Read Online Love On The Vine by Sally Clements - Free Book Online Page B

dining room. Soft music played—overlaid with the hum of conversation. A gleaming polished wood table in the room’s center held colorful bowls of tapas, and bottles of wine. Before long, Etienne was in a lively debate about wine production techniques with a warm and friendly group, all of whom seemed genuinely interested in the difference between French viticulture and American. He could feel Bella’s gaze on him from across the room where she chatted with Sue, but resisted the urge to turn and look.
    In the car, she’d seemed tense. He’d given her every opportunity to mention the meeting with her father—even asking what she’d done yesterday afternoon after they’d parted.
    Her gaze had darted away and she’d licked her lips quickly before brushing off his question.
    Etienne’s heart plummeted at her evasive tactics. She was lying. By omission anyway. His gut tightened and he struggled to concentrate.
    Sue’s husband, Brad, waved a hand in the air, saying something about pruning techniques.
    Etienne’s thoughts drifted back to Bella. She’d seemed so different, so caring. But all the time, she’d been meeting with her father—and enjoying his company if her remembered expression was anything to go by. He glanced over to where she stood.
    The azure sundress clung to every curve, perfectly showcasing her breasts in the tight bodice. Her long legs looked even longer in matching blue strappy sandals. When he’d picked her up earlier, the flash of attraction always there between them flared to instant life, despite his anger.
    “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Brad murmured, following his gaze. “Sue and I were so relieved when she...” He broke off and shot a glance at his wife.
    Etienne felt his eyebrows rise in query.
    “Aw hell.” Brad continued with a shake of his head. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything, but we were so glad she stopped dating that jerk, Brian.”
    The mention of another man’s name linked to Bella’s sharpened Etienne’s senses. “Brian?” Curiosity forced the name from his lips.
    Brad leaned closer. “They dated for about six months before she broke it off,” he said in a low voice. “Her parents loved him. Called him ‘the perfect husband’.” Brad’s lip curled. “He looked the part. And he had the pedigree. John St. Clair is all about breeding. That and money.”
    Jealousy bit at the thought of a rival for Bella’s affections. “He sounds perfect.” Etienne gritted his teeth and clenched his hands at his sides. No-one could say he had the perfect pedigree.
    “On paper,” Brad agreed. “But in reality, he was a complete jerk. A completely controlling megalomaniac who ended up getting thrown into jail for threatening Bella. He moved to Boston, where he’s no doubt stalking some other poor woman.”
    Etienne struggled for control at the thought of Bella in danger. If he ever met this Brian, this man who’d hurt her... He crossed his arms and forced his violent reaction down. “And Bella’s parents—were they supportive?” A part of him registered that he should be having this conversation with Bella, rather than Brad, but he ignored it. He had to know.
    “Anything but,” Brad said. “They threw her out. She moved in with her grandfather after that.”
    Angry at the pain her parent’s rejection must have caused her, Etienne glanced over to where Bella chatted with a friend. She tossed back her hair, and smiled, shooting an arrow of regret through him. “She must have been very angry.” He drained his glass, barely tasting the merlot.
    “She told Sue she felt devastated, as if her father considered her a piece of meat to be sold to the highest bidder. She threw herself into work. It’s good to see her looking so happy.”
    Was she using him to show her father she could be with whoever she wished? The memory of her father’s arm around her shoulders flashed before Etienne’s eyes. Or was her father pressuring her somehow, to plot Etienne’s