“Seeing him didn’t make me want to go back to him. I’m not ready to be with anyone. For the first time, I want to find out who I am, who I can be without the past, and most importantly” —I lifted the wine glass and smiled— “who I am when I’m with you.”

“You’re magnificent, that’s who you are.”

Warmth filled my cheeks at his comment. Taking another sip of wine, I sighed. “I like this. It’s not too sweet or too dry.”

As we finished our meal, Van stood, taking the plates to the sink. For a moment, I sat and watched. My father was a modern-day man in his thoughts and actions, yet my parents had a live-in cook and maid. I’d never seen my father, or Skylar for that matter, scrape a plate and put it in a dishwasher.

“I can help,” I volunteered.

“I’m almost done.” Van turned toward me, his gaze warming me from the inside. “I told you that I’m not used to giving tours of my home. I’m also not used to having a beautiful woman here. If you want to go up to your suite, I understand. If you’re open to figuring out what after-hours means, I’d say we take the remaining wine out to the living room and talk.”

I looked down at my dress pants and blouse. I’d left the heels in the suite. “I feel overdressed.”

“You’re stunning.” He tugged on his flannel shirt. “Of course, I’d be willing to share.”

It was unbelievable how much I wanted that. I wanted to strip down to my bra and panties and settle in wearing Van’s shirt. I imagined the soft material and the scent of Van’s cologne. The thoughts alone beaded my nipples.

“I’d like to talk.”

“I’d like to do more than talk.”

13. Van

Van

Lifting the bottle of wine, I knew that I was losing my battle with myself. The restraint I’d exercised throughout the day disappeared with the sunlight. Much like the wolves that came and went from my property, I had my prey in my sights and any self-control I’d forced myself to exhibit waned with each passing second. My hunger was growing to the point of starvation, and it wasn’t food that I sought.

Julia walked beyond the sofa and fireplace to the windows and stared out toward the bay. “I can’t describe how I feel right now.” She spun toward me. “It’s new.”

I could stare at her for hours. Julia carried herself in a way that exhibited confidence and need at the same time. The dichotomy was fascinating. Her openness and honesty were inviting. It wasn’t simply her beauty and her youth; Julia had a presence that lured me toward her.

“Tell me.”