Page 122 of Wild Abandon

Ed waves a hand at me. “Nonsense. The thing shoots darts, and you’re never too young to learn how to shoot. Who’s gonna protect this place when I’m gone?”

“Me,” I say incredulously.

Ed makes a harrumph sound and looks down at Austin. “Come on, we’ll start by shooting cans. It’s all in the eye, see?”

I watch as Ed takes my son and tries to turn him into the tiniest member of the conservative party.

“Live life for the moment because everything else is uncertain,” Scarlet sighs next to me.

“Tolstoy?”

“Louis Tomlinson.”

I raise a brow. Who the hell is Tomlinson?

“One Direction.” She walks over to her bench and reopens her book.

I shrug and give the old boy band some credit. That is how life should be lived—for the moment. And, right now, Ed is teaching my son how to shoot a plastic gun.

I’ll worry about that later.

The back door making a loud slamming noise pulls my attention over to the woman walking outside, wearing a flowing white sundress. Crystal’s hair is curly, just the way I like it, and her arms are full of platters. No, she didn’t cook. She still can’t. She tries, but that job is mine. I love cooking for my family, and I love preparing the meals for the wine tastings. I made everything for tonight’s meal earlier this afternoon. Her only job was to heat it up in the industrial ovens we had installed in the winery.

Crystal is my sous chef. And she’s one hell of a beautiful one, if you ask me.

I walk over to her and take the platters from her arms before placing them on the table. Naomi walks inside to get the rest as Jeremy sets the table.

With Crystal’s hands free, I take the opportunity to kiss her. I love to kiss her. Soft, warm lips wrap around mine. I know I sound like a girl, but I literally melt when she runs her fingers up my back. And when she tugs on my hair? Damn, she’s my kryptonite.

I press into her and have to think of dead puppies or something before getting too turned on in front of our company.

“Hey there.” She smiles with her eyes closed as I release her from our kiss.

I lean into her ear and whisper, “I changed my mind. Let’s send everyone home and make love in the rose garden.”

“What about Austin?” she asks.

“He’s due for a sleepover.” I kiss her neck and half-hope she tells me okay and sends everyone away.

“Nice try. You wanted everyone over, so you’re playing happy host.” She hits me in the chest and walks toward Ed and Austin to, most likely, yell at Ed.

I grab her hand and pull her back. I spin her around, so she’s sitting at the head of the table.

“Actually, I thought we could have a drink first.” I grab the bottle of Jack I brought from the house. “For old times’ sake.” I give her my most charming smile.

Crystal skeptically eyes me.

I place two shot glasses on the table and pour one for each of us.

She picks up her glass and takes the shot. The back of her other hand flies to her mouth. She always tries to cover up the initial burn.

I sit down next to her, take my shot, and then refill the glasses. Her eyes glaze over, and her cheeks turn pink. She licks her lips and tilts her head down, making her hair fall over her shoulder. She’s putting the moves on me, and I fucking love it.

Damn, she’s beautiful.

“Marry me,” I say.

“Nice try, Teller.”