The Vintner and the Vixen (Vintage Love Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

her until the chandelier shook.
    She sat on his grandfather’s chair as she slipped her shoes back on. “There’s no need. I’m only in the backyard. And your impressive gates prevent strangers from getting in.” Was she referring to the gates at the drive or his personal ones?
    “I am a gentleman. And a gentleman always sees a lady home after dinner.”
    “I hate to break it to you, but I’m no lady. And calling yourself a gentleman is like a challenge to me.”
    “A challenge?” He walked around the table and helped her to her feet. They stood so close he could feel her breath as she released a sigh.
    “Makes me want to push your buttons until I find the one that turns you from gentleman to wild man. Can’t help it, I’m a rebel at heart.”
    Chérie, you’ve already found that button. Now I have to stop you from pushing it.
    ***
    The cool night air blew across Maya’s overheated skin and she shivered. Jacques immediately shrugged out of his jacket and put it around her shoulders.
    “Thank you,” she murmured. His cologne lingered on the jacket, and the spicy scent made her head swim.
    He’d snagged a flashlight from the house before they’d left, and he kept the path in front of her feet illuminated. While he lit the way, she searched her overwhelmed brain for a topic of conversation. And came up blank. Evidently Jacques de Launay had shut her up. A first for her.
    When they got closer to the cottage she noticed the light on in her bedroom. The sun had still been up when she’d left so she hadn’t bothered turning on any lights, not even the outside light so she could find the keyhole. A shiver racked her body that even Jacques’s jacket couldn’t prevent.
    Had they found her? She tripped and his arm came around her waist to steady her.
    “Are you okay?” His deep voice helped hold back the panic threatening to seize her.
    “There’s a light on in my room. I’m pretty sure I didn’t leave it on,” she said, her gaze riveted on her window. Not even her brother knew where she was. And Jacques had those huge gates; surely they’d keep most people out. But Big Tony wasn’t most people.
    Jacques’s arm tightened around her. “The lights may be on a timer. But I’ll check to make sure it’s safe.” He took the key from her hand and unlocked the door.
    She wanted to be independent and stand on her own. But she also wanted to live another day. “If you don’t mind.”
    “It would be my pleasure,” he said, his voice low and sexy.
    That pulled a smile from her. “We really need to discuss your idea of pleasure,” she replied. His eyes widened before a grin curved his lips.
    “I’m going into your bedroom.”
    “Alone.”
    “For now.” Without waiting for her reply, he strode through to the kitchen and then up the narrow stairs to the rooms above. When he hadn’t returned after a minute she followed. He was probably riffling through her things, looking for some angle to get her off his property. If he knew of the danger she was in…
    She found him in her room, staring at her bed. Was there some kind of message there? A warning of what was to come? God, if it were a horse’s head, she’d throw up. She grabbed Jacques’s arm as she peered around his large form. There on her bed, flung across the spread, lay her black nightie. Right where she’d left it when she’d quickly unpacked this afternoon. Relief swept through her.
    Her eyes darted to Jacques’s face; he blinked and then swallowed. Shaken by lingerie, good to know.
    “You seem to be safe. Lock the door behind me when I leave.”
    “Thank you.” Their gazes locked, and the desire in his blue eyes set off an answering hunger within her. She wasn’t going to win this game without keeping him off balance. “Don’t you want your goodnight kiss?” Way to play with fire, Maya .
    “No.” He fled her bedroom.
    She went downstairs to lock the door. As the bolt clicked into the frame she heard him say, “ Bon nuit ,”