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“Yes. But when I already know what’s best, why waste time?”
The man was insufferable. But now, she reminded herself as she bit down on her tongue, was not the time to take him to task over his rudeness. Not when she was essentially being interviewed for the position of director.
“I would say collaboration,” she said.
Adrian arched that irksome brow. Never had she seen someone convey so much emotion with an eyebrow.
“Collaboration?” he repeated.
“Yes. My thought for the party. Unity, teamwork, partnership—whatever you want to call it.” Her mind raced ahead of her, all the puzzle pieces falling into place as she envisioned the event. “Invite employees and our biggest clients, the owners of restaurants, grocery chains, et cetera. Create a social media build-up the week before the party. Publish joint statements from my father, myself, you...the new director.” She shot him a look, but his face remained passive. “Feature both Cabrera and Fox wines and use the event to announce the next new wine for Fox—the first official release after Fox becomes part of Cabrera.”
Pride burned bright in her chest. There were so many details that had to be worked out, but it was an excellent beginning. It was the perfect blend of what Fox Vineyards was and what they could be moving forward.
“Hmm...”
She bit down even harder on her tongue.Hmm? That was it?
“It has potential,” he said.
“Potential?”
“Yes, potential.”
Their waiter reappeared before her temper got the better of her. He set a steaming bowl of paella in front of her. Shrimp, mussels and chicken topped a bed of onions, tomatoes, green peas, bell peppers and rice, all of it covered in an olive oil sauce mixed with parsley, lemon juice and garlic.
She picked up her fork and took a bite. The hearty flavor of the shrimp with the crisp, sweet freshness of the peppers hit her tongue. She closed her eyes and let out a small moan. “This is heaven.”
She opened her eyes and nearly choked. Adrian’s gaze was fixed on her lips, and his eyes were blazing with a heat that sent her heart thundering. She swallowed hard and reached for her water glass to cool the lustful fire burning its way across her skin.
“Um...good choice.”
Adrian blinked and the expression was gone.
How did he do that? Suppress any emotion as if it was nothing while her own were wildly out of control?
Before she could ruminate on that concerning thought, the strains of a guitar came over the courtyard. Three musicians had set up by the fountain. A woman in a red dress with a rose perched in her black curls stepped up to a microphone and began speaking in Spanish.
“A local Spanish band,” Adrian explained. “They perform around Granada. She’s encouraging the audience to embrace the spring weather and dance.”
The singer smiled coyly, issued a command to her band and dove into a sultry but lively tune. Several guests stood and began to dance in the space around the fountain.
Everleigh smiled. No matter what happened in the weeks to come, she would savor this memory of couples dancing across the stone patio beneath a blanket of stars.
Adrian’s phone rang. He glanced down at the screen and frowned. “My apologies. I must take this.”
Before she could comment, he stood and moved away, his phone pressed to his ear. Did the man ever stop working? He hadn’t relaxed since the moment she’d met him.
A young man with a confident smile flashing white under his beard approached her.“Me concedes este baile?”
Everleigh smiled back.“No comprende.”
“Would you dance with me?”
She paused. Would it be rude to dance with another man when Adrian was treating her to this incredible dinner? But, he’d had made it clear this was a business dinner and, that steamy kiss in the cellar aside, he had no interest in anything other than using her expertise and knowledge to ensure a smooth transition.
“I’d love to.”
The man led her out to where the other couples danced and swept her into a lively version of what she assumed was a tango. He led her around the courtyard, occasionally twirling her out, only to bring her back against him, his hand resting on her lower back as he smiled.
