The Winemaker's Dinner: Appetizers (The Winemaker's Feast) Read online

  The elevator halted, and Ivan hastily stepped back and zipped his pants. As he turned, Jaden moved behind him and slipped her hands into his pants pockets.

  He groaned. “I am exercising great restraint right now,” he informed her. Luckily, they didn’t have far to go. Ivan took only two short steps to arrive at the threshold of bliss. He fished in his jacket pocket for the swipe card, and the door to the room swept open.

  A touch of the light switch revealed an elegant room with rich leather furnishings in the sitting area and a large plasma TV above the fireplace. A cherry table and chairs sat off to the side, and bold, modern artworks adorned the walls.

  Jaden watched curiously as Ivan crossed to examine a gift basket and two very expensive-looking bottles of wine in black velvet bags sitting atop the table. Plucking the card from the gift basket, he tore it open and read its contents.

  “What’s that?” Jaden asked.

  “It’s a thank you from tonight’s winery,” he replied, tossing the card on the table. “Good business clients and much better friends.”

  Who the hell is this guy? Jaden wondered. First a VIP table and now the penthouse suite at the fanciest hotel in Sarasota? But her attention was diverted as Ivan disappeared into the adjoining room. He returned a minute later without his torn jacket and came to where Jaden stood beside the sofa. She felt as nervous as a girl on her way to prom. He took her hand and led her out onto the balcony. The night air had a cold snap now, but she barely realized it. Her body still burned with the passion they’d shared in the limo.

  “It’s stunning,” Jaden breathed, her voice carried away by the wind as she surveyed the spectacular view of the beach and the moonlight reflecting off the ocean. A small, cast iron bistro table and two chairs sat in the corner of the terrace surrounded by lush green plants. Jaden inched closer to the railing and leaned over to glance at the water below. After a moment she relaxed into the sensation of his warmth pressed against her from behind.

  “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” he whispered. Turning her to face him, he twisted his hands into her hair as his mouth once again found hers—tasting, teasing, tormenting while he moved her back against the glass door. His hands roved her body and trailed down to lift the hem of her dress, pressing her harder against the barrier. Breaking the kiss, Ivan brought his mouth to her breast, and Jaden felt her nipple grow taut in his mouth as he drew her in. “Oh, God, Ivan,” she moaned as his skillful tongue ravished her.

  They stumbled backward across the patio until she could feel the cold metal table on her exposed thighs. Ivan continued nipping at her breasts through the silk of her dress as his hands slid the hem up, exposing even more of her legs. Taking his hand in hers, Jaden guided the tips of his fingers languidly across her body. Gradually his hands dropped lower and his thumbs traced the satin band around her hips. Jaden was keenly aware that this was the last barrier between them, and he could not move quickly enough.

  Pushing aside the silky fabric of her panties, Ivan pressed his fingers against her sex, gently at first, then more urgently as his fingers dipped teasingly into the warmth of her body. He stroked her slowly and evenly, his hand moving in time with the crashing of the waves. Jaden could feel warmth pooling in the bottom of her belly, coiling and weaving through her as it overwhelmed her senses. She’d never felt it before, not like this. Ivan’s skillful fingers had her nearly undone, but she needed to feel him inside her—the pulse of his cock throbbing against her, filling her. And she needed it now.

  Forcing Ivan’s hands away, Jaden reached down and in one motion unzipped his pants as she knelt in front of him. She yanked his pants and briefs down his legs until they lay crumpled around his feet, and without licking or teasing, Jaden took him in her mouth, every luscious inch of him.

  “Fuuuuuck,” Ivan groaned, and Jaden knew she must be tormenting him with her hands and mouth. After a few more delirious moments, he took her firmly by the shoulders and helped her stand before he gently guided her to lay on the tabletop. Positioning his body between her legs, Ivan nudged them apart, running his hands up the length of her thighs before stopping at the hem of her dress.

  The intricate pattern cut into the tabletop was biting into Jaden’s back, but one look into Ivan’s glassy, sex-crazed stare and her body surrendered. Her lust ignited as she watched him reach down between them, roll a condom over his length, and guide himself into her. When she felt the tip of his shaft pressing heavily against her, Jaden let her head fall back, lost in pleasure. Ivan once again grabbed the thin strip of satin that encircled her hips, and this time he ripped it away as he plunged into the warmth of her body.

  Jaden stifled a cry as he brought her almost immediately to a precipice. The fact that she’d wanted this from the second she laid eyes on him made it all the more powerful. The promise of release mounted within her with each relentless stroke of his cock, and pure lust engulfed her as each and every luscious movement brought her closer to ecstasy. Gazing at him, she watched his hair swing back and forth in the moonlight as he focused intently on penetrating her completely.

  “Fuck me harder,” Jaden pleaded, the words escaping her lips before she could stop them. What? She’d never been much of a dirty talker, but fuck, this was good. Ivan smiled, looking even more sex crazed than before, and he upped his tempo without missing a beat.

  “Please,” Jaden cried, not knowing exactly what she was begging for. The glorious sensation of having him fill her so completely was almost too much to bear. Their bodies moved in unison as she reached an orgasm she’d never even known possible, coming so hard her blood pounded in her head. But Ivan remained relentless, raising one of her legs over his shoulder to stimulate her from a different angle.

  He’d taken himself to a new level as well, apparently, because his groans grew primal and his speed increased to a frantic pace. Jaden moaned her pleasure, and Ivan’s strokes deepened as he prepared to join her in bliss. She felt his cock swell within her and knew he was on the brink of release. Grabbing his tie, she pulled Ivan toward her and lifted her hips to meet his every last thrust, increasing his penetration and sending him over the edge. Gripping the leg draped over his shoulder, he grunted and buried his cock completely, finding his release deep within her. His movements slowed and his head fell back, revealing a look of complete satisfaction and leaving Jaden unable to move in the aftermath of their passion.

  As the delirium ebbed to a subtle buzz, Ivan kicked his pants off completely and swept Jaden up into his arms. He carried her inside, passing through the sitting area and into the bedroom. After placing her gently in the middle of the king-size bed, he carefully removed her dress along with his shirt and tie, the only clothing that remained on his muscular frame.

  A heap of silk, wool, and satin piled on the floor beside the bed, and soon they lay naked in each other’s arms. Suddenly self-conscious, Jaden tried to cloak her body with her arms and hands.

  “No, don’t,” Ivan whispered. “You’re magnificent. I want to see you.”

  “I…”

  “You’re breathtaking,” he replied and silenced her with his mouth.

  The luxurious cotton linens tantalized her skin, but they were nothing compared to the feel of Ivan’s toned body as he lowered himself over her again. Jaden traced the smooth curves of his muscles as they flexed with each movement of his body. Her hands trailed down the ridges of his stomach, each of her fingers ascending and descending as they skimmed over the well-defined muscles.

  Ivan kissed her softly on the mouth, and they settled into the bed, a tangled mass of arms and legs. As passion gave way to drowsiness and comfort, Jaden found it nearly impossible to tell where one body began and the other ended. She fell asleep wrapped in his embrace and blanketed with his scent.

  Chapter 4

  “Where Are You Going”

  THE EARLY MORNING SUN sent brilliant rays streaming through the open doors of the penthouse-suite balcony, bringing with them a breeze off the ocean. Jaden awoke
to the odd sensation of her bare skin being both warmed and cooled at the same time. Strong arms encircled her waist, and a million questions bombarded her mind as she took in the bronzed specimen who lay beside her. What happened last night? Where am I? He has a tattoo…of a pole-dancing snake? How did I not see that before? And for the love of God—what the hell is his name?

  Jaden fought through the fog of hangover that threatened to blow up in her head. As she closed her eyes and forced herself to focus, memories slowly swam to the surface. She remembered Tasha introducing her to some hottie before the two of them took off for the dance floor. Jaden also remembered watching a gorgeous guy at one of the VIP tables. Was it he who lay next to her now? Turning to look at the man who hugged her possessively, naked and glorious in the light of day, she absorbed every detail: a mane of thick brown hair that hung messily across his shoulders, full lips—the top one slightly smaller than the bottom—stretched in a satisfied smile across his face, and a chiseled body that looked as if it was carved in fine Italian marble… It was him!

  The thought of statues and marble sparked another more sultry memory from the night before: a grand fountain in the middle of a garden, the sudden smell of cigars and intoxicating cologne, and Prince Charming singing softly in her ear as they swayed on a grassy dance floor. These memories all led to… Oh, God, Jaden screamed silently. What the hell is his name? Still staving off the inevitable headache, she closed her eyes more tightly and concentrated. Doctor something or other…Evan maybe? Igor? Jaden gritted her teeth in frustration.

  Her eyes opened to look at him again, his face so peaceful and content against the softness of the down pillows. Excitement, pleasure, fear, and nerves crashed over her like a tidal wave. Here she was, lying beside the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen, wanting to wake him and demand a repeat performance, but she couldn’t even remember his name.

  Taking great care not to wake him, Jaden gently lifted his arm from around her waist. He shifted and stayed sleeping, but her movement caused the dam in her head to break, and it exploded with pain. Rolling over on her side, Jaden searched the floor for her clothes, which were nowhere to be found. She stifled a groan and sat up on the side of the bed, using a corner of the sheet to cover herself. If she tried to gather more of the sheet, Mr. Oh So Sexy might wake up, and that was the last thing she wanted. She needed a few minutes alone to compose her thoughts.

  Struggling to get off the bed, Jaden stood and snuck over to the balcony doors, untying the sash of the curtains as she hurried past—but a wine bottle caught her attention. Peeking through the remaining sliver of space between the drapes, Jaden saw the cast iron table in the corner and began to recall what they’d shared under the stars…the sights, the sounds, the feelings. Oh, God, the feelings. A shiver ran up her spine at the memory of him—and everything he’d done to her. Damn it! Why can’t I remember his name?

  Taking another quick scan of the room, Jaden still couldn’t locate her clothes. Making a beeline for the bathroom, she snatched her purse from the dresser as she scurried past, and with great care, she noiselessly shut the door behind her. Hanging on the hook was the worse-for-wear jacket she’d all but ripped from Ivan’s body in the back of the limo. Ivan! That’s it! She silently rejoiced. Taking the jacket from the hook—Mmmm, Perry Ellis—she wrapped it around her naked form. His wonderful scent—what was that cologne?—still lingered on the fabric, and she inhaled deeply and immediately smiled.

  Jaden turned to the ornate, gilded mirror on the wall above the sink, and the reflection staring back at her was not one she recognized. A mass of tangled black hair pointed out in every direction, and lines of mascara and lipstick smeared her face. Retrieving a washcloth from the rack, she turned on the faucet and ran the hot water until steam rose in the air. With a whole lot of soap, Jaden scrubbed at her face until not a trace of makeup remained. Once satisfied that she no longer looked like a raccoon, she opened the drawer and rifled for a brush. Instead she found a toothbrush, a razor, and a fine-toothed comb. Picking up the comb, she diligently worked it through her long hair until it looked somewhat presentable.

  Scarcely noticing the details of the luxurious bathroom, she perched on the side of the tub and dug through her purse for her cell phone. If she couldn’t find her clothes, she’d have to call Tasha, and that was one thing she wanted to avoid at all costs. As she touched the screen of her phone, a notification popped up to inform her that she’d missed four text messages. Swiftly, Jaden opened the first message and began reading.

  OMG! Do you have any idea who you’re with right now?

  I knew he had to be important to be at the VIP table,

  but this is beyond ridiculous.

  Mr. Oh So Sexy is all that and then some!

  Beneath the text message was a bright blue link. Why the heck would Tasha use a link when a simple description would suffice? Jaden tapped the screen, and the link opened up in the browser window. The heading of the article said it all: Dr. Ivan Rusilko crowned Mr. USA.

  Jaden skimmed the article until she reached another juicy tidbit: Dr. Rusilko will now begin his preparations to represent the USA at the world’s largest international male modeling competition, which will be hosted in Incheon, Korea.

  After reading a bit more, she scrolled to the bottom of the page where there was a link to a photo gallery. Flipping through the pictures, Jaden realized her memories of the night before weren’t one bit skewed. Every gorgeous inch of him was real—real and rock solid. A grin crept over her face as she returned to the text messages. Tasha hadn’t even bothered to type anything with the next message. It was only another link: Dr. Ivan Rusilko joins world class medical spa in Miami.

  “What? No way he lives in Miami,” Jaden whispered. Feeling a little giddy, she fought to suppress a laugh. “And a medical doctor. Whoa.” Expertise includes weight loss, wellness, physical enhancement, and sexual improvement…

  Sexual improvement? She could vouch for his expertise in that area. Jaden wondered briefly what a medical spa might be, but there were still more unread texts. The third message simply said Lucky you, and included yet another bright blue link. Jaden could barely contain her excitement as she waited for the page to load: Ivan Rusilko and Irena Stang call it quits!

  Irena Stang…the name sounded familiar, but Jaden couldn’t place it. She continued reading.

  After a much-publicized relationship, Ivan Rusilko, renowned doctor and international male model, and Irena Stang, Italian beauty queen and actress, have broken up. Publicists report that it is an amicable breakup, and the couple will remain friends. This is just one in a string of several public breakups for the good doctor, who seems to have made a career out of dating models, actresses, and beauty queens.

  Jaden cursed under her breath. That’s why the name sounded so familiar. Irena Stang was rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. The euphoria the first two messages had created now began dissolving into blackness. Beauty queens, models, actresses… How could a chef ever compete with that?

  Standing up, Jaden returned to the mirror. For the first time in a long time she despised the person she saw. Sure, she worked hard to keep in shape, but just like nearly every other woman, from time to time Jaden struggled with self-image. Her hair was too dark, her bust too small. She had nothing to offer a man used to such perfection. Disheartened, she opened the fourth and final message.

  Going to breakfast with Micky.

  Want me to wait around,

  or are you going to hitch a ride back to Miami with Mr. Oh So Sexy?

  Either way, be ready to dish out ALL the juicy details, girl!

  Still wearing nothing but Ivan’s suit jacket, Jaden tiptoed back into the main room. She now saw that speckled marble and plush carpeting blanketed the floor. A flat screen TV hung above a fully stocked mahogany bar, and a baby grand piano in the corner of the room completed the décor. The splendor of the room had gone mostly unnoticed last night when Jaden had passed through in a
drunken, lust-infused stupor. But still no clothes to be found. Jaden took a deep, calming breath and mustered every last bit of courage before returning to the bedroom. She silently circled around to where Ivan slept peacefully. Peeking out from underneath this side of the bed was a thin, black strap that resembled her bra. Getting down on her hands and knees, Jaden rummaged under the bed until she’d retrieved her dress and favorite bra, but no panties. Oh well, something was better than nothing. After making her way back to the bathroom, crumpled clothes in hand, Jaden traded Ivan’s suit jacket for her dress before making a beeline to the exit.

  Pausing beside the partially open bedroom door, Jaden watched Ivan sleep. Tears welled up in her eyes. She longed to stay, but she’d surely be setting herself up for heartbreak. How could she ever compete with all the beautiful, wealthy women he’d dated? Yet her heart still told her leaving could be one of the biggest mistakes of her life. Nevertheless, without so much as a farewell note or goodbye kiss, Jaden walked out of the suite leaving Ivan alone in bed.

  As she reached the lobby, Jaden still fought back tears. She nodded silently to the doorman, who immediately hailed one of the taxis sitting at the fringe of the parking lot. Jaden slipped quietly into the back, watching with regret as the hotel and her mysterious man disappeared.

  Chapter 5

  “Cannonball”

  JADEN OPENED THE DOOR and entered the hotel room she and Tasha had planned to share, noting its contrast to the penthouse suite where she’d spent the night. She flopped down on the closest bed and buried her face in a pillow. Unable to hold them at bay any longer, her tears came out in a rush, and Jaden wondered if she’d made the right choice by leaving. A part of her now regretted that she hadn’t so much as left a note for him, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Ivan certainly wouldn’t want anything to do with her after she’d left him. Besides, she was probably just another notch on his belt, another conquest on his ever-growing list of women he’d bedded. Well, he’d have her panties as a trophy, a memento of their one and only night together. Ah, the balcony, Jaden finally realized. That’s where she’d left them. He’d ripped them off in the heat of the moment.