Ignoring my inner voice’s protestations, I step closer to him and rest my hand on his chest. I can feel his heart pumping wildly beneath my palm, and I smile up at him, trying to offer reassurance. “He’s an old man stuck in his ways. Do you know how many of those types live in Cactus?”
He smiles. “I did notice you slipped into your Texan accent when you spoke to him.”
“I did? I didn’t even notice.” I smooth my fingers down the length of Matt’s tie, loving how firm and solid he feels beneath my touch. I wish I could see him naked. I know he has a body to die for. I’ve seen him bare-chested and sexy as hell online, but I’d prefer to see the real thing. So I can get my hands all over his hot, hard flesh.
“I appreciate you trying to help me,” he says, his voice low and sexy, igniting that flicker of desire that always seems to burn within me when he’s near into a full-on flame. “You were great with him. Even when he started insulting you.”
A soft huff of laughter escapes me. “I know how to handle guys like your father. I’ve dealt with them a lot.” Too much. It’s like I can’t ever escape them.
He steps away from me, and I drop my hand, pushing aside the sadness that nips at me. I’m acting like a girlfriend when I need to remember my place. I work for him. I’m his assistant.
That’s it.
“I’ll ask Archer or Gage to spend time with him for a while and keep him entertained,” Matt says, his mouth grim. “They know how to handle him. They have before.”
“I can do it,” I say, wincing the moment the words leave me. Why did I volunteer myself to sit with Vinnie DeLuca? Am I crazy?
Yes, crazy for your boss and looking for any way to please him.
“No way.” He shakes his head, but I can see it in his eyes. He’s desperate. And I if I can ease his stress by babysitting his dad, then so be it.
Even though I’m totally taking a chance here. From what I can see in just the few minutes I’ve spent in Vinnie’s company, he’s beyond obnoxious.
“I can handle your father. I’m a lot tougher than I look,” I say, wanting him to agree so I can prove I can handle anything he throws my way.
“I don’t know . . .” He rubs his chin, his gaze full of doubt.
“Let me do this for you,” I whisper, swallowing hard the moment the words leave me. Why do I want to please him so bad?
Because you like him, silly.
A sigh escapes him and he shakes his head. “Listen, if he’s rude to you or gets out of control, find me, and I’ll take care of him. I’ll keep my eyes on you too and make sure he doesn’t try anything crazy.” He studies me, just waiting for me to bail on him I’m sure.
But I won’t. I’m doing this—for him.
“He’ll be fine. And I don’t mind. Really.” Well, I sort of do, but I’ll do anything to ease Matt’s burden, especially tonight. “I can sit with him, hopefully sober him up and maybe convince him to leave? Is that what you’d prefer?”
I see the guilt and the worry swirling in the brown depths of his gaze. I get it. My grandma is crazy. I adore her, but I wouldn’t want her out in public with me, especially on a night as big as this. She’d embarrass the hell out of me.
“Yeah. Actually, I would. I sound like an ass, wanting to get rid of my dad, but if you can subdue him and somehow convince him he needs to go, that would be perfect,” he finally says.
“I’ll do what I can.” I turn and start to head back to the table where Vinnie is sitting when Matt grabs my hand and tugs me back toward him.
“Thank you.” He lifts my hand and presses a soft, damp kiss to the back of it. My knees wobble when I see the glow in Matt’s gaze as he studies me. “For everything.”
“Y-you’re w-welcome,” I stutter. I can hardly think when he’s touching me, looking like he wants to devour me, let alone talking to me. No man has ever made me feel quite like this before.
“We’ll talk in a bit, all right? I need to socialize and schmooze,” he says as he slowly releases my hand.
“Fine. Makes sense. I’ve heard nothing but good things from everyone I’ve talked to, I promise. DeLuca Winery is a big hit.” I offer him a quick smile before I flee, going to the table where Vinnie sits munching on one appetizer after another. He spots me, his eyes lighting up, and he pats the empty chair beside him.
“Come sit by me, girly. Want a glass of wine? Some food?” He pushes his plate toward me like he’s going to share it as I sit down next to him.
“No, thank you,” I say, laying on the sweetness. May as well play it up and entertain the old booger for a while. The last thing I want to do is drink with the already drunk Vinnie, and I’m not really hungry since nerves are still eating at my stomach.
“How long you work here for Matt?” Vinnie asks amicably.
“Well, I was working for the winery before Matt purchased it. I was the assistant of the other owner. We all thought we’d lost our jobs but then Matt asked us to attend a staff meeting. When he announced that he wanted to keep us all working for him, we were so grateful. We’ve been loyal to him ever since,” I explain, remembering how big and strong and handsome I thought he looked that day. Sweeping in and making his grand declarations, and better yet? Actually keeping his word. I’d wanted to fall at his feet and weep in gratitude, I’d been so thankful.
And I know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way either. Men who’d worked in the vineyard for the previous owner’s family for years were incredibly thankful for Matt’s generosity as well. It’s why we all work so hard for him. He shows us respect, and we show it right back.
“That was a good thing my boy did,” Vinnie says with a firm nod. “Keeping you all here working for him. Everyone loves my Matthew. Every once in a while, he has a bit of goodness in his heart.”
“He’s a good boss,” I agree, wondering how his dad can both praise Matt and knock him down all in one sentence.
“Even though he don’t know shit about wine,” Vinnie mutters, making me stifle a laugh. “What? It’s true and you know it, girly. I bet he’s been scrambling since he bought this place trying to learn everything he can.”
His dad wasn’t too far off the mark with that assessment. “What he lacks in knowledge, he makes up for in enthusiasm.”
“Now that was a diplomatic answer.” Vinnie grins and points at me. “I can see why he kept you on. Not only do you look real good, you sound good too.”
“Thank you. I think.” I glance around, looking for Matt, and spot him standing with a group of people who seem to be enthusiastically chatting him up.
Good. He doesn’t need the stress his dad brings him while worrying if anyone is impressed with the wine. Not that I ever doubted he’d succeed, but he’s been on edge for days. Weeks. Months.
Probably why he kissed you. Needed an outlet for all that nervous energy and you were the perfect distraction.
The thought comes upon me so quickly, I go still as I turn it over again and again in my head. Could that really be the reason why he kissed me? A way to unleash all that edgy energy he’s been living on for the last few weeks?
God, I hope not.
“So can I ask you a question, pretty lady?”
Vinnie’s voice reminds me what I’m supposed to be doing, and I turn to look at him, a tentative smile on my face. “Sure. Go ahead.”
“Are you fucking my son?”
Chapter Eight
Bryn
MY MOUTH IS completely dry as I gape at Matt’s father, shocked that he would say such a crude and horrible thing.
They have similar features, Vinnie and Matt. Same dark hair and brown eyes, though Matt’s are much kinder than Vinnie’s cold, almost mocking glare. His mouth is set in a firm line too, as if he doesn’t smile much.