Risking the Vine (Romancing the Vine Book 1) by Gemma Brocato Page B

same thing. We were meant to be thrown together here.”
    “I don’t know that I believe in predestination, but it seems to be working in our favor this week.” Jac’s smoky laugh curled around his heart and tugged.
    Twisting on the bench seat toward her, Luke ran his left hand up her arm, over her shoulder and into her hair. Applying the slightest pressure, he pulled her forward to meet his lips.
    Pleasure burst through him when she opened her mouth. He stroked her tongue with his, tangling them together as he deepened the kiss. Her light touch on his chest inflamed him, making him want more. Even though his hands itched to test the weight and warmth of her breasts, he refrained from reaching for them. Instead, he settled for stroking his knuckles down her arms, allowing them to brush across the seductive slope. Her nipples hardened as he slipped his fingers over their crests.
    She moaned and pulled away from his marauding lips. “Luke, we really shouldn’t do this here. What if someone sees?”
    “I can’t seem to make myself stop.” He pressed his mouth to hers again.
    She eased back, but leaned her forehead to his, maintaining contact. Her dainty hands landed on his knees. “There will be other chances. We’ll be here all week.”
    He squeezed his eyes shut. Would a week be long enough? “We do live in the same town, so we can keep seeing each other, right?”
    Leaning away, desire mixed with resoluteness when she gazed at him. Jac searched his face before replying. “With things so up in the air for me, I’m not sure what my status will be in the next few weeks. I don’t . . . I don’t think we should plan too far in the future at this point. Who knows where I’ll land, and you said yourself you have a heavy workload. But we should make the most of our time here.”
    Realization stung like a wasp, swift and sharp. She wasn’t looking forward the way he was. He should be happy to have a no-strings attached relationship. But, dammit! He was certain he wanted more. At least more than she seemed willing to give. “I understand. But what if I don’t want just a quick fling? What if I want more?” His tone came across flat. And maybe a little cold.
    Her head jerked up and her stare snagged him. “I don’t know, Luke. I can’t make any commitment at this point. I’d like to enjoy our time here, but if all you want is a teammate, I can make that work too.”
    Shit! A work-only relationship wasn’t what he wanted. He could negotiate union agreements and complex financial service contracts without anything more than a pad of paper and a pencil. Navigating this situation was proving impossible. “If that’s what you want. For the record, I don’t see us only being a team as far as business is concerned.”
    Conflict flared in her expression, her brows drawing together, creating a cute dimple between them. She pressed her lips together as she scooted away from him and off the seat. “We should go in.”
    She stalked toward the building. Is she mad? Damned if he could understand why. Or drag his eyes away from the sexy sway of her hips as she crossed to the open door.
    Replaying the conversation they’d shared as they drove to the work area, Luke couldn’t identify exactly where he’d taken a wrong turn. But he most surely had. His footsteps lagged as he followed Jac into the barn.
    Hopefully this morning’s exercise would work wonders in putting them back on the same team.

Chapter 5
    What the hell was wrong with her? Jac had all but slapped the man away with her rising insecurities. Freaking Ted Fleury . Every time she allowed herself to anticipate any possible advancement, he jerked hard on the reins and slammed her back in her place. Knowing his pattern, the news shouldn’t have caught her so off guard today, but it had. Especially after coming through for the company and solving the problems created by the incompetent woman he’d just promoted. Anger churned in her gut.
    Luke had just followed