Page 2 of Betraying Family Vows

"You're stunning," I say. "I should probably ask if you're trouble."

She shrugs. "Would it matter?"

"No," I admit. "But I like to be prepared."

I lean in closer, catching the scent of her perfume.

"This is a little too loud to get to know someone," I say, my eyes wandering over her face.

She steps closer, eliminating the space between us. "Maybe we should find a place a bit more quiet then."

The air between us charges. I haven't felt this in a long time, the sharp edge of wanting something. Tonight's for celebrating. Why not celebrate?

Athena pulls back, her fingers trailing down my shirt. "They have good champagne. And I bet a man like you prefers top-shelf whiskey."

I smile.

She signals the bartender and orders while I look around.

"The vineyards are beautiful at night. Maybe we can go walk around there?" she asks me as the man behind the bar prepares our drinks.

"Sure," I say. "Sounds like a good time."

She blushes slightly. "Well, then. Let's go."

I glance back toward the party. Ares is talking to Theo again, and neither is paying me any attention. I'll let them enjoy all this. I'm taking the mystery in red.

Outside, the air is cool against my skin. We slip away from the lights, past the string-lit paths, and into the shadows between the vineyards.

Athena's heels sink slightly into the dirt as she walks ahead of me, hips swaying in that red dress.

She pauses and turns to hand me my whiskey while holding onto her champagne.

She turns and keeps walking forward, farther and farther away. "Beautiful night," she says.

"It is now," I say, stepping behind her.

There's a moment of silence and I look back to see how much we've walked into the vineyards.

"How far are we going?" I ask, more curious than concerned.

"As far as we want, I guess." She glances over her shoulder, eyes glinting in the low light. "Scared?"

"Not my first trip into the dark with a beautiful woman."

"And here I thought I was special." She stops between two rows of vines.

"Didn't say you weren't."

She turns, stepping into my space.

I don't hesitate out here. I grab her and kiss her.

Soft at first, but then I think of what's under that red dress and I don't do soft for long.

I grip her waist and press her against one of the wooden posts holding a vine, deepening the kiss. She tastes like champagne. Her fingers twist into my jacket lapels. She groans into my mouth as I grip her ass. I'd do a lot more if I wasn't holding a drink.

"I don't usually do this," she says, breath hot.