“Whoa. Stop right there. No one is taking over from me. I said help. Like a partner.”
“Like I said-Marco.”
“Sorry, big brother. You’re the one. You’re the heir. Not just because you’re male, although that’s a big part of it, but also because you have the determination to make things happen. You have a lot to learn before you’ll be of any help to me. So you need to start now. You have responsibilities.”
He wanted to hit something or throw something. The barrels were too large and the desk behind him had been screwed down. He thought about tearing the intercom out of the wall, but what would that accomplish?
He glared at her. “It’s not going to happen,” he said, speaking slowly. “You can’t make me want this. I’m not interested in you, in them, in the winery. In any of it.”
“Is this why your marriage failed?” she asked softly. “Because you wouldn’t let anyone in?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” She rubbed her stomach. “We’re not leaving you, Joe. No matter how long you’re gone or how much you push us away. It’s been three years. What will it take for us to finally earn your trust?”
When he didn’t answer, Brenna shook her head and walked out without saying a word. Seconds later Darcy appeared. Her knowing expression only made the need to destroy something even stronger.
“Go away,” he growled.
“I wasn’t listening in,” she said. “You were yelling pretty loud until the end there. I’m guessing the whole back forty knows what you two were fighting about. Don’t you ever get tired of having the same argument over and over again?”
“Yes. They need to give it up.”
“Or you need to give in.”
He threw up his hands. “Perfect. You want to run my life, do you? It’s your fault it’s screwed up in the first place.”
“Oh, right. Because the sole purpose of the kidnapping was to mess up your career plans. I’m trying to help you here, you jackass. But you’re too stubborn to see the truth. You keep pushing them away, and they keep coming back.”
She moved closer. “You say the navy is your family, your life. But what do they care about you? You’re a rank and a number. Someone capable of doing a good job. There are a dozen guys who could take your place. Even now someone else is doing your job, and that’s what’s killing you. But this is different. This is your family. They love you. It’s specific and personal and you’re blowing it.”
He didn’t want to hear any of this. “Don’t call me a jackass.”
“Why not? You’re acting like one. You’re such a typical male, wanting to be defined by what you do. But you’re more than that.”
He moved close and considered shaking her. “You’re the most annoying woman I know.”
“Maybe, but I’m trying to help you. You should be grateful and offer me a small but tasteful gift. Flowers or chocolate.”
He grabbed her and pulled her close. But instead of shaking her, he lowered his head and kissed her.
She let herself sink into him as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“That works, too,” she whispered before kissing him back.
12
He let her get used to the feel of his hard body, his arms around her. He let her inhale the scent of him and melt in his heat. Only then did he lightly nip her lower lip.
He followed the shape of her mouth, tracing the line slowly, so slowly that she finally grabbed him by the back of his head and pulled him close.
Even as he swept inside her mouth, he chuckled. She felt the rumble low in his chest and smiled in return. They were good together, she thought hazily, right before the passion exploded.
The need came without warning. One second she’d been enjoying his kiss, the next she was desperate. Hunger claimed her. Large, powerful, and nearly out of control, it made her cling, reach, seek. She wanted him touching her everywhere, she wanted him naked and ready. Right here, right now.
“Joe,” she breathed, not sure what to say.
He raised his head slightly, and she saw the fire in his eyes. They stared at each other for two heartbeats, then fell together in a frenzy of wanting that left them both breathless.
He kissed her again, but this time he wasn’t kidding. He claimed her, stroking the inside of her mouth with a fervency that made her shake.
She closed her lips and sucked on his tongue. He groaned, then lowered his hands to her hips, where he pulled her against him. She went willingly, wanting to know he was aroused. Her belly brushed against his erection and her insides clenched.
She clung to him, even as she tried to pull at his T-shirt. Bare skin, she thought frantically. She needed bare skin.
He pulled back enough to press his mouth to her cheek, then her jaw. He moved down the side of her neck until he reached her collarbone. The warm, damp trail of kisses made her tremble. At the same time he reached for the front of her sleeveless blouse and began to work the buttons.
“Yes,” she whispered, giving up on his T-shirt and helping him get her undressed.
Even as they fumbled with tiny buttons and impossible fastenings, they kissed, noses bumping, lips missing. In the heat of the moment, perfection didn’t matter.
When her blouse was finally open, he reached for the front clasp of her black bra and opened it one-handed. She had a half second to be impressed with his technique before he bent down and claimed her left breast with his mouth.
The combination of hot, wet kisses, a sucking pressure, and her own building need nearly made her scream. She grabbed his head to hold him in place.
“Don’t stop,” she breathed. “Please, don’t stop.”
Ribbons of pleasure wove their way through her, circling around her breasts before heading to that growing ache between her legs. She felt herself swell and dampen. She wanted him inside her now. Right this second. She couldn’t wait-
He moved to her other breast and flicked his tongue against the tight nipple. She gasped her pleasure. He did it again, then straightened. Before she could protest, he replaced his mouth with his very skilled fingers and kissed her.
Oh, yeah, she thought as she circled his tongue with hers and sank into the pleasure. This was good. Better than good. It was amazing.
He dropped his hands to the waistband of her shorts and unfastened them. Somewhere along the way, she’d already kicked off her sandals.
“I want you,” he breathed into her ear. His breath was hot and tickled in the most erotic way possible. “I want you, Darcy. Hot, wet, and screaming when I make you come.”
Her eyes widened. No one had ever talked to her during sex before. She’d always found the event to be silent and fairly unsatisfying. It looked as if all that was about to change.
A shiver of anticipation rippled through her.
“I can’t promise to scream,” she whispered as he pushed down her shorts and panties.
He pulled back a little and stared at her. His eyes were the color of stormy midnight, his expression predatory. He was a man who wanted a woman and meant to have her. Thrill joined anticipation.
“Can you promise to come?” he asked as he slipped his hand between her thighs.
