At seven o’clock on the dot, Mr. Birkshire knocked on her bedroom door. With her luggage and purse having been delivered to her room immediately after her arrival, Livvie had time to rummage through it and pick something to wear for dinner. First, she had to decide what look to go for. What does an unemployed writer wear to dinner at Drake Morganthal’s house, with Drake Morganthal himself? She contemplated for some time, and she almost called Carly. Almost. She wasn’t ready to hear the familiar sound of her best friend’s voice for two reasons. One, she was worried she would burst into tears, and two, she knew Carly would make a bigger deal than necessary about being near Drake Morganthal for the week. And it wasn’t such a big deal. Well, it was because it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, yet it wasn’t for the same reason.

After spending what felt like an endless amount of time in thought, Livvie chose an off-the-shoulder, black cocktail dress that stopped just above her knee. Sexy but not over the top. She could have chosen something less sexy, but she felt Drake expected her to wear a dress. Not that she needed to impress him or anything, but she was also wearing the dress for herself, as it gave her more confidence. When she’d packed, she hadn’t been sure what she would need, but luckily, she had brought a little of everything. Once she’d finished dressing, she slipped on her high-heeled black sandals and then opened her door to a serious-faced Mr. Birkshire. Did Drake pay him not to smile?

“Good evening, Miss Collins. Drake is awaiting your presence in the main dining room. Please, follow me.”

“Thank you.”

Livvie inhaled, feeling as if she was taking her last breath, and followed him down the long hallway until they reached the grand staircase. She imagined what it might feel like if she lived here and walked down these steps every day.

Once in the entrance hall, he led her through an enormous room filled with oversized couches, a large, marble bar, and full-length windows overlooking the vineyard. She liked how all the floors throughout the house were a dark shade of wood with rugs to give it a comfortable feel.

The dining room was also beautiful. Again, windows overlooked the vineyard. The walls were the same shade of green as the outside hills and the vines themselves. There was a long, dark wooden table—the exact one Livvie had seen in a movie. More candelabras decorated the walls, and the white candles had been lit for ambiance. But the most magnificent sight was the dark-haired, extremely tall, green-eyed man standing perfectly straight in a black suit that clung to his body as if it was made for him. And with all of his money, it probably had been. Livvie’s nerves increased, and her body trembled.

“Cold, Olivia?” Drake smirked and motioned for her to walk farther into the room.

He jarred Livvie out of her thoughts, and she turned to thank Mr. Birkshire for walking her here when she noticed he was gone. She had been so engrossed in analyzing Drake’s appearance that she hadn’t even heard him leave.

Drake had asked her a question, but she didn’t think it required an answer, so she took a deep breath and gracefully walked toward the handsome man who was holding her captive with his eyes.

“Why so formal?” she asked once she reached him.

Drake raised his eyebrow, looking as sexy as hell.

“The suit or calling you by your full first name?”

Livvie couldn’t help but smile. “Both,” she said.

Drake didn’t answer. Instead, he gently put his hand on Livvie’s arm, but the feeling his touch invoked inside her felt anything but gentle. Once again, his flesh against hers made her feel as if she was on fire…intense and crazy. Livvie looked into Drake’s eyes as if he could explain why she reacted to him that way. His gaze seemed distracted.

Unfortunately, it seemed as if he was able to un-distract himself pretty quickly. Regaining his composure far easier than she did, Drake pulled out a chair for her, which was right next to his. The feeling of panic overwhelmed her. She gripped the back of the chair, fearing she would faint.

“Is there a problem?” Drake looked concerned.

“No one else is joining us?” Livvie tried to mask her panic.

Drake shook his head. “No, does that bother you?”

Yes, it bothered her. She wasn’t exactly disappointed; “uneasy” would be a far more accurate description. Panic stricken, more like it. When she’d won the raffle ticket, she had imagined herself eating at a table filled with tourists or his employees who worked in his vineyards. Not just with him…alone.

“No,” she whispered, which was a direct lie, and she despised lying. Trying to avoid further eye contact, she sat down.

Drake remained standing but moved closer to the back of Livvie’s chair. Goosebumps erupted on her back, causing her heartbeat to speed up. She felt so unnerved with him behind her; she wished he would sit down. Instead, he leaned over and whispered in her ear.

“I didn’t take you for a liar.”

Livvie didn’t move a muscle for two reasons. First, his breath tickled her cheek and felt amazing. Second, Livvie just happened to be inhaling as he’d bent down, and she got a good whiff of him. Oh my goodness. He smelled of cedar and a trace of what she’d imagined was his vines. His scent was intoxicating and masculine. Carly once told her that if a woman liked the way a man smelled, she was finished. Livvie hoped her best friend was wrong.

She had no idea how to respond. How did he know she was lying? They had only met a little while ago. Drake straightened and then sat down in his chair. At last, she could breathe again!

“I wasn’t lying.” Another lie.

Luckily, Drake seemed to have ignored her.

Mr. Birkshire appeared and placed two square white plates in front of Drake and her. Two men followed and placed the sterling silverware down. Each man was dressed impeccably in a dark suit. One of them looked at Livvie and smiled. He placed a napkin on her lap and smoothed it out for her in an almost sensual way.

Okay, that felt uncomfortable.

“That’s enough, Andrew. She’s more than capable of straightening the napkin on her lap,” Drake said in the most authoritative tone she’d ever heard.

Andrew’s eyes widened, and then he immediately exited the room, followed by everyone else.

“Thank you,” Livvie said.

Drake looked up at Livvie and half smiled. “For what?”

“For coming to my rescue. I felt a little uncomfortable.” Livvie smiled back.

“You don’t need a man coming to your rescue.”

Livvie’s smile faded. Drake’s words hit a little too close to home. She’d always thought she did need a man. That was how she had been raised. But since Zach had hurt her, she had decided she was okay on her own. He was right. She didn’t need a man to come to her rescue.

“Thank you,” she responded.

“But you’re still more comfortable lying than telling the truth.”

Mr. Birkshire and the others returned to the room and placed a wineglass and a water glass in front of each of them. Livvie was relieved. She wasn’t a liar. She had just refused to tell him her deepest, darkest feelings. She had only just met the man, after all.

Mr. Birkshire poured red wine into Drake’s glass. Drake swirled it, smelled it, and then tasted it. It was the sexiest thing Livvie had ever seen. She had watched pretentious men and women taste wine that way before, but the way Drake closed his eyes and sniffed it seemed like a passionate act. He was revering it, treasuring it, almost making love to it.

All sorts of images sprang to Livvie’s mind, such as how his long fingers would feel against her body. He was touching the glass gently yet firmly at the same time. Is that how he touched his women? How he would touch her? When his lips tasted the wine, he savored it. Is that how he acted when he kissed a woman or went down on her? Livvie blushed and immediately stopped her dangerous train of thought. Drake, on the other hand, opened his eyes and stared directly at her. She was sure he knew what she was thinking. Without breaking his stare, he spoke.

“Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Birkshire.”

Mr. Birkshire nodded and then left the room. Andrew placed salad plates in front of them both, and the no-name employee placed salad from a large bowl onto their plates. The second they turned around to leave, Livvie became nervous. There was no way she could avoid the lying issue. She sighed as they closed the door. But she needed to be an adult and deal with this head on.

“I don’t lie,” she said the minute they left.

Drake raised his eyebrow. “But you do avoid the truth. You’d rather avoid telling others how you really feel.”

“And what do you think the truth is?” She hated it when men thought they knew her better than she knew herself. It infuriated her.

Drake began eating his salad but remained focused on her. Then he dropped his fork onto his plate and sat back in his chair. Livvie picked up her fork but stopped before she loaded it with lettuce.

“If we’re going to survive the next week together, Olivia, I need you to be honest with me. I don’t want you thinking of me as the Drake Morganthal you’ve read about.” Drake ran his hands through his hair. “Fuck, I don’t even think of myself as that Drake Morganthal.”

“What do you want from me?” Livvie replied, although what she really meant was: What do you expect from me? Because men always expected something from her. All she ever wanted was to be herself with a man and for him to accept that. But she always had to be who they wanted her to be. Not anymore. Those days were done. If her next boyfriend didn’t love her for who she was, then screw him.

Drake inhaled and then spoke in such a serious tone that left Livvie feeling as if she was being hypnotized.

“I want you to be honest with me about how you’re feeling. Communicate with me. I understand you’re here because you won the raffle, but I’d also like your opinion on some of my wines. You’re not a big wine drinker, so your opinion and ideas will be fresher, not clouded, more innocent.”

Of course, this is all about his precious wines. Maybe if she weren’t a raffle winner but some gorgeous model or actress, he would want her to be honest for different reasons.

“I like wine,” Livvie responded honestly. “I don’t enjoy the feeling of not being in control.”

Drake smiled softly. “We have that in common then.”

Livvie swallowed hard. “You like being in control?” Of course he likes being in control.

Drake picked up his fork and resumed eating but paused and looked intensely into her eyes. “I don’t like it, Olivia. I need it. I demand it.”

Drake delved into his salad, and Livvie joined him. Her appetite was non-existent, but eating gave her something to do besides staring into Drake’s intoxicating eyes. After a few minutes of silence, it became awkward.

“You told me your family doesn’t live here, but do some of your friends?” Or a girlfriend?

Unfortunately, he looked up at her again, his eyes even more intense.

“No, and I have no girlfriend. Nor do I plan on getting one. I have no interest in that type of relationship.”

Livvie inhaled. He seemed good at reading her mind. Not that he needed to explain to her in detail that he was commitment phobic. She wasn’t asking him about his dating life. But they were spending an entire week together, and if they were going to be eating alone like this, she needed to make sure she wasn’t acting inappropriately or saying anything wrong. Like touching his arm as she had earlier. The sparks that had gone off inside her were not something she would want to repeat if he had a girlfriend. Even though it was completely innocent.

But she could sense in Drake’s changed demeanor that her prying into his personal life pissed him off. She wouldn’t care if he had a girlfriend. Well, that was another lie. She would care, but not for the reasons he thought. Zach had cheated on her with his assistant, and she never wanted to be the woman with a man who had a girlfriend—or a wife, for that matter.

“You don’t need to be composed around me,” Drake said softly.

“Is that why you’re mad at me?”

“Why would you think I’m mad at you?”

They had both completely stopped eating.

“Because I asked you a personal question.”

Drake pushed his chair closer to the table and to Livvie. He then took a big sip of wine and motioned for Livvie to do the same. She listened, and as the delicious wine touched her tongue she felt calmer.

“I don’t mind the personal questions. I expect them. You’re as curious about me as I am about you,” he told her.

Livvie took another sip of the wine.

“But I’d like you to remove the walls around you that you’re holding on to so tightly. Remove the baggage.” Drake took a sip of wine.

“So I can give you an honest and innocent opinion of your wines?” Livvie asked with a hint of sarcasm.

Drake held the glass in his hand and looked at her. “No, so we can have a more enjoyable week together.”

Mr. Birkshire and the others appeared again. They quickly cleared the table and placed lobster tails and mashed potatoes in front of them then left. She was convinced they felt the rising tension in the room.

They ate in silence. Livvie wasn’t that hungry, but the lobster tail tasted decadent.

“You know,” Drake said while pushing his plate away. “When I was approached with the idea of allowing a random raffle winner to stay at my home for one full week, I hated the idea.”

Livvie put down her fork and pushed her plate away as well.

“I kept thinking some stranger would win who would grate on my nerves. Someone who was so in awe of my fame or someone afraid of it. Worse still, I thought I’d get someone who would manipulate and figure out a way for me to benefit their life according to their needs.”

Livvie swallowed and looked away.

“But I agreed to the raffle idea, anyway.”

“Why?” she asked, glancing back at him.

“Because it was for a charity very dear to me, and except for some bottles of expensive wine that would mean nothing to most people, I had nothing else of value to offer. I value this charity very much. It was also for a school, and they didn’t think raffling bottles of wines was appropriate. I guess I could have written them a check, but they needed more prizes.”

Livvie looked away again. He was up to something. In her experience, men never revealed their feelings without a good reason. Somehow, she knew she was tied into the reason.

“So imagine my surprise when you walked through the door,” Drake continued. “And not only because of your exquisite beauty.”

A twinkle appeared in Drake’s eyes, and he continued talking. “You see, Olivia, after meeting you, I realized you don’t fit into any of those categories.”

“I don’t?” Livvie asked.

Drake leaned back in his chair. “No, you don’t grate on my nerves. You’re not thinking of ways I can benefit you. You’re not in awe of my fame, and you’re not afraid of it, either.” Drake paused. “But you are afraid of me.”

“I’m not,” Livvie said.

“Shhhhhh…you are.” Drake paused again. “You see, Olivia—”

“Please, call me Livvie.”

“You see, Olivia.”

Livvie rolled her eyes, and Drake ignored her.

“The woman who ordered a red rental car, the woman who parked on Main Street and looked up at my castle was a courageous, spontaneous woman who was taking a risk by coming here but was very much up for the challenge.”

Great, thought Livvie. She should have known a man such as Drake Morganthal would have cameras everywhere.

She also had a strong feeling she wouldn’t like what he said next. And when Drake grabbed her hand, which she hadn’t noticed was clenched in a tight fist, she felt as if she wanted to run. But she couldn’t. Drake opened her tight fingers and in slow circles with his thumb caressed her palm. Then he continued speaking in an almost trancelike way.

“But the woman who looked into my eyes for the first time in her life, and the woman who showed up at my dinner table wasn’t afraid of my fame. Instead, she was afraid of me, as a man.”

Livvie began to speak, but he instantly cut her off.

“Please, let me finish.”

It took everything for her not to tell him to fuck off. But she couldn’t with his thumb making hypnotizing circles on her palm.

“And as a man, imagine my surprise when I saw how beautiful you are. Imagine my surprise when I looked into your alluring blue eyes for the first time, and it took all my willpower to look away. Imagine my surprise when your touch in the guest bedroom set me on edge, making me want to throw you onto the bed and fuck you right there and then. Forget about the handshake. I never knew a handshake could feel so sensual. And imagine my surprise when I watched you sip your wine, and I felt jealous that the wineglass felt your lips before I did.”

Stunned that they were sharing similar thoughts and fantasies, Livvie tried to move her hand away, but Drake wouldn’t let her. Her heart was beating wildly, but this time it had nothing to do with anxiety. Instead, her body felt as if it was on high alert. Her nipples hardened under her dress, and she had to squeeze her thighs together, afraid of making his dining room chair wet.

“So you see, we have a problem, Olivia.”

“We do?” Livvie whispered. She knew what her problem was. She needed to stay away from him.

“Yes, we do.” Drake continued torturing her with his hand massage. “I want you to be the woman I saw approaching my house. The woman who’s craving freedom and adventure.”

Livvie licked her bottom lip. She didn’t mean to, but she was so engrossed in his words. And so thrown off kilter by how well he could read her. No man had ever managed that. No man had ever cared enough.

“What do you suggest?” Livvie whispered again, as her mind was warning her of danger.

Drake softly smiled. “I’m glad you asked.” He paused. “As a man, I want to help you find that adventure. Help you find the freedom you so badly crave. So I have two ideas.”

Livvie swallowed, her entire body pulsing.

“My first idea, which is my preference, is that I fuck you every day and every night for the next week. I’ll make sure you come multiple times, every time. I’ll make sure you’re completely satisfied, and you’ll have the week you crave. But at the end of the week, we’ll be done. I don’t do long-term, committed relationships. And you must know this up front. But I guarantee you’ll have one of the best weeks of your life if not the best week.”

Livvie could smell her arousal. She prayed Drake couldn’t smell it, too. “Or?”

Drake was no longer smiling. “Or you could know how badly I want you. How badly I want to do all of these dark and dirty things to you.” Drake paused again. “But I won’t touch you, other than occasionally on your arm or hand. The type of touch a friend would give you. I’ll show you around my vineyard, eat with you, and spend time with you, again as friends would do. And I want you to find freedom in that. Freedom to know I want you as a man wants a beautiful woman, but I give you my word I won’t act on my desires. You’re safe with me, Olivia, to let go. To be the woman who’s inside you.”

Livvie looked Drake deep in his eyes to see if he was being sincere. And from what she could see, he was. What would it be like to be with a man who had no intention of touching her sexually, all the while, knowing he wanted her? He was right. There was a certain freedom to that. And the fact he was willing to give her this meant something. At the same time, could she go a full week without touching him? Knowing that this beautiful man could do all these kinky things to her, which she craved. Things that would make her feel free but in a different way. Things he had probably done to tons of women before her.

Before she could make up her mind Drake released her hand. Mr. Birkshire entered with Andrew, and they cleared the table and looked at Drake expectantly.

“Dessert, Olivia?”

Drake raised an eyebrow, and Livvie knew he was demanding she make a choice. He hadn’t given her much time to analyze his proposition. But the other men being in the room made her think clearer. Drake had no intention of going further with her than this week. And she was sure her heart could not take it.

“No, thank you.” She made her choice, and there was no going back now. She liked the feel of his hand massage, but there was no way she would go further. Drake as a friend was one thing. Drake as a lover was another. Not only was she through with alpha-men, there was no way in hell she’d be with one who was also a commitment-phobe. No, thank you.

Drake looked at Mr. Birkshire and nodded. The other men left the room, leaving Drake and her alone once again. He stood, and Livvie stood with him.

“I still have work to do. May I walk you back to your room, or do you remember the way?”

“I know the way,” she said.

Drake nodded, and together they walked toward the door on the other end of the dining room. When they reached it, Drake grabbed Livvie and threw her against the wall. With one hand he grabbed both of hers and placed them above her head, so she was unable to move. And with the other he reached under her dress and touched her crotch on the outside of her panties.

Livvie’s clit began to pulse, as his hand remained firmly against her most intimate area.

“And as a man, I wanted to make sure the first woman who has rejected me was as affected by him as he was by her.” Swiftly, Drake moved her panties aside and thrust two fingers inside her.

Livvie couldn’t help but moan. He suddenly stopped, instantly removed his fingers, and released her hands.

“As I suspected, you’re dripping wet, Olivia.”

Drake looked into her eyes, and Livvie knew he was giving her another opportunity to change her mind. Of course, she’d love if he fucked her, but it was wrong, unless he proved otherwise.

He leaned in toward her and inhaled.

“Vanilla, how appropriate,” Drake whispered in her ear and then straightened up. He looked at her for a moment, nodded, and then he opened the door and left.

She could have followed him as that was the direction of the stairs, but she didn’t. She needed to compose herself first. This may have been the first time Drake had been rejected, but it was also the first time she hadn’t given in to a man. And even though her body was screaming at her that she had made the wrong choice, she was convinced this was the start of a very interesting week.