Ryan had slept with me the whole night but made his way back to his room before dawn. He made sure to kiss me deeply once more before he left, and I fell back to sleep for at least another hour.

When I woke, I felt like a silly school girl replaying the night's passionate events as I was getting ready to go down to breakfast. Since we were going to be spending the morning wandering the vineyards and winery, I knew I needed to dress into something casual. But I still wanted to look cute.

Even though we were in California, the Napa Valley area was pretty chilly in January. Though it was nowhere near the level of cold compared to New York, it definitely wasn't the weather for short sleeves or a mini-dress. Looking at my options from the clothes the hotel concierge had bought me, everything seemed to be made for L.A.'s warmer weather. I almost lost hope of finding something suitable, until I saw a cute casual dress I hadn't worn yet.

It was a simple, army green v-neck, maxi dress that had quarter-sized, copper buttons down the front. The sleeves stopped just at my elbow, and the midsection was shirred right under my bust to help accentuate my waistline while making my chest noticeable but only just.

As I was applying my makeup and looking myself over in the mirror, I started imagining Ryan ripping the buttons off to fuck me in the middle of the vineyard. My body tingled all over at the thought. I shook the image out of my mind, knowing I was going to be the last one down to breakfast, and since I was a guest, I didn't want to be rude. I quickly put on a pair of slip-on, tan wedge sandals, and made my way out of my room.

Thankfully, I could hear the sounds of laughter wafting through the air, so finding my way to the breakfast area was easier than I thought it was going to be. As I walked in, I saw Harry and Barbara Upton, along with Adam and Ryan sitting at a large oval, wooden table in the breakfast nook of their massive kitchen. Instead of walls, the area was lined with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides, and the third wall had a large French door leading out to their flower garden.

"Wow!" I said, looking at the sight before me.

My comment startled Mrs. Upton slightly. "Vicky, Dear! Good morning!" She stood up to greet me with a kiss on each cheek. "Don't you look precious in that outfit."

"Thank you, Barbara." I smiled and greeted the rest of the members at the table. Making sure to sound as casual as possible when acknowledging Ryan.

"Please, have a seat." She gestured to the table.

There were two available seats. One next to each brother. As much as I wanted to sit next to Ryan, I sat next to Adam. "Mr. and Mrs. Upton, I love your home! But I have to admit, this breakfast area is probably my favorite part so far, especially with the view of your exquisite flower garden."

"Please, I insist you call me Harry. Also, thank you, Vicky," Mr. Upton responded. He proceeded to shovel a literal, silver spoon of perfectly scrambled eggs onto my plate, followed by some breakfast sausage links, and fruit. "Barbara actually put the garden together herself. She has a wonderful green thumb and didn't want anyone helping her with that area, no matter how much I urged her to hire someone."

"No one would have been able to create what I had envisioned, Dear. Plus, I am perfectly capable of handling a flower garden on my own," Mrs. Upton said, defending her stance on the matter.

I found it amusing watching the two of them banter. It made me excited for my future with Eric. Eric? Why was I thinking about Eric suddenly? I glanced over at Ryan, who was sitting across from me but was avoiding all eye-contact. Or maybe he was just being polite and paying attention to our hosts like I had been, up until Eric injected himself into my thoughts..

I forced Eric, Ryan, and even myself out of my mind. Returning my attention to having a pleasant conversation and breakfast with the Upton's. By the time breakfast was over, we were all comfortably talking and enjoying ourselves, including Ryan. Barbara was excited when I requested to tour her garden up close, before going to the vineyards.

The sound of the doorbell rang through the house. It was a pleasant chime, and it suited the mansion. Definitely nothing like the sound of my own buzzing bell my apartment had. Harry excused himself to answer the door. The rest of us went down the stone steps to the grassy labyrinth. It was lined with vibrant purple and yellow Violas, light pink Cyclamen, and two other types of flowers that I didn't know the names of. I was only able to recall the first two as I had seen them as options for my wedding bouquet when I had met with the florist.

"What are these two flowers called?" I asked, leaning down to touch them delicately and smelt a mixture of a sweet, spicy, and even soapy fragrance. It was a smell that my brain enjoyed.

"The one you're smelling is, Daphne odora." Barbara moved to stand next to me. "Napa Valley is actually the only place in the United States where you can find these flowers growing wild."

"They smell wonderful."

Barbara saw her garden shears nearby, picked it up, and came back to my side and snipped a bulb of the flower off its stem. "For you, Dear," she said, handing me the flowers. "Now these here," she continued before allowing me to thank her. "Are Setsugekka camellias. I like that they are more shrub-like than the rest. It gives the garden a more maze-like feel, don't you agree?"

"I do."

"Barbara!" Harry hollered from the entrance of the French doors, causing all of us to turn in his direction. "Look who's here!"

Just then, Eric stepped down the stone stairs with a broad smile on his face. I could feel my face instantly heat up, even though the air had a chill, at the sight of my fiance.

"Eric Walton! What a pleasant surprise this is!" Barbara cheered, moving past me and embracing him.

I used that moment to glance over at Ryan. He was looking at Eric with an expressionless gaze. I knew he was trying to play cool, but I wondered if he was freaking out as much as I was at that moment. I commanded myself to move, realizing I had frozen in place longer than I should have.

"Eric!? What are you doing here?" I asked, approaching him. Barbara and Eric parted, and he moved to me, kissing me on the lips.

I, of course, instinctively kissed him back. I kept it quick, out of respect for not wanting to be overly affectionate with him in front of the Upton's, but also because of Ryan.

"I thought it would be fun to surprise you. Plus, I thought it would be great to catch up with Barbara and Harry. After talking with you, I realized I hadn't been here in a long time and couldn't think of a better chance to seize this opportunity," he explained. "Hey, Adam! Ryan!"

Eric greeted the brothers and shook their hands.

"Sorry for stealing your fiance away from your wedding planning week," Adam said. "Had I known, I wouldn't have suggested Ryan bring her."

"No apologies needed, Brother. I love that you think so highly of Vicky. I know I do. She's a great asset to your company."

"We agree."

"Well, how about we take that tour of the vineyard?" Ryan asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.

*******

Throughout the whole tour of the vineyard, Eric kept himself close to me. Which meant Ryan kept his distance as much as he could without appearing rude. I really wanted to talk to him too. Especially since he had just confessed so much to me the night before. Plus, after such a passionate night, we owed it to each other to figure out where things stood between us.

The tour of the vineyard lasted most of the morning. By the time noon came, the Upton's suggested we have lunch before going to the winery to continue the tour and wine tasting.

Eric wanted to wash up while lunch was being prepared. Adam was talking to Mr. Upton, while he was at the large outdoor limestone kitchen, grilling chicken and vegetable skewers. Mrs. Upton was inside, getting the drinks and sides together. I was impressed that even though they were beyond wealthy, Barbara and Harry seemed to prefer to do most things themselves, instead of having hired help.

Ryan and I were sitting down on the outdoor patio couch. It was a long couch, and Ryan and I were sitting as far apart as possible, without making it look weird. I decided then would be the best time to talk to him while we had the moment alone.

"Can we talk?" I asked, cautiously turning my body to face his.

"We've been talking."

"I mean about last night? And Eric being here?"

He finally looked me in the eyes. I could see in his eyes that he appeared confused and frustrated. "I don't think there's much to talk about. You're Eric's fiance and my assistant."

"Even after last night, you're still going to play the mean boss game?" I asked, feeling anger growing.

"Last night was fun, but that's all it was," he said bluntly.

I felt shocked and hurt by his words. "Are you saying I jeopardized my future with Eric for just a night of fun!?"

"I didn't make the first move."

"The fuck you didn't," I snapped. "You said those words to me in the bathroom that started this whole thing. You kissed me in your office. You kissed my neck in the car ride here. You came to my room. You, you, you. You did all those things first. You, Mister Ryan fucking Herman, certainly made the first move."

He didn't respond. He just kept his eyes locked on me. But they weren't warm like they had been. They were cold now. Was this all a game to him?

"Fine, I'll admit it. I only did all those things to get back at Eric. He fucked me over by sleeping with my high school girlfriend. That shit broke my heart and our friendship. When I saw he was with you, I knew I had to seize the opportunity and get revenge for what he did."

The words coming out of Ryan's mouth were sending me into a rage. It was so hard to keep my composure, but thankfully my parents raised me well enough to know how to behave in public settings.

"So that story about being in my class and those conversations at the parties. That was a lie? Because I do recall those memories, I just didn't know they were with you."

"Oh no, that was all true. It's just when you blew me off after those two events, I knew you weren't worth it. Then when I saw that you were my assistant, I was excited to take advantage of you, the way my brother's do with their assistants all the time. Then when Eric turned out to be the icing on the cake, it was like I was getting a two for one special."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Ryan really was the asshole he presented himself as. I always thought he was just putting on a hard front, but no, he was, through and through, the worst human being I had ever known.

Whatever feelings I had earlier for him were totally washed away from this conversation. I couldn't stand being there anymore. I got up from the couch and went inside without looking back at Ryan once. I made my way up to my room and found Eric buttoning up his last button on his perfectly pressed white collared shirt.

"Hey, beautiful!" He smiled as he saw me.

I wanted to cry at that moment, but instead, I charged over to him and threw myself into him. I kissed him so deeply. With every response Eric gave me, the more I let Ryan leave my mind. I moved to unbutton Eric's shirt. I wanted him at that moment. I wanted to rid any feelings, inside and out, of Ryan from me. But Eric stopped me.

"Hun, we can't do this right now. We have to get downstairs for lunch."

"I want you to be my lunch," I said, kneeling in front of him. He didn't respond. I unzipped his khaki pants and pulled out his instantly, excited erection. I didn't hesitate as I placed my mouth around it and did what I knew how to do. Knowing what he liked made it easy for me to please him quickly. As he finished, I let it all wash down my throat, cleaning my lips with my fingertips as I stood back up.

"Oh my God, babe." Eric smiled a school-boy grin. "I will definitely return the favor later," he added, zipping up his pants, taking my hand, and leading me back downstairs to join the group for lunch.

While he may have been satisfied, the act of pleasing him and then seeing Ryan bothered me. I had lost my appetite entirely, and it was a struggle to make it through lunch with Ryan across from me and Eric at my side. I realized that no matter what, I was the one that was going to be screwed the most.