The Wine Prince: Vine of Obsession

“I’ve been doing some checking on you.”
She stepped away from him flattered, bewildered and terrified at the same time. “That is troubling, how could you invade my privacy and why?”
He shrugged. “You are my employee and a mystery. I want to know all about you. These days it is easy enough to find out, and I can hire firms for limited background checks.
Her mouth dropped open. Then she cleared her throat. “What did you find out that I might not know?”
“That your great, great grandparents were Victoria and William Worthington. And you are named after your great-great grandmother’s sister Amanda Elizabeth.”
“Really? I already knew that. I am a little surprised that you would delve into my family history which can be hardly relevant to my current employment.”
“Do you know anything about Victoria and William?”
She shrugged, confused about why this would matter to him. “My family talks about it. Stories, rumors, of a….a grand love affair that ended with many children.”
His gaze was intense. “She was his mistress.”
“I know that.”
“They were very wealthy for a few generations.”
“Like you?”
“You come from money too Elizabeth. So it makes me curious about why you would pick a job like this.”
“It was a long time ago. The money got spread out over many children and grandchildren over the generations. My grandfather lost most of it. My father rebuilt and is pretty successful. He deals in oil in Texas. He makes enough to be considered comfortably wealthy and he will have plenty for a very nice retirement someday, but I want him to spend it on himself.”
“Ah yes, I see now….you come from one of the less prosperous branches. How the world changes. Leaving us in more opposite directions than we ever imagined.”
His condescending tone brought on a flash of anger despite her awe of him. “I am making my own dreams and my own money.”
Unmoved by her temper he continued to prod. “So you chose this?”
“I chose my destiny.” She bit the words out with just enough politeness to be appropriate for one’s employer.
“You have much potential Elizabeth.” He whispered softly. “Mon seul résistant.”
She felt the words to her core and they deflated her anger instantly. “Really?”
He trapped her with his eyes that caressed her soul. “Yes. If you would just come to me, I would help you.”
“That sounds sort of ….”
“Frightening? A challenge? You seem a woman willing to take a few risks to get what she wants.”
Her heart packed against her chest walls with fast and furious thuds. “Maybe….I don’t know…should I be frightened?”
Run, and run far and fast.
“You have worked hard out in the fields with the vines. You deserve a reward. I am moving you to the tasting room.”
“Oh my gosh, really?” She should have pondered more closely all of his words, but they washed over her with such breathtaking awareness and promise that she ran to catch up.
He had watched her.
He thought she deserved a reward.
Whatever it meant, she was moving to the tasting room.
Closer to him.
He smiled slow, taking in her expression with a sweep of his eyes. “Only if you think you have potential.”
She nodded her head eagerly unable to stop herself from moving toward the silken web. “I do have more potential than you imagine.”
He tilted his head. “I think you underestimate what I imagine.”
The air was sucked from her lungs. “What do you mean?”
“It is all you imagine, and more. If you are ready to find out, come to the tasting room, and if you do a perfectly good job, there can be rewards.”
“Like what?”
“Like, things you imagine and perhaps some that only come in dreams. But make sure it is what you truly want.”
Her heart fluttered hard and fast. She felt what it was, knew what it was. And was ready to find it. This was her fantasy come true. “It is what I want.”