Page 19 of The Prince Who Loved Me

She avoided his eyes. So it had to do with a guy. “It must have been nice to spend that time with her.”

“We uncovered all this equipment and looked at what it would take to get it running. But she was slowing down and we didn’t finish. I started a few bottles myself, so she could try some, but she…” Brandi wiped her nose with the back of her hand, and Sebastien put an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him. “Now with this money, I can maybe put it to good use once this first batch is done.” A half dozen glass containers filled with liquid sat on shelves that ran along the wall. She stood in front of them, arms tucked across her chest.

“Peach wine?”

“Have you learned nothing by being here?” She gave him a wobbly smile. “All the peaches are used for the whiskey. Besides, I want to diversify. I went on the side of traditional and started with pears. I should have probably tried grapes. I’ll haveto ask Mac to help me with supply.”

Sebastien shook his head. “Don’t do grapes.”

“But everyone does grapes.”

“Exactly. You’re not like anyone else. Why should your wine be?”

“Why indeed?” She trailed her finger along the press. “Especially if we use local ingredients. Strawberries and plums in the spring and summer, currants and passion fruit in winter. Maybe a honey wine. Or we could try mead. I’ll have to see if they drank mead for Pansy Hamilton.”

“Thinking like a business woman already.” Sebastien took a walk around the room. “How much could you brew?”

“Wine ferments. I made about ten gallons, but I won’t be able to sell it to start with.”

“Why not?”

“Even though Belle’s owns the building, this is considered a home brew. I wanted to give it a try before we spent thousands of dollars on what might be a failure.”

“So let’s give it a try.”

She gave a laugh and moved toward the door. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it anyway. It could be a disaster.”

Sebastien waited until she had secured the padlock behind them. “Why are you saying that?”

“I’ve never succeeded at anything like this before. Nothing ever works right for me.” One of her shoulders lifted in a half-hearted shrug. “I mean, geez, Fountenoy Hall would have already fallen into bankruptcy if Wendy hadn’t taken charge. Why do I think I can do this?”

Sebastien took her hand as they walked back to the car. “I want make the wine with you. Promise me I can when you do the next batch.”

“Your bodymen might think I’m trying to poison you.”

“Brandi.” He stopped walking, making her stop too.“What’s going on here? You were excited to show this to me.”

She gave him a carefree, playful look. “Oh, nothing. I’m sure it will be fine. It’s silly of me to be so worried, isn’t it?”

Deflecting. It was what Brandi did. Internally he raged at her accepting defeat so easily. He schooled his expression and emotions, knowing once she got on this track, it was hard for her to deviate. “It’s quite logical, with such a big venture. But you’re letting yourself fail before you even start.”

“Anyway, I’m sure you have way better things to do than listen to me go on about my little side project.” She tugged at his arm to get him moving again.

“Brandilynn.” His voice came out low and fierce. He ground his teeth to get a handle on his frustration. “Stop that.”

And she burst into tears.

Was this crying real? Or was she trying to invoke sympathy. He’d never been on the receiving end of Brandi’s dealing with most members of the opposite gender and felt almost clinical while tried to figure it out.

No, she wouldn’t go that far if she were trying to play him. He put his arms around her, because that’s what friends did. And didn’t kiss her, because that’s also what friends did.

He held her trembling body against his own and stroked her hair with a gentle caress, wishing it was far from these circumstances.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled as she lifted her head. “Everything is just happening all at once and I don’t know how to handle it. Grandma’s money and my mom visiting and thinking about making wine and I’m so scared I’m going to fuck everything up.”

“You won’t.” He ran a soothing hand down her back.

Her eyes darted to his mouth. He wouldn’t have to lean down all that much and give in to the base desires that have haunted him for years. To kiss her, really kiss her, not the pecksof friendship they’d shared in the past. Her lips were full and plump and ready for his.