The Villa

trouble. But it can't be put off any longer. I'll take care of it tomorrow."
    "I could do it."
    Sophia closed the file folder. "That's actually very nice of you. But it should come from me. I should warn you that cutting her loose is going to mean more work for the rest of us. Especially since my mother isn't going to be doing, or trying to do, any of the grunt work."
    "That sure cheers me up."
    "I was thinking about asking Theo if he wanted a part-time job. We could use a gofer a couple afternoons a week."
    "Great. Then he can hang around here mooning over you on a regular basis."
    "The more he's around me, the quicker he'll get over it. Daily contact'll take the edge off his hormones."
    "You think?" Ty murmured.
    "Why, Tyler, was that a twisted sort of compliment, or just your cranky way of saying I make you edgy?"
    "Neither." He studied the glossy again. "I go for sleepy-eyed blondes with full, pouty lips."
    "Peroxide and collagen."
    "So?"
    "God, I love men." She got up from the desk, walked to him, cupped his face in her hands and gave him a smacking kiss on the mouth. "You're just so cute."
    One hard tug on her hand had her tumbling into his lap. An instant later her quick laugh was cut off, and her heart pounding.
    He hadn't kissed her this way before, with impatience and heat and hunger all mixed together in a near brutal assault. He hadn't kissed her as if he couldn't get enough. Would never get enough. Her body quivered once—in surprise, in defense, in response. Then her fingers raked through his hair, fisted there.
    More, she thought. She wanted more of this edge, this recklessness, even the reluctant need.
    When he would have drawn away, she went with him, sliding up against the hard lines of him even as he broke the kiss.
    She scraped her bottom lip with her teeth, slowly. Deliberately. And watched his gaze lower to follow the movement. "What was that for?"
    "I felt like it."
    "Good enough. Do it again."
    He hadn't meant to do it the first time. But now his appetite for her was stirred, and not quite sated. "Why the hell not?"
    Her lips curved as he took them. Not quite as desperate now, not quite as rough. He could imagine, too well, what it would be like to slide into her. Into all that soft heat. But he wasn't sure how a man could get free again, or walk away whole.
    Even as he thought it, he was flipping open the buttons of her shirt. Even as he thought it, she was pulling him to the floor.
    "Hurry." Breathless, she arched when his hands closed over her.
    Fast. He could imagine it fast, and hard and furious. A mindless coupling, all heat and no light. It was what she wanted. What they both wanted. He dragged her up, clamped his mouth over hers again. His belly tightened, desire and anticipation, as she tugged at his belt.
    The office door swung open. "Ty, I need to—" Eli stopped in mid-stride as he stared at his grandson, at the girl he thought of as his granddaughter, tangled together on the floor. Color flooded his cheeks as he stumbled back.
    "Excuse me."
    When the door slammed, Tyler was already rocking back on his heels. Mind swimming, body churning, he rubbed his hands over his face. "Oh perfect. Just perfect."
    "Oops."
    At Sophia's response, Tyler spread his fingers and stared at her through them. "Oops?"
    "My brain's a little impaired. It's the best I can do. Oh, God." She sat up, pulled her shirt together. "Not your typical family moment." Giving up, she dropped her head to her knees. "Jesus. How do we handle this?"
    "I don't know. I guess I have to talk to him."
    She lifted her head slightly. "I could do it."
    "You fire unsatisfactory staff members; I talk to shocked grandfathers."
    "Fair enough." She lowered her knees, stared down as she buttoned her shirt again. "Ty, I'm really sorry. I'd never do anything to upset Eli, or to cause trouble between the two of you."
    "I know." He pushed to his feet and after a brief hesitation held out his hand to help her up.
    "I want to make love with you."
    His already jangled system suffered. "I think what we both want's pretty clear. I just don't know what we're going to do about it. I have to go after him."
    "Yes."
    When he hurried out, she walked to the windows, crossed her arms. And very much wished she had something equally vital and specific to do. All that was left for her was to think.
     
    Tyler found his grandfather walking toward the vineyards, Sally faithfully at his heels. He didn't speak, hadn't worked out what he would say once he did.