Read Online Under A Harvest Moon by Joleen James - Free Book Online Page A

the golf cart, she tried to restore some order to her soaked clothing. When she looked up, she found Nico watching her, or more specifically, her chest. The look of hunger in his eyes made Danielle glance down at her wet T-shirt, her lacy bra clearly visible through the soaked fabric. Her cheeks heated. She pulled the wet fabric away from her skin and got in the golf cart, but she couldn't forget the intense look on Nico's face. His stare brought the curl of desire back. What would it be like to have him strip her wet T-shirt off, to unhook her bra, to have his lips pressed against the cold flesh of her breasts? Inside her wet bra, her nipples hardened.
    Nico pulled his dry shirt on, and then slid into the driver's seat, starting the cart.
    Danielle kept her eyes on the road, afraid to look at Nico, afraid of the feelings he aroused in her. How did one get over her first crush? She hadn't really known him as a teenager, yet she'd felt so much for him, like he'd been her own personal teen idol, a guy who was great to look at but totally unattainable. But things were different now. She was getting to know him, and while they often butted heads, she couldn't deny he had qualities she liked, just not enough of them to keep her here in Sun Grove. Nico was a man's man, a controlling man like her father and her ex-husband. She'd never be with a man like that again. If she ever found love again her partner would be an equal, not a dictator.
    The golf cart rumbled along, stirring the hot dust and the breeze, causing goose bumps to form on Danielle's skin. She rubbed her arms.
    "Cold?" Nico asked one brow raised.
    "Not cold exactly, more like chilled."
    He glanced over his shoulder. "I have an extra shirt in the back. Put it on."
    Glad for something to cover up her transparent T-shirt, Danielle reached behind her and snagged a dark green polo shirt, exactly like the white one Nico wore. His uniform. She yanked the shirt over her head.
    "Better?" he asked as they turned into the drive to Whitney House.
    "Yes, thanks."
    "Looks like you have company."
    Peter's black Saab was parked beside her Jetta. Danielle suppressed a groan. She hadn't expected him so soon. Sun Grove was a five-hour drive from Seattle. He must have left at the crack of dawn. Peter and Kaiden sat on the porch. Peter waved, smiling. Her stomach twisted tight. How could he just sit there like everything was okay? Just seeing him upped her anger. If it weren't for Kaiden, she'd tell Peter to go to hell.
    Nico braked to a stop.
    "My ex-husband." Danielle jumped from the golf cart, wishing she didn't resemble a drowned rat. She would have preferred to meet with Peter when she felt more in control, more like the woman she was pretending to be.
    "Hi, stranger," Peter called from the porch. He stood, walking down the steps to meet her. As usual, every hair on his head was neatly sprayed into place. A crisp blue and white shirt was tucked into khaki pants. Neat, orderly, controlling, Peter.
    Very conscious that Kaiden watched from the porch, Danielle had no choice but to greet him civilly. "Hello, Peter."
    "Hey, gorgeous." He bent forward to kiss her cheek, but Danielle turned her head, avoiding the kiss. "Been swimming?"
    "Yes." She gave silent thanks for the loan of Nico's shirt.
    Nico came up beside her, his presence giving her a comfort she hadn't expected to feel.
    "Nico, this is my ex-husband, Peter Rankin. Peter, Nico is head of production here at Whitney Vineyards."
    Peter extended his hand, and Nico took it, but Danielle didn't miss his slight hesitation. Nico didn't want to shake Peter's hand, and she didn't blame him. Snakeskin, pure snakeskin.
    "Lola tells me you're teaching Danielle the family business," Peter said his tone light, all salesman. He was trying to sell Nico his charm.
    "That's right." Nico met Peter's stare head-on. "She's a fast learner."
    The two men faced off, their eyes locked, their posture stiff as if they were marking their territory.