Chapter Seven
THE TRURO WINERY wasn’t normally open in the evenings, but this was the week of the annual wine festival, and tonight they had tastings and tours until midnight. The event was sold out, but Jamie knew the owner of the winery, Cliff Warner, and after calling Vera, he’d put a call into Cliff, who was thrilled to hear from him and more than willing to open their doors for them. Like every other event on the lower Cape, it was a casual affair. They could have come directly from their bike ride, but Jessica had insisted on showering—alone, unfortunately. She was a sight for sore eyes in a midthigh-length, forest-green tank dress that gathered at the waist. Her simple gold bracelet and matching necklace were dainty and feminine, and perfectly accented with a pair of dangling earrings.
They moved with the crowd from one room to the next in the old captain’s house. The interior boasted cathedral ceilings with views of thick wooden trusses and roughly finished hardwood floors and cabinetry. In each room they were given a different type of wine to taste while the staff explained the origin.
Jessica held Jamie’s arm as they shared a glass of strawberry wine. She licked her lips after taking a sip, leaving them glossy and inviting.
“That’s so sweet. Taste it,” she urged, flashing her baby blues at him.
He ignored the glass and went straight for her lips. As Cliff and his wife led the tour out of the room, Jamie ducked into an alcove with Jessica. She had a tentative look in her eyes as he backed her up against the wall in the dark area.
“We’re going to get in trouble,” she whispered.
“No, we won’t.”
He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her like he’d been aching to do all evening, as he’d been forced to watch every man in the place steal glances at her. He couldn’t blame them. She was so gorgeous he wanted to devour her right that second. He had to at least taste her, and as he deepened the kiss, she rocked her hips and slid her hands into the back pockets of his jeans. Her body was so soft. He wanted to disappear into their kiss and let their bodies take over. It was all he could do to tear his lips from hers.
“Definite trouble,” she said in one hot breath against his lips. “We’ll get caught making out like teenagers.”
He ran his hands up her sides.
“Jamie.”
He heard the plea in her voice for him not to stop—he loved her voice and loved the way she looked at him like she could barely think when they were close—but he saw a shadow of worry flash in her eyes, and he knew she was worried about getting caught.
“Okay, we’ll stop.” He slid his hands back down and clutched her hips.
“No. I meant, kiss me, Jamie.”
She pressed her lips to his and held on to him like she was never going to let him go. Their mouths crashed together in a tangle of tongues and clashing of teeth, and he couldn’t help it. He had to have more of her. He drew back and stared into her eyes, suppressing a groan.
She hungrily pulled his lips to hers again.
He fondled and grabbed, and his hands had a mind of their own, dropping to her bottom.
“Above…” She kissed him again. “The waist.”
With a groan, he gripped her ribs over the top of the thin material.
“Weren’t rules made to be broken?” he mumbled against her lips.
Voices neared in the room they’d just escaped. Jessica sucked in air and stilled. He pressed his body to hers and covered her lips with one finger, then used his mouth to silence the question in her eyes. His tongue swept hers until all of the tension rolled from her body and she warmed to his touch once again. The voices became louder, closer, and they both opened their eyes, mouths still pressed together. Jessica began to giggle, and he kissed her harder. Her eyes closed and a moan of pleasure escaped her lungs. Then her eyes flew open and she squeaked. Squeaked! Which made him laugh as she covered her mouth with her hand. He smoothed her dress.
With her hand in his, he led her past the elderly couple talking beside the alcove. “Excuse us.”
They laughed as they hurried into the next room. As soon as they cleared the doorway, he swept her into his arms again.
“Too close for comfort?”
She nibbled on her lower lip. “Kind of exciting.”
“Holy…Come here, you little vixen.” He took her in another greedy kiss, then peeled his lips from hers. “Another whole day?”
“Another whole date,” she corrected.
“By the time we come together, I’ll be so hot for you I’ll barely last.”
She raised her brows with a blush on her cheeks. “Maybe I need to rethink this whole relationship.”
“Maybe you have to…” No way. “You’re such a sweet and naughty girl. Everything you do turns me on.” He ran his knuckle down her cheek. “Trust me, baby. That first time we come together? It’s not going to be sweet or careful.” The way his heart swelled with emotions every time he was near her and the desires that raged through him, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how good it would feel to finally make love to her. He settled his cheek against hers and held her so close he felt every breath. “But the next time, and the next, and every time thereafter? Sweet, hot, sensual, rough, playful. We’ll do everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Only better.”
She sucked in a jagged breath. “Promise?”
He’d died and gone to heaven.