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A man in a suit with the top buttons of his white shirt unbuttoned like he’d just left a bachelor party sauntered up to them. “You two look thirsty.” He flicked a hand and a server rushed over.
“Try this. It’s my favorite in the cellar.” He smiled widely at Bronte as she accepted a glass.
“I can see how people get tipsy at these tastings.” She brought it to her lips but paused to follow Jace’s lead.
He buried his nose in the glass and inhaled. “Cabernet Sauvignon?”
The man’s smile spread. He nodded.
Jace swirled the contents of the glass, and Bronte did the same, trying not to slosh the liquid over the sides and all over her dress. The events her parents dragged her to as a kid, she was served ginger ale, not wine or champagne. And the occasional glass with dinner didn’t make her someone who appreciated it the way these other CEOs seemed to.
Jace lifted his nose from the glass. “Raspberry. And do I detect green peppercorn?”
The man nodded with enthusiasm.
Bronte blinked. First Jace could speak Japanese, and now he spoke wine too?
“Nutty too. Aged in oak.”
The man reached out and clapped Jace on the shoulder. “I’m glad someone here has the nose to appreciate it. Enjoy, my friend.” He walked off to the next group.
“I take it he works for the winery,” she said quietly before taking a sip. The richness swirled in her head. Now this one she could get tipsy on.
“Sounds that way.” Jace sipped but she noticed he only allowed a tiny amount in his mouth before lowering the glass. He wouldn’t risk being impaired when on duty. His eyes roved around the room as he scoped out any danger.
Then his eyes landed on her.
His stare traveled over her lips on the rim of the glass and down to her hand.
“Damn! I forgot. Come with me.” He set down his glass, took her elbow and led her to a private corner.
“Why do I always feel like you’re pushing me like a vacuum cleaner, Jace?”
He made a noise in his throat and dug into his pants pocket, coming out with some small object pinched between his fingers.
“Hold out your hand.”
“What?”
“Just do it.”
She bristled with annoyance. “Mr. Bossy. Fine.” She held out her right hand.
“The left one.”
Her brows pinched together, but she transferred her glass to the other hand and extended it toward Jace.
His warm fingers clasped around hers. When he slipped something onto her ring finger, she snatched her hand back. Or tried to—he held it tight.
Their stares locked in a battle of wills. “What are youdoing?” she asked in a furious whisper.
“Making us look legit.” He shoved the object to the base of her finger.
She jerked her hand up in front of her face and gaped at the diamond ring he’d placed there. “Oh my god! You did not just put a ring on me!”
“Keep your voice down.” He slanted a look toward the rest of the group at the tasting. “And yes, I did. We need to look authentic.”
She stared at the multifaceted center stone with several tiny ones stretching across the band to either side. “Is this…real?”
