“Aha.” I grinned at her. “So dinner is just a bribe, huh?”

She batted her thick, dark lashes at me. “Maybe.”

“I don’t mind helping with the telescope. You don’t have to feed me.”

“I like feeding you. And I’ve seen your fridge. It’s sad.” She wrinkled her nose. “I bet you were just going to eat takeout for dinner, right?”

“You know me too well.”

“It’s also an excuse to be with you again.” Her cheeks went a little more pink and her lips curved into a soft, sexy smile. “I think I’ve got a crush on my teacher.”

Our eyes met, and the small room crackled with electricity. “Then come sit on his lap.”

She came toward me, laying her coat on the desk. I took her by the hips and pulled her onto my lap so she straddled my legs, her arms around my neck.

“If I come to dinner, can we sit like this at the table?” I asked, sliding my hands over her ass. My dick perked up at the unexpected proximity to its new favorite place.

She laughed. “No.”

I pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Then fuck dinner.” Then I moved my mouth down the warm curve of her neck. “Let’s go back to my house and get naked.”

“Mmm, that is very tempting. But I think I’d be missed.”

“Damn it.” I stroked her throat with my tongue, tasting her skin. “I suppose I could try to behave during dinner.”

“Does that mean you’ll come?” she asked hopefully.

I exhaled and sat up straight again, knowing there was no way I could say no to her. And I really didn’t mind helping her son with the telescope. “Okay. I’ll come.”

“Are you ready now? Or do you need more time to finish up?”

“I need about ten minutes to send a couple emails and get rid of my erection.”

Laughing, she got to her feet. “Then I better get off your lap. Chloe is still closing up the tasting room, so I’ll give her a hand. Meet me up there?”

“Perfect.”

She gave me one last smile and moved toward the doorway, where she stopped and stared at the door I’d had her up against last night. “I’m surprised this thing isn’t dented. I’ve got a bruise on my back, you know.”

“I’m sorry.”

Peeking back at me over one shoulder, she asked, “Are you really?”

Unable to suppress a grin, I shook my head. “No. But I’ll take it easier on you next time.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t you dare.”

* * *

When I came upstairs, Chloe and Sylvia were chatting as they placed freshly washed and dried tasting glasses back on the shelves behind the counter.

“Are you coming to the party tomorrow night, Henry?” Chloe asked.

“I was planning on it,” I answered, pulling my coat on.