Page 57 of Taken Away

His eyes flicked toward her, then back to the road as the Range Rover eased away from the winery, one hand loose on the wheel.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “I’ve been having a similar problem.”

THIRTEEN

The Overlook

Distributor Dinner

The drive to The Overlook climbed higher into the mountains, the road cutting through rock walls and dense canopy. By the final switchback, the sky had gone electric cobalt.

Then The Overlook appeared.

The restaurant sat on the ridge in stone, heavy timber, and walls of glass, glowing warm against the Blue Ridge.

A valet jogged toward the Range Rover the second Bennett pulled beneath the timbered covered entrance. “Evening, Mr. McCrae.”

Bennett handed over the keys, rolled his shoulders inside his charcoal suit coat, and came around to open Aubrey’s door.

She stepped out slowly, her heels clicking against the stone as she took in the glowing restaurant and the firelight. Then she glanced back at the sleek SUV, then at Bennett.

Aubrey narrowed her eyes slightly. “You keep pretending you’re some guy in work boots.”

One corner of Bennett’s mouth lifted as he stepped into her space.

“Careful, Princess. You’re sounding disappointed.”

She rolled her eyes, smoothing the front of the dark green silk dress.

“Try to keep up.”

The patio wrapped around the south side of the restaurant, with flagstone pavers, black railings, and a massive stone fireplace throwing firelight across the dark.

Aubrey slowed her pace, her breath catching.

Bennett glanced over, his eyes tracing the line of her profile, lingering on the exposed skin of her bare shoulders. “What?”

She shook her head slightly, the cool ridge air brushing the bare skin at the nape of her neck. “Nothing. It’s just… nice.”

“You can come out here after dinner.”

“You say that like you assume I’m staying.”

“I say that like you inherited a winery and a mountain.”

“I hate when you’re smug.”

“No, you don’t.”

Before she could argue, the heavy oak doors swung open, the maître d’ greeting him by name.

Inside, The Overlook was white tablecloths, low lighting, and polished wood. Blackwood wine sat on almost every surface.

“Told you we were a real business.”

“Don’t ruin the moment.”

He gave her a sideways look, his eyes dark under the room’s lighting. “You’re having a moment?”