Lincoln speaks with me about the business side of bourbon, how events have brought on an entirely new revenue stream, and, not to mention, the way they’re experimenting with new blends. The more I spend time thinking about it, the more it seems like I always should’ve come to this conclusion. I want this—my version of it, at least. Making whiskey, folding it into my family’s bar business, all of us included in different ways, that we’re passionate about.
A business instead of academics. A career that’s an entirely different approach to the life I thought I was coming back to. Maybe he’s right, I’ve just made up my mind.I’m doing this.
Chapter Thirty
Julian
“He just offered.”She snaps her fingers as we move into the apartment above Midnight Proof. “They run the bourbon industry, and you’re friends with him...them. What if I do this?” She spins around, excited and smiling, maybe even a little tipsy. “Can I do this?”
“Crowne, I’m pretty certain you can do anything you want,” I tell her, running my hand along my mouth, taking in this beautiful woman in front of me—happy and confident, looking like fucking dream, and I can’t help but clock this moment. I snap a mental picture, realizing how goddamn obsessed I am with her. She’s the first person I’ve ever brought somewhere that wasn’t a client or for photographs, but just for me, to meet people that I consider friends. The way she looks in that dressright now, all curves and confidence, turns me on and melts away everything else.Fuck, look at her.
She rubs her fingers between the little rosemary plant that’s perched on the counter and then the lavender next to it. “I can see us doing pairings and tastings at the distillery at home. Matching up flights with episodes ofThe Distilled Truth. Maybe even cake and whiskey flights—my mother would jump all over that.” She sighs.
“If you want to do this, then do it. I don’t think it’s a matter of can—only want,” I say, moving closer to her as she leans against the kitchen counter. She became a respected organic chemist in a leading academic program out of proving a point and a twinge of spite, so I wonder what the hell she’ll be capable of doing with something out of her own desire?
She looks at the bar cart in the corner of the room. “Will you pour me something from there?” she asks in a lower, more sultry tone.
I glance over and do as she asks. Unbuttoning my shirt sleeves, I roll up the left side and then the right as I make my way to the far corner of the dimly lit room.
“Maybe bring me the entire bottle instead,” she says as she lifts her skirt higher, just enough to hoist herself onto the counter.
I can’t help but look down the curve of her thighs and at those sexy black heels. “I’ll do whatever you want, Crowne, especially looking like that,” I say, tipping my head toward her.
“And how exactly do I look?” she asks with a smirk dancing on her lips.
I nearly groan. The straps that hold her stockings are peeking out as she settles herself on the counter.How can the tease of a strap make my mouth water?“Like mine,” I tell her.
She must like that because she sits taller and slips off her red-bottomed heels. “How do I look like yours?” she asks.
Licking my bottom lip and feeling my cock harden at the sight of her, I take slow steps back to her. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And I plan on worshipping every fucking inch of you tonight. Tell me you’ll let me. Tell me you’re mine,” I say, stepping closer.
The confidence that’s vibrating around her right now...It’s impossible to look away from her.
She uncrosses her legs and widens them as I approach.An invitation.
“And yet, somehow, just hearing you talk about this thing you enjoy, the way you light up just by thinking about something you want...” I shake my head. “The wildest part, Crowne, is that you’re not even trying, and I’m so fucking impressed.” I pause as I move to stand between her legs. She makes more room for me, immediately running her hands up my chest as mine find her hips. Her touch feels too good.
“Say it . . .” I whisper.
With her free hand, she curls her fingers into my shirt, tugging me closer, as her deep green eyes stay locked with mine. “You’re mine, baby?” she rasps, with a playful smirk, and my dick fucking flexes at hearing her call me that.
A low and deep hum rumbles from my throat. She knows it isn’t what I wanted her to say, but fuck, that sounds good too. “I’m yours,” I smirk. “And really fucking obsessed with you calling me baby,” I admit as I smooth my hands along the tops of her thighs and play with those straps.
She wets her bottom lip. “I believe it’s been said that men should kneel before their goddesses,” she says, taking the bottle I brought over and pouring it into the empty rocks glass next to her.
I’m happy to kneel before her, let her play, reward her, praise her in whatever way she might need. This is the womanwho’s been peeking out behind the heaviness of what she’s gone through and where she came from, and I want her to embrace it.
Eyes widening slightly, she smiles into her glass as my knees lower to the floor. My hands drag up and down the sides of her thighs, toying with those straps some more, and my mouth waters being this close to her pussy.
Her fingers glide along my hairline softly as I look up at her. “Keep your hands on my thighs,” she says softly as she pulls the hem of her dress higher, spreading her legs wider.
When I look down, she flashes me her bare pussy. “No panties, Crowne?”
She bites her lip, shaking her head slowly.
“Fuck,” I breathe out, moving my nose and mouth closer to where I want, but her fingers glide farther into my hair, stopping me.
“Would you like some?” she asks me, holding up the glass.
