Romancing the Wine: A Boxed Set of 9 Newest Novellas from Award-Winning Authors

by Jan Moran

  “I work for his wife. She owns the animal rescue where I volunteer. They are also my landlords. I’m living in the farm house next to the rescue.”

  “You volunteer at an animal rescue?”

  “Did you even look at my resume?”

  Before he could answer, the server interrupted. Courtney ordered a burger and a Coke. Aiden opted for the same burger, but ordered a bottle of Nero d’Avola to pair with the meal.

  “You can’t drink a bottle of wine and drive me back to the winery.”

  “The bottle is for both of us.”

  “I don’t drink.”

  “You work at a winery,” he reminded her.

  “As a receptionist, which I’ll remind you I am overqualified for. The job doesn’t require me to drink on or off the job.”

  “Wine tasting is part of the job description. All employees have to try the wines so they can describe them to our customers.”

  Courtney shook her head. “I’ve studied the wine list. I can describe your wines just fine.”

  “Not through experience. How will you be able to recommend one if you haven’t tasted them yourself?”

  “I’m a receptionist, not a server. I won’t even be working when the restaurant is open.”

  “We’ll be open for lunch and you’ll be the secondary hostess when the primary is busy.”

  “Another task I’m overqualified to do.”

  “Your resume speaks to customer service, which I’ll remind you is one of the main categories you listed.” She had four categories on the functional resume, including marketing, technical, leadership, and of course, customer service.

  “So you did read it?” The surprise in her voice made him chuckle.

  “Yeah, I read it.” He had studied the damn thing, because after hiring her out of desperation, he’d second-guessed the decision, but her resume confirmed she was the right person to represent the winery at the front desk.

  “Then why stick me in the receptionist position?”

  The server returned with the wine, pouring a small amount for Aiden to sample. The glass glowed dark red in front of the candle that flickered in the middle of the table. His mouth watered at the fruity fragrance, and his taste buds danced when the dry, full-bodied flavor crossed his tongue.

  “This is perfect. Thank you.”

  Aiden waited while she poured for Courtney and then returned to his glass.

  “We can’t make this at Black Vines. The Avola vine grows in hot and relatively dry climates. New Hampshire doesn’t offer the ideal climate. Try it.”

  Courtney rolled her eyes, but took a sip.

  “Well, what do you think?”

  “It’s fine, I guess.”

  “Fine?”

  “I have no basis for comparison. I told you, I don’t drink.”

  “You’ve never had a drink? You’re twenty-six, right?”

  “Yes, I’m twenty-six, and no, I’ve never had a drink. Frankly, I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”

  Aiden couldn’t fathom never having had a drink. Yes, he grew up at a winery, and was now the fifth generation in his family to operate the business, so he’d been tasting wine since he was a kid. He’d never met anyone, though, who had never had a drink, at least not anyone Courtney’s age.

  “Is it a religious thing?” he asked.

  The sour expression on her face answered that question. “Not everyone drinks, you know.”

  “Right, but there’s usually a reason behind it.”

  “My reason is none of your business.”

  Her fierce when not flustered attitude always intrigued him, but this secret added fuel to the burning desire to get to know her. Courtney Daniels had a secret. Aiden had to know what it was.

  “Do you like the wine?” he asked.

  “I said it’s fine.”

  “You did, but that doesn’t answer the question.”

  “I’ve had one sip. I have no idea if I like it.”

  He held up his glass, putting the flame behind it so he could see the glow of the ruby red. “Enjoying a good wine isn’t just about the flavor. Wines engage your visual and olfactory senses as much as your taste buds. Hold your glass up to the light. Tell me what you see.”

  “It’s red.”

  Aiden smiled. “Yes, it’s red, but there are countless shades of red. How would you describe this shade?”

  With the annoyed expression that amused him, she held up the glass and studied it. “It sparkles, like the light reflecting of a jewel.”

  “Which jewel? Garnet or ruby?”

  “This is dark, like a garnet.”

  “Very good. Does the color appeal to you?”

  “I guess so. Garnet is my birthstone, but I don’t like red all that much. I do like the way it sparkles with the candlelight, though.”

  She didn’t like red, but she drove a red car. He tabled that inquiry for later and focused on the wine. “The richer and bolder the color, the longer it has been aged in an oak barrel. Of course, not all selections are aged in oak, but that’s how we do it at Black Vines.”

  “Next, you swirl the wine in the glass.” He swirled his wine, making slow circles and waiting for Courtney to follow suit.

  “What’s the point of this?” she asked, studying the way the wine moved in the glass.

  “It adds oxygen, which opens the wine. That means it lets off the aromas and softens it. Good. Now close your eyes and put your nose in the glass.”

  Her doubtful expression made him chuckle once more, but he wasn’t deterred. “Smelling the wine prepares your palate for the flavor. You won’t get the full experience without getting your olfactory involved.”

  Aiden closed his eyes and brought the glass to his face, breathing in deep to experience the full aroma of the wine. When he heard Courtney breathe in, he opened his eyes to find her doing as he’d instructed.

  She was a good student, even if somewhat reluctant.

  “What do you smell?”

  “I don’t know, cherries, maybe. It’s almost woodsy.”

  “That’s the oak from the barrel it was aged in. Do you like it.”

  She nodded this time without speaking, which was so much better than the “it’s fine” response she first gave him.

  “Now take a sip and let the wine sit on your tongue before you swallow.”

  Once again, he demonstrated and Courtney followed suit, her eyes widening. “Wow, that’s so different than the first sip. There was more flavor, almost like it was more robust.”

  “This is a bold wine. It’s best appreciated when you give it the attention wine deserves. It wasn’t meant to be guzzled. It’s more of a slow seduction.”

  She swirled the glass again and took a deep breath in before taking another sip. Drinking wine had never been arousing for Aiden, but watching Courtney appreciate one of his great loves made all the blood in his head rush south.

  When she put the glass down and looked at him, Aiden shifted under the table, trying to shake off the arousal.

  “You never answered my question,” she said.

  “Which question is that?”

  “Why hire me as a receptionist? If you read my resume, why hire me at all if you aren’t going to put me in the marketing position?”

  Putting his glass on the table, Aiden focused on the woman sitting across from him. Even though she was much more relaxed than when they’d arrived, she’d once again raised her hackles, as if preparing for a fight. “I know it seems slow, but the winery will re-open in a week or two and I need someone out there who can handle the traffic with professionalism. I have no doubt you can do that, but if it makes you happy, you can be in charge of the website and social media during the quiet times.”

  Aiden didn’t have a clue how to update the website and he had no interest in posting to the three social media sites the winery had. Abby had been doing all the marketing until he came home. That’s when she decided it was time to go off to Nashville and leave him in a lurch. She’d sent him
an email with the links and log in instructions, but it still looked Greek.

  “In charge, as in design and development of the winery’s entire online presence?”

  “As in, you can update the website and our social media pages with relevant information when I tell you to.”

  “Glorified freakin’ secretary,” she muttered and picked up her glass, studying it while the wine swirled. She took a long sip, avoiding eye contact with him.

  “Not a secretary. You’re the face of the winery. You’re the first person customers interact with when they call or visit.”

  “I still don’t understand why you hired me on the spot without interviewing me. I was covered in dirt — thanks to you almost running me down in the parking lot, by the way.”

  He smiled, not at all surprised she’d figured that out or called him out on it. “I spilled coffee all over myself. It wasn’t intentional and I do apologize. Can you ever forgive me?”

  Courtney didn’t miss the sarcasm in his plea, but the mischievous slant of his mouth did her in. “You’re forgiven for nearly killing me but not for putting me in a job I’m overqualified for.”

  His left eyebrow slanted at the same angle as his mouth. “If you’re so overqualified, why’d you take it?”

  “Like you said, you need me.” Never mind the fact her brother had abandoned her to play newlywed while his new wife finished her per diem nursing contract in Colorado. They’d be back by Christmas, but since Brent had closed down his wood-carving shop until they returned, there was nothing for Courtney to do. Even when they did return, there wasn’t enough work to keep her busy full-time and once she finished school, she needed a full-time job.

  After their burgers arrived, Courtney scarfed hers down like eating was an Olympic sport. She hadn’t eaten since noon, not even the chocolate dusted almonds she kept in her bag. She didn’t make it a habit to go so long without eating because she tended to get hangry. And the wine, though delicious, if that was the right way to describe it, had gone straight to her head.

  When she emptied the glass, Aiden refilled it with the efficiency of an attentive host. She vowed not to drink more, but it went well with the burger and she didn’t want to give him any reason to inquire further about why she didn’t drink. Her family history wasn’t any of his business, even if every smile encouraged her to go further down the rabbit hole.

  The man was her boss, plain and simple, and Courtney couldn’t venture down that path again.

  She managed to talk him out of dessert, but as they started out of the parking lot in his big old truck, the one she needed help in and out of because of those stupid heels and her lack of height, Courtney knew two glasses of wine had been a mistake.

  “I shouldn’t drive,” she muttered as they made their way down Hale Mountain. The resort was near the top and the winery and vineyards were halfway between the resort and Main Street. Courtney rented a house a few miles out of town. She didn’t think she was drunk, but the wine made her feel happy and relaxed, which she never felt around her boss, so she had to be a bit impaired.

  “You really don’t drink, do you?” he asked.

  “I told you I don’t,” she sighed, leaning her head back on the seat.

  “I’ll take you home,” he assured her.

  “I have to work in the morning. How will I get back?” She could walk, or maybe Cyn would give her a ride. Tomorrow was Saturday and Cyn didn’t work on Saturdays, so she’d be available unless she had some hiking or kayaking adventure planned.

  “I’ll pick you up.”

  “You had two glasses of wine, too. How is it you’re still your stoic self, all alert and bossy like always?”

  The rumble of his chuckle vibrated all the way through her. Her already-flushed cheeks got even warmer and the warmth spread like a wildfire.

  “I’ve been drinking wine since I was old enough to move the barrels. I have more of a tolerance.”

  “How old is old enough to move barrels?” she asked.

  “I was eleven when I first started working at the winery. Tasting was a requirement in order to understand the artistry that goes into making wine.”

  Eleven. When Courtney was eleven, she was working to support her alcoholic parents who couldn’t keep a job to save their lives. Brent was working too. Her parents didn’t send him away until she was fifteen, and all because of her stupidity.

  “I’ll call my roommate,” she said, reaching for her phone.

  Aiden reached over, his hand smoothing over hers. “It’s not a problem.”

  She didn’t gasp, or maybe she did, but either way, her breath lodged in her chest. His hand was warm, rough, and the way his fingers curled around her palm made every nerve ending in her body beg for more of his touch.

  Sliding her hand away, she peered out the window for some perspective, realizing they’d already driven by the road that led to the winery.

  Okay, no big deal. Her boss was driving her home after he insisted she drink. The man oozed sex and Courtney hadn’t had that since moving to Lilac Ridge, but it was not a big deal. She’d dig deep for some sobriety and the good decisions she lived by, thank him for dinner and the ride, and be on her way.

  When he pulled into her driveway, the lights in the living room glowed through the edges of the blinds, so she knew Cyn was still up. Aiden brought the truck to a stop and cut the engine. Before she could insist she didn’t need help, he was out and around the rig, opening her door.

  “I guess chivalry isn’t dead,” she muttered.

  “My grandfather taught me to always open the door for ladies and elders. It’s not chivalry, just good manners.”

  When he held out his hand to help her, she gave him her shoes and slid out of the truck by her own volition. The man didn’t step away though, leaving her trapped between the monster truck and his strong body.

  He smelled like musk and wine and man and Courtney breathed him in like she had the wine.

  “The hell with it,” he said. Before Courtney could decipher the statement, her face was cupped in his hands and his mouth was pressed to hers.

  Chapter 5

  Courtney lifted onto her toes to feel more of the man pulling her away from all reason. Abandoning what was left of her common sense, she pressed herself against his solid body, his firm lips, his strong hands. He tasted like he smelled, bold and enticing.

  Then his hands moved, down her arms, across her back, over her ass, and reason returned.

  Reluctant, she dug deep for some common sense and turned away. “I should go. I’ll get a ride in the morning.”

  “Hell,” he murmured and stepped back. “Courtney—”

  Her name was a plea, maybe an apology. She didn’t know, didn’t want to explore it. They’d both had wine, too much for her, maybe too much for him. “My roommate can drive you home if you had too much to drink,” she offered, giving him an out for that amazing kiss.

  “I haven’t had too much.”

  “Okay, well, good night.”

  She stepped by him and moved to the door, shaking off the awareness coursing through every vein. Then she remembered her manners and turned to him. “Thank you, for dinner and for teaching me about wine.” Because she enjoyed dinner and learning about the wine more than she should. She enjoyed the taste of it too and hoped it wasn’t an awakening of that horrible disease that plagued her family.

  “My pleasure,” he said, watching her with such intensity that every hair on her body stood at attention.

  She offered a quick smile and rushed into the house, hiding in the shadows of the kitchen while watching him out the window. He stood there for a while, the truck door still open, staring up at the sky. Courtney peered up too, seeing the brilliant sky, like a black canvas spotted with bright stars in the absence of the moon.

  The slamming of the truck door brought her attention back to the truck. She couldn’t hear words, but he was muttering something, probably regret over kissing her.

  “Who was that?”

>   Courtney jumped out of her skin, taking the curtain with her. “What the hell, Cyn!”

  “Sorry, I saw the truck pull in, so I was curious who was here. Next thing I know, you’re climbing him like a tree.”

  “I was not climbing him.”

  “You so were. Who is Mr. McHottie, anyway?”

  The truck pulled further into the driveway, turning around in the parking lot next to the barn that housed the animal rescue. The truck moved slow and without the curtain to hide behind, she knew he saw her standing there as he peered through the window. “That,” she paused and turned, wishing like hell she could rewind the day and leave work before he had a chance to coerce her into dinner, “Was my boss.”

  Cyn cackled, her curly blonde hair bouncing with every squawk. “Epic.”

  Courtney scowled at her roommate, the closest friend she’d ever had. “No, not epic. Stupid. I just got this job and I need it. I can’t afford to get fired because I got drunk and made out with my boss.”

  “Drunk? What? How?”

  Maybe not drunk, and the whole kissing her boss thing was pretty sobering. “He took me to dinner at the Hale, and I had a couple glasses of wine.”

  “The Hale? Wine?”

  It was late, and Cyn was dressed in the giant football jersey she slept in, but she seemed awake enough to grasp English. “Can you speak in complete sentences?” Courtney sighed.

  “Isn’t the Hale super posh?” Cyn was new to Lilac Ridge, had only moved here over the summer.

  “I think he was scoping out their wine list. They don’t have any from Black Vines and he didn’t seem too happy about it.”

  “Oh, so research, not a date.”

  “No, not a date. He’s my boss.”

  “Then what was with all the kissing?”

  Courtney had no idea. One minute she was handing him her shoes and the next she was pressed up against him, and okay, maybe trying to climb up his body. It made no sense. They didn’t even know each other and every time she saw him, she was a blubbering idiot. “He makes me nervous.”