A Sweet Mess Read online

  * * *

  Aubrey had been swishing a sip of red wine in her mouth for the last two minutes, waiting for Landon to turn his head. Her teeth were probably stained purple. While the spittoon was widely used in the tasting rooms, she was too embarrassed to spit in front of him. But she couldn’t swallow either.

  As luck would have it, this particular wine made Aubrey queasy. It wasn’t bad wine. Objectively speaking, she had to admit that it was very good wine, but the bouquet held too much tobacco for her taste. It was like breathing in fumes from an exhaust pipe.

  When he stepped away after an eternity, she spat the lukewarm wine into the spittoon. Blah. She poured herself a cup of water from the communal jug and rinsed her mouth before chugging the rest of it down. Her nausea soon passed, and she moved on to the next wine on the tasting list.

  Landon hadn’t been exaggerating. They were only on their third winery, and Aubrey felt a bit warm, even though she’d been spitting out the wine. The stress and exhaustion of the last couple of months must’ve taken a physical toll on her. She was wiped out. It was awesome how generous the pours were, but her alcohol tolerance was nonexistent at the moment.

  “Ready?” Landon was by her side again.

  Aubrey gave him a closed-lipped smile and a nod, and he guided her outside with a hand on her back. She was light-headed and way too warm. Could she get tipsy from the wine residue left from her tastings? That didn’t make sense.

  By the fifth winery, she utilized the spittoon without restraint. She’d rather have Landon see her spit than give her mouth extra time to absorb the wine. When they were done with the tasting, the light pressure of his hand on her back said it was time to head to the next winery. She almost asked him to take her home, but she had too much work left to do.

  Something felt off when they stepped out of the tasting room. Why is it so bright? Aubrey squeezed her eyes shut. Forgetting her eyes were closed, she kept walking and then stumbled on some steps.

  “Whoa.” Landon caught her by the arm so she didn’t face-plant onto the sidewalk. She was mystified. Those steps came out of nowhere. “Are you okay?”

  “Just peachy. Thank you.”

  She lifted her foot to step down the last stair, but her foot hit the ground too soon. Aubrey repeated the motion a few more times with the same result. Her face scrunched up as she stared down at her feet in consternation.

  Oh. She was already at the bottom of the stairs. Aubrey giggled into her hands. She’d been toeing the ground like a horse scraping its hoof.

  Landon cupped her elbow and tugged her toward his car. He is so handsome. She sighed and smiled dreamily at him, waiting for his dimple to appear. She pouted when he didn’t deliver, and his brows knit together. His frowny face is scorching hot.

  “Should we call it quits, or do you want another go after lunch?”

  “There are more than two hundred wineries here, and you said you have meetings set up for the next couple days.” Aubrey gave Landon her sternest look. Well, she tried to give him a stern look, but he kept circling his head around and around. How is he even doing that? She couldn’t believe he was messing around at a time like this. This wasn’t a vacation. She was going to be on TV, for heaven’s sake.

  “I know you’re going to be on TV. I’m the one who asked you.” He was suspiciously placating.

  Wait. How does he know what I’m thinking?

  “Because you’re thinking out loud.”

  “I have to taste as many wines as possible today,” she said out loud since he could read her mind.

  “Your professionalism and dedication are admirable,” he murmured as he gingerly lowered her onto the passenger seat. She had no idea how they’d teleported to his car.

  Something about his droll comment made her think he was making fun of her, but the whole situation was so hilarious she burst out laughing again. He swiped his hand down his face.

  “Food and lots of water. That’s what you need.”

  * * *

  Aubrey avoided Landon’s eyes as she diligently worked on her flat iron steak. She hoped the protein would soak up the alcohol in her system. There couldn’t be much, but her spent systems thought it was enough to get her light-headed and goofy.

  She didn’t even know where they were. Landon had brought her to the restaurant while she’d dozed in the car, and by the time the fog of sleep cleared from her head, they were having lunch in a domed wine cellar. It was a lovely place. Cream-colored ceramic tiles covered the walls, and warm sconces of muted light surrounded their table.

  Landon had ordered the plat du jour—flat iron steak with chimichurri sauce and roasted fingerling potatoes—for the two of them. She bristled at his high-handedness but didn’t object because she’d been planning to order the same thing.

  The tender steak was perfectly marinated and cooked medium rare. The chimichurri sauce was fragrant and bright with fresh parsley, garlic, and exquisite local olive oil. Rosemary and garlic coated the roasted potatoes, which were crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. Aubrey tucked it all in with relish, gulping down tall glasses of ice water.

  “How’s the steak?” His expression was bland, but his lips wobbled suspiciously as he sipped his iced tea.

  “It’s delicious. Thank you,” she said primly.

  She couldn’t afford to be annoyed with Landon. Despite his insistence, she’d been too excited to eat a good breakfast and had nibbled on some toast instead. Thanks to her empty stomach and overworked body, the wine took a shortcut to her head and switched on her tipsy antics. She could see that Landon was dying to tease her about it, so she had to tread very lightly and not give him an opening.

  “Are you sure you want to do more tastings today?” he asked once their plates were cleared away.

  Aubrey narrowed her eyes at him but relented at the genuine concern on his face. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say I want to, but I really don’t have a choice. I can’t work on the recipes without the wine.”

  The food and water managed to clear up her head a great deal, but she hoped she found her wine soon. She wasn’t sure how many more wineries she could handle while maintaining any semblance of professionalism.

  “I could push back my meetings tomorrow.”

  “No, please don’t do that.” She swallowed her trepidation. “I’ll be fine.”

  Landon didn’t look convinced but dutifully chauffeured her to the next tasting room. Aubrey swished and spat her way through the rest of the wineries, powered by determination. Until the seventh winery of the day.

  “It’s our signature fortified wine,” said the server.

  “You mean port?” Aubrey asked.

  “It is port, but we can’t call it that anymore. Only port made in Portugal can use that designation now. What we have is fortified wine,” he said, pouring her a glass.

  “Like the whole champagne and sparkling wine thing.”

  “Exactly. Whatever we call it, go easy with it. It has a 22 percent alcohol content.” The friendly, knowledgeable server leaned across the bar and rested his forearm on the counter, studying her closely. “How many wineries have you visited today?”

  “This is my seventh.” Aubrey slurred the last word so it sounded more like my sieves. She didn’t even think it was the alcohol anymore. She was simply dead on her feet.

  “Wow. That’s quite an accomplishment.” He chuckled. “Your face is a bit flushed. Just remember that even if you spit out the wine, you’ll still absorb some of the alcohol.”

  “Tell me about it.” Aubrey pressed her hands against her cheeks. Her limbs were pleasantly heavy, and she felt toasty down to her toes. Shit.

  “Do you have a designated driver with you?”

  “I—”

  She didn’t get a chance to say I do, because Landon appeared out of nowhere and placed a strong arm around her shoulders. “Yes. She’ll be riding home with me.”

  Did he just? What the literal hell? They were business associates and maybe friends. Nothi
ng more. And yet, he’d just figuratively peed on her. Like I’m a fucking fire hydrant. She should be pissed. Furious. But she couldn’t even muster enough indignation to shrug his hand off.

  “Good.” The server straightened from the counter and shot Aubrey a rueful grin. “I don’t think she should be driving tonight.”

  Landon nodded at the other man and pulled Aubrey closer to his side. Instead of extracting herself, she snuggled against him. Business associates. Pfft. Friends, my ass. The weight of his arm wrapped her in a cocoon of security, and she wanted to savor the sensation. She’d been on her own for so long that she’d forgotten how it felt not to be alone. It felt good. Really good.

  “Have you tasted this yet?” Landon reached for her freshly poured port and breathed in its bouquet before taking a thoughtful sip.

  “Nuh-uh. How is it?”

  Aubrey accepted the glass from him and took a dainty sip, planning to spit it out like the rest. But no. She swallowed the nectar of the gods. It would’ve been a sin to waste the glorious wine. This is it.

  With its perfect blend of spice and vanilla notes, leading into a fresh mélange of berries, it was perfect for her strawberry shortcake. She could see Tara rolling her eyes. Wine snob. Aubrey smiled and inhaled the bouquet again and again, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.

  “This is wonderful.” She sighed. “This is it.”

  “Congratulations, Chef,” he said, grinning broadly.

  “Thank you.”

  “We’re done with today’s adventures, then?” He watched her flushed face warily.

  “Yes, please. As soon as I buy a couple bottles of this.”

  She hurried to the wine display and reached out for a bottle and then screeched to a hard stop. Yowza. The secret was out. They knew this stuff was gold and were charging accordingly. But this was the wine. Now that she’d tasted it, nothing else would do. Gulping in a fortifying breath, she reached for the bottle.

  “I got this,” Landon said, staying her hand. Aubrey opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “It’s for the show. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Okay.” Masking her relief, she “gave in” with a shrug. “As long as you can expense it.”

  “Of course.” He graced her with an arrogant sideways glance before humoring her. “I’ll be sure to submit a reimbursement form in the morning.”

  “Excellent.”

  She’d maxed out her good credit card in the last couple of months, and she would’ve had to use her highway robbery card for the fortified wine. The sound of her interest accumulating would’ve kept her up all night. Her second payment from the show would go straight to the contractors, but hopefully by the time she received her third payment she could pay off the card.

  But none of that mattered. Her head was humming with the fragrance of the fortified wine and the flavors of her dessert, and it was beautiful. Getting something just right felt so good. She couldn’t wipe the goofy grin off her face.

  The bottles purchased and carefully wrapped, Landon guided Aubrey to the parking lot, his hand on its customary spot in the curve of her back. Strange how perfectly it fit against her body, as though he’d molded her with his own hands and carved out a nook for just that purpose.

  Warmth spread through her faster than she could control. Confused and vulnerable, she quickened her steps to escape his touch. Landon matched her hurried steps but didn’t try to reclaim her back. When they stopped at his car, he reached around to open her door, and his chest nudged her shoulder. She shivered with awareness.

  “Cold?” Landon frowned. “Get inside. I’ll turn on the heater.”

  “Thank you.” But she just stood there like an idiot while he waited for her to sit down. Gah. Spurred on by embarrassment, she dove into the seat with the grace of an orangutan.

  Her mind raced like a hamster on its favorite wheel, making everything blurry. Aubrey closed her eyes so the world would stop spinning. Exhaustion blanketed the cacophony of emotions in her head, and her limbs grew heavy and limp. The car shifted softly as Landon settled into the driver’s seat, and then there was nothing.

  * * *

  Landon drove at a snail’s pace so he wouldn’t disturb his sleeping passenger. Aubrey was curled up like a child in her seat, her expression soft and peaceful. His chest clenched at the sight. She was so beautiful, it hurt to look at her. Yet he couldn’t stop staring.

  He’d reached for her again and again that night until he’d drifted off into an exhausted slumber. If he’d stayed up to watch her sleep, would he have let her walk away? No. The answer came unbidden, shocking him. A surge of possessiveness had taken over when he’d made love to her. In that moment, there had been no time—no past, no future. Only the two of them. He didn’t think beyond that. He couldn’t. And the next morning, she was gone.

  He’d convinced himself it was for the best. She’d been a fantasy—a mirage his starving soul had conjured. But here she was. Real, warm, and so damn close. Tightening his hands around the steering wheel, Landon stepped on the accelerator. He had to get her to the villa before his daydreams got out of hand.

  Dust clouds whirled on the dirt driveway when he screeched to a stop in front of the villa. He bolted out of his seat and nearly ripped the passenger door off its hinges. He was rock hard and aching. The exquisite torture had to end for his sanity’s sake.

  Despite the unceremonious way her door was jerked open and the way crisp night air rushed against her, Aubrey didn’t so much as twitch. She was out cold.

  Goddamn it.

  Landon hesitated for a second and then lifted her out of the car. With a soft sigh, Aubrey snuggled against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then she tucked her head against his shoulder, warming the side of his neck with her sweet, moist breath. His aroused body responded predictably to her proximity, and he felt dizzy with the desire flooding through him. He had to get her out of his arms as soon as humanly possible.

  When he reached the front door, he wanted to scream in frustration. How am I going to press the security code with Aubrey in my arms? Landon kicked the solid wood door. It made him feel marginally better, so he kicked it a couple more times. With some juggling and a lot of cursing, he finally got the door open.

  His breath was coming fast and short from a mixture of physical exertion and good old-fashioned lust. Completely oblivious to his struggles, Aubrey whimpered something in her dream and drew closer to him, bringing her lips to rest on the pounding pulse on his throat.

  “Fuck,” he groaned.

  Landon stomped to the staircase and climbed up steps two at a time. When he reached her room, he dropped her none too gently on the bed and then got the hell out, locking the door behind him for good measure.

  “God, help me.”

  He slid down to the floor with his back against Aubrey’s door, too weak to support his weight for another second. Landon drew his shaking hands through his hair and fought to get his breath back. His hands clenched and unclenched helplessly on his thighs, bereft of the soft body they had held a minute ago. His skin still burned where their bodies had touched. He’d hardly slept last night, much too aware only a single wall separated them. Now that he’d held her in his arms again, there would be no sleep for him tonight.

  When Lucien had thrown him under the bus, Landon convinced himself it wouldn’t be difficult to be roommates with the most tempting woman in the world. He wasn’t going to waste time finding a new place to stay, especially since he would be in and out of Bosque Verde on business. The villa was the most practical option. Simple and convenient.

  He was an arrogant, delusional jerk. It wasn’t convenience that kept him there. It was her. Call me a masochist, he thought, laughing without humor. Sharing the villa with her wasn’t difficult; it was nearly impossible. He couldn’t have her and it was killing him, but he’d be damned if he gave up a single minute with her.

  Landon dragged his hand down his face. Self-control was an art he’d mastered over the
years. He was a grown man with responsibilities, but he wanted Aubrey with a desperation that made him want to forget all that. But the day he allowed passion to rule his life would be the day he became selfish and weak. Like his old man.

  His mood grew dark knowing another sleepless night awaited him. Getting out of her room wasn’t enough. He had to get out of the villa. Making up his mind, Landon changed into his swimming trunks and headed out to the pool. Maybe he could exhaust himself enough to catch a couple hours of shut-eye.

  10

  Aubrey lifted her arms high above her head and twisted her torso as if she were wringing herself dry. The petal-soft sheets caressed her skin, and she luxuriated in the endless bed. Petal-soft sheets? Endless bed? Her twin-size bed had humble, three-hundred-thread-count sheets.

  She sat upright as her sleep-muddled mind grasped that she wasn’t in her bed. She wasn’t even home. She was in Bosque Verde. With Landon. Burying her hot face in her hands, Aubrey fell back into bed. Did he think I passed out drunk? What else could he think?

  People weren’t kidding. Stress really is your body’s worst enemy. Her stamina had dropped to nil in the last couple months. Her immune system was crap, too, if her recurring sore throat were any indication. She should take better care of herself. Comfort Zone wasn’t going to run itself when she went back.

  And how did I get to my room? Landon must’ve hauled her ass to bed, and she’d slept through it. Despite her embarrassment, goose bumps spread on her skin. He’d held her in his arms, pressing her against his hard, broad chest, and she couldn’t remember a stitch of it. What a waste of glorious skin to skin.

  Aubrey groaned and flipped onto her stomach. How am I going to face him tomorrow? It was catastrophically mortifying. What if she’d drooled in her stupor? Oh, God. Before her panic could reach its peak, an idea popped into her head. She would make it up to him and buy his silence by baking him her sweet buns. No matter how exasperated, annoyed, and/or angry he might be, Landon wouldn’t be able to stay that way after a taste of the delicious morsels. She clapped her hands together and grinned, unintentionally reenacting the scene where Sister Maria decides to sew play clothes for the von Trapp children out of old curtains.