The Winemaker's Dinner: Appetizers

by Rusilko, Dr. Ivan

  Since Jaden had begun wearing makeup and doing her hair on a regular basis, getting ready had become second nature to her. Even the thought of dressing properly didn’t frighten her so much now. Throwing on a pair of khaki capris, a moss green tank top, and a pair of brown leather sandals, she was ready to go. Parking this time of day was crazy, so taking a taxi to the location seemed like the best option. Hailing the first cab she saw, Jaden hopped in and set sail for her first casting call.

  The same butterflies that had accompanied her on the shoot with OD Magazine start to flutter as the taxi pulled up in front of 1111 Lincoln Road. Following the signs that had been placed in the lobby, Jaden took the elevator to the seventh floor, down the hall, and to the door labeled Cooking Casting. She walked through the door and time seemed to stand still as everyone stopped to stare. The room was filled to the rafters with chefs of all shapes and sizes, some of whom she knew as local chefs of rival restaurants, and others who were celebrities of sorts, having already appeared on reality TV shows.

  The small, effeminate man at the desk directed her to the sign-in sheet at the other side of the room. Jaden felt a little uneasy because it now appeared she’d dressed too casually, but oh well, too late to change now. Besides, with this caliber of chefs vying to be contestants, she didn’t have a prayer. Already having committed to the audition, walking out simply wasn’t a possibility, so with a great deal of effort, Jaden swallowed hard and decided to make the best of it. She signed her name across the sheet.

  Jaden sat in the back and didn’t say a word as one by one the others were called, each of them disappearing into a private room. She could have cut the tension with one of her knives. As she waited, the realization struck that she wasn’t exactly sure what she was auditioning for. She’d been contacted at the last minute, but by the looks of it, all the other chefs were prepared.

  “Jaden Thorne,” the effeminate man who’d greeted her called out.

  Hopping up, Jaden crossed the room and continued through a set of large steel doors behind him. She entered an overly bright white room, and Jaden felt as though she’d stepped onto a blank canvas--not a speck of color anywhere, just white walls, white ceilings, and white-tiled floor. In front of her sat three people, two men and a woman she’d guessed was Jessie. A large camera sat in the middle of the room, facing a white high stool. A wave of anxiety crashed over her as she approached the chair from the side. What was she doing here? She should be enjoying her day off, not sweating in front of a camera.

  “Hello, Chef Thorne,” the woman called. “I’m Jessie, and I’m delighted you could make it on such short notice. These are my colleagues from the network, Paul and Lawrence.” Her voice echoed in the vast cavern of the empty room.

  Jaden walked over to the table and shook each hand as she made her introduction. The men wore stuffy business suits, making it obvious they were not locals. Jessie, however, had the Miami flair. She wore a flowing dress and a huge smile to match.

  The first suit spoke up. “Chef Thorne, here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to put you in front of the camera, ask you a couple questions, and that’s it. Just act natural and stay relaxed. They say the camera adds five pounds, but it amplifies your attitude as well.”

  Seems easy enough, Jaden thought.

  The second suit spoke just as the first finished his spiel. “This audition is for a major network, a syndicated television show. Should you be selected as a contestant, the network requires that you travel to LA for filming. Will that be a problem?”

  Major show, syndicated television, Los Angeles…this was too crazy. Jaden’s mouth opened before her brain had a chance to formulate a proper response. “No, sir. That won’t be a problem.”

  “Fantastic!” the first suit chimed in. “We were told to pay close attention to you, so good luck, Chef Thorne.”

  What? Jaden didn’t have time to contemplate the remark as the suits’ inquisition began. She felt het palms getting sweaty. In a voice as pleasant and calm as possible, she replied, “I’ll try not to disappoint.”

  “Go ahead and take a seat,” Jessie said, pointing to the uncomfortable-looking stool. “We can begin whenever you’re ready.”

  Hoisting herself up in the chair, Jaden looked fate directly in the lens and dove right in.

  Chapter 21

  “Closer”

  TALK OF TURKEY, STUFFING, and overcrowded airports filled the radio waves, alerting Jaden and all of Miami Beach that Thanksgiving was right around the corner—as was her trip to Meadville. She could hardly imagine what it would be like for her and Ivan to have three full days together, uninterrupted. No pots or pans or leering stares. Jaden was so determined to leave work behind that she’d decided not to tell Ivan about the audition. It wasn’t like she had a chance in hell of getting the part, and telling him about it would just be a distraction. This weekend was about them. Just them. Besides, then she wouldn’t have to look foolish when she got the inevitable email telling her they’d selected someone else.

  Their plans were all set to make the two-and-a-half-hour flight aboard the only airline that would take them directly to Pittsburgh, where they would then meet Ivan’s mother for an additional ninety-minute ride to the backwoods of northwestern Pennsylvania. It would be a quick trip, as Geoff had begged her not to be away the entire holiday weekend, but it was nevertheless a vacation, and Ivan would be here any minute to whisk her away to his family’s traditional Thanksgiving festivities. It was a big step for their budding relationship, but Jaden was looking forward to it. Over the past few months, she’d gown fond of his family through Ivan’s stories, and although they’d never actually met them, she felt as though she’d known them her entire life.

  As Jaden had packed for the visit, she remembered Ivan’s warning not to bring anything formal or expensive. He’d listed the trip’s highlights as campfires, canoes, homemade wine, and guns, so it was a safe bet she could leave her high heels behind. She was ready for the cold weather with a collection of jeans, warm sweaters, and fleece jackets she’d brought with her from back home. Growing up in Colorado had prepared her for anything that Mother Nature could throw at her.

  She was less prepared for what the sleeping arrangements might be when they got there. Ivan’s mom was religious, so did that mean they’d have to sleep in separate beds? Sighing, Jaden made sure to tuck in a sexy set of lingerie to spice things up if they had the chance.

  Minutes after getting the call from downstairs, Jaden heard a soft knock on the door and opened it to find Ivan in the doorway wearing his million-dollar smile.

  “Are you ready, baby girl?”

  “I think a more fitting question is, are you ready for your family to meet me?” Jaden replied. Standing on her tiptoes, she placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Did you remember to pick up those things I asked you to get?” She slinked across the floor toward her bedroom. As she’d hoped, Ivan began to follow.

  “I did, but I still don’t see why you’re making such a fuss.” “We’re barely going to be gone three days, and I’m quite sure Tasha is capable of buying a carton of milk and a loaf of bread. Besides, I thought she said something about going to Fort Lauderdale with Michael for Thanksgiving?”

  “I know, but I still feel bad leaving her.”

  “Tasha’s not going to be alone,” Ivan reminded her again. “She’s going to be with her boyfriend and his family. The last thing she’ll be thinking about is whether there’s enough milk in the fridge to last until you get home.”

  Jaden smacked Ivan playfully on the shoulder before leaning in for another kiss. Her hands wandered the hard planes of his chest, dipping beneath his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin and breathing in that scent she’d grown to crave.

  “Jaden,” he groaned, not removing his lips from her mouth, “We don’t have time for this, baby girl.”

  “Not even a quickie?” Jaden all but begged. “I’m easy to please.”

  Ivan tilted his head back and laughed. “Someone�
��s feeling a little lascivious today.”

  “What’s lascivious about a quick fuck before we go?” she fired back, surprising herself and apparently Ivan as well.

  “Well, well,” he said with a laugh, his eyes glinting.

  She tried to steal another kiss, but Ivan grasped her by the shoulders, holding her firmly in place. Certain this little tryst had come to an untimely end, Jaden was shocked when he swiftly flung her around and pinned her against the bedroom wall, firmly planting his hands on either side of her head and caging her in like an animal. A primal lust swept over her when they lowered their hands and fumbled with the zippers on each other’s pants, Ivan’s falling around his ankles as he tore at the condom and Jaden struggling to get hers off in record time.

  Without waiting for her to finish, Ivan grabbed her thighs, hoisted her up and pressed her back firmly into the wall, leaving her jeans to dangle from one foot. His fingers dug into her legs as he lifted her higher. In one hurried movement he entered her and proceeded to stroke into her mercilessly.

  Jaden screamed and writhed, bucking wildly as he drove into her with a ferocity she hadn’t experienced before. She tried to reposition herself but was pinned by his firm body as they rocked hard against the wall. If she could only move her hips another inch, she could… “Oh, fuck!” Jaden screamed as he plunged deeper into her core. Ivan had awakened the sexually liberated, dirty girl within her, and she loved it. Evidently so did he.

  Ivan threw her onto the bed, still covered in the clothes she’d decided not to bring. Encircling her waist, he flipped her over as if she were weightless. Then the pounding and pumping continued as he penetrated her from behind. Jaden couldn’t tell if she was in pain or sexual nirvana, but as she moaned his name she knew she didn’t want this moment to end. Thrust after thrust she took his cock into her, pushing back at his every stroke, matching his pace and passion. Their hips rebounded off of each other and the sounds of sweaty skin smacking filled the room as weeks of frustration and separation were hammered away.

  Jaden felt Ivan’s hand in her hair and then found her head jerked back toward the ceiling. Her sexual gears cranking further into overdrive, she began to tell him what she wanted him to do to her. “Oh fuck! God, Ivan, fuck me, fuck me, fuck me. Yeah, yeah, yessss! Come on, come on. Harder! Ooooh, fuck, yes, yes, yes!”

  When Ivan released her hair to grab her hips, she turned to admire the man who was fucking her brains out. The moment their eyes met she watched him fall over the edge. Pulling out, he locked eyes with her as he poured himself onto the small of her back. Jaden realized she and the good doctor had something else in common. This wouldn’t be the last time she begged him to ride her rough.

  “Shit!” Ivan yelled, breaking the mood a bit. “We gotta go!” He yanked up his pants.

  “Umm…a little help, doctor?” Jaden requested from her all-fours position, her back covered in the product of their passion. “After all, this is your mess.”

  “Oh! Sorry,” Ivan replied. He found a towel and cleaned her off, then helped her to her feet.

  Dressing themselves as they ran from the apartment, bags in tow, they hurried down the hall, into the elevator, out of the building, and straight into the waiting taxi.

  “I wait twenty-five minutes,” the taxi driver shouted as they slipped into the backseat. Not having the time to load their luggage into the trunk, Ivan tossed it in beside them.

  “No, you’re getting paid for an extra twenty-five minutes,” he shot back.

  The flight left at four fifteen and it was already three p.m. With the airport twenty minutes away, Jaden silently prayed for no traffic—or any other obstacles that would slow their progress.

  “If you get us there on time, I’ll make it worth your while,” Ivan added.

  His words must have worked, because the cabby sank back in his seat and hit the gas.

  As they roared to the airport, Jaden scooted close and, with a sultry smile, whispered in Ivan’s ear, “I think I figured you out.”

  “And you as well,” he replied, playfully tugging her hair.

  Busted, she thought, snuggling against him. He smiled, and for a moment Jaden forgot how dangerously late their fuck-fest had made them.

  But as the cab screeched to a stop, it all came flooding back. They jumped out, and Ivan threw the driver a hundred dollar bill, grabbed their belongings, and headed for security. Jaden clung tightly to his hand as he navigated the airport.

  “Follow me and don’t let go,” he instructed.

  “What if we miss the plane?”

  “We won’t,” he assured her and winked before turning his attention to hustling through the throngs of holiday travelers.

  Luckily, Jaden had taken his advice about never checking bags, and she had only a carry-on and a few personal items. He’d assured her there would be more than enough extra clothes at his house if need be, as his sister was around the same size.

  Jaden felt ill when she saw the line of people waiting to take off their shoes and submit their computers for inspection, but Ivan didn’t seem concerned. He steered them, her hand interlocked with his, into the business class line. They snaked their way to the metal detectors and easily passed through. Ivan then beelined for the departures monitor.

  “Dammit!” he cursed after studying it for a moment. “I hate D60! Of course it would have to be that damn gate.” Turning to Jaden he asked in a hurried tone, “Ready, baby girl? We got some work to do.”

  Jaden glanced at her watch: 3:50—they’ve started boarding. Shit!

  Jogging briskly, they found the shuttle that ferried passengers along the terminal. Of course their plane waited at the very end. They hopped aboard the trolley, and time slipped away as the shuttle clunked down the line, finally slowing at their stop. They rushed out of the car and bolted down the stairs to their gate.

  When they rounded the corner, Jaden could see the tail end of the line still at the gate. She and Ivan looked at each other and slowed their pace, now walking ever so casually as if they’d made it a point to be fashionably late. Feeling overheated and sweaty, from both the adrenaline rush and the hot sex preceding it, Jaden wiped a thin sheen of perspiration from her forehead.

  As they finally made their way down the jet bridge, Ivan looked down at her and chuckled. He kissed her sweetly.

  “Well, that was intense,” Jaden remarked as they passed through the metal door and into the plane.

  “I never doubted us for a second,” Ivan shot back with an I’m-obviously-lying look all over his face.

  Finding their oversized seats, Ivan and Jaden settled in for the flight, making sure to order their first round of drinks.

  “Make mine a double,” Jaden said, finally feeling some nerves about the visit ahead. Sitting back, she snuggled into Ivan’s arms and made herself comfortable as he gently stroked her hair.

  “So, give me a rundown of what I should know about your family,” she suggested after their drinks arrived.

  “Hmm… Dad’s a bit of a party animal and backwoods guru. If you like the wine, laugh at his jokes, and can shoot a gun, you’re all set. And I apologize now for any terrible jokes that may come your way.”

  “I’ve never shot a gun in my life,” Jaden said in a panic.

  “Relax, girl,” Ivan replied, continuing to stroke her hair. “I’ll teach you.”

  “Is that before or after I shoot myself in the foot?” Jaden took a long, calming sip of her drink. “What about the rest of your family?”

  “Mom loves making jewelry. She’s the sweetest thing on this earth and my best friend,” Ivan replied, his tone sincere. “You’ll have no problems there. My brother, PJ, loves all the high-class things and is way more high society than I am. Mention that you like expensive watches or skiing and you’ll be best friends.”

  Jaden couldn’t see Ivan’s face with her head on his chest, but she’d bet a million bucks that talking about his family had him grinning ear to ear. His love for them was one of the things she adored
about him.

  “And what about your sister, what’s she like?” Jaden asked, almost as an afterthought as her eyes grew heavy with sleep and began to close against her will.

  “Ah. Elise. My little sis—she’s just like my dad. I have a feeling the two of you will get along just fine… Just relax and get ready to have some fun.”

  Apparently more tired than she’d realized, from the sex or from the gauntlet they’d just run, Jaden drifted off to sleep under Ivan’s the soothing caresses.

  Chapter 22

  “I Feel Home”

  JADEN SLOWLY OPENED HER EYES, awaking to the sound of the captain announcing their final descent into Pittsburgh. She was stunned to find Ivan still stroking her hair. How sweet, she thought, straightening her back. Out the window everything was white on the ground. It reminded her of home.

  “Did you sleep well, baby girl?” Ivan asked as he unwound his arm from around her shoulder.

  “Like a log,” Jaden replied, rubbing her eyes.

  As the plane touched down and rolled to the gate, Jaden was surprised to find her usual fluttering butterflies hadn’t made the trip. Maybe she was getting used to stressful situations, or maybe she just felt comfortable meeting his family. Either way, a calm stomach was a nice sensation.

  Ivan grabbed their bags, and they quickly exited the plane. They traveled the long terminal to the transfer train that would take them to meet his mother. On the way Ivan texted his mom with an update, and he laughed when he looked at his phone. “She sent seven messages while we were in the air,” he said, shaking his head. “Evidently she’s also excited to see us!”

  The shuttle slowed to a stop, and Ivan turned to look down at her. “Thank you for this. You have no idea how much it means to me.” He kissed her cheek softly.

  “No, thank you. You’ve made the past few months magical for me—and that hasn’t been easy with everything else going on. Besides, what’s Thanksgiving without family around?” She finished with a smile, but immediately her thoughts went to her own family, likely gathered around the table in Colorado, and she missed them intensely. She’d have to make some time for them soon. They’d been so patient since she moved away.