around. The entrance hall looked like one you’d see in a fancy house magazine. The floors were shiny, dark wood, and the walls were a rich shade of beige. About twenty feet away were the fanciest set of stairs she had ever seen. The staircase curved dramatically, leading to a bridge at the top with a wooden banister elegantly tying it all together. A magnificent black chandelier with candles hung from the gigantic cathedral ceiling. There were no pictures on the walls, but candelabras were everywhere. In front of the stairs stood a round, mahogany wood table with an enormous, square, glass vase containing all sorts of flowers. She didn’t know a lot about flowers, but she did spot pink ginger in there. On the far wall, facing her, were windows overlooking the vineyard and rolling hills for as far as her eyes could see. Drake Morganthal had exquisite taste.

Last night, she hadn’t been able to help herself. Carly and she had obsessively Googled him. At thirty-three years old, not only was he the hottest man, ever, but also extremely successful. One minute he was on the news, giving financial advice, and the next, he was appearing on billboards promoting his winery. When he wasn’t working, he usually had a famous model or hot actress on his arm. The paparazzi went crazy over him. His winery had only been around for four years, but it was already extremely popular and profitable. He had made billions on Wall Street and had suddenly quit and started Morganthal Winery after working one summer in a vineyard in France.

Desperately needing fresh air, Livvie ran to the front door and opened it. Inhaling Napa deep into her lungs felt good. This was the reason she agreed to come here. She needed to get out of Los Angeles, breathe the fresh air in Napa, and enjoy being in nature. These things were important for her to fully heal, so she could find Mr. Right, and stop dating arrogant assholes.

“Ah, there you are, Ms. Collins. I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. It’s been a crazy morning.”

At the sound of the deep, masculine voice, Livvie’s first instinct was to run. Everything will be okay, she kept telling herself. If she didn’t feel comfortable staying here, she could leave. She wasn’t trapped. As she gathered her courage, she gripped the door tighter.

“Oh, no, I hope you’re not leaving already,” the man said.

Livvie took one last deep breath of the Napa air then turned around. But the site awaiting her at the top of the grand staircase was nothing she could have prepared herself for. Drake Morganthal was gorgeous. No wonder he was known to date only famous models or actress.

“I wasn’t leaving. I was only breathing in the fresh Napa air. It’s cleaner than it is in Los Angeles.” Livvie said the first thing that came to mind, and she expected a funny comeback line. Cocky men always had funny comeback lines. It wasn’t fair to think this man was cocky. For all she knew, he was the nicest man in the world. But usually, in her experience, good-looking men who never committed to a woman acted cocky.

But Drake Morganthal didn’t have a funny comeback line. In fact, he had no line at all. He stood there staring at her, and although she couldn’t see his eyes, as he was at the top of the stairs, she could feel his gaze on her, and it was making her feel self-conscious. Maybe it was her outfit. Carly told her to wear something that made her look presentable, in case she saw Drake. But Livvie hadn’t listened. Not that she didn’t look presentable… But she was wearing her blue tank top with a pink butterfly on it and her skinny jeans. At least she’d flat-ironed her long, dark hair before she left for the airport that morning.

“You’re Olivia Collins? The raffle winner?” Drake asked.

Livvie swallowed hard. “I am,” she said. “Did I come on the wrong week?” She had no idea why he looked surprised to see her.

Drake slowly walked down the stairs, not breaking eye contact with her. The closer he got to her the better she could see his thick, dark hair and piercing green eyes.

“You came the right week. Sorry, I guess I’m a little thrown.”

“Don’t worry. I throw people off all the time.” She didn’t, but it was the best she could come up with, especially since he was standing close to her. And he looked so tall…definitely six foot something.

Drake stepped even closer. Livvie’s heartbeat sped up. Was he making a move? They’d just met. But all he did was push the front door closed over her head behind her.

“I’m Drake Morganthal.” He held out his hand, obviously expecting her to take it.

“You already know my name, but please, call me Livvie. Everyone does. Even the people who I throw off.” She took Drake’s hand but immediately tried to pull back. His grip was strong, but the skin-to-skin contact shook her. His touch felt oddly intimate. How crazy was that? She’d just met the man.

Drake laughed under his breath, while shaking his head. “You have a good sense of humor. We need that around here.”

He was still holding her hand, but after another moment, he loosened his grip, and she was able to pull away.

“Well, then I’ll try to be as funny as I can this week.” She smiled wide.

Drake inhaled sharply, taking a step away from her and running his hands through his thick, dark hair. Did her smile scare him? Was it too much?

Drake cleared his throat. “I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “And welcome to my winery. Do you have any questions?”

“Are you going to be here all week?” As handsome as he was, she was hoping he would have somewhere else to go. She felt so on edge around him. Plus, she really wanted to win the bet she’d made with Carly.

Drake chuckled. “Since this is my house, yes. Does that present a problem?”

“What? Oh, no. I was just curious.” It did, but she couldn’t tell him that.

Drake took another small step back. Did he feel as uncomfortable as she did?

“I’m sorry,” he said. “My mind is a little preoccupied. Congratulations on winning the raffle.”

“Thank you. Someone had to win it.”

“I’m glad it was you.”

“You are?” Livvie asked. Maybe he was good at giving lines.

“Yes, a slimy old man could have won,” he said.

“Or an ax-murderer,” Livvie added.

Drake laughed. “Yea, that would have been bad.”

“So I could see why you’re relieved it was me.” She smiled at him again.

The laughter she saw in his eyes changed.

“That and many other reasons,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.

“I could still be an ax-murderer. Have you felt how heavy my suitcase is? I could have an ax and other devices packed in there.” Livvie knew she was rambling about nothing, but she was trying to find her center. Being around this man was making her feel so unbalanced.

Drake smiled, and it made him look even sexier. She hoped she’d survive this week.

“I haven’t picked it up, but I’ll remember to lock my door at night.”

He didn’t lock his door at night? Carly had told her that if he was here, Livvie should sneak into his room at night and get under his covers naked. She had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing.

“Smart man,” she said.

“You’re a breath of fresh air, Olivia.”

He didn’t want to call her Livvie.

“And I like fresh air, Mr. Morganthal.”

“Shit,” he said under his breath. “My manners seem to be nonexistent with you. Please, call me Drake.”

“Okay, Drake.” Hearing his name on her tongue felt strange. She’d said it a thousand times to Carly, but saying it to him was a different story.

His eyes became super intense. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll take you around my vineyard. You’re old enough to drink wine?”

“Are you serious? I’m twenty-nine.”

“You look young.”

“I use a good moisturizer.”

Drake laughed and shook his head. “I guess I should have asked if you liked wine?”

“It’s fine.”

“Fine as in good, or fine as in okay?”

“Fine as in fine.”

Drake laughed and shook his head again. “I’ll teach you to like wine.”

She didn’t want him to teach her anything. After this encounter, she wanted him to be busy at work and forgetting she even existed. This man was a charmer. A dangerous charmer.

“You don’t have to, but thank you. I’m sure you’re super busy. I’ll make sure I stay out of your hair.” She’d almost said “sexy hair,” but she’d resisted the urge. Barely…

“I’ll make time for you.”

Livvie sighed. Great. Now she was in trouble. “Thank you,” she said.

“Come, I’ll show you to your room. Mr. Birkshire will bring up your luggage later.”

Livvie followed him up the stairs and down a long hallway. Walking beside him like this felt strange. She felt there was an expectation when a woman walked with a man, especially with a man she’d just met. She’d have to be charming and make small-talk. There was an intimacy about walking side by side, even if there was no hand holding, which, of course, there wasn’t. But she wasn’t making small-talk or being charming. They were both silent. And it felt natural.

Drake held the door for her, which led to another hallway. He was acting like a gentleman. A charming, good-looking gentleman…and one who wasn’t known for making a commitment. Bad combination in her eyes.

Maybe she should leave now, but she didn’t want to. Especially when he opened the second-to-last door in the hallway.

Livvie gasped. “It’s beautiful. Is this my room?”

Drake chuckled. “For the week, it is.”

Livvie thought he emphasized “week,” which made sense. That was probably longer than most of his relationships had lasted.

Livvie walked farther into the room as she took it all in. Three of the walls were painted a very pale pink, and it looked as if an artist had painted beautiful white roses on them. Floor-to-ceiling windows covered the wall across from her, allowing a view that overlooked the vineyard and the mountains. She felt as if she was standing on a cloud with the magical view in front of her. The room had a big white couch. Throw pillows covered in a pink-and-white rose-patterned fabric were lined up across the seat. In fact, all the furniture in the room was white, and on the night table stood a vase filled with real pink and white roses. She looked at Drake over her shoulder.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

She walked toward the enormous windows overlooking the vineyard. Before she drove up the hill to come here, she’d parked at the side of Main Street and had gotten out of her rental car to get her first glimpse of Morganthal Winery. She had gazed up at the breathtaking, fairytale-like white castle, and she’d felt hopeful, excited even. She must have spent thirty minutes standing there staring like that, but she didn’t care. Even if Drake Morganthal himself saw her, it wouldn’t have mattered.

She felt Drake come up from behind her. Gently, he moved her hair away, uncovering her eyes. The action started her.

“Sorry, I had to do that. I wanted to look into your eyes and see what you see when you look at my vineyard.”

Talk about feeling thrown off. “It’s beautiful,” she answered honestly. “It’s perfect. Exactly what I needed.”

“And what do you need?” he asked softly.

“A week of freedom.”

“I’ll personally make sure you have the week you’ve envisioned,” he said, touching her hair gently again.

It was driving her crazy. His nearness alone made her body pulse and her cheeks flush. And his touch added to the heady excitement, like an electric force going from his hand to her hair. Not being able to help herself, she subtly moved into his hand that was caressing her. And then she recalled she’d only just met him.

“I envisioned a week alone, walking through your vineyard,” she said, her voice breathless.

“We’ll see about that,” he said, before stepping away. “Mr. Birkshire will come at seven o’clock and take you to the dining room for dinner. I’ll see you then.” He walked away, but when he reached the door, he turned.

“Don’t worry if you don’t like wine. I’ll think of other things to do to occupy your time. And I can be very creative.” Then he turned back around and left Livvie standing there dumbfounded.

And in an instant, a fear of Livvie’s came true. Another man in her life had uttered the last word, and he was sleeping right next door.