Passionate Harvest by Nell Dixon Read Free Book Online Page B

expression on Jo’s face told Lucy that she hadn’t been wrong with her first impression. For whatever reason, Jo didn’t like her.
    The other girl swiftly rearranged her features into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes when Dominic looked up from his messages.
    “I’ll be glad to help. Have you any experience in this business, Lucy?” Jo asked.
    “I’ve office experience and I’m a fast learner, I’m sure I’ll pick it up quickly.” Lucy enjoyed seeing the tinge of pink appear on Jo’s cheeks. 
    “We’d better leave then Lucy, if you’re going to get to your appointment on time.” Dominic dug out his car keys from the pocket of his jeans.
    “Will you be back later, Dom? Only there are a few things you need to deal with.” Jo asked.
    It was pretty obvious to Lucy from Jo’s body language that the girl had a bit of a thing for Dominic and she wondered if it was reciprocated.
    “I’m not sure. There’s probably nothing there that won’t keep till Monday.” 
    From his brusque response she guessed not and couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Jo. Dominic’s cottage had struck her as being very much a bachelor pad. A woman would have added ornaments, cushions, flowers and other small homely touches to the house. He still could have a girlfriend of course, and Lucy didn’t want to think too deeply about why that idea should somehow be upsetting.
    “Will you let me know when you’ve made your decision?” Dominic asked as he stopped the car outside Mr Fullwood’s offices in a leafy road situated behind the high street.
    “Of course. You’d better give me your number.”
    He took her phone and added his number to the contacts before adding her number to his phone.
    “Thank you for showing me around and explaining everything. I really appreciate it.” 
    His fingers grazed against hers as he passed back her mobile and she hoped he hadn’t noticed the slight tremor of her fingers when he’d touched her.
    “You needed to see everything before you could decide if working at Oakdale for a year would be a viable option for you.”
    She couldn’t read his thoughts. “What would happen to the vineyard if the shares went on the open market? What would happen to you?”
    She felt rather than heard him sigh. “Then I could end up with a conglomerate, a pension fund or a bunch of enthusiastic amateurs as my partner or partners.” His tone was as bleak as the arctic colour of his eyes.
    “What would you do then?” Her godfather had invested so much time and love into building up Oakdale, and after her tours she knew how much the company meant to Dominic.
    “I don’t know.”
    Her heart twinged at his words.
    “Lucy, you have to make your choice based on what’s right for you. Whatever happens I’m sure Oakdale would survive.” His gaze locked with hers making her pulse skitter.
    “You know I’m probably no better as a business partner than an enthusiastic amateur.” She ran the tip of her tongue over lips that had suddenly dried.
    “Nick believed in you. You’d better go or you’ll be late.” His lips brushed hers and she tasted coffee, sweetness and pure, hot male. “Good luck.”
    Lucy freed herself from her seatbelt and left the car without looking back. 
    * * * 
    Dominic stayed motionless in the car for a moment after Lucy’s hasty exit, his head bowed forward and his eyes closed. What in the name of Hades had possessed him to kiss Lucy? He could still taste her on his lips, sweet and soft with that hidden trace of heat. It would serve him right if she decided to walk away from the vineyard and catch her flight back to Tenerife on Monday.
    He toyed with the idea of following after her to apologise before deciding it would probably make the situation even more embarrassing for both of them. Before he could put the car into gear ready to pull away, his mobile rang. A quick look at the screen showed him a foreign number. His heartbeat speeded as he pressed the button and waited