Yours Completely(52)

Chapter Twenty-Two


The inside of the winery main house was deliciously cool after being out in the sun. Ella hadn't even noticed how warm it was until the air-conditioned air cooled her skin. She licked her lips, tasting salt. Whether it was from the heat or from running, she wasn't sure, but either way she was ready for something to drink.

Their tour guide came out from behind a large bar that dominated the center of the room and greeted them once again. “Welcome to the winery. Did you enjoy walking through the grapes?”

“Very much,” Jace answered for the both of them. “It was very relaxing.”

Ella struggled not to giggle. Relaxing wasn't exactly the word she would have used.

“Excellent.” Their hostess beamed. “I have everything set up for you in the private tasting room upstairs. If you'll follow me, please.”

“Private tasting room? I didn't even know they had one of those,” Ella said quietly to Jace as they followed their guide up a metal staircase.

“I told you, I rented the whole place out,” Jace replied. “Access to the private tasting room was a perk.”

Ella shook her head. It was hard to remember that Jace came from enormous wealth. He was so normal and down to earth that she kept forgetting he was worth well over a billion dollars. Working in the inn, she'd met several rich men. Every one of them had been flashy. The more money they had, the more they seemed to need to show it off.

Jace didn't. He used his wealth quietly. It was obviously there, as he had paid for his sister's wedding, the helicopter, this winery tour... but he wasn't showing off. Only in jest had he even mentioned his net worth, and it was for the sake of a joke, not to impress her.

Not that he needed the wealth. Sure, the private winery tour and helicopter were nice, but Ella found herself thinking of how much she just enjoyed spending time with him. A picnic by the lake of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sounded just as good. She didn't need the fancy helicopters.

The tour guide kept talking, cutting into Ella's thoughts. “And here is the private wine room.” The woman held open a wooden panel that blended in with the wall, leading to a comfortably sized room. Inside, there were several oak barrels as well as a small table, two chairs, and an overstuffed love-seat. Off to the side of the room was a bar filled with wine glasses. But it was the view that caught Ella's attention.

The window on the far wall looked out over the entire vineyard. Everything was green and blue for miles and miles. Shadows from the fluffy clouds chased one another across the green landscape, changing light to dark and back again while the leaves on the plants fluttered like a small ocean. It was completely mesmerizing.

“That view, huh?” the tour guide asked with a grin. “Anyway, I have opened seven bottles for you to enjoy and taste. Would you like me to help you with the tasting, or just leave them for your own personal enjoyment?”

Jace glanced at Ella, then back to the guide. “We'll do a private tour, if you don't mind.”

Ella struggled not to blush. She could only imagine what the tour guide must think. Ella couldn't look at her and instead looked out the window.

“Sounds good,” the guide said, smiling politely. “If you have any questions, there are cards next to the bottles describing each one. I'll just be downstairs if you need anything else. Enjoy your stay.”

With that, the woman turned back to the door and disappeared out into the hallway, leaving the two of them very much alone in the small room.

“Can I get you a drink, m'lady?” Jace asked, heading to the bar. “Would you prefer to try a white or a red first?”

“A white, I think...” Ella followed him and stared at the opened bottles. There really was seven of them, each with two glasses already prepared. “I don't think I can drink seven bottles worth, though.”

“Darn,” Jace said, shaking his head. “How else am I supposed to get you to like me?”

Ella giggled and bumped her shoulder into his. It still amazed her how comfortable she felt around him. “You didn't even need a single one.”

“Which of my amazing charms impressed you most?” Jace asked, carefully pouring them each a small glass of white wine.

Ella spun the glass, smelling the sweet scent of the wine before tasting it for the first time. “I think it was your laugh.”

“My laugh?” Jace's eyebrows went up. The answer obviously wasn't what he was expecting.

Ella nodded. “You have a great laugh. You throw your head back and your whole body shakes with it. It's hard not to like you after that.”

“My laugh, huh?” Jace smiled slowly, his eyes on his wine as he considered her words. He held up his glass. “Cheers to that, then.”