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

by Jan Moran

  "Yes, well, why don't you take a look at our financials and we'll do dinner next time you're in town and discuss them further." I shook my head at Lori, my assistant. She had to do a better job of fielding these calls. I never knew if they were legit potential investors or just using our cash flow problem as an excuse to hit on me.

  I stood near her desk as she googled the guy.

  She nodded and pointed at her screen.

  He was handsome. I clicked on Google Images, and halfway down the page, I saw a photo of him, shitfaced drunk with a girl sticking her tits in his face. I tapped the photos and shook my head.

  She frowned.

  "I look forward to hearing from you." I hung up the phone. "Lori, seriously."

  "What? He's rich and cute, and he said his daddy told him to look for a place to put his money."

  "I told you. I'm looking for a strategic partnerships." My father and brother walked into the offices. "Not someone who wants to buy the place out from under us." That comment was more for my brother's benefit. My father kept walking, but CJ stopped.

  Two weeks had gone by since the conference. In those two weeks, CJ had found a buyer. I wasn't pleased.

  "It's a great offer, and it solves all our problems," CJ said as his jaw tensed.

  "We aren't for sale," I said to CJ for the hundredth time since he told Dad and I about the offer.

  "But if we were, this would take care of Mom and Dad for the rest of their lives." He sat on the edge of my desk, even though his desk was only a few feet away. "Don't be so selfish, Chai."

  He was right. The deal would offer my parents the opportunity to retire with plenty of money to do whatever they wanted. CJ and I each had a percentage of the business, and it would set us up well if we wanted to get into another business, but I didn't want to. I wanted to be in the wine business. It was in my blood. I was made for it. It was the reason I was here.

  My mother loved to tell the story of how my father attempted to get her drunk on their wine so she would let him kiss her. It turned out he was the one who got drunk. She did kiss him, but he didn't remember it. I told her the story was a little creepy considering the dubious consent, but she laughed it off. Wine brought my parents together, and my brother wanted to sell it off to the highest bidder.

  Lori looked back and forth between CJ and me. She was our cousin and was used to our little fights. As we glared at each other, the phone rang. Lori picked it up.

  "Darielle Vineyards, this is Lori. How may I help you?"

  Lori's gasp drew my eyes away from my brother and ended our staring contest.

  "Oh, you're kidding me." Lori stood up and waved at me. Again, we were like two feet away from each other.

  I need my own office.

  "Okay. Yeah, she's here. She'll be right down. Tell him to wait." Lori hung up the phone, screamed with her mouth closed, and kicked her feet.

  "What?" I asked. She pulled her purse out of her bottom drawer, grabbed her compact, and applied a coat of lip-gloss. "Lori?"

  "So don't freak but Donovan Bryant is here."

  I clutched my chest and sat on the edge of my desk. My heart skipped and then leaped a few beats.

  "Why ..." I attempted to speak, swallowed, and tried again. "Why is he here? Why would I get excited?"

  "What?" Lori dropped her hands to the desk. "Donovan Bryant. Hello. Sexy football player and I heard he's super sweet, too."

  "Celebrities," CJ said with his hands on his hips. "Typical famous guy thinks he can drop in, and we'll entertain him and his friends."

  "He's here with just one other guy. Sam said it was his business manager."

  "Did you talk to him at the summit?" my brother asked.

  "He was at the conference?" Lori asked. "I knew I should have come."

  Lori stood up and adjusted her cleavage.

  "Lori." She looked.. "Sit down." I turned toward CJ. "I'll handle this."

  Our offices were in the back of the main building of the winery. I looked down at my tweed dress with the V-neck and flared skirt. I wished I had grabbed my blazer off the back of the door. I checked my face in the mirror before stepping into the tasting area.

  Donovan had his back to me. He looked different in jeans and a thin black long-sleeve sweater, more laid back. He stood next to a guy his same height but a little thicker. He wore jeans and a blazer. They were huddled together talking in hushed tones.

  The vineyard was quiet on weekday mornings. A group of three ladies sat in a private tasting room off to the right. Instead of approaching Donovan and his friend, I stepped behind the bar on the opposite side.

  "Mr. Bryant," I said.

  He turned, and when our eyes met, my body remembered all the things he did to me in his hotel room all at once. My face felt flush, and my hands tingled. I held on to the edge of the bar as he walked toward me, his eyes—those damn eyes—taking inventory again.

  "Ms. Darielle." He reached out his hand, and I shook it. It seemed forced, formal, and wrong. After his lips had kissed me in the most intimate of places, a handshake seemed inadequate. The way his eyes devoured me and what I imagined he had in mind was inappropriate. I was so grateful for the two feet of wooden bar between us. "This is my business manager and friend, Calvin Newman."

  "Nice to meet you, Mr. Newman."

  "Pleasure is mine, Ms. Darielle." He shook my hand and winked.

  "Please, call me Chai." I stared, trying to pick up on any hint that Mr. Newman knew what had happened between Donovan and I. Guys talk, right? If he did, he didn't let on.

  "Lovely name," he said with a nod and a huge smile. "Chai. Like where they store wine."

  "Very good. You've been doing your research," I said and tilted my head and peered at Donovan.

  "So," Donovan said. He frowned at the both of us but turned toward Calvin. His actions seemed rehearsed. He tapped the bar with his fingertips.

  "So I have been looking at some investment opportunities for Mr. Bryant. I ..."

  "We," Donovan chimed in.

  "We saw your presentation at the summit and wanted to learn more."

  My father had come out on the main floor followed by CJ. He blinked when he saw Donovan as if he couldn't believe it. He was a fan.

  "Sure." I motioned toward my father. "Donovan, Calvin, I'd like you to meet my father, Charles Darielle."

  "Mr. Darielle"—Donovan gave him his million-dollar smile and shook his hand—"it's a pleasure to meet you. Your place here is beautiful."

  "Great to meet you. This is my son, CJ." Donovan shook CJ's hand as well. CJ grinned, unable to contain his excitement. He wasn't a fan, but Donovan was famous and he affected people.

  "Welcome to Darielle," CJ said.

  Calvin shook everyone's hand.

  "As I was telling Chai, we are interested in some unique investment opportunities and were impressed with what we've heard about Darielle, so far."

  "Terrific." My father grabbed Donovan's shoulders and led him to our wall of fame. My brother went behind the bar and pulled out one of our best vintages and a few glasses. He set them on a small table near the wall. While my father talked about our history and mission, CJ poured the wine.

  Donovan and Calvin listened intently and asked thoughtful questions. I watched Donovan and waited for a sign his visit wasn't what he intended. He was professional and had my father and brother charmed.

  He practically ignored me.

  Why did that bother me?

  They tasted the wine, and it was CJ's turn. Even though he wanted to sell our family business, as the winery’s vintner who apprenticed under my father and grandfather. Before he became the CFO. He was the most knowledgeable about the wine itself. He had an amazing palette and could describe the nuances of any wine in a way that made the most ignorant taster nod and agree.

  "You can pick up on the hard fruit with the subtle flowery notes." CJ said between sips.

  Donovan and Calvin nodded. They enjoyed the wine, and it gave all of us a great amount of pride. I hadn
't seen my father smile like that in months. He was enjoying himself. I missed seeing him happy and excited about his family business. Usually, it stressed him out.

  "Chai?" my father said. The whole group had turned in my direction.

  "I'm sorry." I blinked.

  "Mr. Bryant asked if you would show him the winery and the barrel room while we talk with Mr. Newman here about the financials?"

  Donovan had his eyes on me, studying my face. I forced myself to smile as I nodded, but my insides were a mess.

  "Follow me," I said and blushed as Donovan leered in my direction. The last time I found myself alone in a dark room with Donovan Bryant ... let's just say it was not going to happen again.

  Chapter 7

  Donovan

  I followed Chai out the side door and into the fresh air. I needed it because my head was a mess. I second-guessed ambushing her like this. It wasn't fair.

  "It good to see you again," I said as I caught up with her. She wore flats, and her dress with the little flirty skirt hit her mid thigh. The back of her legs, no less amazing.

  "Uh-huh." She smirked but kept walking. She stepped on each stone of the path between the winery and the main building. My legs skipped over every other one, but my timing was off. She stopped abruptly, and I stumbled and ran into the back of her. I grabbed her ass to keep from falling down and pulling her down with me.

  She stumbled as she pushed my hand away.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I'm sorry." I held my hands up. "But it's not like I haven't touched it before."

  She stepped to me. "Shut up." She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and looked around.

  She grabbed my hand. "Come on."

  She stepped into a door a few feet away. We both ducked to enter the small brown wooden door. As soon as she shut the door behind me, we scrambled down a staircase, and the temperature dropped thirty degrees. It wasn't cold but chilled. Barrels were stacked against the wall four deep, and an aisle ran down the middle of the room. Chai walked to the other side make sure we were alone.

  "What are you doing here?" she asked, avoiding eye contact.

  My gaze laser focused on her nipples as they hardened beneath the fabric of her dress. I couldn't answer her.

  She looked down and crossed her arms over her chest.

  "Seriously." She narrowed her eyes. "What are you, twelve?"

  "I can't help it if your body reacts to me." I wiggled my eyebrows.

  "It's not your body I'm worried about. It's your mouth." She dropped her arms. "And it’s not you. It’s cold in here."

  "Okay." I chuckled and dragged my eyes away from her chest to scan the room.

  "Really. Why are you here?" she asked.

  "I'm looking into investing in the wine business."

  "Why?" Her tone was inquisitive but full of speculation.

  "What do you mean why? I like wine, and I want to make some money." I rubbed my bald head.

  "Why my vineyard?" She asked.

  "Because you're looking for an investor." I tilted my head and held her gaze. It was the truth but not the whole truth.

  She shook her head. "Not buying it. What's the real reason?"

  I sighed and dropped my shoulders. I had to make her understand. I was serious, about her business and about her.

  "My best friend is my business manager," I said.

  She tilted her head.

  "My cousin, James, we grew up together. He's my off-season personal trainer."

  She shook her head. I raised my hand.

  "My high school teacher and I started a tutoring company in my old neighborhood. I chose to endorse Nike over Reebok. You know why?"

  She opened her mouth, but I didn't wait for her to speak.

  "Because when I met with the CEO of Nike, he talked to me like we were old friends, equals."

  "What are you talking about?" His faced scrunched up in the cutest way.

  "I work with people I like." I stepped to her. "And I like you."

  Her face softened. A smile crept up the side sof her mouth. She smelled good, too. Like summer.

  "How much more?" she asked.

  "What?" I blinked.

  She stepped back.

  "How much more did Reebok offer you?"

  "A few thousand." I shrugged my shoulders.

  She rolled her eyes.

  "Hey, for someone who has never had anything, even a few thousand seems like a small fortune."

  "Okay, I get it. You're a good guy, and you have your head on straight."

  "Don't give me too much credit." I reached out for her hand. "Your ass probably sealed the deal for me. You should see the ass on the guy from this tech company who's pursuing me hard. Nonexistent."

  She placed her hand in mine. "You're crazy."

  "Yep," I said as I leaned in and brushed my lips across hers. She parted her lips. My tongue darted in, and she opened wider. She tasted as sweet as I remembered. She pulled me closer, tasting the wine on my lips.

  "You like that?" I whispered on her lips.

  "What?" she asked; her breathy and sexy words made me hard.

  "The taste of your wine on my lips." My mouth curled up in an evil grin.

  Her throat hitched, and she bit my lip and tasted it, again.

  I had her.

  She cocked her head and gave me a sexy grin.

  I was done.

  No longer responsible for my actions, I pushed her back toward the brick wall between two rows of barrels. She shivered when her shoulders made contact. I groaned when she reached for me. She undid my jeans and pushed them down my hips. She reached down and rubbed me through my shorts.

  "You like this?" she asked.

  "What?" I reached under her skirt, rubbed her center. She moaned. "Not as much as I like this."

  I snaked my finger inside her panties and ran my fingers in her fold. She was wet.

  "You’re excited. When did that happen?" I added more pressure. "Now, or as soon as you saw me in your vineyard."

  "Neither." She gasped when I pushed a finger inside her. "It happened when I saw you sitting in that bar." She squeezed me and pulled me out, and I gasped. "I want you inside me."

  "So pushy, Ms. Chai."

  "You started this."

  "I just kissed you."

  "No, you started this when you walked in here today." She reached into my shorts, and I groaned as her fingers wrapped around me. "Now, finish it."

  I kissed her hard, reached down, and pulled her legs up over my hips. She rested one foot on the stack next to us, and it shook but seemed sturdy enough. The other she wrapped around my waist. I pushed her panties to the side, and she did the rest.

  I pressed into her, loving the way she gripped me. I reached around her neck and unzipped her dress, pulling it down far enough for me to capture one of her nipples in my mouth as I pounded into her.

  She moaned with each thrust, quieter than our night in the hotel. I wondered where the people were. Didn't a vineyard take many people to maintain?

  A door rattled on the other end. I stopped.

  "Hey, don't stop," she said with a moan.

  "What if someone walks in?" I asked.

  "Then you’d better hurry up," she said, and the sexy glint in her eye almost made me unload right there.

  "You first," I said.

  She gripped my hips and pulled me to her.

  "Same time, okay," she said.

  I grinned and nodded. With my hand on her upper back, I pulled her to me so my mouth was next to her ear. With my other hand, I reached under her skirt and played with her center, driving her to orgasm. I had to hurry because I was close.

  "Yes. Keep doing that." She panted, and it came out muffled into my shoulder.

  "Oh, fuck, you feel good," I said with a groan.

  "Yes." She gasped.

  "Now," I whispered and pressed in her one more time. She clung to me. Her orgasm pulled mine out, and I shuddered as I released inside her. My orgasm seemed to push hers fur
ther as she shook and moaned my name.

  Love that sound.

  I ran my hand up to her neck and tilted her head to stare into her eyes. I kissed her gently. When our heart rate returned to normal, I put her down.

  I stepped back a few feet and got dressed, taking in her disheveled sight. Her swollen lips, dress askew, hair ruffled—God, she was beautiful. She stared back. We both jumped when the door at the end of the room rattled.

  I started to walk away but stopped.

  "You don't do that with every potential investor, do you? You know, like the when they give away a free iPad for just taking the tour?"

  "Shut up." She punched me in the gut, but I grabbed her, pressed her back against the wall, and kissed her. She giggled against my lips.

  She got my stupid sense of humor.

  This girl's a keeper.

  Please let me not have said that out loud. What was she doing to me?

  She excused herself and went to clean up in the bathroom in the back. I heard voices outside and stepped out to meet Calvin and Mr. Darielle.

  "Donovan, did Chai show you everything?" he asked.

  "Absolutely."

  Calvin caught the smirk on my face and looked away.

  "Chai was very thorough; she showed me everything." I'm a mess. "The winemaking process is fascinating."

  "I think so too." He put his arm around my shoulder. "Just wait until harvest time, then you can really see a vineyard at work."

  I nodded, and we headed back to the main building.

  I liked the man. Although I felt guilty for defiling his daughter a few minutes earlier. Not sorry … but guilty all the same.

  Chapter 8

  Chai

  I escaped to the bathroom in the barrel room to clean up. I saw my reflection in the mirror. The after-sex glow had returned.

  "Ugh." I groaned.

  Why do I keep having sex with this man?

  I didn't even like him. No, that wasn't true. I liked him a lot. And the fact he wanted to invest in the vineyard kind of made me like him more. I wasn’t sure whether he was doing it for the investment opportunity or for me, but once I got his money, he couldn't take it back, could he?

  I walked outside to find them. My dad had his arm around Donovan's shoulders.