The Winemaker's Dinner: Entrée

by Dr. Ivan Rusilko

  He squeezed her hand, and she could tell he was wondering what she was thinking. She steered the conversation another way. “So no hint on what the surprise is?”

  “Nope…Well, I will tell you we’re going to Miami for it.”

  “Yay! What time is the flight tomorrow? I should tell my mom.”

  “It’s at eight-thirty, so we’ve got an early morning.”

  “Really? Ugh…yes, a very early morning.” She took another sip of wine. “Well, I’m already excited.”

  “Me too!”

  Crack! The two naked lovers sprang to attention at the sound of a rather large branch breaking. Following the rustling sounds in the thicket, Jaden spotted some large shadows lumbering through. She looked over at Ivan and mouthed the word elk. Motioning for him to grab the stuff, she pointed to their escape route and tried to convey with her eyes that it was time to go. Now. Seeming to understand the gravity of the situation, he grabbed their clothes and bag and followed her to make their escape, still naked as all hell.

  Sneaking through the brush, she couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous situation. They crouched in the most un-sexy positions to avoid antagonizing the huge, and hugely dangerous animals. Adrenaline ran high, and the visual had to be priceless. Thankfully Ivan was laughing—silently. Once they’d cleared the brush, their sneak became a sprint. And only when she was sure they were out of range of any charging elk did she stop so they could catch their breath. They leaned against the rocks, just a stone’s throw from the path they’d driven in on.

  “Damn, girl! You can move!”

  “Well, I’m not a pussy,” she said between breaths. “I had to save your life!”

  Just then a rumbling of a different sort echoed up through the trees, and they both hit the deck. They looked up from the ground to see a minivan drive by—with a camera poked out the passenger window. So much for having the mountain to ourselves, Jaden thought, beginning to laugh all over again.

  “Why didn’t you stand up?” she asked Ivan when the car had passed. “You could’ve really given them something worthy of a picture!”

  “Ha! Well, didn’t want to risk frightening the wildlife—or causing an accident,” he added. “That was quite the adventure.”

  “Yes, it was. And we still have to get out of here.”

  Smiling, they sorted through their hastily grabbed things to find their clothes and got dressed.

  “Let’s get back and spend some time with your family,” Ivan suggested.

  Relishing the memories they’d made, she sauntered over and kissed his ear. “I hope you had a good time. I did.”

  “Hell yeah, girl. This was awesome—including the elk.”

  Hand in hand, they retraced their steps to the SUV and headed back down the mountain for their last night in Colorado.

  Chapter 23

  “Two Tickets to Paradise”

  JADEN AND IVAN SPENT THEIR LAST NIGHT in Colorado enjoying a feast of roasted meat and sautéed vegetables, followed by delectable desserts. She continued to marvel at the free-flowing laughter and friendly exchange of opinions and ideas. She caught Ivan telling her father a hunting story at one point—and her dad was captivated, even asking a question or two.

  And the time she’d spent with Ivan, the much-needed opportunity to connect, had nearly erased the guilty black mark on her soul. Damian had been a terrible mistake, but he was her mistake. For Ivan, this was something she would bear. Gazing at him in the firelight, she admired how he fit into her life and her family. Like some majestic puzzle piece, he linked seamlessly with her. The night wound down with her father wishing them a safe trip, her sister giving them her best, and her mother reminding them they’d better be grateful she was waking up in…four hours to drive them to Denver to catch their flight. The only thing she missed was getting to see Justin. But he’d always been this way—coming and going as he pleased. At least it was work keeping him so busy now.

  After a round of hugs and thank yous, the family trickled upstairs, leaving Jaden and Ivan with a table full of dirty dishes and Shiraz-stained wine glasses.

  “Well…did I do okay? I didn’t embarrass you, did I?” Ivan asked as he began to clear the table.

  “You? No. Seems like you and my dad really hit it off. You hit it off with all of them.”

  “It was fun getting to know them in person. They’re great. Hopefully I’ll get to meet your brother soon, too.”

  “Yeah, maybe. He can be difficult, and evidently he’s working all the time, but I do love him,” she said, following him into the kitchen with a stack of plates. “So what should I bring for this little getaway? Any hints?”

  “Just yourself and a smile. That’s all you need.” He put the dishes in the sink and turned to face her. “That’s all I need too, come to think of it.”

  “Oh, come on, no hints? You suck.”

  “Okay, if I tell you, you promise you won’t say a word?”

  She had no idea what she was promising, but she nodded and crossed a quick finger across her heart.

  “I was sworn to secrecy, so do not rat me out,” he said. “There’s a fancy charity event in Miami, and Micky’s going to propose to Tasha while we’re there.”

  She felt a rock form in her stomach, though she kept a smile on her face. And she was ashamed at her disappointment. What did you expect? she asked herself accusingly. Tasha deserved this. She was going to be someone’s fiancé—but not Jaden. Not yet.

  “What? That’s amazing!” she exclaimed, trying to sound enthusiastic as she busied herself with the dishes.

  “Now, don’t you say anything!”

  She nodded and stuffed down her disappointment and resurging guilt. You don’t deserve a proposal right now. Then she focused on Tasha and Micky and summoned some true excitement for her best friend’s happiness.

  “Oh my God! I want details! Where’s it going to be? When?”

  “Quite the snoop, aren’t you? What are you willing to do to find out?” Ivan asked with a raised eyebrow.

  She slapped at him with a soapy hand. “Quite the pervert, aren’t you? Sexual extortionist? That’s a whole new low, doctor!”

  “Okay, okay. I’m just kidding. But I am serious about keeping quiet. You can’t say anything!”

  “I won’t!”

  “The event is at the Bath Club the day after we get back to Miami. It’s a posh little dinner with a singer—the perfect atmosphere. It’ll be a beautiful, intimate setting with a bunch of fancy Miami Beachers. I pulled some strings to get us all a table.”

  “Wow! That’s so amazing! What’s the charity?”

  “The Naked Foundation.”

  “Oh, of course. You’ve done lots of work with them.” She loaded the last of the dishes into the dishwasher and wiped her hands. “Well, this all sounds great. How can I help? I want to be involved too! Tasha’s my best friend.” She turned to him with a pouty look, which she could tell turned him on.

  “Okay, well, I’d love to get a woman’s opinion.” He uncorked what was left of the wine and poured them each a drink.

  She leaned against the counter. “Happy to help.”

  “That’s my girl.” He hopped up on the kitchen island and clinked his wineglass against hers. His eyes held a mischievous spark. “So what flowers would you suggest?”

  “Well, roses, of course, but they must be deep red. White belongs at weddings, but deep red means love and passion—thornless if it was love at first sight.”

  “Interesting formula,” he said. “Yours?”

  “This is an important day in a girl’s life, so we do research.” She winked.

  “Good to know. What about music?”

  “Well, for me it would definitely be Frank Sinatra.”

  “No kidding.”

  “Yeah, not a hard guess. For Tasha, I think more modern music.”

  “Food?”

  “Hmm…if I’m cooking—”

  “No!”

  Jaden gave him the eye and continued. “O
kay then. I’m not cooking. For me, something light and not too filling—like a chicken dish with steamed vegetables. But, you know, Tasha is more of a meat and potatoes girl. She’s not a big foodie, though. Pizza would work just fine for her.”

  “Good Lord. Well, I can assure you that will not be on the menu.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Drinks?”

  “I’d go with wine, and you know which kind, of course. But Tasha? Shots.”

  “Jesus.”

  “Yeah, she’s a little…well, you know. She’s a party girl.”

  “Yeah, I know,” he said with a low laugh.

  “So who’s coming? Will we know anyone else?”

  “Not a big crowd. I know Micky invited a mix of friends so it’s a good time. Pretty much everybody important, I guess. And then the paying customers at the event, of course.”

  “That’s so sweet of him. I’m so excited!”

  “You’d just better not say anything!” He poised his glass at his lips as he glared at her over the rim.

  “Or what?”

  “Or I get to do what we did in the woods today when we get back to Miami.”

  A flash of heat shot through her body. “You might want to consider a different form of punishment,” she purred. “Maybe something I didn’t enjoy.”

  “Oh reallllllly?”

  She winked and drained the last of the wine from her glass, letting her eyes linger at his crotch. He finished his wine in one big gulp and set the glass aside. He smiled at her but didn’t make a move.

  She set her empty glass down behind her and pushed off the counter. She put her hands on his thighs and pushed his knees apart to snuggle between his legs.

  “You’re so lucky we’re in your parents’ house tonight,” he said, his voice low and thick.

  She leaned in close and squeezed his firm cock. “Why does that matter?”

  He gasped, but couldn’t seem to come up with a thing to say. She kept her eyes on him as she unzipped his pants and grasped his dick in her hand. She kissed him slowly as she worked him up and down. He groaned into her kiss but pulled away, looking over his shoulder.

  Before he had a chance to protest further, Jaden swallowed him whole. Back and forth she moved, her hair draped over his lap. She knew he loved watching her, and she loved the thrill of knowing that at any second someone could turn the corner and catch them. Blowing Ivan on the kitchen counter in her childhood home was even more of a turn on than miniature golf.

  She grew more and more wet as his groans deepened and his guard dropped.

  “Ohh, fuck, Jaden…Oh…”

  Creeeeeeeeeeeak.

  Her head came to an abrupt stop halfway down his shaft, and his groans cut off mid-breath. Her eyes slid toward the hallway.

  “Whoops,” a male voice called from the shadows.

  “Shit!” Jaden cursed as she scrambled to cover Ivan. She squinted to make out the figure who’d just caught them. Too scrawny to be her dad—thank God. “Justin? Is that you?”

  “Well, I wish it wasn’t.”

  She sighed in relief.

  “I take it you’re Ivan,” he asked, stepping out the shadows.

  “Yep. Uh…hey, man, er…I’m so—” Ivan stuttered.

  “Don’t mention it. I didn’t see anything, and I’m going to bed.” Justin sounded a little annoyed, but he hugged her, albeit loosely when she approached him. His caution seemed justified considering the current state of affairs.

  “It’s so great to see you! Do you want some wine?”

  “It’s too late, and I’m too tired. I need some sleep. Plus I don’t want to interrupt. You looked a little busy.”

  “Oh, Justin,” she sighed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Have a good night,” he called, already across the room. He offered an informal salute and disappeared up the stairs.

  “That went well,” Ivan exclaimed when Justin’s footsteps had faded. “Three out of four ain’t bad, right?”

  “Don’t worry. That’s how he always is. He’s just a mellow dude.”

  “And you aren’t embarrassed? Your baby brother just caught you with a mouthful of me!”

  “Of course I am!” Jaden felt her face heat up. “But it is what it is. I’m sure he’s done much worse in here.”

  “I hope not. That’s a health code violation for sure!”

  “I did enjoy that taste of you,” she said, moving closer. “In Miami I want the whole thing, doctor.”

  “And you’ll get it, Ms. Thorne.”

  She stifled a yawn.

  “We now have three hours before we gotta get moving. How about you get to bed. I’ll finish this up.” He gestured to the last of the mess in the kitchen.

  “No, absolutely not.” She silenced him with a kiss.

  He kissed her back and hopped down off the island. He tucked away his still-erect dick and buttoned up. “Yes. You should get some rest. We have a long couple days coming up, and I want you at your best to help me pull off this proposal without a hitch.”

  “Deal, babe.” She hugged him, breathing his addictive scent. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  She smiled as she retreated to her room. Her best friend’s engagement. It just seemed perfect. She took a deep breath and realized she was finally happy again.

  Chapter 24

  “Wildflowers”

  THE SCREECH OF TIRES HITTING THE RUNWAY served as Ivan’s alarm clock when the nonstop flight from Denver to Miami touched down. He noticed Jaden stirring as well, and he joined her in stretching arms and legs, shaking off the fitful hours of in-flight sleep.

  “Ugh, I am so tired.”

  “Didn’t you sleep well last night?” she asked, eyes concerned.

  “I just need a few more hours.” He groaned as he retrieved his phone.

  “Ah, poor baby,” she teased. “Too much jet-setting lifestyle.”

  “Aren’t you funny.”

  “Well, you can sleep in the cab.”

  “And you can give me a back massage while I do.”

  Rolling her eyes, Jaden laughed and stood up to retrieve her bag from the overhead bin. “We’ll see.”

  Soon they were strolling hand in hand through the all-too-familiar Miami airport. The way it was supposed to be. He smiled as he looked over at her. Normally so put together in public, she hid today behind oversized sunglasses and a pajama-like outfit she’d hastily chosen that morning. She still looked beautiful.

  Cresting the opposite side of the security gate, he checked his phone again.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Will you quit your snooping?”

  “Always a workaholic. I know you do have ADD, but you also have your girl in town, so just relax,” she commanded sweetly.

  “Who said it was work? You’re the queen of assumptions!”

  Her smartass grin faded into sheer excitement as she looked toward the exit and saw someone—someone who came running toward her, squealing all the way.

  “Jadeeeeeeen!”

  “Tashaaaaa!” She dropped her luggage at his feet and ran. They nearly knocked each other over.

  “I’m so excited to see you!” Jaden hugged her friend tight.

  “Me too, Ms. Superstar. Wow, you’re in phenomenal shape.”

  “Oh, stop! I love your hair!”

  “Yeah? They cut it shorter than I wanted to, but I think I love it now too.”

  More incomprehensible woman chatter ensued as Ivan scooted past the gabbing girls to Micky. “Women,” the two muttered simultaneously. Shaking their heads, they left the ladies behind and began loading the suitcases into Micky’s silver Grand Cherokee.

  “She have any clue?”

  “No, I told her you were proposing to Tasha.”

  “What! Why the hell would you do that?” Micky nearly yelled, panic in his voice.

  “So she’ll be extra careful not to meddle or get suspicious.”

  “God, I hope she doesn’t tell Tasha anythin
g.”

  Ivan laughed. “What, you couldn’t handle her?”

  “Oh, I can handle her all right. You have everything set up?”

  “Fuck, I spent all last night emailing every contact I have to make this thing the way she wants it. Didn’t sleep a wink.”

  “How do you know how she wants it?”

  “When you’re good, you’re good, man.” He slapped Micky on the back.

  “Well, fingers crossed for you. It would be a shame to see that rock go to waste.”

  “No shit.” Ivan rolled his eyes.

  “What are you going to do if she says no?”

  Ivan glanced over at Jaden, still talking a mile a minute in her pajamas. He couldn’t help but smile. “If she says no, it will be the first time in my life I haven’t had any idea what to do…Of course then I suppose I’ll go on a rogue mission of mindless, nameless, faceless sex and depravity. Never done that…But don’t they say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone?”

  They burst into laughter, and Micky added, “Or behind someone.”

  “Now you’re speaking my language, my friend.”

  “How was her parents’ place? You survive that okay?” Micky asked, shifting gears.

  “Yeah, it went amazing, actually. Not a problem at all. I got that much-needed stamp of approval from both parents, so I’m more relaxed now. Hopefully they were the hard ones to convince,” Ivan said with a laugh.

  “One girl the rest of your life? You ready for that?”

  Without hesitation Ivan smiled. “Absolutely.”

  “And her? She’s ready for one dick for the rest of her life?”

  “Jesus, no cuff,” Ivan laughed. “I hope so.”

  “What’s up with her co-host, by the way? Tasha says he’s kind of a douche.”

  “Ehh, he’s harmless. Fucking pretty boy Casanova wannabe. There aren’t too many people in this world that irk me, but that little shitstain does.”

  “Wow, does he irritate Jaden that much too?”

  “You know, he did at first, but she hasn’t said much about him at all lately. Things must have settled down. I’m sure she’s got him whipped into shape.”