Discovering Pleasure by Marie Haynes Page B

evidence of the dishes from last night and remembered that he hadn’t given her a chance to clean up after dinner. Enjoying the view of her ass cheeks peeking out from below the short white robe she wore, Nathan finished his first cup and was going for his second when she placed a plate full of food in front of him.
    “Here you go. It’s not fancy, but it should be edible,” she said.
    “Looks great,” he assured her as he dug into the pile of eggs. “Aren’t you eating?”
    “I had some yogurt and fruit earlier. You enjoy,” she assured him, refilling his cup and taking a seat at the table.
    Nathan paused a moment. Earlier? Christ, didn’t the woman sleep?
    “I’ve got some news for you that I meant to tell you before now, but last night…well, I got a bit distracted when you jumped my bones,” he began.
    “Me? I think you’re the one who started things going,” she retorted, grinning.
    “Whatever,” he admitted. “Anyway, next week you and me, Joe and Vince are all going on a little trip to Southern Illinois. We’ll check out various wineries—one in particular—using the excuse that Vince wants to add some local Illinois and Missouri wines to his menu…which isn’t a lie. He really has been considering adding wines to his stock.”
    Nathan eyed Rose carefully, noticing how she sat up a bit straighter and looked down into her tea cup.
    “Okay,” she answered quietly.
    “That way we can get a better idea of what we’d be walking into before making actual introductions. Of course, you have veto power at any time, love,” he promised her.
    Rose didn’t answer immediately and Nathan was more than willing to give her all the time she needed. He’d never known her to make any important decisions on the spur of the moment. Hell, last time he’d taken her out to dinner, she took fifteen minutes to decide on an entrée and wine and then only after quizzing the poor waiter over ingredients and vintages. He had to admit, the food and wine had complemented each other perfectly. The woman may be only a mediocre cook, but she knew and enjoyed good food.
    “I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “When do we leave?”

Chapter Nine

    Chambourcin — Produced from Illinois-grown grapes, this wine has a rustic wildness reminiscent of autumn nights and campfires beneath the stars.

    Rose looked out of the back window of Vincent’s Jeep and marvelled at the rustic beauty of Southern Illinois. Tall trees stood sentinel on either side of the winding road and dappled diamonds of sunlight highlighted the wildflowers in the undergrowth. Rose loved the yellow petals of the Black-Eyed Susans, the white Queen Anne’s lace, and even the statuesque purple beauty of thorny thistles. Few people realised the loveliness of this part of the country.
    “So tell me about this place where we’re staying,” Joe asked her.
    The two men were in the front seat listening to a Cardinals game on the radio and the girls were in the back enjoying the scenery.
    “Well, Giant City’s lodge was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The area became a state park about that time as well. We’re staying in the cabins, which offer more privacy than a hotel but have all the modern conveniences. Plus, the lodge has a fabulous family-style restaurant. I absolutely adore their fried catfish and dumplings,” Rose explained. She’d been to the cabins with girlfriends a few times and had even stayed at the campground once. She’d found the cabins clean and simple but had hated the camping. Lots of bugs, a three-minute walk to the shower house, where spiders clung to the corners and there was dirt everywhere. She liked hiking and gardening and other outdoor activities, but when it came to sleeping and bathing, she wanted to be sure everything was clean. No, she was much happier in a cabin…even if she had packed her own sheets and a bottle of her rosemary disinfectant so she could spritz off the tub…
    Okay, so maybe