"You have a lovely home, Sam," Wyatt told him.

  "Thank you." He answered and led Wyatt into the space, showing him the layout and discussing some features before taking him to the balcony that had been set for dinner. It was impressive and gave Wyatt an Italian feel with the brick, stone, and greenery.

  Sam’s constant attention made him feel special in a way that didn’t seem contrived. What he felt from Sam was genuine regard and it was so good to be seen and appreciated. Even if it is only one night, Wyatt knew he would treasure it for a lifetime this man was pure gentlemanly manners and sophistication. There was also a heated excitement that radiated from him as well.

  Sam helped him get seated and poured their wine before serving the dinner. It was so nice, and the food was delicious. After a few minutes, the conversation began, and Sam asked him about school, interests, and general light topics before going in for the main query.

  "Are you seeing anyone, Wyatt?"

  “No, are you?”

  “No, there we got that out of the way.” He smiled and Wyatt laughed. “I know we have this business between me and your father but that will be finished soon, and it doesn't need to be a factor in our relationship. It’s completely separate from our business, you and me.” He motioned with his hand and leaned forward. Wyatt found that when Sam wanted to get serious he always leaned into him.

  "Like I said earlier, there is something between us. I can feel it in my bones, and I would like to see where this goes." Sam reached over and refilled Wyatt's wine glass.

  "I feel the same," Wyatt admitted with hesitation. "The only person lower than me at my father's office is the mail boy, so I know you're not looking for influence or clout, so your interest in me must be honest. There is nothing to be had by faking it." Wyatt was frank and forthright, and Sam's deep, steady stare never left him.

  Same reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, and a few seconds later, Wyatt's phone went off. When he checked it, he saw a list of job opportunities with Cabot.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Sam decided now was a good time to introduce some possibilities and sent the list of job openings to Wyatt’s phone. His reaction was surprise but also delight, and his warm smile was a welcome sight. "That's a list of every opening in line with your qualifications, so just let me know what you're interested in, and it's yours." Sam wasn't going to beat around the bush with this. He wanted Wyatt with him, and he was prepared to give him any job on that list that he desired.

  "Are you serious?" Wyatt's tone seemed a little constrained, and Sam wanted to dismiss any hesitation on his part.

  "I know your value, and if you are serious about wanting a change, I would like to offer you that change." Just to add security, he included a contract. "I will give you a three-year contract, and if for any reason the placement does not work out, you will be paid the remainder of your salary."

  "I appreciate the offer, and I will look over the list and let you know." Sam didn't want to push too hard, so he left it there and accepted that Wyatt needed to move at his own pace and in the way he felt comfortable.

  "I don't want to embarrass my father, and that's why I was going to look for something out of state and away from his peers. But your offer is attractive, and I will seriously consider it." Sam couldn't ask for more than that.

  "Every job on that list will remain open for the next two weeks, so take your time."

  “Thank you.”

  They finished dessert while discussing less pressing matters, such as local development in Eastport and the rise of new businesses downtown. "I worked for the Vaughn brothers at the Indigo for many years, first as a bartender and then as the manager of the Black Dog. It was good training a lot of rough and in your face customer handling. I learned a lot, and the experience was invaluable."

  “You worked for your uncle as well at the winery?” Wyatt asked.

  “Yes, I ran the marketing program."

  “He had a lot of trust in you.” It was a statement that seemed to drain the joy from Wyatt’s face. He obviously craved his father’s trust and support, but everyone knew that Holden Grey trusted no one but himself.

  “Come let’s go back inside.” He slipped his arm around Wyatt’s waist when he stood and directed him to the living room that overlooked the western vineyard. It was an enchanting view at night with the subdued lighting. Sam sat him down on the plush loveseat and poured him another glass of wine and handed it to him.

  "Thank you, but this should probably be my last. I don't want to overdo it and leave you with a bad impression." Wyatt was talking nonsense because there was no way on this earth that Sam would ever get a bad impression. Wyatt was his beloved, and he was the epitome of all things perfect.

  "You're fine, sweetheart. I know who you are, and a few glasses of wine will not change my opinion." Sam wanted to push this relationship forward because controlling his vampire instincts to capture and claim his beloved was much harder than he'd anticipated. Having Wyatt so close and having his heart and mind filled with his glorious scent was a trial.

  Sam placed his wine glass on the table next to him and turned to Wyatt. "Tell me about yourself." He wanted more than just the man who worked for Holden Grey. He wanted the real Wyatt.

  “What do you want to know?” He said with a shy lilt. “I’m not that interesting.”

  “What do you do in your spare time?” Sam hoped that would get the conversation started.

  “I enjoy studying history all kinds such as military, architectural, political, social economic, ancient, all kinds of history. I also watch a crazy amount of documentaries.” He acted like this was of no value and his next sentence proved that to be true.

  “I know I should be doing something of more value such as going to the gym or networking at the country club or maybe collecting art you know, something that makes you look clever in mixed company.” He finished and glanced away.

  "Who told you that?" Sam retorted and then raised his hand to stop Wyatt from answering. "Never mind, I know, and believe me, you cannot spend your life playing to the expectations of others. It's exhausting and never really achievable." He took the opportunity to reach his arm across Wyatt's shoulders and pull him a little closer. Wyatt leaned into the embrace, and Sam pulled him tighter. "Have you researched Eastport? Are there any interesting tidbits in our history?" He wanted Wyatt's mind off his father.

  "I know that Emmanuel Cabot, the original Emmanuel," he clarified, "founded the area and settled in Old Mission Peninsula years before the Eastport area was settled. I believe it was someone from the original settlement who branched out and settled here and named it Eastport. The records are a bit vague regarding specifically who made the move. It was a simple village for decades before growing over this past century.” Sam was impressed.

  “Your family has lived here for close to two centuries.” He told him. “You’ve also maintained the same business and property throughout those centuries. I find that remarkable.” He then turned to look at Sam with those vibrant blue eyes that said so much.

  “When you take over, it will be the first time in two centuries that the CEO of the Cabot winery will not be named Emmanuel Cabot.”

  “My uncle has a lot of years left in him but someday I will be master of the realm.” Sam desperately wanted to tell Wyatt everything to bring him into the secret and share his life, his real life with him but it was not the time.

  "My father plans to sell the business when he is ready to retire," Wyatt commented.

  “How do you feel about that?” Sam asked.

  “Like I need to be making my own plans for the future.”

  "I agree." Sam moved a little closer, and when Wyatt looked up at him, the mood was too charged, and he could not resist the lure of those gorgeous lips. He took them while wrapping Wyatt in his arms. Once he had a taste, there was no going back or slowing down. His vampire surged to the surface, and it was suddenly all about touch and taste and owning.

  Wyatt opened for him, and he thrust inside, tasting his beloved and glorying in the intensity of their connection. Sam adjusted their bodies as he continued to hold his lips in a kiss as ravenous as it was tender. The room began to heat up.

  Wyatt was pushed to his back upon the cushions with Sam above him. Gently he moved giving him room to caress the front of Wyatt’s well fitting pants feeling the hardness just beneath the fabric. The touch was charged and sent a thrill through Sam, pushing him to demand more.

  He trailed kisses along Wyatt's jaw while working to open the front of his pants. Wyatt made several thrusts, rubbing against Sam's hand in an attempt to feel more clearly reflecting Sam’s own need.

  Sam soon had Wyatt's pants open and his hard cock exposed to Sam's firm grip. As soon as Sam's fingers encompassed his heated cock, Wyatt began thrusting and gripping Sam's upper arms, digging his fingers in and causing a delicious pain.

  Sam closed his eyes as the ecstasy shot through him, sharpening his need and causing his vampire nature to surge to the surface. He didn't want Wyatt to see the red glow of his eyes, but there was no way to hold off what he was feeling. This might have been a bad idea, but there is no going back now.

  Wyatt was moving with him, and although no words were spoken, his desires were conveyed when his thrusts became faster and harder. The sounds of sex and need filled the air and heightened the heat already sizzling between them. Sam slipped down, placing moist kisses on Wyatt's abdomen before taking his hard, throbbing cock between his lips.

  Wyatt gasped and shivered, and his reaction was all it took for Sam to take him to the root, rubbing and working the tender flesh, forcing him quickly to the edge. Sam took a small taste of his life's blood, pricking the large vein and drawing deeply, and just that fast, Wyatt came.

  Sam took him deep and felt the warmth of his essence rush down his throat and fill his mouth. It was mind and mood-altering in so many ways. He'd never imagined the power of a beloved until this moment, and the need to claim and protect assaulted every nerve and every thought. He took it all feverishly, devouring every drop while Wyatt trembled with his release.

  Sam licked him clean and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his now softening cock and took several deep breaths while getting control of his baser instincts. "You taste like sweet summer sunshine, so pure and so good." He told him and received that amazing smile that once again sent a rush of desire through him. He would never in a thousand lifetimes ever get enough of this man. Every hour in his presence, the bond grew stronger, and the need went deeper.

  He tucked him back into his briefs and fastened his pants before moving up to look him in the eyes, and those eyes were so expressive. "I want a relationship with you, Wyatt Grey." He put his desires out there, clear and concise. Sam held him and saw myriad emotions flash across his countenance.

  "I want a relationship with you, Sam Cabot." He said and grinned that sweet look of nervous desire.

  “You’re an absolute beauty my love.” Sam stated and kissed him hard and exacting putting his mark on him owning him in the only way he could right now.

  Wyatt was blown away by the intensity of their evening together. When he’d gotten up that morning, he had a feeling the day was going to be eventful but never in a million years did he expect romance to blossom before the day was over. Especially not with someone the caliber of Samuel Cabot.

  Sam brought him home just after midnight and walked him to his door. Wyatt had made up an excuse of having to go to work early for fear that Sam was going to ask him to stay the night. Wyatt had panicked and thought he wasn't ready for the implications of staying the night with him, but now, sitting in his room and considering the lonely night ahead, he wished he'd had the guts to stay.

  The evening was more than he could have even imagined. Meeting Emmanuel Cabot was an honor as was the invitation to the winery not many had the pleasure of either. Why he was chosen was still a mystery, although Sam seemed to find him interesting and attractive.

  Hopefully, the feeling would last, and he would have the pleasure of having Sam in his life for a while longer. The intimacy they'd shared was so far beyond anything he'd felt before with anyone else, and he wanted to explore their chemistry further.

  With any luck, no one at work would know of the evening he spent with Samuel Cabot. After the grilling he received for just going to lunch with him, he didn't want to consider the upset it would cause if they knew he had dinner in the heart of the Cabot Winery or that he’d met the reclusive Emmanuel Cabot.

  He checked his phone when it signaled a message received and saw it was from Sam. "Goodnight, sweetheart, and I look forward to seeing you again very soon. Have a restful night, and I will call you tomorrow. Love Sam."

  Wyatt felt himself swoon ever so slightly at the sweet, romantic gesture. "Goodnight, and thank you for such a lovely evening." He responded, although he wanted to say so much more.

  Sam was his perfect man: tall, handsome, intelligent, well-mannered, attentive, and he could go on and on. He was someone Wyatt wanted to continue seeing, and as for his father or anyone else, they could go fuck themselves if they had a problem with it.

  Thankfully, he did not hear from his father and was able to have a decent night's sleep apart from reliving the special moments with Sam over and over again in his mind. The following morning, while in the shower, he threw his head back, closed his eyes, and pleasured himself with the image of Sam going down on him. His heart was beating so fast it nearly pounded out of his chest. It took the edge off but was not half as satisfying as the real thing.

  He was finishing his coffee and gathering his things to head to work when his father called. “Come to my office the minute you arrive.” He stated hard and abrupt.

  "Okay," Wyatt answered rather than asking questions since he knew what it was about. He didn't escape scrutiny as he'd hoped. Holden Grey hung up without another word, and Wyatt finished the last of his coffee before walking out at a leisurely pace and getting into his car.

  Normally a call from his father would have him tense and anxious and racing to work in order to find out what he’d done wrong and try to fix it, but not today. Today he took his time and somehow remained calm and detached from whatever drama was brewing at work.

  He entered the building and paused to stop and speak with Spencer from security a nice guy who always asked Wyatt how life was treating him. Wyatt always answered with the noncommittal ‘good and bad, how about you,’ but not today. Today he told him life was brilliant and filled with possibilities.

  “Glad to hear it Wyatt.” He smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Go get them buddy.” He added.

  "I plan on it," Wyatt responded with a confidence that surprised him. Where was this assurance coming from? The feeling was freeing in a way he had never experienced. Sam Cabot came into his life, and suddenly, he was ready to take on the world. He wondered if there was a correlation.

  He didn’t go to his desk but rather as instructed headed straight to his father’s office. His father’s secretary waved him on indicating for him to enter. This was a new secretary younger and prettier than the last.

  Holden always liked to upgrade periodically, and as he got older, his secretaries got younger. He thought about his stepmother for a moment but didn't dwell. She knew what she was getting into when she married the old man. He was not faithful to any wife or girlfriend ever, but that was his business and not Wyatt’s.

  Wyatt's mother had died in childbirth, so he never knew her, but from what he'd heard, Holden had loved her desperately, or it might just be a story that was told to make Wyatt feel better. Didn't matter; his mind was wandering, and he needed to stay focused.

  Sam didn't return to the chateau after dropping Wyatt at home, instead he spent the night at his apartment in town. Leaving Wyatt was difficult, but he had no choice as Wyatt wanted to go home. His excuse citing work responsibilities was not entirely true and the falseness of his words shown in his eyes. Sam couldn't challenge him or press him to stay without appearing overbearing or controlling, and he did not want to start their lives together in such a manner.

  Wyatt was hesitant, and although he thoroughly enjoyed their time together, which was clearly evident at the time, he still pulled back in the end. Sam understood that he was moving fast and Wyatt, being human, would need to slow down. He was anxious to move this relationship along the path that was predestined by Fate.

  He poured himself a cup of coffee and walked over to the large window in his living room and looked out upon the city below. His phone rang and he answered. “The lawyers would like a meeting with you this afternoon.” It was Marc setting up the time. “Would three o’clock work for you?”

  “Yes.” He said with no further explanation.

  "I'm make the arrangements." He said, and they closed the call. Hopefully, they'd found something that could force Grey to reach an agreement on the purchase. If not, a glamour would be used when he was finished playing their game. He would be fair, but Sam refused to be used and taken advantage of.

  His uncle had entrusted him with control of Cabot Inc and also the business side of the winery. It was a huge responsibility that he savored and took pride in growing the business while expanding in other directions and increasing their influence in the city. It was a necessary step now that shifter groups aside from the wolf pack were beginning to make Eastport and the surrounding areas their home.

  The Coven needed a more obvious presence, and Sam was committed to achieving a level of authority and command within the area. The wolf pack was dominant in Eastport, and the Coven needed to match that energy.

  He turned his attention to the property next door and wondered when Holden Grey would begin to negotiate in good faith. He couldn’t be upset since doing business with Grey had brought his beloved into his life, but it was time that business was completed.