Chapter 50

Nearly One Month Later

Pulling into the valet and slamming on the brakes, my tires screech to a stop. I glance at the time on the dash, and I push the car door open.

Fuck.

I'm so fucking late.

Walking at a swift pace, I make my way up the walkway and to the doors of the tasting room. As I push it open, I immediately spot Cora sitting alone at the bar.

She's fucking impossible to miss.

Sitting with her back to me, I take a moment to enjoy her as I slowly walk toward the bar. Her luxurious blonde hair is twisted and braided into a tousled bun, fully exposing her long, slender neck. The little black dress she chose for this evening has thin straps running over her shoulders, leaving every inch of her spine bare. The satin skims over the shoulder marred by Madame. The ‘M' savagely carved into her back is now covered with a tattoo of an ornate ‘S' flanked by flowers—branding her as mine.

So much of her on display, yet she pulls it off with sophistication and grace as she savors the glass of Cabernet in her hand.

She was fucking made for this world.

The one that I give her.

Stepping behind her, I bend down and place a kiss on the crook of her neck. Stealing a quick nip before I stand, I whisper, "You look fucking gorgeous, love."

"And you're late," she quips with a smirk.

Taking the seat beside her, I order a glass of Shiraz for myself before asking, "What will it take to make it up to you?"

"I don't think you can afford it." Her tone is serious as she teases me.

"Try me."

"Two grand." She raises a mischievous eyebrow.

"Done," I counter. "Do you take credit?"

She runs her hands down her sides, over the dress that is hugging every curve of her body. "Do I look like I take card?"

Reaching to the breast pocket of my jacket, I pull out my wallet and retrieve twenty hundred dollar bills. Discreetly sliding them over the bar toward her purse, she scoops them up and tucks them inside.

"Forgiven." She shoots me a smug smile.

The vineyard has become somewhat of a second home to us. We visit a couple of times a week for dinner, a late-night stroll through the vines, and occasionally, a quick, dirty fuck in the wine cellar.

Tonight's dinner is special, though. It's been a tad over a month since I nearly saw what life looked like on the other side of Hell's gates. And exactly one month since Edmund helped me bring Cora back home.

"What kept you, anyway?" she asks as she takes a sip of her wine.

"I was picking up something for you." I reach into my jacket pocket, and she grabs my wrist to stop me.

"We've talked about this." Her voice is soft and tender.

"I don't need a ring on your finger or a piece of paper filed with the state to know that you're mine." I pull the envelope from my pocket and slide it across the bar. "Now, shut up and let me fucking spoil you."

Lifting the envelope from the bar, she carefully pulls the paperwork out of it and begins reading over the contents.

"You didn't!" she gasps, tossing the papers onto the counter and throwing herself into my arms. Her body melts into mine, and I press my lips against hers. Her tongue darts between her teeth and flicks against my lips, and I lightly groan with need. Pulling back, she looks up at me, "How did you--"

"Know you wanted it?" I pull her tightly to me. "You can't get enough of this place. It only made since that we could come here whenever you wanted."

"Sam—"

"Shhh." I press my finger to her lips. "Do I need to remind you that I take care of what's mine? And I'd buy you the fucking moon if you told me you wanted it, love."

Gripping her chin, I place a rough kiss against her lips before speaking against them. "Anything. Everything. Forever."

I slip behind the bar and grab a bottle from the fridge. Gliding my hand into hers and lacing our fingers together, I pull her from the bar. "If you're done complaining about this lavish gift that I've given you, I'd like to take you on a tour of your new vineyard."

Squeezing my hand, she struggles to keep up as I lead her through the tasting room to the veranda overlooking the entire property.

"I think you'll be quite interested to learn how they age and bottle that Cabernet you enjoy so much." I continue to walk her around the corner and toward the wine cellar below the tasting room. "Or their sparkling wine. It's absolutely titillating."