Free Champagne Kisses by Zuri Day Page B

and waiting beneath a heavy napkin.
    “The Chardonnay Suite, which, again, is very generous of you. Considering the hours I’ll be working, a regular room would have been more than enough.”
    “We wanted to take care of you.”
    “The layers of cream and champagne paired with the platinum fixtures and accessories give the room a very rich yet light feel.”
    “You’ll have to let Diamond know how much you like it. She’ll appreciate it.”
    “You guys seem like a really close-knit family.”
    “We are.”
    “I read a little about the history of Drake Wines. But what about your family history? Do you mind sharing?”
    “Not at all.” His countenance became as relaxed as Marissa had seen it as he chatted easily, initially forgoing her question about the family to describe the evening’s wines. Waiters returned and removed their salad plates before setting down bowls of chilled avocado soup along with glasses of a light chardonnay. He watched in rapt fascination as Marissa enjoyed a spoonful of the soup, the way her eyes closed in pleasure and her tongue darted out to catch the bit on her lip. He was immediately envious of her tongue, wishing it was his that was taking the drop away, before using that same tongue to part her lips and plunder her mouth, drowning in her sweetness.
    “What? Is there something on my lip?” Marissa asked. She gently patted the area Donovan was staring at with her napkin.
    “No.”
    “Oh.”
    Donovan forced his eyes away from her lips by taking a deliberate spoonful of soup. The moment, filled with unspoken this and unnamed that, came with a type of energy that seemed to settle in the room. For the first time Marissa was aware of light jazz playing in the background. Had it always been there or was this music inside her head, played from heartstrings being pulled in various directions?
    “The land has been in the family for generations,” Donovan offered after a couple sips of soup. “It’s a long story, but the short of it is that during the gold rush, my adventurous ancestor, Nicodemus, came west with the Drakes of Louisiana. During the trip his master, who was more like a brother since the two had grown up together, almost died. Nicodemus saved his life and the family was so grateful that they willed him this portion of land.”
    “Wow, that’s amazing. And he had the foresight to start a vineyard?”
    “No, that was my great-grandfather’s vision.”
    “Ah, yes, I remember now. Papa Dee. His story is in the room’s welcome brochure. He was born in the house on the hill as I recall, what has become the honeymoon suite.”
    “You recall correctly.”
    “You must be proud to have such a rich family history.”
    “I am.” Donovan nodded. “My family has worked hard to do right by this land. That’s probably one of the reasons that I take the work so seriously. Maybe it’s just my personality, maybe it’s because I’m the oldest in this generation, but I feel the weight of the Drake legacy on my shoulders.”
    Marissa noted that his shoulders looked broad enough to carry the load.“From what I’ve seen so far it appears that you’re doing an awesome job.”
    “I try.” Donovan finished his soup and pushed the bowl away as he sat back. “I remember your telling Mama that you have a brother, correct?”
    “Yes, it’s just the two of us.”
    “Older, correct?”
    “Yes, by three years, and married. They are expecting their second child.”
    “Congratulations.” The ever-observant Donovan noticed Marissa’s slight change of mood. Figuring that he could guess the cause of it, he decided to go ahead and venture down the road. “What about you? Are marriage and kids on the horizon?”
    “Like yesterday, if my mother has her say.”
    “Ha! Is her name Genevieve?”
    “No, it’s Yolanda. But like yours, my mother is chomping at the bit for me to be married, almost pushing me down the aisle.”
    “Ha! Boy, do I know that feeling. She’s been trying to marry