Read Online Love in the Vineyard (The Tavonesi Series Book 7) by Pamela Aares - Free Book Online Page A

to access. Though notoriety came with success, with moving forward with his plans, he resented the assumptions and prejudices that accompanied the details of his life, as though a map of his past set out every possibility for his future. He was charting new waters and didn’t want to be bound by history or prejudice or presumptions. His sisters Zoe and Amber had cut themselves free and were pursuing their dreams. And so were his American cousins Alex and Alana.
    But what he disliked most about his wealth was the feeling of being targeted. Of being a catch. Wealth drew people to him; that was another fact of his life. But he didn’t want to be seen through that lens, to be pursued for his bank account. Wealth made it hard to know whom to trust. Especially when it came to women.
    Tasha bit at her cheek and knit her brows. Her fingers tightened around the mug she gripped. At the party, in the dim lights, he hadn’t noticed the lapis blue rimming the hazel green of her eyes. Now, in the morning light, the flecks of gold in her eyes seemed to dance even though she wasn’t smiling.
    When she didn’t answer right away, he added, “We can make the rules up as we go. Although Parker would have our heads. He prefers clearly organized games. And scorekeepers.”
    She laughed. Thank God. He was beginning to feel like a fool. She released the mug and sat back in her chair, tilting her chin.
    “Wandering the gardens should give us plenty to talk about,” she said softly. “We can talk about the plants. I love plants.” One side of her mouth quirked up. “But I already told you that, didn’t I?”
    What was it about her that made him suddenly nervous? That made him feel as if the outcome of the day mattered more than he wanted it to?
    “Well then, you’re in luck, because I like plants too.” He heard himself say the words. But the razzing voice in his head taunted him and told him he was blathering like a fool, repeating information he’d already told her the night of the party. He’d dated princesses, for God’s sake. What was it about Tasha that made him feel like he was out on the first date of his life—that took him back to when he was sixteen and vying to win the affection of his sister’s best friend?
    He needed to move; he always thought better when he was in motion. Movement calmed him like nothing else.
    He stood and put on his sunglasses. “The day awaits.” Though he wanted to offer his hand to help her up, instinct told him not to.
    He got a better look at her as they walked to his car. The white cotton shirt and jeans were a contrast to the elegant costume she’d worn to the party, but the snug fit of her more casual clothing showed off her curves. Sunlight glinted off a small gold heart hanging from a short chain around her neck. It struck him as a girlish adornment for such a sophisticated woman. She wasn’t wearing makeup, or if she was, it was the kind that made it look like she wasn’t. Coco had once told him that such an effect was the hardest to achieve. Still, he’d bet good money it was simply Tasha’s natural coloring. Her rich, dark hair set off her ivory skin and the rose tint of her lips. He’d come close to tasting them at the masquerade. And in his dreams over the past two nights, he’d done more than explore her lush lips. But as skittish as she was, he wasn’t going to try a stupid move like that and ruin his chance to get to know her better.
    He drove. She’d walked from her home to the café. He would’ve felt odd having her drive, but he would’ve let her. At this point he’d do most anything to reduce the strange tension buzzing between them. Already he regretted his choice of vehicles. His BMW wasn’t flashy but still, he wished he’d brought his Jeep. But Zoe had needed it to tow her horse trailer out to the coast. And he hadn’t wanted to pull up in one of the vineyard trucks, although he was becoming fond of cruising the countryside in a truck.
    Some days he almost