Will he give her the confidence she needs to further her career? Or will he spoil all her hard work? Samaire Grainger values her privacy and is determined to be the best at her job. But with a high-profile job opportunity on the line, she must go from the girl in the corner, the squeaky-clean wallflower, to a party girl, a heartbreaker, in just one week. To do that, she needs the help of Dominic Weston, her favorite client… and secret crush. He’s sexy, a notorious bachelor, and just the right bad boy to destroy this good girl’s reputation. Only Samaire didn’t count on Dominic’s spontaneous streak, or that his brand of improvising could turn their strictly professional relationship into something intensely personal… and incredibly hot. Now Samaire has to trust him with her future, her body, and her deepest secrets. And hope that by week’s end, she’ll have Dominic out of her system without breaking her heart in the process…
View MoreSamaire Grainger’s hands kept shaking while her chest tightened with anticipation as she turned her car into the parking lot. She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the rear-view mirror.
“You stop it, Sam… Keep your mind on what’s important! Focus!” she muttered, trying to motivate herself. “Besides, he’s your best friend’s brother. He is only a client and nothing more.”
Well, her brain was saying that, but her body wasn’t listening to a word. It never did when Dominic Weston was involved. Dom, the town’s golden boy now operated his family’s wine bar and tasting room. He was also the star of her wildest fantasies… and her wicked thoughts had become more frequent since they’d started working together.
It was getting embarrassing. The one fantasy that kept replaying in her head was inconveniently set in his office, since, in the beginning, they were spending a lot of time there.
During more than one of their meetings, Samaire’s mind had drifted and she had imagined sweeping her arm across his desk and tossing everything to the floor. She would then lay Dom on the desk and rip open his shirt before she licked a path down his rock-hard abs.
He, of course, would then not be able to keep his hands off her. It was her fantasy, after all… In her dream, the man was overwhelmed with desire and stripped her bare before she straddled his hips and rode him hard.
Yet, somehow, the fantasy ended with her bent over the desk as he took her from behind, the piece of furniture creaking in protest from his powerful thrusts and Samaire encouraging him with delighted moans.
That was one of her tamer fantasies, but it kept looping in her head every time she visited him at work. It was worse when they actually met in his office. Last week, Samaire had been in there with him for a brainstorming session and she’d gotten so caught up in the fantasy that she actually pushed a pile of folders off his desk.
Samaire felt her face turn red at the memory. After that, she’d made a point of meeting away from his office. Still, her pulse skipped when she saw the sign for ‘Cedar Creek Wine Cellars’.
‘Okay, Sam… Stay focused. No more fantasizing about Dom and his bare chest, hard abs… Stop that immediately!’ she reminded herself fiercely as she parked her car.
She grabbed her bag and hopped out of her car. Realizing that she was a little too eager to see Dominic again, Samaire stumbled to a stop and took a deep breath. The September air held the scent of turning leaves and chimney smoke.
The familiar aroma of fall did nothing to calm her. If anything, it made her think of Dominic sprawled on top of her next to a roaring fireplace.
‘Really? Are you doing this right now? Girl, what the hell! Be professional!’
Samaire pulled her blazer closer to ward off the breeze and looked out into the distance at the snowy cap of Mount Winbourg. The wine bar had a great view and location, but so did all the other tasting rooms that sat side by side on the curving street at the edge of town. At the moment SUVs and sports cars zoomed by, but in the evening, there would be groups of wine enthusiasts walking from one tasting room to the next.
She frowned when she noticed yet another winery shop had opened up across the street. She recognized the name and shook her head. So unprofessional… and wrong on so many levels. No wonder Dominic had asked her to drop by.
Tasting rooms were a big business and she was Dom’s secret weapon. As she strode to the entrance of ‘Cedar Creek’, Samaire spotted a few of her neighbors sitting on the patio and enjoying the wonderful sunshine. She waved and they saluted her with their wine glasses.
As she walked past them, she heard one of the women ask the others, ‘Who’s that girl?’ Samaire sighed as weariness settled in her chest but she didn’t turn around. She was used to that lukewarm reception. It was the disadvantage of always flying under the radar.
Even if that question stung a little, Samaire kept walking so she didn’t have to hear how the others would answer. From experience she already knew: they’d say she looked familiar but none of them would be able to place her. She’s going to be ‘this girl’ or ‘that girl’… but never Samaire Grainger.
Which should make her happy… Samaire had cultivated her anonymity since high school. She’d grown up in the small and rural town of Bellmare but her former classmates would be hard-pressed to describe her as anything other than ‘pleasant’ and ‘just a good girl’.
Samaire was good at marketing her clients and one day she would work on marketing herself. But for now, it was better if she worked in the shadows and behind the scenes. It was safer for someone like her. No one looked at her too closely or sensed the tension that resided in her every moment. She had hidden it well.
She stepped across the threshold of ‘Cedar Creek Wine Cellars’ and was immediately aware of the casual and lively energy. The dark wood floors and red walls seemed almost too modern for the sleepy town.
The wine bar was on the first floor and a large spiral staircase that wrapped around a huge wine rack led customers upstairs to the tasting rooms. There were windows everywhere, offering magnificent views of Cedar Creek and evergreen forests.
Instead of being stuffy and pretentious as some wine bars could be, Samaire found ‘Cedar Creek Wine Cellars’ warm and welcoming. There were a few customers sitting at the dark wooden tables, enjoying the start of happy hour.
Samaire saw Dominic walk out of the kitchen with a tray of appetizers. Her breath hitched in her throat as she studied him. Dominic Weston was tall and muscular... and dangerously handsome.
She noticed how perfectly his button-down shirt hung from his solid shoulders and laid against his broad chest. Samaire bit her lip as her gaze traveled down his flat abdomen to take in the way his faded jeans clung to his thighs.
The man had been handsome and athletic in school but now, at twenty-eight years old, he was in his prime. Samaire dragged her gaze back up to his face. It was risky… sometimes she couldn’t stop staring at him. She knew every line and angle of his blunt cheekbones, square jaw, and slightly crooked nose. Today she noticed he needed to cut his dark brown hair.
He usually kept it short because he didn’t like how it curled. He spoke to a small group of elderly women who were enjoying a day out. She couldn’t hear what Dom said but Samaire caught snatches of his deep, melodic voice.
From the mesmerized attention the other women showed, Samaire realized she wasn’t the only one who could listen to him all day. The left corner of his mouth tilted up and then he smiled.
‘Oh, sweet Jesus… have mercy on me… I’m hanging by a thread here…’ she thought and sighed slowly, soaking up that brilliant smile.
Dom was a charmer… a flirt. He knew how to tease gently and how to work that smile. Samaire thought it would be so amazing to see it every day and, especially every night.
He must have felt her gaze because he suddenly looked in her direction. Samaire tried to give a cool nod as she watched his bright blue eyes light up. Her heart thumped hard against her rib cage, but she wasn’t dumb enough to read anything into his reaction. Dominic was just… a friendly guy when it comes to her. Yep, she was deep into the friendzone…
“Sam!”
Dom motioned for her to meet him at the bar near the staircase. There were times when he didn’t use to welcome her so warmly, she remembered. Samaire had been the annoying friend of his little sister who was always at his family’s home growing up. He was only two years older but there had been times when it felt as if he had been a world away and just as far out of her league as he was now.
“Okay, Dom,” Samaire said as she sat down on a barstool and placed her bag on the seat next to her. “I came as quickly as I could. What’s the emergency?”
“Have a drink first!”
He stood on the other side of the bar and rested his arms on top of the counter.
“Chardonnay, right?”
Samaire was surprised that he remembered her favorite drink from his family’s boutique winery. The wine bar had many loyal customers but she was usually here to discuss projects and rarely indulged in a glass.
“No, thanks. I have to drive later… Now, what’s going on?”
“Listen, I decided to have a party for our reserve label next weekend. Everyone is invited. Not just the wine club.”
Dominic gestured with his hands as he pictured his idea.
“We have to promote it big.”
“Another event? Next weekend? Are you sure?” Samaire asked cautiously.
She should keep her mouth shut. Dominic was her best client. She needed all the work she could get but this was getting out of hand. Dominic was always optimistic. Too optimistic for her taste. But then, the guy never failed. Every project he started, every idea that came into his head, was golden.
“Yes, I am. I was thinking… Next Friday. It’ll be fine.”
Dominic gave another lopsided smile that made her forget to breathe.
“Yay! Who doesn’t love a party?”
‘Yours truly… Samaire Grainger… the quintessential wallflower.’
But no one had ever accused Dominic of being one of those. He knew how to throw a party and these events showcased his strengths. Who was she to say anything?
“Think you can handle the short notice?” Dominic asked.
Tension squeezed her chest as she considered the amount of work she had to accomplish for her other clients during the week. But to suggest she couldn’t handle the party would be admitting defeat.
“Oh, of course. Piece of cake!” she said with a weak smile.
Samaire watched him tap his fingers on the bar. The man had a restless, almost insatiable energy. Some people found it exhausting. She found it exhilarating. She wished some of it would rub off on her.
She had learned from experience that nothing would temper his enthusiasm for his latest project. He couldn’t be bothered with schedules and budgets. Still, Samaire felt compelled to remind him of the potential problems.
“Your events calendar is already packed.”
“I know! Isn’t it great?” Dominic asked. “Business has really picked up since we’ve been focused on our social media. Thank you so much!”
Samaire ducked her head as her face warmed from the compliment. It felt good to be recognized for her work.
“You’re very welcome,” she said gruffly.
“Hold on, Sam, I’m being called to the kitchen,” he said and walked around the bar. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Dominic pulled out of the parking spot but stopped when he heard a bang on the back of the car.“Dom! Wait! Don’t go!” ‘She was there… Samaire came to him…’ He got out in a second. Her hair was free from the knot and was getting wet and she squinted as the rain hit her face. The bag dangled from her shoulder, and Samaire took deep breaths as if she had sprinted from the coffee shop.“Please…” she added almost whispering.“My darling…” Dominic exclaimed.“I don’t want you to stay away…”“Are you sure?“Yes…”“Look, I know you don’t need my protection,” he said in a rush. “Lena always complains about how overprotective I am. I guess it’s because I was the big brother and I had to show her the way. Once you and my sister became friends, that protection covered you, as well. I don’t know how to stop trying to look out for you, Sam… It’s how I take care of the people I love.”“I don’t want you to stop, Dom,” Samaire said as her expression softened. “But I also
‘Everything we shared was fake.’ Two weeks later, Samaire’s words still haunted Dominic. She had said some other things that had stung but that statement bothered him the most. If what they’d had was fake, he wouldn’t feel this depressed and alone. He would sleep at night and function through the day. If what they had wasn’t real, then why did he feel as if he’d lost something special? Dominic slowly got out of his car and bent his head to ward off the cold and misty rain. He strode to the small coffee shop where he knew Samaire was waiting for her friend Deanna. He wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to confront her in public. Samaire didn’t like surprises and she withdrew into herself when she was cornered. She was going to hate what he was about to do but he had tried to reach her for weeks. Samaire was avoiding him... she was hiding from him. Dominic’s stomach turned at the thought. Hiding because of him. Samaire had just begun to step off the
Samaire’s hands shook as she tried to unlock her car door. A howling pain raged inside her, ready to tear free. She had to lock down the bitterness and the dark, swirling emotions. She was just a hook-up for him? A quickie? Someone to bang and left on the side of the road? Her heart was in pieces and she needed to get out of the parking lot… Of the city, for that matter. “Leaving town? Really? That’s your solution… That’s the best you can do? Damn it, Samaire!” she scowled herself. “You knew the fling was a bad idea, and you did it anyway. You knew you’d get your heart broken… Well, congratulations! You are in love with the man who broke your heart forever!” Okay, running away wasn’t a solution but she won’t stay there and show him or the world how much the words he said to Brian Connolly had hurt her or how she thought she had meant something to him. Giving no reaction had been her only defense for years and it came automatically to her.“Sam! Where ar
There weren’t enough words to describe Samaire. He could only choose a few… Intense. Wild. Serious. Beautiful. Strong. Wonderful. Loving. Determined. Sexy. Perfect. But the list could go on and on. He would sing Samaire’s praises but there were many things he didn’t want to share with Brian. He knew the douchebag would not appreciate her strengths and vulnerabilities. Connolly would search for her flaws, real and unimagined.“What is it you want to know about her?” Dominic asked.“She works on your social media…” Brian said before he quaffed the wine. “What does that entail?”“We had no social media presence until we hired Samaire. She built our strategy… Connected us with the world.” Dominic quickly ran down the list of Samaire’s duties and realized it was a lot. Somehow Samaire managed to put all of the pieces together and create excitement for his business.“Have you seen any results?” Brian asked as he leaned back in his chair. “I’m sure you can’t dir
“Why? What’s wrong with the tasting room?” Samaire asked looking around. She was surprisingly light-headed as her legs wobbled. Her muscles ached as the lust coiled tight in her pelvis.“No one’s here... No one can see us, Dom, so relax…”“I can’t hide you if anyone walks in, baby.” Samaire smiled at his protective gesture.“They won’t…”“Darling, let’s stop for now… Let’s continue this at your place or mine…”“But here is so much better… And I don’t wanna stop, Dom…” She slowly slipped down from the counter and gently, shimmied out of her sexy dress. Samaire stood still for a second allowing him to take her image in. Dominic’s gaze went from her breasts to the apex of her legs. It was like he was caressing her with his eyes.“You are absolutely breathtaking…” he whispered. Unable to remain passive any longer, Samaire got near him, unfastened his white shirt, and tugged it loose. Eager to feel his skin, she shoved the shirt from him. Samaire slo
It was close to midnight when Samaire got out of her car in the Cedar Creek Wine Cellar parking lot. She wasn’t sure what had prompted her to come back here after the party. Dominic hadn’t invited her back. Instead, he’d given her an intense look when she had left with Brian. Samaire walked to the door as a couple of employees were leaving.“Is Dominic still here?” she asked.“Yes,” one of the waiters said as he held the door open for her. “He’s always the last one to leave. We just saw him in the tasting room.” She thanked him and stepped into the bar. She paused as the door closed behind her. She hadn’t been here when it was empty, and most of the lights were turned off. Samaire quietly went up the metal stairs and headed to the tasting room. She stopped in the doorway when she saw Dominic. His white shirt almost glowed in the shadows. He was in the far corner, sitting on a barstool near the counter, and looking out the windows that faced the evergreen t
Hours later, Dominic peered over the heads of the guests and glanced at the entrance of the tasting room. The room was now comfortably filled with wine enthusiasts but not packed from wall to wall. He had caught snatches of deep discussion and glowing compliments about the reserve label. Tonight had been a success but one component had been missing. Dominic curled his arm tighter around Samaire’s waist and pressed his mouth against her ear.“I don’t think he’s going to show, darling.” Samaire’s back stiffened and she glanced at the door.“You’re probably right.” She returned her attention to him and smiled sweetly.“Well, I guess that means more brownies for me.” Dominic was intrigued by her indifferent attitude. He remembered her anxiety when Brian had first announced his visit. Why the change? Was this part of her wild party-girl act? If so, she did it very well.“The tasting room is going to close in half an hour,” Dominic said. “He
By Friday night, Dominic had grown quiet and tense. He stood by the desk in his office as the darkness of the night gathered. For the next three hours, he had to be the genial host for his party while watching Samaire gain the attention of a total douchebag. He reached for the wine bottle on his desk and poured a small amount of the Merlot into a wineglass. This time he didn’t care about the bouquet or heavy oak aging. Fuck that! All he could think about was Sam. This night was about her. FOR her. When he heard a knock, Dominic set the wine bottle to the side and glanced at the office door.“Come in, it’s open.” The door cautiously opened and Samaire peeked around the corner.“Dom, you wanted to see me?”“Yeah, come.” She walked into the room and closed the door behind her. Her silky hair was swept up in a soft and romantic style that emphasized the graceful lines of her neck. The dark lavender dress complimented her pale skin and pale
“Who was on the phone?”“Brian,” she said as she crawled onto the bed. “I invited him to your party as you suggested.” Dominic didn’t say anything as she straddled his hips. His hands automatically went to her legs and stroked them tenderly. So, she invited Connolly… Well, she must really want that job in LA. He didn’t want her to go, but he couldn’t hold her back. Why was it that he had known Samaire for most of his life but only noticed her when it was almost too late?“Dom, I need to ask another favor…” Samaire leaned over him, her fingers gripping his shoulders.“Yesterday you said I don’t defend myself and I know it’s true. I want to be more assertive, but I’m not sure where to start.” He had trouble thinking straight as the sense of impending loss continued to roll through him.“You’re very assertive with me, darling,” he said gruffly. “Our brainstorming sessions can turn into heated arguments.”“Okay, but I’m that way only with you,” Samaire replie
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