Her Revenge Contract
Chapter 39

Katherine's

POV

"Where are we going, Xavier?" I asked as we took the turnoff out of the city.

"It's a surprise," he answered, keeping his eyes on the road.

I was surprised that Xavier was the one who picked me up and was driving, not his usual driver.

"Haven't you surprised me enough?" I asked as my gaze moved toward the ring on my finger.

"No," he answered, and a teasing smile pulled at the corners of his lips, "this is just the beginning..."

"You do know it is not part of our original agreement."

"I know, but I enjoy spending time with you," Xavier said, cutting me off.

"But..."

Xavier turned his gaze toward me, becoming serious.

"Kate," he said, before he turned his attention back to the road, "we are officially making our engagement public in a few days; things are going to be crazy. Visit Job ni b .com to read the complete chapters for free. So enjoy the bit of time outside of the stressful environment and, as he paused and looked at me, "live a little! You have nothing to lose when you go out with me, so have fun and enjoy every minute of it while you still can." Xavier was right.

I needed to get out more.

Digging and reading through endless financial reports and contracts would make anyone depressed.

A break would do me good, yet I was still curious about where we would be going.

We were about 35 miles out of town, going north, when Xavier took an unfamiliar turn off, and I shifted my head to the side, reading the information board at White River Estate, 5 miles away. "White River Estate?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Why does the name sound so familiar?

A teasing smile played on Xavier's lips, yet he refused to give me any more information.

"I am dying here, Xavier," I eventually said. "I have never been a curious person, but I am itching to know where we are going."

"I know," he answered, turning his gaze to me. "It's just that it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you..."

I let out a frustrated breath, and Xavier chuckled next to me. He was enjoying his new torture technique!

The tar road changed into a dirt road, and another information board gave the mileage.

Annoyance crossed my face as the board indicated 2 miles.

I pulled my lips into a thin line, crossed my arms around my waist, and shifted my gaze out of the window.

Rows and rows of tall trees greeted me, yet I was able to see the sun hanging low against the horizon between the huge trees.

The sky was changing its color from blue to all kinds of pinks and oranges. It looked breathtaking.

I sighed, and a small smile formed at the corners of my lips.

"It's beautiful," I said, gesturing toward the sunset.

"Not as beautiful as you," Xavier replied, and my face flushed red.

Xavier took another turn off, towards the tall tree.

"We are almost there," he said, and he brought the truck to a stop before a huge silver gate with black marble wolves sitting on both sides of the gate. Xavier picked up his phone and dialed a number.

"It's me," he said, "we are here... yes... thanks!" Then cut the call as soon as the gate opened.

Ten minutes later, he parked the truck in front of a huge mansion, got out, and opened the passenger door for me.

"Where are we?" I asked as my gaze moved over the beautiful white Italian building.

"White River Estate!" He answered.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

"This will be our home away from home," he announced, walking to the back of the truck and opening the boot. "Uhm, Xavier..." I hesitated, confused. I didn't bring anything to wear.

"Yes?" He answered as he retrieved a bag from the boot.

"You said..."

I was pretty sure he said we were going out for dinner, not staying overnight.

"Dinner, yes..."

"But, but, but?" I blabbered, bewildered.

"But what?" He asked and turned his gaze toward me.

"Are we staying?" I asked, still unsure if I had heard right.

"We are..." he answered and took my left hand, kissing my ring finger.

"The whole weekend?"

"Yes," he said again, pressing his lips against my knuckles.

"But I don't..."

My thoughts died off as Xavier shifted his head to the side and gestured with his gaze at the duffle bag in his hand. He didn't! Did he?

"Come on," he said, pulling me close to him. "Greyson's grandparents are waiting for us."

"Greyson's grandparents?"

"Well yes," he said, as we started to climb the stairs, "they run the winery on the farm." "Wine?" I gasped, confused.

No wonder the name looked so familiar. White River Estate was a white wine winery.

"Yes," Xavier answered, "Greyson's grandparents own a third of the estate, and the rest belongs to me."

"You are into wine?" I asked and froze in my spot. I would never have believed it if Xavier hadn't told me himself.

"Not really," he answered, opening the front door. "I just do the marketing and finance side; Greyson's family does the production of the wine; and Greyson is responsible for the distribution of the wine."

"Oh," I said, and Xavier gestured for me to enter.

"Wow!" I gasped, seeing a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the roof. It was extraordinary and beautiful.

"You have seen nothing yet," Xavier said. "Come on, let me show you around."

Xavier dropped the bag at the front door on the floor, took my hand, and led me to the next room.

"This is the living room," he said, moving on to the next.

I hadn't even properly taken in the details of the living room when he opened the double wooden doors to a spacious terrace overlooking the Winelands.

I gasped as I went through the door. The sunset was now in full bloom, and it was even more beautiful than a few minutes ago.

I walked toward the rail and watched the sunset. Xavier came to stand next to me and handed me a drink. My gaze moved back toward the double door, and just a few steps further down, a fully equipped bar stood, all proud and fully stocked. The bar counter looked like it was made out of expensive rosewood, and yet another two huge wolves surrounded the bar area.

A bartender with dark hair stood behind the bar, smiling.

"To us!" Xavier said, raising his glass.

His gaze fell on my face, and Xavier's gaze moved toward my lips.

"You are truly something, Katherine King!" He whispered, carefully moving a stray hair from my face, and then moved his index finger on the side of my face.

Electric sparks erupted everywhere his finger touched.

I swallowed hard as tension built up between us, and my gaze met his blue ones.

His eyes only held compassion and love, yet I could read the sadness in them too.

Was Xavier about to kiss me?

Will I allow him?

Should I give in? What if?

A taunting smile followed on Xavier's lips, and he stepped away from me.

I almost whimpered out loud at the loss of his touch.

F*ck! What was Xavier doing to me?

Xavier snaked his arm around my waist and turned his gaze toward the field below.

"I want to have the wedding here," he whispered.

My body froze in his arms, unable to utter a word.

"Think about it," he said seriously, dropping his gaze toward me. "Will you be willing to give us a chance?" Xavier asked.

I refused to meet Xavier's gaze; my heart raced in my chest, and my breath escalated.

This wasn't part of the plan!

I let out an uneven breath, trying to control my raised heart, and closed my eyes.

"Focus!" I internally yelled at myself.

So far, Xavier has only been good to me!

My mind started to race, throwing questions at me.

Should I blindly trust Xavier?

Should I give in to my needs and the mate bond and see where it goes?

I have nothing more to lose than to gain!

My parents are dead, my family hates me, and my pack doesn't even know me... If I disappeared now, who would come looking for me?

"Xavier!" My conscious screamed, "he would turn the world upside down to replace me!"

I sighed, knowing my conscience was right.

Around Xavier, I felt alive, wanted, and even powerful and free.

But is it what I wanted?

Is it what I need now?

Will it work?

"Yes!" My inner self answered, "You are in love with him!"

Another breath escaped my lips and I gave in. I slowly nodded my head and opened my eyes.

"Okay," I squeaked the answer, feeling my throat horse and dry, "I-I-I will give us a chance..."