Reading Online Novel

Control Me(4)



As a young teenager, growing up together in the Barossa, I remembered seeing some tattoos on his arms and shoulders. I used to ‘spy’ on him when he would oversee and work in the vineyards; I was always trying to get a good old perve and try to get a better look at that hot body. Unfortunately, I’d only get a few stolen glimpses because I was always shit-scared of getting too close to him, in case of being caught staring. In fact, I was pretty sure I actually did get caught a few times, but he never said anything.

Throughout my teenage years, Max Brunetti completely ignored me. Every time I would visit my best friend Mia at the Brunetti Estate for a girlie get-together, he was cold and oblivious to my presence. Or even when the both of us were doing our homework, he would just glare at me with those piercing brown eyes and stare down at me. Honestly, he made me feel like some sort of geek.

His stare alone sent shivers down my spine.

Was I still infatuated with Max Brunetti? Jesus, what woman in her right mind would lust after a man who would only glare at them with such intense scrutiny? God, I must be pathetic!

As I looked up at the podium, I saw Max unfold his paper to give his speech to the anticipating crowd. All the women were drooling over him and flocked to the front, gaping at him. I did myself proud by standing exactly where I was.

I noticed he was staring at me, just as he was about to be introduced by the Mayor. It was the same glacial stare he had always given me in the past but this time, I didn’t look away.

I stared back.

I knew what I had to do in order to save my failing family empire; after all, it was my fault. Both my parents were such good people. I didn’t understand why my father didn’t just swallow his pride and ask the Brunetti’s to help him out; they’d been friends for years. But my father was stubborn. He wanted the Sinclair Winery to still be in the Sinclair family, owned and operated by a Sinclair.



Maybe I could help my father look for that investor he was searching for all these months; an investor who would allow him to still run the winery and keep the family business in the family. Maybe, just maybe my idea would work. Max Brunetti smirked at me from the podium, almost as if he knew what I was thinking. Max Brunetti was everything I shouldn’t want.





CHAPTER THREE


JADA

It was the morning after the Annual Barossa Festival Charity Ball, and I felt like shit; it was as if I’d swallowed sheets of sandpaper. Not that I drank that much; I just don’t think I can handle my alcohol very well anymore. My drinking days are numbered. Last night, after a few, well, several glasses of wine, I was already beginning to feel tipsy, and now I’m paying the price. I was feeling heavy-headed and lethargic. With my arms folded over my head and covering my eyes, I lay there contemplating what to do for the day. I needed to get up and do something.

Yet, I still didn’t move. I was enjoying the freedom of doing absolutely nothing, which was something I hadn’t done in a very long time. From the first moment I opened my eyes that morning, I felt like I was a new person as well as living back home where I felt safe.

The sun streamed into my bedroom, and I could hear the birds singing outside. Peace. How long had that been?

It was such a glorious day in the Barossa Valley, and I contemplated on what to do. Maybe I can begin my first day back home with a quiet morning, relaxing by the pool. I sauntered off to my luggage that was still half-opened with clothes strewn all over the place. I sifted through my Gucci suitcase and quickly pulled out my ever-faithful black bikini. Seeming as I only arrived yesterday afternoon, I still hadn’t had time to unpack.

Pulling my thick, blonde hair into a ponytail, I quickly grabbed a towel, my iPad and sunglasses. Making my way downstairs, I headed out toward the pool, hoping I wasn’t too late to have breakfast with my parents.

Initially, I wanted to head over to see my best friend Mia, but she wasn’t due back until the next morning. Actually, I was thinking I could kill two birds with one stone, at the same time paying Max Brunetti a visit, and see if he could somehow help me out with Daddy’s situation. If anyone could help Daddy save the winery, it was the Brunetti’s. Maybe I was being a chicken at confronting Max, but seeing as Mia wasn’t due back home until Monday, I could wait one more day.

It wasn’t until I stepped outside onto the patio that the hot wave of heat hit my face like a thick, wet blanket. If it was this bad now, it would only get worse by this afternoon. I was obviously forgetting how hot it could get up here in the Barossa, especially in the month of January. A hot summer in the Valley, with all the tourists, bus tours and day trips was what the Barossa was famous for; people would travel from everywhere to explore this amazing place. It used to be my most favourite part of growing up here and meeting all the wonderful people who came to visit the surrounding wineries, including the Sinclair Winery.