Read Online Twelve Days of Pleasure by Deborah Fletcher Mello - Free Book Online Page A

face as she shrugged her shoulders. “You say that like you don’t believe me.”
    â€œI don’t.”
    * * *
    Kendrick was caught off guard as she met the look he was giving her with one of her own. Her eyes were narrowed ever so slightly as she appraised him. There was something curious in her stare. He suddenly turned and moved out of the room. As he’d stood watching her, heat had coursed through his loins. He could feel the beginnings of an erection pulling at his muscles and he knew that only distance would make the sensation go away. He took a deep breath and then a second. When he heard her moving behind him he hurried down the hallway and back into the living space.
    As he moved into the room there was an abrupt knock at the door that distracted them both. Kendrick took three quick strides to the other side of the room. He hesitated for a brief moment, his hand on the doorknob. Vanessa had moved to the entranceway, peering out. The two locked gazes for a brief moment before he opened the door.
    The man standing on the other side was grinning broadly. He was exceptionally short, standing well below Kendrick’s six feet three inches. He had bright blue eyes and thick blond curls. He wore a white linen suit, a white dress shirt open at the collar and white canvas shoes. He stood with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket, a white towel folded over his forearm.
    â€œWelcome, sir! My name is Liam. I will be your butler for the duration of your stay.”
    Kendrick nodded. “Nice to meet you, Liam.” He took a step back to let the man inside.
    Liam nodded in Vanessa’s direction. “Madam, welcome!”
    Vanessa smiled, tilting her head slightly, but she said nothing.
    â€œYou requested
Domaine Carneros
. This is the Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine that you asked for.” He moved to the bungalow’s bar and set the ice bucket atop the wooden counter. He looked to Kendrick for direction. “Would you like for me to pour for you, sir?”
    Kendrick shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, Liam, but I think I can handle it.”
    â€œYes, sir. If there is anything you or your bride needs I am just a call away,” Liam said.
    Kendrick nodded. “We appreciate that.”
    â€œWill you be dining in tonight, sir? Or would you like to be seated in the dining room?”
    Kendrick hesitated for a split second as he tossed Vanessa a look. She shrugged as he deferred the question to her.
    â€œCan we dine on the beach?” she asked softly.
    â€œNot a problem, madam,” Liam replied, his full grin a mile wide. “I’ll take care of everything.”
    Kendrick opened the door as Liam moved back through it. “Just push the red button on the phone, sir. That will reach me directly,” he said as he made his exit.
    â€œA butler bearing champagne!” Kendrick exclaimed when the door was closed shut behind the man.
    â€œYour sister has great taste,” Vanessa said as she inspected the vintage bottle of spirits. “Do you want a glass?”
    Kendrick shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t drink when I’m on duty.”
    Vanessa shrugged. “Suit yourself,” she said as she popped the cork and poured herself a full glass. She took her first sip and smiled.
    Kendrick shook his head. “And why the beach? We could have eaten in the dining room.”
    Vanessa tossed him a look as she grabbed the wine bottle and her glass and turned back in the direction of the bedroom. “It’s our wedding night, remember? I didn’t think it would look very convincing if we were sitting in a public place scowling at each other,” she said.
    As she disappeared from view, Kendrick chuckled softly. “I don’t think you’d be scowling,” he mumbled under his breath.
    * * *
    You could see the tent and table from the patio. Kendrick had taken a shower and a nap and had already moved outside, staring down to where