Hooked on the Game (The Sterling Shore Series #1) (17 page)

I shake my head while letting a small laugh free.  My hands aren't coming out of my pockets.

"The Merlot is my favorite.  They said
Napa was the best for the grapes, but there are plenty of clay spots here that are perfect for growing the Merlot grapes."

He's so cute when he's excited.

I knew he was a wine connoisseur, but I didn't realize why until now.

"Cabernet?" I muse, offering him a chance to tutor me more.

"Ah, red wine.  Yes.  The Cabernet actually dethroned burgundy in the mid-1960s.  By the late 1980s, Cabernet was the generic term used for red wine."

From there, he lectures me on all the origins of the wines.  Each time he speaks about a new grape or different fermenting process, his eyes light up.  This really is his niche.  It makes me want to study up on every wine just so I can be a part of his passion.

"I need to go check on a large order we're supposed to ship out tomorrow.  Care to hang out for a minute?"

I smile and nod as he kisses my cheek before rushing off to play Mr. Important.

"He's a go-getter, that one," Thomas says from behind me, startling me a bit.

"I've never seen him so happy."

He smiles as he moves around the room with his hands behind his back.  "That's funny, because his parents told me the same thing - after seeing him spend a week with you in Aspen a few weeks ago."

The crazy flutter returns to my heart.

"Come on, blushing girl.  Let's show you the good stuff."

I grin bashfully as I follow him to a large stairwell that leads underground.  We're going to a basement?

"The wine cellar and all the good stuff is this way."

He smiles up at me once before returning his view to the stairs.  My mouth tries to drop open.  It's massive down here, and it doesn't look anything like a basement.

Tuscany thrives in this underground paradise.  It almost looks like the pictures I've seen of Italy with all the stucco surfaces, warm cobblestone-inspired floors, and the art that hangs proudly helps the feel as well.  Then the barrels catch my eyes.

There are at least thirty barrels on one wall, and then there are at least thirty in the middle, creating aisles to walk down.  Large stainless-steel containers descend from the ceiling with numerous dials and instruments on them.

"What are the barrels for?" I ask, curious.

"Fermenting the wine.  It takes several weeks to do it in the oak barrels, but it's well worth the wait.  The taste is so much purer.  These big bastards speed it up, but it kills the best flavor," he says, pointing toward the stainless-steel containers.  "This was Margaret's project.  She wanted mass production for the lower-cost wines.  The high-dollar stuff comes from the barrels.  I don't know.  I never did this for the money.  I did it for the love of my land and the love of the plants.  But I enjoy the fact more people get to enjoy the stuff."

"I was expecting you to be a poor man, and then we got here... I was surprised."

He chuckles.  "I've been many things in my life, Raya, but never poor.  I may not have had a whole lot of money, but I had a woman most men would cut their heart out for, a son no man could be prouder of, a grandson I couldn't have imagined would be so amazing, and a life most would envy.  I've always been a rich man, Raya.  Always."

I must be hormonal or something, because tears well up in my eyes.  That was beautiful.

"When this place started going crazy with business, I decided to set up a trust fund for Kade.  I knew his other grandparents and his parents were perfectly capable of such, but I only needed a little money to survive on.  I didn't care for the excess of it.  I also wanted Kade to start out life easier, hoping he wouldn't have to work so hard like I did; like his father did.  But that boy is going to outwork us both, I believe.  He never slows down.  I think the profits have tripled in just a couple years' time because he has marketed the place so much.  You'd think he was already in charge."

The twinkle of pride in his eyes is unmistakable.  I can't stop grinning, because I love how amazed and heartfelt he speaks about Kade.

"Here, look at this."  He motions to a selection of wine on a special rack.  Each bottle is tagged differently than the others.

My grin almost splits my face when I see what it says.

"Kade's Pride," I read aloud, careful not to touch the bottle.  "Kade's Touch.  Kade's Luck."  There are so many, and I smile as I read some silently.

"That's the year he was born.  Those were the best the grapes ever produced.  To this day, those have been the best wines I've ever tasted.  All of them.  White, red, dry, sweet... Everything turned out amazing that year.  It was like I was doubly blessed with a grandson and a thriving vineyard."

He picks up a Merlot and holds it out to me - the one that said "Kade's Pride."

"This one is the best out of all of them.  It's special because it's one of the two I have left.  I... I want you to have it.  Save it for a special occasion."

My eyes widen in disbelief, and I take a step back, refusing to touch the bottle that holds more sentiment than the ridiculous price.  "I can't.  I couldn't possibly.  Thank you so much for even offering, but I can't."

His grin grows as he pushes it toward me again.

"I've waited on the day when Kade would drive up with a girl in his car, holding her hand, and sharing this with her.  Until today, that's never happened.  You're special to him, and that makes you special to me.  Take this.  Put it up somewhere until you find the perfect day to pour it."

He's lost his mind.

"Please don't make me, Mr. Colton.  I'd feel terrible."

"Terrible?" he laughs.  "Girl, you don't understand.  I may not ever get this chance again.  Kade took his sweet time bringing a girl around here.  I could be ninety before it happens again.  I'd rather this thing be in the hands of someone now so I can quit worrying about what happens to it."

I laugh a little, and for no real good reason, a small tear falls from my eye as I stare down at the bottle in his hands.  I slowly reach up to take it, careful to be gentle, and then I cradle it to my chest as though it's an infant.

A proud grin spreads over his face as his lip trembles, and unshed tears glisten in his eyes as he studies me intently.

"I'll be damned.  You're in love with him.  That's perfect."

How did he know?

I wipe my eyes, laugh, and sniffle all at once, while keeping the wine tucked close to me.

"I'd rather you didn't go announcing that to him," I mumble, making him laugh again as his eyes continue to water.

"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear someone loves my boy.  This is all going to be his one day.  In fact, I originally had Paul deeded parts of the property, but Kade has proven himself, so I had a new will drafted just yesterday.  I plan on keeping it a secret and surprising Kade with it in a few months."

I start to say something else, but the ancient relic of a phone on the wall rings loudly, drawing his attention.  I glance around at the other bottles in the room, amazed at all the hard work that has to be done to produce wine.

A picture catches my attention next.  It piques my curiosity because of the fact it's a fraction of a centimeter off the wall.  It's hiding a secret.  I know hidden secrets.

With his back turned, he doesn't see me when I tilt the picture out to take a look behind it.  The Annex Goliath safe.  Unbelievable.  I know that safe because Annex is my father's old cohort in crime.  He turned over a new leaf and started designing unbreakable safes.  I find humor in the fact a con is keeping Kade's grandfather's secret treasures safe.

I let the picture fall back into place, and I turn to face Thomas just as he hangs up the phone.  He smiles at me, but it's weak.  I'm not sure what just happened during that call, but it has dampened his spirits.

"Come on.  Let's go find Kade.  I'm sure he's already sold half my stock by now.  The boy needs a life, and you're the right woman for the job."

I chuckle lightly and follow him.

"So is this where all the wine is fermented?" I ask, hoping to bring back his real smile.

"No, dear," he chuckles out.  "This is just where I make my favorites.  There are two other buildings on the property designed just for fermenting.  Several men work the fields, and my manager oversees the production."

As we top the stairs, a guy with salt-and-pepper hair walks across the room while holding a clipboard.  He looks to be mid-forties, and his goatee matches his time-dusted hair.

"Well, speak of the devil," Thomas says with a grin.

The man looks up and smiles at both of us, letting the clipboard drop to his side as he clutches it with one hand.  "Thomas, you have a guest."

"This is Raya.  She's dating Kade."

"It's about time that boy made time for something other than this place."

Thomas chuckles.  "You're one to talk."

"I'm old," he jokes.  "I'm supposed to be wrapped up in work."

Thomas turns to me and holds a hand out to gesture to the guy.  "This is Harry Talbot, my manager.  He keeps the place running like a well-oiled machine."

I shake his hand just as Kade walks in with a balding man who is half Kade's height.  Well, maybe not half, but he's short... very short.  Especially compared to Kade.

"And that's Leonard Mars, my lawyer who keeps all the licenses, contracts, and legal things running just as smoothly as Harry keeps the farm."

"Vineyard," Kade interjects, smiling.

"It's a farm with a vineyard on it," Thomas says, swatting at him.

Kade walks over to me and pulls me in his arms before delivering a chaste kiss on my lips.  I keep the bottle of Merlot tucked against me, and he looks down to see what I'm holding.

"I gave the girl a gift.  I told her I might not ever get this chance again," Thomas says with a salacious grin.

Kade smiles until he sees what I'm holding, and then his eyes widen in shock.  I really want to give this back.

"The '93 Merlot?  Have you lost your mind?" he gasps.

Yep.  I need to put this back.  This feels so wrong.

"My mind is one of the few things I haven't lost yet," Thomas teases, never letting his smile waver.

Kade swallows hard as he wraps an arm around me.  "We're about to head out.  We've got class tomorrow, but call me if you need anything," he says to his grandfather.

I have a feeling we'll be discussing this damn wine bottle the second we get in the car.

"Just worry about getting good grades and taking her out on special dates.  There aren't too many like her.  I can already tell."

He gives me a wink, and I blush when Kade looks back at me.  He seems... confused?

Thomas walks over and gives me an unexpected hug, that I carefully return without losing a grip on the wine.

"Take care of him," he whispers, offering me a small wink when he pulls back.

I smile and nod.  Then Kade steps in to say his farewells as I make my way to the door.  I go ahead and pop the trunk to his car, trying to think of the best way to secure the wine.

"I've got it," Kade says, suddenly right beside me with a pile of bubble wrap and a straw-filled crate.

He wraps it up like a priceless gem, and then he secures it in the small crate before covering it in the straw and sealing the lid with several latches.

"I can't believe he gave you the '93 Merlot.  What did you say to him?"

I can't tell if he's angry or dumbfounded.

"I didn't tell him anything.  I don't want the wine though.  You should keep it.  After all, it would mean more to you than to me."

"I've already got one.  This one and mine are the only two left."

He bites back whatever he wants to say.  I really don't want the frigging wine at this point.  I never did.  I knew it was too precious to give to me.

"Please keep it."

"If he wants you to have it, then you should keep it.  It's his wine to do with as he pleases."

I sigh as he closes the trunk and heads to the driver's side.  He's not even going to open my door the way he normally does.  He invited me into his world to show me a glimpse, and I somehow dove in without permission.  I didn't mean to.

This day started out with promise, but it has ended in complete failure.  The story of my life.  This trip, unlike the ride out here, goes on forever in silence.  I'll be sleeping in my room tonight.  I know I'm not the perfect girl, but I did nothing wrong.  I'll be damned if I let him punish me for receiving a gift from a persistent old man.

Chapter 16

Broken

"I'm sorry," Kade says as he kisses my cheek, rousing me from my sleep.  "Come to bed with me."

I lazily open my eyes to see him hovering over me in my bedroom.  What time is it?

I glance over and groan when I see the clock says three.

"Just go to bed.  We'll talk in the morning," I mumble, huffing as I turn back over.

"Tell me I can take you to my bed, and I'll shut up."

"There's nothing wrong with my bed.  I want to sleep in here.  We'll talk in the morning.  When there's light out."

The bed dips as he crawls in beside me and wraps his arms around my waist to pull my back to his front.  Soft lips start trailing down my neck, to my shoulder, then back up.  I can feel the heat of his skin and the firm touch of his chest grazing my few pieces of shown skin.  Of course he's shirtless.  He wouldn't dare make this easy on me.

"I said I'm sorry," he murmurs again while nuzzling my neck with his smooth face.

I huff out as I turn over to face him, unsure if I'm even mad or not.  I'm hurt.

"I didn't ask for the wine.  In fact, I damn near begged him to keep it.  He was insistent.  I don't know why you're pissed at me.  I told you to keep the frigging bottle.  I don't want it."

I turn back over, and his arms tighten around me as his leg comes over to wrap me up.

"I know, Raya.  That's why I'm apologizing.  I was a jerk.  It... it just caught me off guard.  You should definitely keep it.  It's obvious Granddad noticed how special you are, too.  He has... cancer, and when he gave that to you, I wasn't mad at you... It just made me realize he knows he doesn't have a lot of time left.  It just... it really struck a nerve, because I'm not ready to lose him."

The emotion in his voice is raw and heartbreaking.  I've never heard him like this.  That's all it takes to make me roll back over and throw my arms around him.  I can feel the tears in his eyes, which makes it hard for me not to cry.

He tightens his hold on me, and his cheek rubs against mine affectionately.  I want so badly to stupidly tell him I love him again, but I bite it back and just hold him.  His grandfather seemed fine.  He didn't look to be hurting or dying.  He seemed fresh and happy.

"Come to bed with me.  I hate sleeping upstairs," he murmurs while kissing my cheek.

"Okay."

I go willingly this time as he pulls me up.  His fingers thread through mine as he guides me down the stairs.  As soon as we reach his room, he turns me face him and starts backing me up as his lips come down on mine.

I don't know what he needs right now, but I'm willing to give him anything he wants.  Slowly, I slide my arms up his chest and clasp them around his neck just as the backs of my knees reach the bed.

Perfect trails of kisses are forged around my neck as we both drop to the soft mattress.  He's been gentle, he's been rough, but this... this is so much more.  It's as though I'm the only person in the world right now, and he's worshipping me with every touch, every kiss, and every breath.

My breathing hitches when he pulls my shirt over my head and presses tender kisses down the curve of my neck.  With very soft, unhurried motions, we undress each other until we're bare and comfortably entwined.

He pulls me to be on top of him, and I lower my mouth to his.  It doesn't matter if he doesn't tell me he loves me; right now I can feel it.

His hands gently tangle in my hair as he kisses me harder, letting me feel a need he's not usually vulnerable enough to show.  I don't bother digging for a foil packet and ruining this real moment with superficial barriers.

I've been on birth-control since my first boyfriend, and I know Kade doesn't sleep around.  It's probably not smart, but I love him.  I want to have all of him, and I want him to have all of me.

I slide down on him, letting him feel the skin on skin, and he moans in a way that sets me on fire as he fills me.  He doesn't stop me or question what I've just done, because he trusts me as much as I trust him.

Then I start moving my hips, rocking against him as he runs his hands up and down my hips, pulling me to him with each falling motion so that our bases rub against each other.

He sits up as I control the motions, and he kisses me as we slowly and deeply claim each other with our connected bodies.  I'm on another level right now.  It's so... honest, so real.

"I love you," I whisper, not meaning to, but not able to hold back.

He pulls me closer, making it hard to rise and fall against him, as his tongue slips into my mouth.  Sweat forms on both of us, my hair dampens, and his body melds more to mine as everything intensifies.

When his breaths grow rasp, I feel the build trying to unfurl deep within me.  I push down harder, move a little quicker, and use his shoulders to offer me leverage as I work hard to carry us both over that edge.

It's not merely mind-blowing when I finally find my release, it's earth-shattering.  His name flows through my lips like a worshipping prayer, and my name falls out of him just the same.  And we just sit there, holding each other, lips entwined, tongues in play... hearts in love.

I've had butterflies in my
stomach all day long.  After Kade woke me up last night and made love to me like I never thought possible, I haven't been able to stop smiling.  Now he wants to take me somewhere special.  This could be it.  This could be the night he tells me he loves me.

He's been different ever since he woke me up at three.  He barely let me get to class this morning, and he has sent me at least a dozen texts telling me he misses me.

My goofy grin only grows.  I start to text him when my phone buzzes in my hand.  I look down to see Brody's name on the screen, but I put it back.  I don't want to talk to him right now.  I want to go fall into Kade's arms and enjoy the night I pray changes everything.

My stomach flip flops as I grow closer, but then it crashes to the ground when I see the black Audi car in the driveway of Kade's house.  License plate: HUPRIDE.  My phone buzzes again, and I scramble to answer it.

"Brody, that car is-"

"It's Uncle Joey, Kiddo.  I was calling to tell you I have a name for the tag you gave me.  Courtney Hughes.  You know her?  'Cause she's been asking a lot of questions about you back in Springton."

I swallow hard as I lower the phone from my ear, and my world tries to disintegrate in front of my eyes.  No.  I was supposed to get to tell him.  Not her.

I tremble as I make my way to the door.  I can only imagine what will happen, but I have to hope he loves me enough to overlook my roots.  He's not going to judge me like the rest of them.  He can't.

With a shaky breath, I finally push through the door, dreading what's waiting on the other side.  Hushed voices reach me from the living room, and the lump in my throat doubles in size.

When I round the corner, I see Kade sitting on the couch beside Courtney.  She looks up to meet my eyes, seeming cold and angry.  Kade's head is down as he leans forward with his elbows on his knees while he stares at the floor.  His hands are clasped together, his body is stiff, and I can tell my hopefulness is going to be doused with reality.  He's going to be like everyone else.

"You need to go.  Now," Courtney says, a bitterness to her tone I'm accustomed to.

Who the hell does she think she is?

"I'll let Kade tell me what to do," I mutter calmly, digging deep to find those extra-thick layers of skin I put away.

Kade doesn't move, but his low voice comes out cold.  "Go, Courtney.  I need to speak to Raya alone."

I swallow hard, almost choking on that knot now.  Courtney shakes her head.  "No.  Kade, she's a con.  She can easily manipulate you into making another mistake."

My heart drops to the ground and shatters.  Another mistake?

"Just go, Courtney!" he growls, making her jump.

She stands and brushes the wrinkles out of her fitted blue dress.  Several files and photos are scattered across the glass coffee table.  I don't have to ask what they are.  If she's been digging for information in my home town, everyone was more than likely happy to oblige.  If he chooses to believe those hypocritical fools who turned on my father while locking all their dirty secrets up in a closet, then he doesn't love me like I thought.

I glare at her as she walks by, and she holds my gaze with just as much passionate hatred.  Right now, I wish my father had been violent.  Then I'd know how to beat the hell out of her.

She finally breaks the eye contact as she walks out, leaving her messy trail behind for me to clean up.  I can tell by the frigid temperature in the air, it's over.  I won't let him judge me wrongly.  If everyone wants someone to hate... so be it.  I'm sick of defending myself.

"So you're a con?" he asks, slicing my heart out.  "That's what all this was?  You show up, find a way to weasel yourself into my house, and then what?  Make me fall for you?  Take everything I have?"

The tears that brim his eyes match the ones I'm holding back.  Not again.  I won't be that girl that crumbles and breaks again.  I knew this day would come.  I hoped for the best, but I prepared for the worst.

"My father is a con.  I'm just his daughter.  But I think you've already made up your mind about me.  There's nothing I can or will say to try to change your mind.  I've seen that look before."

"Deny it, Raya.  Can you at least do that?" he hisses.  "Can you say that you didn't play me?  That you didn't work me over real damn well?  And my father?  And my grandfather?  I should have fucking known he wouldn't have handed that bottle over for just any reason.  You poured on the charm and he fell for it just like I did.  Like we all did."

If you cut my heart out with a dull spoon, it wouldn't hurt this much.  Still, I hold onto my tears, refusing to let him see me break.

"Yeah," I murmur coldly.  "I talked those frat boys into bulldozing my house just so I could move in here.  I cunningly whispered in your father's ear to plant the idea in his head.  I conned him into buying me clothes and bringing me to
Aspen.  Is that what you want?  I told your grandfather I love you just so he'd give me a bottle of wine he treasured.  Happy?  I told you I love you because I wanted to steal everything you have and disappear into the wind.  There.  Now you can feel good about doing this."

I turn on my heel, disgusted and broken.  I've told myself before I'd never be loved by someone like him.  Why I let myself fall is beyond me.

"Fucking unbelievable.  Just deny it, Raya.  Damn it.  That's all I'm asking," he barks behind my back, but I ignore it.  I don't want to hear any more cruelty spewing from the lips that loved me last night.

Hurt?  I wish.  I'm not hurt; I'm destroyed.  I never conned him into loving me.  I conned myself into believing he'd be different.