Chapter 4 So Do I Pass?

• Liam kept watching them from his side of the hall; they looked way too animated for his comfort. Why he thought so was something he was not ready to explore.
• Instead, he settled on the fact that he had to leave the event, as he needed to prepare for Monday, wife in hand or no wife in hand.
• An unfamiliar feeling kept rising from the pit of his gut the longer he watched Alistair and this wine sister going on and on about only heaven knows what.
• Again, he chucked the feeling to strained patience, haste, and a good sense of time management.
• Alistair didn’t seem to be walking his way, so as the saying goes about Mohammed and the mountain, he decided to walk towards them.
• As he made his way through the crowd, dodging familiar faces and pretending not to hear his name being called, he noticed the wine sister, tasting a competitor’s brand.
• He slowed down his pace so he wouldn’t interrupt her analysis. A sudden sense of curiosity took over. He wondered to himself if they thought alike.
• After listening to her verdict, he was quite impressed. But not one to show his feelings, he suppressed them and uttered these words: “That’s quite some palate; I would like to know what it can do with a whiskey brand.”
• Rosie turned to face him, and they locked eyes. She was mesmerized by their blue-grey shade. Her eyes traveled from his eyes to his chiseled yet slender chin, then his tall, lean frame.
• He was both fascinating and a dangerously attractive man who stood inches taller than her. Rosie was for once lost for words.
• She wondered how a human being could be so gorgeous. He stood an impressive six feet two inches, lean-framed but with a well-structured build and defined broad shoulders that tapered down to a slim waistline.
• He had a full head of hair, rich, dark, and well-trimmed, stopping at the nape of his neck. This specimen of a man also came with blue-grey eyes that seemed to pierce through the soul, making her both drawn to him and slightly terrified of him.
• Liam was no stranger to gawking women, but for some reason, he was extra pleased that he got the same reaction from her.
• Liam also had to say, at a closer range, she looked even more beautiful than he thought. With very light makeup on her face, he could tell that it did little to add to her alluring look.
• She was a petite, delicate natural beauty with soft curves, a full head of rich red-bright hair, and big green almond-shaped eyes that seemed full of curiosity.
• Full plump lips, fair smooth skin that looked soft to the touch, and a dust of freckles that were somehow gracefully arranged around her nose and traveled to her lower cheekbones.
• She looked like a delicate flower that should be handled with care and guarded from all the dangers of the world, yet he could sense a strength about her that also made him feel like she could take a lion down, all by herself.
• He held himself back from brushing off a strand of curly red hair that seemed to have escaped from the bun where the rest sat obediently.
• Alistair cleared his throat, attempting to break the very awkward staring match.
• “Miss Rosie, permit me to introduce you to Mr. Liam Delvin, CEO and Managing Director of the Devlin Reserve Co., and more importantly, the one reason I replied to your sister’s email.” Alistair continued.
• “Oh wow…Nice to meet you, Mr. Liam.” Rosie managed to get out, stopping herself midway from taking a bow. Oh yes, the anxiety and nerves were back.
• Liam smirked, curtly repeating himself. "So, like I said, you’ve got quite some talent there, but I still wonder how you would do with something a bit stronger."
• Rosie immediately sensed something off-standish about this Mr. Liam, and just like that, every form of admiration faded. Well, those looks and a great personality would have been way too much.
• “Guess there is balance in the world again.” She muttered quietly behind the wine glass she placed on her lips.
• But Alistair was not fooled; Liam was putting up a front. He caught the glimmer in Liam’s eyes when Rosie locked eyes with him. He knows his best friend way too much; Rosie stirred something in him.
• “Well, I won’t say I am a whiskey girl, but I always know a higher-than-average brew when I taste one,” Rosie responded, mustering all the self-restraint she could not to sound rude.
• Typical Rosie would have told this pretentious snub off, but he is why she is here after all. Besides, didn’t Alistair say something about helping him out of a bind? Well, she could wait till then to decline his offer and tell him off then.
• He probably wants to expand his ever-growing empire by buying off her family business. Not a chance!
• "Well, let’s put that to the test, shall we?” Liam responded and turned, heading towards the whiskey-serving side of the hall. Alistair and Rosie followed.
• Liam raised one finger as they approached the server. The server hurriedly, yet nervously, poured a shot of whiskey into a glass.
• Liam picked up the glass, delicately twirled its contents, and passed it on to Rosie.
• Rosie, clearly annoyed yet up for putting pretentious know-it-all in his place, snatched the glass from him and took a swipe of the whiskey.
• She had to admit, that the whiskey tasted exquisite; her mouth felt the warmth spread as it moved from her tongue to the back of her throat. It was strong, but she could still taste its rich yet balanced mix of flavors.
• “So, I am still waiting for the wine sister's verdict,” Liam stated while catching himself enjoying her reaction way too much as she took another sip of the whiskey.
• Again, visibly upset by his lack of manners—at least that is what she decides to call his stuck-up attitude, she responded, “I have to admit this is a premium brew; I can taste time and history, It has spent years in the barrel.”
• “I taste caramel, dark chocolate, with dry figs, and a hint of spice,” she continued, taking another sip, closing her eyes, and retreating into her zone.
• “But the best part of it is its finish; it lingers, warm and slightly smoky, reminding you of its journey”. She said, finally opening her eyes.
• Both Alistair and Liam were quiet; they could feel her description, as if they were experiencing the taste with her, even without taking a sip.
• Even though they were well acquainted with the brew, after all, it was a bottle from Devlin Reserves. But Rosie made them relive the experience as if it were their first time tasting the drink.
• “So do I pass?” Rosie asked, breaking the silence. “And why am I even here? Are you in search of a personal taster?”
• “No, I am in search of a wife," Liam replied, taking Rosie aback.