BWWM | Oneshots & Short Stories

Tennessee Whiskey - V

Kylie was beyond excited. She had never been on a helicopter ride before. Sure, she was close to terrified but somehow Joe made her feel safe. He'd introduced her to his long time friend and pilot — William who had over 10,000 flight hours under his belt.

On the aircraft, Joe helped her with her aviation headset and once they all were harnessed inside, William got them ready for takeoff.

The ride was short, a little over half an hour plus a ten minute ride to their destination. About forty-five minutes later, they had arrived at Arrington Vineyards. Kylie was over the moon. She happened to be a huge wine fanatic but had never visited a winery.

Joe had a tour planned for them and he watched in adoration as Kylie hung onto every word the vintner — Adrian — was speaking.

"Wow, I can smell the flowers," Kylie wafted the aroma towards herself from the glass of wine she was holding.

"And what else?" Adrian asked. He was an older fellow with wrinkles that gave his face charm and wisdom.

"I'm smelling coffee for some reason." Kylie said before taking a sip.

"Yes, a true characteristic and maybe the most identifiable of the Cabernet Franc. Well done, my lady." Adrian had taught her all about the process from growing the grapes, to the pressed grape crushing, fermentation, clarifying and so forth.

"Now if you'd be so kind, I need help crushing some grapes."

Kylie looked up at Joe with pleading eyes.

"Enjoy, darling." Joe followed behind and Kylie as Adrian led her to a huge vat with a spout for the juice to stream out into a separate barrel.

Kylie kicked her heels off without a second thought. She lifted her dress a couple more inches and squealed when the grapes burst between her toes. Joe was not going to join but watching her child-like excitement was enough for him.

"That was so fun!" After a while, Kylie let Joe help her down the short staircase. Right next to the vat of grapes was a table.

"I knew that would be your favorite part of the night. Sit here." Joe directed her to sit on top of the wooden bench table. He sat on the actual bench with a towel on his lap. She was going to grab it from him to get the remnants of grape juice off her feet but he did it for her. Kylie didn't know if it was because she hadn't been expecting it or if it was because the action was so intimate but she nearly forgot where they were.

"Thank you," her words barely came out in a whisper.

"You're welcome," Joe stood from the bench. The copious amount of wine they'd drank had definitely intensified every nerve in her body.

"You're making this so impossible." Kylie shook her head in mock disbelief but the sexy smile on her face said it all. Joe lifted her arms to his shoulders, then wrapped his arms around her.

"What's that?"

"To not fall in love with you." Kylie admitted.

Joe's chuckle made her laugh giddily.

"Then why are you fighting it?" Joe asked her. He gently ran his thumb across her dimpled cheek, waiting for her to answer.

"I don't know," Kylie shrugged. "To be honest, this whole thing is unbelievable. It feels like a fairytale, like I'll wake up from a long sleep...alone."

"What's so unbelievable about it?"

"Joe you can't be serious." Kylie's eyes widened. When he didn't respond, Kylie sighed, "okay. You're like...the most beautifully sad person I've ever met. But you make me happy. Happier than I've ever been. You remind me of how it feels to be appreciated and cared for. Honestly, look around us. This date is straight out of a princess story book. Seriously." Kylie smiled. "And I can't figure out what I did to deserve it."