Chapter Ten
Sarah awoke to the sensation of hot breath on her face. Her first thought was of David, but if his breath had been a tenth as pungent as that wafting over her, she wouldn’t have spent half the night fantasizing about kissing him again. On the mouth, on the neck, along his chest and down toward…
Opening her eyes before her imaginings became too graphic, Sarah jumped when confronted with the sight of one of David’s dogs sitting on his haunches staring at her, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted his stinky doggy breath into the space between them. “Buster, you scared the life out of me.”
Propping on one elbow, she gave the dog a scratch between the ears that made him lean his head into the caress in a silent request for more. She could already tell the two collies apart by the placement of the patches over their eyes. And while Keaton had kept his distance, Buster had apparently taken a shine to Sarah. Probably because she was the only one willing to throw the mutt’s disgusting stick. She moved her hand to the sensitive spot beneath his chin and caressed it. In response, Buster dropped to the floor like a felled log, shifting onto his back in an obvious plea for a tummy rub.
Sarah chuckled. “Boy, you should really play harder to get.”
Advice she could have used last night, Sarah mused as she satisfied Buster’s need for physical attention. Her own needs weren’t so easy to sate. The ferocious orgasm David had forced out of her—okay, that she’d practically demanded he give her—had taken only the slightest edge off her desire. She wanted more than a swift climax while she was still wearing her underpants. She wanted David naked, on top of her, inside her, driving brutally into her body until they both achieved the ultimate ecstasy.
But after he’d compelled her to utter that stupid promise last night, he’d left her in bed alone to spend the night having erotic dreams that had her experiencing more than a little tension this morning. All because he wanted her to say “make love” instead of “have sex”, which was an exercise in semantics as far as Sarah was concerned. Darned exasperating man.
“I suppose I’d better get up, hey, boy?” Sarah swung her legs out of bed and stood, causing Buster to scramble to his feet after her. A quick scan of the room didn’t reveal where David might have put her suit pants so Sarah padded in her bare feet down the hall in search of the man who was, good idea or not, her host for the weekend.
She stopped short when she saw a woman leaning over the sink in the kitchen, her brown ponytail falling to the center of her back. Kerri. She wore another pair of fitted jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt in navy blue, and she was washing David’s dishes.
What kind of married woman washed dishes for a man who wasn’t her husband?
“Good morning.”
Kerri spun around, sending suds arcing off her fingers. “Shit. You startled me.”
“My apologies.” Sarah couldn’t keep the coolness out of her voice. Something about the liberties Kerri Sayers took when it came to David got her back up. “I didn’t expect to see you here. I was looking for David.”
“He had to dash into town first thing. He asked me to come over and help you out.”
“Help me? With what?”
Kerri grinned. “With clothes. He mentioned you decided on impulse to stay the weekend and he thought you might need something to wear.”
That was something Sarah hadn’t even thought of. Obviously, she was spoiled by having a secretary do her dry cleaning, which tended to make clothes magically appear whenever they were needed. Either that or David had a way of scrambling her brain. “I still have my suit,” Sarah said. “I could probably…”
Sarah trailed off when Kerri shook her head. “Afraid you might have to kiss that expensive suit goodbye. David thought it would be a nice idea to wash it for you. In the machine.”
Sarah grimaced at the thought of her fine-thread wool pants and jacket being tossed around in the spin cycle. “That suit is dry clean only.”
“I know. Men, huh?”
The comment hung in the air, offering Sarah an opportunity to take up the mantle of sisterly solidarity and in the process find some common ground with Kerri. She found herself unable to share humor with the other woman, something about her persistent presence in David’s life sticking in her craw.
The moment passed in awkward silence. Kerri canted her head and regarded Sarah curiously. “You don’t like me, do you?”
Being so bluntly called out caused Sarah’s throat to burn. She absolutely refused to let the rush of blood rise to her face. “I don’t know you.”
“But you’re getting to know David and don’t appreciate the fact that I already do.”
That made her sound so mean-spirited and ridiculous. “It’s none of my concern who David decides to be friends with.”
Kerri’s hazel gaze swept over Sarah, and she was reminded that she stood in David’s kitchen wearing little more than his sweater. “Are you planning on making it your concern?”
“I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
“David’s not like other men.”
Sarah’s hackles rose. “And you’re an expert on what kind of man he is?”
Kerri’s lips twitched, not in a friendly way. “I know he’d never dally with a married woman, if that’s something you think is your concern. He’s also not the type to use people. He’s loyal, solid. I’d hate to see him get mixed up with someone who didn’t appreciate that about him. He’s been there before and he deserves better.”
In other words, Kerri thought Sarah was here to use David. The flush that she’d hitherto managed to keep from infusing her face broke free, burning her cheeks. Wasn’t using David precisely what she wanted to do? By demanding sex and refusing to give anything of herself in return?
The sound of the front door opening shattered the tension between the two women. Soon after David came into the room, carrying a couple brown paper bags. He caught sight of Sarah and smiled. “Hey, you’re up.”
The warmth in his expression, the laser-like quality of his perusal as it fixed on her and her alone made Sarah’s heart skip several beats. She was so breathless her reply was barely audible. “Hey yourself. Where’d you go?”
David held up the bag. “The bakery for fresh cinnamon rolls. And…a few other places.”
His discomfiture was obvious as Sarah’s notice dropped to the other bag, on the side of which was the name of a chemist—which she’d learned was the Australian equivalent of a drugstore. Furtively, David shoved the bag in a nearby cupboard. Only after that did he finally speak to Kerri as though seeing her for the first time. “Hi Kez. Thanks for coming over. Did the clothes fit?”
Kerri cut her a glance. “Sarah hasn’t tried them on yet.”
David’s expression was contrite as he once again addressed Sarah. “She tell you about your suit?”
He appeared so mortified that Sarah didn’t have it in her to be annoyed about her clothes. But she couldn’t resist teasing him. “Don’t you ever read the tags?”
“I think I’d better start doing that.”
“I think so.”
He smiled a smile both cheeky and simmering hot. “Promise I’ll make it up to you.”
At his insinuation Sarah blushed and had to quell the urge to toy with her hair like a teenager.
Pushing off the sink with her hip, Kerri shook her head. “I think that’s my cue to head out to the shop. Our first tour bus arrives in an hour, Dave.”
David muttered a sound of acknowledgement as Kerri took her leave, shaking her head all the way. David’s survey never moved from Sarah’s face until the other woman was gone. Then his eyes burned a path down Sarah’s body, taking in the length of her bare legs with blazing interest. “You look good in my jumper.”
“Oh no, that won’t do. This is a sweater.”
“You keep forgetting you’re in Australia. We say things differently Down Under.”
“I don’t care where I am. The word jumper to describe a sweater doesn’t make sense.”
“Things don’t always have to make sense. Sometimes they’re right anyway.”
The seriousness in his face told Sarah he wasn’t talking about clothing anymore. They didn’t make sense, the pull between them was some kind of anomaly that defied logic. Yet it was there and it was so strong it was all Sarah could do not to sprint across the kitchen and leap into his arms.
It was strong…but was it right? Kerri’s words jangled Sarah’s conscience. She had no wish to hurt David or to get hurt herself. Yet she wouldn’t go back on her word about staying the weekend, no matter how sneaky David had been about extracting it.
Yeah, that’s why you’re staying, Sarah, because you gave him your word.
Pushing her niggling doubts aside, Sarah asked, “What’s in the bag?”
David pulled a couple plates out of an overhead cupboard and put one roll on each plate. “I told you, cinnamon rolls.”
“Not that one, the other one. The one you hid before.”
“I didn’t hide it.” His coyness was rather intriguing.
“I got the impression you were trying to hide it from me.”
“Not from you, but I didn’t think Kerri needed to know what brand of condoms I prefer.”
“Oh.” Sarah’s cheeks were now burning so hot she had to put her cold hands against them. “That’ll teach me a lesson for being nosy.”
“There are plenty of lessons I’d like to teach you, Lady Sarah. Which is why I suffered through having the nineteen-year-old behind the counter at the chemist suggest I try the glow-in-the-dark, ribbed-for-her-pleasure variety before she rang up my sale.”
Sarah couldn’t suppress a snort of laughter. “Oh, poor David.”
He grinned sheepishly. “I think it will be worth it.”
“So last night, you didn’t have any…glow-in-the-dark anything? Was that why you didn’t stay with me?”
“That wasn’t the only reason and you know it. But having no way of protecting you, I figured I couldn’t be trusted to lie beside you all night.”
It was such an old-fashioned way to put it—protecting you—that Sarah melted a little more even though the sentiment was silly. He needed protection as much as she did. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you? What if I refuse to accept we can have anything more than casual sex?”
He treated her to a slow smile as he leaned forward, crowding her against the breakfast bar. “I think you’re underestimating how much convincing I’m willing to do.”
Cupping her face, David brought her lips to his, slanting his mouth across hers in a thoroughly seductive kiss. Sarah was helpless to stifle the moan of delectation that escaped, helpless to stop her body from responding with embarrassing swiftness. The brush of his lips on hers reminded her of how those same lips had pleasured other parts of her body last night. She was living on a knife edge of unfulfilled longing, poised to teeter off at the slightest provocation.
When David provoked her further by slipping his hands beneath her sweater—jumper—to cup her breasts, Sarah wrenched her mouth away. Placing her hands on David’s chest, Sarah burst out, “David, I don’t think this is such a good idea.”
“What? Kissing while you still have morning breath?”
In annoyance, Sarah gave his chest a forceful poke that only made him laugh. “Be serious.”
“That’s your problem, Sarah, you’re too serious. It’s a beautiful day. Can you just enjoy it?”
Enjoy the day, enjoy him, don’t think about consequences. The possibility tantalized her, like the shimmering image of a lake appearing in the middle of the desert. Sarah longed to run and dive into that lake, even knowing it was unreal. She made one last attempt to state her case. “I don’t think I can give you what you want.” She thought of Kerri’s words. “I’m not the kind of woman you deserve.”
“Why don’t you let me decide what I deserve? And in the meantime we’ll have breakfast. Coffee?”
“Oh God, yes.”
Chuckling, David released her to move to a silver espresso machine in the corner.
Sarah nearly whimpered. “Real coffee?”
“Yep. It was the one thing I missed when I moved from the city. There’s one down in the shop too, for the customers who are only tagging along with the wine enthusiasts and don’t want to imbibe.”
“Kerri mentioned a tour bus. Do you have a busy day ahead?”
“Only a couple of busloads, outfits that specialize in boutique winery tours. Some overseas visitors and some from interstate. We’ll probably get a few from Melbourne too, couples taking a romantic drive around the area, although they tend to come in dribs and drabs on Sunday, rather than Saturday.” Handing her a steaming cup of espresso, David sent her an apologetic glance. “It shouldn’t be more than a few hours. You can hang out here and read or do whatever until I get back.”
“Why would I do that? Perhaps I can help.”
“I don’t expect you to work.”
“I’m used to working. I’d go crazy just sitting on my butt.”
David took a sip of his coffee then smiled at her. “If you’re sure you want to, I’d like having you around.”
Sarah’s pulse performed a little flutter at that smile and his words. He sure had a way of making a woman feel wanted. It was nice. He was nice.
And Sarah figured they were both in big trouble.
…
David’s plans to spend no more than a few hours manning the cellar door and then whisking Sarah off for some alone time went seriously awry. It was much busier than he’d expected, with each minibus filled to capacity with eager wine tasters. In addition, more of those couples from the city dropped in than usual for a Saturday. Ordinarily he’d be ecstatic at the increased business. Now, as nonsensical as it was, he wanted alone time with Sarah more than he wanted to see Windy Valley get firmly back into the black.
The woman was hell on his common sense. That move last night had come out of nowhere. Delaying sex to force a weekend commitment out of her—it wasn’t his style. Yet he’d done it, afraid that if he gave her what she so clearly wanted, she’d sneak out in the dead of night and he’d be left hanging, not knowing when, or if, he’d see her again. All he needed was time to prove to her the attraction between them went deeper than mere lust. Then maybe she’d agree to keep seeing him long-term. That way perhaps she’d never want to stop seeing him and then…
Way ahead of yourself, Genero. He knew it but he couldn’t prevent the hope from fizzing inside him like champagne. She fit right in at his winery. She could discuss the fermentation process as well as he could, she had a talent for upselling without ever being pushy and she had no qualms about doing menial tasks like washing wineglasses and serving trays of cheese. Her beauty and poise enchanted every single person she came in contact with—most especially him.
At a little after three, there was nobody in the shop for the first time since ten that morning. David sidled up to Kerri. “You want to watch the store for a bit while I take a break?”
“Just you?” Kerri posed. “Or am I going to lose all my helpers?”
“Sarah’s been working all day and not getting paid a cent for it.”
Kerri scoffed. “Oh, I think she can afford to go without the pay.”
Something fierce gripped him at the sarcastic lilt threading Kerri’s words. “Don’t, Kez. She doesn’t deserve that.”
Blinking in surprise at the harshness of his rebuke, Kerri said, “Okay, you’re right. I didn’t mean to shoot my mouth off.”
Remorse set in immediately. “Geez, I’m sorry. I’m just a little cranky.”
“You’re being protective of Sarah.”
“Maybe.” He showed her a rueful smile. “Is it that noticeable?”
“That you’re falling like a ton of bricks for the woman? Oh yeah, it’s noticeable.”
Was it true? Hell, yes, David realized. He was falling for Sarah, big-time, and there didn’t appear to be anything he could do to talk sense into himself. Something which obviously bothered Kerri. “You don’t need to be protective of me, you know. I’m a big boy.”
“With a big heart. I don’t want to see you get hurt like before.”
“Sarah’s not Melissa.”
Kerri shrugged, obviously not as certain of that as David was. “Your call. Go on then, take a break. I’ll watch things here.”
“Thanks. You’re the best.”
“You may as well call it a day. I’ll ring Phil to come pick me up and he can stay here with me until five, on the off chance we have another influx. I don’t want to see you back in here.”
David arched a brow. “You do know I’m the boss of this place.”
“Yeah, but you never think to take time for yourself.” Kerri smiled. “Someone’s got to look out for you.”
David found Sarah behind the shop front, perusing the racks of produce with an expert eye. She must have heard him approach, because she said, “You won a bronze medal at the Melbourne Wine Show with this Merlot. That’s impressive.”
“That was the last one my uncle produced. I was sorry he wasn’t around to receive the accolades.”
“Don’t sell your contribution short. If it weren’t for you the wine might never have been entered in the competition. And if it weren’t for you this place might not be operating now.” She turned to study him. “I watched how you interacted with the customers today, how they responded to you. You do good work here.”
The praise and the implication made his blood start pumping faster. “You were watching me?”
Her smile held a touch of shyness that intrigued him. “Occasionally.”
She didn’t try to conceal the irony of the word, and David’s heartbeat accelerated further. “Those jeans you’re wearing have been driving me crazy all day.”
“They’re Kerri’s.”
“I’ve never noticed them looking so good on Kerri.”
The women must be of a similar build for the denim to even fit Sarah, but David would swear the jeans had never hugged Kerri’s butt so lovingly. And as none of Kerri’s shoes had fit, Sarah had donned the heels she’d arrived in. Tight jeans that were a little too short, exposing the bottom part of her calves, and high heels. Not even the unisex long-sleeved polo shirt with the winery’s emblem on the front pocket could dim the outrageous sexiness of the outfit.
“Let’s get out of here.” His voice sounded strangled. “Before I start making out with you behind the wine racks.”
In the state he was in, making out would lead to other things, things that—no matter what he’d said last night—he wasn’t sure he could deny himself much longer.
And he’d rather not be within Kerri’s earshot when he lost every last thread of restraint he possessed.