From This Moment On (The Sullivans #2)(16)

“Marcus, how does that sound?”

He looked up at the men who were waiting for his decision about the new corks they were considering for his latest vintage. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his assistant, Ellen, frowning at him, obviously confused by his unusual lack of focus.

“The materials they’re using sound quite close to what we’ve been looking for,” she told him. She lifted up her iPad so that he could see her spreadsheet. “Of course, we should review their documents and my notes further before we sign any contracts.”

Ellen had started working for him in the tasting room and he’d quickly realized that, while she had an excellent touch with the customers who came by to try his wines, she was too bright and quick to be wasted there. Yet again, she was proving her worth to him.

“Yes,” Marcus agreed, “the specifications look good. We’ll review them further and get back to you.”

His phone buzzed and he looked down at it, hoping for a moment that it was Nicola even though he knew that was impossible. He hadn’t given her his number. And he didn’t have hers.

He’d done that on purpose, knowing even the faintest trail would find him heading straight toward her.

Especially after that kiss.

Jesus. That kiss.

She’d tasted so good. A faint taste of coffee, a hint of toothpaste, but none of that could disguise her own sweet essence.

What, he’d been wondering every single second since then, would her skin taste like? Not just on her face, her shoulders, her br**sts, but between her legs, while—

His sister Lori’s face popped up on his phone and he realized he’d been doing it again: losing the thread of everything but Nicola.

“Excuse me, I need to take this,” he told the group before pushing away from the table and walking out into the hallway.

Family always came first for Marcus, just as Jill had accused. If one of his brothers or sisters or his mother needed him, he would do anything he could to be there for them. Even before his father had died, as the oldest there’d been an instinctive weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Of course, after his father died that weight had grown infinitely heavier.

“Hi, Naughty,” he said, using the nickname Chase had given Lori years ago.

He could almost see her expression, that faintly irritated look she had whenever they called her that. Despite her protests that she didn’t like it, Marcus knew better. Lori definitely liked people thinking she had a little edge. Especially since she would have hated being called Nice like her twin sister, Sophie.

“Are you still in the city?”

“I’m just about to finish my last meeting.”

“Great!”

Lori’s energy was palpable even through the phone. Dancing was the perfect career for her, considering she had more energy that two people combined. She’d been a terror as a toddler and pre-schooler. A really cute terror who knew just when to turn on the smiles to get what she wanted or the waterworks to get out of trouble.

“Do you have time to come by and see me at my video shoot before you head back to Napa?”

“I wouldn’t miss it. Text me your location and I’ll leave now.”

Ellen had things well covered here. And considering he couldn’t concentrate worth a damn today, the meeting would be better off without him.

Hanging up, he walked back into the conference room. “I need to leave early, but as you already know, Ellen is well versed in what we’re looking for and can take it from here.”

She beamed at him, clearly pleased that he had enough faith in her abilities to leave her in charge of the negotiations. He shook everyone’s hand and said a silent thank you to Ellen. You’re welcome was evident in her returning smile.

Lori was just the person he needed to see. Even though Smith was a movie star, she hadn’t gotten the job working on the pop star’s video through her connection to him. She’d worked hard to get this gig all by herself, and Marcus, along with the rest of them, was incredibly proud of her.

He and Lori had always had a special relationship and he was glad she’d asked him to come watch her work.

It was the perfect way for him to forget all about Nicola.

* * *

Nicola lifted the water bottle to her lips and drained it. They’d all been working hard today in preparation for the filming that began tomorrow. Shooting a video was never cheap, but as soon as the cameras started rolling the costs went up exponentially. Nicola and the rest of her dancers needed to be ready to the nth degree by the time the director walked into the room Friday morning.

Yesterday, she’d thought she was good to go.

But today had been a disaster.

She couldn’t focus. Not after the call that had come in from her publicist just after she’d left in the cab. Nicola always had Sandra inform her of any pictures she saw circulating of her and whatever star of the week she was supposed to be dating so she’d be prepared to deal with questions.

This morning Sandra had come straight to the point. “I’ve just seen pictures of you leaving a club with some guy I don’t recognize."

Even though Nicola had expected this, her heart had pretty much stopped. Especially because she’d been too upset about her battered pride at Marcus turning her down to actually get around to telling him who she was and to mention some unexpected press might be coming his way in the very near future.