The Winemaker's Dinner: Appetizers
Page 25
Before she could stop them, the words left her mouth. “Would you have done it if you’d known where it would lead? I mean, would you still have introduced me to those people?”
“If that’s what you wanted,” Ivan replied. “I would give you anything your heart desires, even if it means your happiness over my own.”
He paused, and Jaden could feel his eyes lock on hers once again. “Why didn’t you tell me when they called you in for the audition? You know I would’ve supported you.”
Not having the courage to look into his face, Jaden turned away. She studied the floor as she spoke. “It was like a dream come true when I got that call, but I’ve come to realize my dreams mean nothing if you’re not part of them.”
Ivan cupped Jaden’s cheek and turned her face to meet his. “I can see the love in your eyes,” he told her. “Welcome home. Not to Miami, but to me.”
He crushed his lips to hers, parting them gently. They shared a kiss that slowed the janitors in their work. There wasn’t usually much to look at in the airport at this time of night, but theirs was quite a show. Breaking their embrace for just a second, Jaden stared up at Ivan. With a content and hopeful heart, she asked, “What now?”
“Tomorrow we can figure things out, but for now I’m going to take you home and have my way with you, baby girl.” Ivan smiled, but Jaden could detect an unmistakably serious look in his eye, and a bolt of fire raced through her.
Ivan reached down to pick up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. Jaden joined her hand with his, and they walked back through the terminal toward the exit.
“I don’t care what happens as long as it involves you, me, and the rest of our lives,” Jaden declared with wild abandon. She suddenly felt free, so free.
“Well, Chef, this was only the appetizer. Just wait until you taste the entrée.”
Acknowledgments
Dr. Ivan Rusilko
What is love?
Is it a lightning bolt that instantaneously unites two souls in utter infatuation and admiration through the meeting of a simple innocent stare? Or is it a lustful seed that is sown in a dark, dingy bar one sweaty summer’s night, only to be nurtured with romantic rendezvous as it matures into a beautiful flower?
Is it a river springing forth, creating lifelong bonds through experiences, heartaches, and missed opportunities? Or is it a thunderstorm that slowly rolls in, climaxing with an awesome display of unbridled passion, only to succumb to its inevitable fade into the distance?
I define love as education…
It teaches us to learn from our mistakes, capitalize on our opportunities, and make the stupidest of decisions for the rightest of reasons. It gives us a hint of what “it” should be and feel like, but then encourages us to think outside the box and develop our own understanding of what “it” could be.
Those that choose to embrace and learn from love’s educational peaks and valleys are the ones that will eventually find true love, that one in a million. Those that don’t are destined to be consumed with the inevitable ring around the rosy of fake I love yous and failed relationships.
I have been lucky enough to have some of the most amazing teachers throughout my romantic evolution, and it is to them that I dedicate this book. The lessons in life, passion, and love they taught me have helped shape who I am today and who I will be tomorrow.
To the love that stains my heart, but defines my soul…I thank you.
Acknowledgments
Everly Drummond
What started off as a whimsical idea has spiraled into something more than I could have ever hoped for. If it wasn’t for the playful and charismatic nature of Ivan Rusilko, this book might have forever been nothing more than an errant thought. Your stories, humor, openness, honesty, and good nature brought this story to life, and it has been a pleasure collaborating with you. I can say with absolute certainty that is has been one of the most exciting, albeit intense, years of my life. Thank you.
Thank you to the awesome team at Omnific Publishing: Elizabeth Harper, Micha Stone, Traci Olsen, Lisa O’Hara, CJ Creel, and our amazing editor, Jessica Royer Ocken—the gurus behind this insane idea. You saw the potential in this little endeavor of ours when no one else would.
And thank you to all of my readers for all of your kind words and well wishes. You encourage and inspire me to continue telling my story.
A huge thank you goes out to Katie Byrne, the winner of our “Name That Character” contest. What started as a simple online conversation has grown into a friendship of epic proportions. Your friendship and advice have become a constant in my life, one that I hope to have for many years to come.
And what kind of person would I be if I didn’t send out a special thank you to my peanut gallery: Maggie Smith, Chris Gilpin, and Wendy Shores. You put up with my craziness without question. Thank you can’t even begin to describe my gratitude for all that you have done. I love you guys so much.
And last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to all of my family and friends. I am truly blessed to have been surrounded by so many amazing people. I love you all with every fiber of my being. If it wasn’t for the love and support of Ed Wilkinson, Loretta Drummond, Lynn Wilkinson, and the rest of the Wilkinson and Drummond clans, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you.
About the Author
Dr. Ivan Rusilko
Dr. Ivan Rusilko, DO, CSN, PT, is an accomplished weight loss, wellness, physical enhancement and sexual health physician affiliated with the prestigious MIAMI Institute in Miami, Florida. A certified sports nutritionist, champion bodybuilder, international male fitness model, and former Mr. USA 2008 and 2010, Dr. Ivan graduated from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010 and sits as the national media and public relations expert and spokesperson on diet, exercise and sports nutrition for the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
Dr. Ivan has been a feature health writer and lifestyle coach for numerous magazines and online publications including The Washington Times and Quarter Life Health.
With his debut novel, The Winemaker’s Dinner: Appetizers, co-authored by Everly Drummond, Dr. Rusilko is excited to offer a male voice in a predominantly female authored genre. Always one with a story to tell, he hopes to continue writing, exploring new genres and projects.
He is proud to bring two of his passions, his medical wellness and sexual health background and writing together in this unique project. He hopes that The Winemaker’s Feast Trilogy will help spark an enthusiasm and ignite liberation among women, inspiring them to celebrate their sensuality and focus on their sexual health in order to achieve a better quality of life.
About the Author
Everly Drummond
As a student of the Centennial College Social Service Worker program, and the Trent University Biology program, Everly Drummond had a previous life in administration and transportation before launching her career as a writer. Everly’s other writing projects include City of the Damned, a paranormal romance series, and Blood of the Ancients, a YA paranormal romance. All four novellas in the City of the Damned series have appeared on the Amazon.com bestseller list. Everly resides in Toronto, Ontario, where she is currently working on the second installment to The Winemaker’s Dinner with co-author, Ivan Rusilko.
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Table of Contents
cover
title page
Copyright Information
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About the Author
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Coming Soon From Omnific Publishing