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Dereck chuckled at her anxious state. “Relax. My dad is a major shareholder. I used to play here as a kid.”
Alina’s chin dropped. “Your parents let you play in a barn filled with wine?”
“My parents didn’t let me do anything,” Dereck blurted. “They were too busy building their company.” He stopped and looked around as if reminiscing. “Dina and I used to run away from our nanny and come here. Mr. Crawford, the owner, let us eat all the grapes we wanted.”
“It must have been great,” Alina said, coming to stand next to him.
“It was,” Dereck’s eyes dropped to her neck right before he trailed it with kisses. “But this is even better.”
Alina giggled, resting her hand on his chest.
“You know,” Dereck said with a sly smile. “I wouldn’t mind adding one more fond memory to this place.”
Alina grew feverish and the spot where Dereck touched her became sensitive. “What kind of memory?”
“One involving you…” Dereck said.
As Alina unexpectedly found herself alone with Dereck in the wine barrel, the golden sunlight filtered through the narrow entrance, casting a warm glow on their faces. The rich aroma of aged oak and sweet grapes surrounded them, creating an intimate atmosphere within the confined space. Their eyes met, and a familiar fire ignited within, a reminder of the passion they had shared just the night before.
Dereck stepped closer, his breath warm against her skin, and tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. Alina hesitated for a moment; her heart unsure of where they stood.
"Dereck," she whispered, "are we...?"
He silenced her with a gentle finger on her lips. "Don't worry about that now, Alina. Just be here with me."
His words sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't resist the pull any longer. Their lips met in a passionate, hungered embrace, as if they were rediscovering each other all over again.
Alina's hands roamed Dereck's strong back, feeling the taut muscles beneath his shirt as she pulled him closer. His fingers traced the curve of her waist before exploring the small of her back, sending shivers down her spine.
He gently lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed her against the smooth, curved wall of the wine barrel. The world outside ceased to exist as they lost themselves in each other's embrace. Their kisses deepened, each one more urgent than the last.
Between tender caresses, Dereck whispered, "I've missed you, Alina."
"And I've missed you," she replied, her voice barely audible.
Whispers of love and longing filled the air as their bodies intertwined, moving in perfect harmony. The intensity of their passion was like a fine wine, growing richer and more intoxicating with each touch, each caress, each breathless moment.
As their lovemaking reached its peak, Alina looked into Dereck's eyes and murmured, "I can't imagine my life without you."
Dereck's eyes softened, and he gently brushed his thumb across her cheek. "Let's not think about that right now," he said. "Let's just enjoy this moment, together."
In that wine barrel, amidst the celebration just beyond its walls, they found solace and comfort in each other's presence, their love both familiar and intoxicating.
When it was over, Alina watched Dereck as he straightened himself, disguising their previous action, as thoughts of her earlier conversation with Taylor resurfaced.
“Dereck,” Alina said, wetting her lips before swallowing hard. “Maybe we should talk about us.”
Maybe Dereck heard her, maybe he didn’t. Alina couldn’t tell because at the same time he said, “We should head back now before they miss us,” and led the way out of the barn.
Alina stared blankly for a moment before she slowly followed his path.
20
Back at the bar, the crowd was bustling. Everyone was standing around busy conversing and getting drunk. There was a table packed with appetizers, but no one seemed to be interested. Dereck and Alina went to Taylor and his parents. Alina shamelessly tried to converse with the Johnsons as they ignored her. Every so often, Taylor would flash her a sympathetic look.
If it was anyone else, Alina would not have bothered, but if she wanted to officially reunite with Dereck, she had to at least get along with his parents, even though he often didn’t.
“Oh Dereck, your surprise is here,” his mother suddenly said, waving her hand frantically in the air.
