Free Nowhere but Here by Renee Carlino Page B

the bottom as the light hit them.
    He was watching me. “Well, shoes off.” He grinned, grabbed a bucket, and turned it upside down so I could sit.
    I removed my shoes and socks a bit reluctantly. “Am I going to ruin these grapes?”
    He knelt in front of me and began rolling up my jeans from the bottom. Then he held one foot out and examined it. I was terribly self-conscious in that moment. Jesus lord, is he checking for fungus?
    “I will personally drink every drop of wine made from these cute little feet.” He wiped my feet off with a damp rag and then spread it on the floor for me to stand on. “You might want to take off your sweatshirt. You’re probably going to get hot—it’s hard work, grape-stomping.”
    Remembering that I was only wearing the camisole underneath, sans bra, I panicked. “Um . . .”
    He flashed me the most self-satisfied smirk. “I’ve seen you in your underwear already.”
    “I have a tank top on,” I huffed, and then removed my sweatshirt. The camisole fell an inch above the top of my jeans, exposing my midriff. It was fucking silk and I was braless. Can you say zero class?
    Still grinning, he squinted his eyes as he scanned my attire. “I don’t know if I would call that a tank top, Katy, but I like it. Let’s get you into this barrel. Okay, put your hands on the top. On the count of three, you’re gonna jump and I’ll lift you in.” He stood behind me, very closely, and put his hands on my hips. “One,” he said in his normal voice. He smelled of cardamom and musk from working but his breath smelled fruity. “Two.” He tightened his grip. This was taking way too long. My spine was tingling and my legs were losing all feeling. He leaned in, pressing himself against me. Oh my. His mouth hovered right over my ear. “Three.” Chills shot through my entire body, my knees buckled, and I started to collapse. Holding me up, he chuckled. “You’re supposed to jump, silly.”
    Fighting a smile, I turned around and faced him in mock anger. “Well, stop whispering in my ear like that.”
    “You liked it.”
    “You’re making me shy, and I am not a shy person.” I took a deep breath through my nose to steady myself.
    “I promise, my goal is not to make you shy .”
    Turning back around, I jutted my ass out, forcing him back a few inches. He stepped back but still held a firm grip on my hips. “ I will count,” I said firmly.
    “Okay, baby.”
    Goose bumps. Again. Just from the word “baby.”
    “One-two-three,” I yelled in fast succession and then jumped. It was like floating; there was suddenly no gravity, and time slowed again. I closed my eyes and thought I would open them to find myself free-falling through a wild galaxy full of marshmallows and Sweet Tarts and chubby little cherubs playing tiny, heart-shaped lutes.
    Back to reality, I bent my knees to clear the top of the barrel. Jamie lifted me effortlessly, as if I were a child. I stretched my legs, my feet touching the grapes. I squished my toes into them and giggled for at least twenty seconds while he watched me.
    “Start crushing, lady.” Jamie held the barrel steady while I stomped around, laughing. The grapes were tougher than I thought they would be, but still squishy enough that they tickled me a bit. I paused, took a deep breath, and wiped a bead of sweat from my brow with the back of my hand.
    “Why are you so happy?” I said to a smiling Jamie.
    “You really seem to be enjoying yourself.”
    “I am.” I stomped around a bit more and then paused again. “You’re right, this is a workout.” I glanced down and noticed my silk camisole sticking to my body. Jamie followed my gaze and then looked back up at my eyes. I saw the movement in his neck from swallowing and then I watched his chest rise and fall on a deep breath. I felt my nipples harden against the material.
    “Can you help me get out?”
    “Sure.” He stood behind me again. “Jump and pull up your knees to your chest.”
    When I