Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“I want to.” She smiled, her eyes twinkling as they went to his dirt encrusted knees. “Though, next time, you don't have to trip to catch me.”

She tugged gently on his hand to start walking, but he didn't move. She cocked her head to the side for a moment.

“I'm having a lot of fun, Jace.” She bit her lip, which just made him want to kiss her. “I don't mean to be pushy. We can stay out here, go inside, get back on that stupid helicopter- I don't care. I just want to be with you.”

He'd heard those words before, but he'd never believed them. This time he did. He believed her with his whole heart. He didn't need to even look into her eyes to read the truth, his whole being could feel her honesty.

“We still have a wine tasting scheduled,” he said. “You think you can wait that long?”

“For you, I'd wait forever,” she said. She flushed immediately after the words left her mouth, putting the perfect rosy spots of color on her cheeks. Her innocence and honesty was refreshing. Who couldn't love this girl?

Love this girl? His brain stalled for a moment. The words were overused, yet they resonated within him. It's too soon for love, Jace told himself as they started walking, hand in hand, toward the main house. Yet, he couldn't deny how easily the words fit in his mind and that frightened him.

People didn't fall in love at first sight. That was for fairy tales and love songs, not for real life. He needed to take his time. That didn't mean that they couldn't enjoy the rest of the day, but he needed to not jump into things. Jumping into things without thinking was how he ended up with Rosalind. It was how his father ended up with wives three and four, and looking like it was going to be five soon.

No, despite how he felt, he needed to be cautious. He needed to think, not to feel. He wasn't going to make the same mistakes his father did.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The inside of the winery main house was deliciously cool after being out in the sun. Ella hadn't even noticed how warm it was until the air-conditioned air cooled her skin. She licked her lips, tasting salt. Whether it was from the heat or from running, she wasn't sure, but either way she was ready for something to drink.

Their tour guide came out from behind a large bar that dominated the center of the room and greeted them once again. “Welcome to the winery. Did you enjoy walking through the grapes?”

“Very much,” Jace answered for the both of them. “It was very relaxing.”

Ella struggled not to giggle. Relaxing wasn't exactly the word she would have used.

“Excellent.” Their hostess beamed. “I have everything set up for you in the private tasting room upstairs. If you'll follow me, please.”

“Private tasting room? I didn't even know they had one of those,” Ella said quietl

y to Jace as they followed their guide up a metal staircase.

“I told you, I rented the whole place out,” Jace replied. “Access to the private tasting room was a perk.”

Ella shook her head. It was hard to remember that Jace came from enormous wealth. He was so normal and down to earth that she kept forgetting he was worth well over a billion dollars. Working in the inn, she'd met several rich men. Every one of them had been flashy. The more money they had, the more they seemed to need to show it off.

Jace didn't. He used his wealth quietly. It was obviously there, as he had paid for his sister's wedding, the helicopter, this winery tour... but he wasn't showing off. Only in jest had he even mentioned his net worth, and it was for the sake of a joke, not to impress her.

Not that he needed the wealth. Sure, the private winery tour and helicopter were nice, but Ella found herself thinking of how much she just enjoyed spending time with him. A picnic by the lake of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sounded just as good. She didn't need the fancy helicopters.

The tour guide kept talking, cutting into Ella's thoughts. “And here is the private wine room.” The woman held open a wooden panel that blended in with the wall, leading to a comfortably sized room. Inside, there were several oak barrels as well as a small table, two chairs, and an overstuffed love-seat. Off to the side of the room was a bar filled with wine glasses. But it was the view that caught Ella's attention.

The window on the far wall looked out over the entire vineyard. Everything was green and blue for miles and miles. Shadows from the fluffy clouds chased one another across the green landscape, changing light to dark and back again while the leaves on the plants fluttered like a small ocean. It was completely mesmerizing.

“That view, huh?” the tour guide asked with a grin. “Anyway, I have opened seven bottles for you to enjoy and taste. Would you like me to help you with the tasting, or just leave them for your own personal enjoyment?”

Jace glanced at Ella, then back to the guide. “We'll do a private tour, if you don't mind.”

Ella struggled not to blush. She could only imagine what the tour guide must think. Ella couldn't look at her and instead looked out the window.

“Sounds good,” the guide said, smiling politely. “If you have any questions, there are cards next to the bottles describing each one. I'll just be downstairs if you need anything else. Enjoy your stay.”

With that, the woman turned back to the door and disappeared out into the hallway, leaving the two of them very much alone in the small room.

“Can I get you a drink, m'lady?” Jace asked, heading to the bar. “Would you prefer to try a white or a red first?”

“A white, I think...” Ella followed him and stared at the opened bottles. There really was seven of them, each with two glasses already prepared. “I don't think I can drink seven bottles worth, though.”