Tangled Vines: An Australian Rural Romance by Nicole Flockton Read Free Book Online

precise movements Jordan guided the tweezers and on first try gripped the sliver of glass. “Don’t move,” she ordered.
    “Not planning to.”
    Jordan didn’t know what to make of the comment. Did he mean he enjoyed being with her? Or did he mean he couldn’t move because she had a hold of his hand?
    Taking a deep breath, she pulled and the piece of glass slipped out. “There,” she said triumphantly and held the piece up for Kyle to see. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up.”
    Kyle’s hand tensed beneath her grasp. “You’re not going to spring a stinging surprise on me again, are you?”
    Jordan laughed softly. “Yes, I am. I’m sorry. I have to make sure it’s cleaned. But,” she paused, patting his hand, “if you’re a good boy, you’ll get a lollipop.”
    Kyle snorted. “There aren’t any lollipops in the house. Besides,” he angled his head and fixed his gaze on her lips for a moment, “I can think of something sweeter I’d prefer.”
    This time Jordan tightened her hand around Kyle’s. The man needed to come with a warning when he started flirting. And she knew he wanted to kiss her again.
    She placed Kyle’s hand on the table and picked up another medicated wipe and some antiseptic cream. “Maybe you can get something sweet when we’re out to dinner.”
    Kyle gave a non-committal “hmm.” The tension had returned to the room and she had a feeling it was going to be a long dinner.

Chapter 7
    Kyle took a sip of his wine, surprised he actually enjoyed the mellow red Jordan had suggested would go well with his steak. Who knew grapes like the ones on his property, with so much care and hard work, could turn into something so smooth and flavorful? He couldn’t fathom the thought of putting in the time needed to achieve this final result.
    He flexed his hand, wincing at the dull ache. He had expected Jordan to question him on how the glass had broken. He had no plans to explain to her the thoughts that had been flying through his brain moments before he’d broken the glass, yet he was irrationally disappointed when she didn’t even ask.
    “Are you enjoying the wine?”
    He glanced over at her. The muted light of the restaurant cast a golden glow around Jordan, accentuating the blonde highlights in her hair. The silky fabric shone softly, inviting him to reach out and touch it.
    For a woman who worked outside, she had an unexpected softness about her. She could prove to be dangerous to him. Something about her called deep to him, a calling he’d never experienced before.
    He didn’t like it.
    “Kyle, I asked if you liked the wine.”
    “Actually, yes. I am. It goes well with my meal. Just like you said it would.”
    “You sound surprised. Did you doubt me when I suggested the Cabernet?”
    An edge in her tone made Kyle look up. He’d unintentionally offended her again.
    God, women were complicated.
    He almost reached across the table to take her hand. Almost. He held back at the last minute. If he did grasp her hand, rub his finger over the softness, she’d see it as an attempt to placate her and that wasn’t his intention at all. Facing the fact he wanted to touch her again wasn’t something he wanted to accept either.
    “More surprised at how much I’m enjoying it.”
    Jordan’s shoulders relaxed and her lips lifted a little. “You never know. By the end of my stay, beer won’t be your favorite drink anymore.”
    Kyle pushed his glass away. “I don’t think so.”
    “Time will tell I guess.”
    “I’m pretty certain my tastes won’t change that quickly.”
    “As I said, we’ll see because,” she paused and nodded toward the glass. “you’re on your second glass of the night.”
    Kyle reached out and picked the glass up again, swirling it, admiring the way the light caught the deep red tones of the wine, before placing it back down on the table. “I will admit it’s very smooth. But wine and I don’t get on.”
    If it hadn’t been for wine on that December night,