Wine, Tarts & Sex

by Susan Johnson

  The passenger door suddenly slammed shut, jarring her from her mindless reverie. Returning to reality, she gave Jake one of her practiced, camera-ready smiles. “All set?”

  “Yep. Ready to hit the road.”

  For a man who had been complaining about the early hour just minutes ago, he was suddenly raring to go. Not that she should care or even give it another thought. Just because she’d spent one night having fabulous sex with Jake Chambers didn’t give her the right to question his motives.

  The sex had been prime, but that was it. End of story.

  Particularly with a man like Jake Chambers, who’d spent years enjoying all the pleasures of life without so much as finding himself engaged, let alone married. Leo Rolf should take lessons.

  “Traffic should be light this time of day,” Liv said, firing up her truck. “Tell me how you know Janie?” Crap. Where did that come from? Hadn’t she just cautioned herself against overt curiosity?

  “We lived together in L.A. for a while. She needed a place to stay, and I had plenty of room.”

  His tone was casual. But men were always more nonchalant about living arrangements. Like the time she thought she might actually be falling for Serge in Paris, and she’d found out the apartment she shared with him was his wife’s. Perhaps that memory added a little edge to her voice. “Living together like roommates you mean?”

  He stopped humming under his breath and gave her a quizzical look. “Yeah. For a while.”

  “Oh, crap.” She could feel the blush stealing up her cheeks. “It’s really none of my business. I shouldn’t have asked. Please… go back to your humming.”

  “Look, I probably don’t have to explain Janie to you. She’s nicer than hell; I like her. But let’s face it, she looks out for numero uno first. My story is hers in reverse. I came home one day and she was gone. She’d left with a New York director who’d promised her a part on Broadway.”

  “I’m sorry.” Leaving midtown, Liv turned onto the freeway ramp. “If it’s any consolation, she’s done that more than once.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t die of a broken heart. I was just surprised. A note would have been nice. But we had our good times, and I wish her well.”

  “How long did you live together?”

  “About a year.”

  She almost said, Holy shit, that must be a record for you. Jake Chambers could pretty much have his pick of women-and did. “That must have been a long time ago,” she said instead.

  “It was-like a couple lifetimes ago. You know, I’m hungry again. Let’s eat breakfast somewhere after we pick up Janie.”

  Was he politely changing the subject, or was he really hungry? Was he going to ask Janie to stay with him again? Was last night’s world-class sex all she was going to get of Jake Chambers now that Janie was in town? If she knew him better, she could ask him all of the above.

  Shit, the morning after really could be awkward. Munch’s painting of the young woman seated on the edge of the bed, while replete with nineteenth-century moral overtones, did portray a kind of universal uncertainty typical of those occasions.

  On the other hand, she wasn’t exactly the bashful type.

  “Is Janie going to stay with you?” So sue her; she wanted to know.

  He gave her another of those quizzical looks. “Not unless you don’t want her at your place.”

  “She’s fine with me. I just thought I’d ask.”

  He smiled. “I wasn’t planning on picking up where Janie and I left off, if that’s what you were thinking.”

  “I wasn’t, okay?”

  He looked amused. “No problem, then. By the way, I meant what I said. Come and see me anytime.”

  It was scary how his casual invitation could make her entire body begin to rev up again. It was even more scary that a happy, blissful glow seemed to inundate her psyche. She’d never felt either of those sweep-you-off-your-feet sensations before Jake Chambers and his magnetic force field had entered her life.

  Apparently, the phrase, warm your heart, wasn’t just BS.

  “How long have you known Janie?” Jake reached for the power switch on the radio. “What’s a good local station?”

  “The second button. Top forty. I met her in New York.” Liv glanced his way. “She’d just come out from L.A. But Tommy Farrell didn’t get her that Broadway part.”

  “So I heard.” Sitting back, he jabbed a finger at the radio. “Great song.”

  “Yeah. It always puts me in a good mood.”

  “So you were living in New York? With a modeling career, though, I suppose you would.”

  “I had an apartment there at the time. Janie stayed with me for a while after Tommy dumped her. She needed a shoulder to cry on.”

  “She’s good at crying.”

  “It wasn’t so bad. I had my whiny moments, too. And we did a lot of clubbing in those days. She’s fun to party with.”

  “Do you miss the bright lights?”

  “Uh-uh. I came here to escape the bright lights-camera lights included. I was raised not far from here. My comfort level is far, far away from big cities.”

  “You must have lived in them a long time, though? Modeling careers start young, don’t they?”

  “Usually. But I didn’t get in the game until my senior year in college. Someone entered me in some contest, and two weeks later I was walking the runways in Milan. I started late, and I stopped just as soon as my bank account made me financially independent. But what inspired you to relocate to the boondocks? I was born here. I have an excuse. ”

  He grinned. “Midlife crisis.”

  “It’s a little early for that, isn’t it?” She eased left onto the Crosstown freeway ramp. “What are you-thirty-one, thirty-two?”

  “Thirty-five. I started asking myself why the hell I was working so hard.”

  “And you thought you’d find the answer here? Did you throw a dart at a map?”

  “Close. I knew about Chaz’s place, and then my aunt has a lake home in Wisconsin. She told me to check it out and see how it’s looking. No one’s been there for years.” He smiled. “Except yard people and a handy man or two.”

  “Where in Wisconsin?”

  “A place called Deer Lake.”

  She shot him a look. “You’re kidding.”

  “You know where it is?”

  “About ten miles from my farm.”

  “So we’ll be neighbors. Come over and borrow a cup of sugar anytime,” he said with a grin.

  “Tempting. Although you won’t be living there, will you?”

  “If you’re close by, maybe I’ll change my mind.”

  “You should package that charm, darling.”

  “Feel free to bring your fine package over to my place. I’m available twenty-four-seven.” Christ, maybe he really was having an early midlife crisis. He couldn’t recall ever offering a woman carte blanche entrée to his life before.

  “You’re sorry you said that, aren’t you?” She took a right.

  He laughed. “Does it show?”

  “Oh, yeah. Look, last night was great. But no sense making too much of it. How’s that?” Did she sound mature or what?

  He smiled. “A relief. Although, I gotta tell you, you’re screwin’ with my head, darlin’.”

  “Not for long. Once we pick up Janie and Matt, the focus will shift to the soap opera star in our midst. Prepare yourself for tears.”

  “Will do.”

  “Although she may have matured now that she’s a mother.”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  Liv shrugged. “I was being polite.” Janie hadn’t sounded very mature on the phone with her sobbing and screaming.

  “Okay, so we’ll brace ourselves. The kid’s probably used to her hysteria by now anyway. How old is he?”

  “Threeish. He has four given names-Matthew Tabor Carter Nicholas-so he could be just a tad spoiled.”

  “Like his mother.”

  “So we’re on the same page.”

/>   “In so many ways, babe,” he said with a wicked grin.

  In an effort to still her wildly beating heart, she said, businesslike and cool, “I’d better call my working partner before we get to the Hilton. I’ll let Chris know that I’m going to be home later than I thought.” Keep everything in perspective, she warned herself. He was talking about sex. It wasn’t about beating hearts.

  “So, does Chris live on your farm?” Jake asked as she flipped her phone shut after a brief conversation with her vintner. Why it mattered, he chose not to examine.

  “Sort of.”

  “What does that mean?” Realizing his voice had sharpened, he quickly said, “Sorry-I was outta line to ask.”

  “Actually, Chris and his wife live across the road on a small property I own. She’s still in law school, so they’re living frugally. The house is small; it was originally a log cabin that was enlarged.”

  After hearing the word wife, Jake’s good humor resurfaced, and the smile he turned on Liv could have melted stone. “It’s nice you have backup.”

  “I don’t like to impose on Chris too much, though. He has his hands full with the wine making.”

  So if she stayed over, she wouldn’t necessarily have to drive home at the crack of dawn, Jake thought. “I understand, ” he politely replied. But he found himself contemplating a lazy morning in bed with her. “Then again,” he softly added, “if you were to give Chris a heads-up, you might be able to stay for breakfast next time. I make a pretty good apple-cinnamon French toast.”

  “Maybe I could,” she said with feigned calm. No way was she going to appear overeager with Jake’s old flame, Janie, waiting for him at the Hilton.

  “Perfect,” he said, like it was a done deal.

  Nine

  It took a few moments for Liv to calm herself after his invitation to stay for breakfast, delivered as it was in that low, sexy tone. Not to mention his done-deal certainty that conjured up in her mind delicious images that had nothing to do with food. But calm herself she did, because sex was sex. It wasn’t the Taj Mahal in moonlight. Particularly with a perennial bachelor like Jake.

  It helped that one of her favorite songs came on the radio, diverting her attention from her body’s much too eager-beaver desires. Thank God for Terri Clark reminding her of what bad-ass men could do to your peace of mind. By the time she turned into the Hilton Hotel drive, she was more or less in control of her emotions.

  Fortunately. Because the second Liv pulled up to the front door, Janie came flying through the double doors with little Matt in tow. She was red-eyed from crying, waving frantically. But however stressed, she’d managed to put herself together in a colorful Narciso Rodriguez slacks outfit that was screamingly out of place at an airport Hilton.

  “The drama queen,” Jake murmured, reaching for the door handle. “Take a deep breath.”

  “Gotcha.”

  As they exited the truck, Janie cried out in a voice that would have carried to the last balcony at La Scala, “Jake! Liv! You’ve saved my life!”

  The few other guests getting cabs for early flights swiveled around to stare, Janie’s ringing words delivered with soap opera histrionics.

  Running toward them on jeweled sandals, Janie mustered up a quivering smile that would have been labeled as one of quiet desperation in drama class. “You don’t know how absolutely grateful I am to have you both come and get me! How perfect!”

  As she reached them, she hugged them both with the fervor of someone rescued from a desert island, while her son stared up at Liv and Jake with the caution children afforded strangers.

  Taking note of Matt’s uncertainty, Liv bent down and murmured, “Hi, I’m Liv. I’m a friend of your mother’s. What’s your name?”

  “Sweetheart, say hello to Liv!” Janie prompted. “He’s only three, don’t expect much,” she added in a murmur. “His nanny can barely speak English. Leo wanted Matt to learn French.”

  And sure enough, little Matt said, “Bonjour,” with a toddler lisp.

  Squatting down so he wasn’t intimidating, Jake smiled. “Bonjour, mon ami,” he said and was rewarded with a wide smile.

  Matt nodded and smiled as Jake continued speaking in French, and before long he allowed Jake to pick him up. Turning to his mother, Matt lisped, “We’re doing to det toys.”

  “That sounds like fun.” Running her hand down Jake’s arm, Janie softly purred, “You always were such a darling.”

  “My brother has a boy about Matt’s age,” Jake said, ignoring Janie’s seductive purr. “I know Toys ‘R’ Us is a hit for any kid.”

  “Is that so. I’m sure Matt will enjoy the experience.” Janie was more au courant on couture design than toy stores, but in her wronged-woman frame of mind, her husband became the arch villain apropos toys as well. “Leo insisted on nothing but educational toys. He was such a control freak about everything, including Matt.” She exhaled a little plaintive sigh. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you being here for me.” She offered them a small, wounded smile. “I don’t know what I would have done without you coming to my rescue.”

  “Hey, what are friends for?” Liv said kindly. And Janie’s drama aside, Liv knew she’d do the same for her.

  “Why don’t we get out of here?” Jake suggested. “And let these people get on with their lives.” He nodded toward the silent crowd that had assembled to watch the drama.

  Janie immediately posed for imaginary cameras. “My goodness. Where did everyone come from?” If there was a spotlight, Janie liked to be center stage.

  “They’re probably catching early flights.” No way was he going to mention the scene she’d made, when making scenes was one of her favorite activities. “Do you have luggage? ”

  “Over there.” She pointed at a bellman standing beside a cart piled high with green Hermes luggage. “Leo hadn’t discontinued my charge cards yet, so I did a little shopping before we left New York. Thank heaven you have a big truck, Liv. Really, it must be fate, although my astrologer said as much this morning when I called her. She said today would be a very good day for me. And sure enough, I have my two dearest friends with me,” Janie added in a little breathy voice. “Actually, you never did say how you two happened to be together”-her suddenly narrowed gaze flicked from one to the other-“so early in the morning?”

  “Business,” Liv quickly replied. “I was delivering my wines to Jake’s restaurant.”

  Jake shot Liv a look but didn’t blow her story. “Liv gets up early, and I didn’t sleep last night. It worked out well.”

  Janie’s perfect brows arched upward. “You’re a long way from L.A.”

  “I’m opening a new restaurant here. An experiment of sorts.” There was no point in going into the circumstances that had brought him to Minneapolis. “Are we set to go?” Without waiting for an answer, Jake moved toward the truck with Matt.

  After setting Matt in the backseat of Liv’s crew cab and buckling him in, Jake helped the bellman load the luggage, and before long they were on their way to Toys “R” Us, Janie and Liv in front, Jake squeezed into the backseat with Matt.

  When Jake and Matt returned to the truck after shopping, Matt was all smiles, Jake was carrying three large bags, and all was right in one little three-year-old’s world.

  Meanwhile, Janie had filled in Liv on the travails of married life, particularly about how the needs of a rich, temperamental, egocentric husband always had to take precedence.

  The recital made Liv appreciate the blessings and virtues of her single life.

  The Bakery on Grand where two young chefs offered one of the better breakfast menus in town was their second stop. Jake ate as though he hadn’t eaten in days, Liv not far behind in terms of putting away food. Matt was content with pancakes in the shapes of bunnies and hot chocolate. Janie picked at her frittata and drank espresso. Maintaining a size two figure did not allow overindulgence.

  After breakfast, Liv dropped off Jake at his restaurant.

  “Let me know i
f you need any help,” he said, standing at Liv’s open window.

  Janie leaned forward so she could offer him a sultry smile. “What kind of help, darling?” she murmured in her best femme fatale voice.

  “Not that kind, Janie. You’re married.”

  “Since when did you get scruples?”

  Jake nodded at Matt. “Bring Matt down sometime, and we’ll play video games.”

  Her brows drew together in a faint frown. “If you’re worried about Matt’s psyche, I’ve already talked to my lawyer about the divorce. He said if Leo isn’t obstinate, I’ll be free in a couple months.”

  Jake smiled politely. “Good for you. Thanks for driving, Liv. I’ll give you a call with my next order.” He had a feeling he’d be buying more Minnesota wines than he’d planned.

  “Okeydokey. Have a good day.” Putting the truck into gear, Liv drove away quickly before something was said that might make Janie suspicious. Not that Liv felt she had to hide anything; it was just simpler not having to explain last night. Not that there was anything to explain. They’d had sex, and that was that. It wasn’t a federal case.

  Fortunately for Liv’s mild unease, Janie was focused on herself, as usual. She kept up a running commentary on Leo’s numerous faults as they drove through downtown, although she was careful to speak in a muted tone. And since Janie was in the mood to vent, not listen to advice, Liv was required only to nod from time to time or murmur a consoling phrase.

  By the time they’d reached the suburbs, Matt had fallen asleep. After tucking her jacket under his head for a pillow, Janie sat back down and really began giving up the dirt on her philandering husband.

  Wow, Liv thought, after the twentieth exposé of Leo’s marital misconduct. Not that she wasn’t aware of how the rich and famous lived their lives. Rules weren’t made for men like Leo Rolf; they were pretty much self-centered pricks. From the sounds of it, he’d grown tired of his fourth wife and was in the market for number five. Not that Janie had known how serious he was about it until it was too late. “You had a few good years anyway,” Liv offered sympathetically. “And you have a darling little boy. You always wanted a child. Look on the bright side, sweetie; you’ll end up with enough money so you won’t have to work again if you don’t want to. That can’t be all bad.” What could she say? Certainly not the truth. Like, I never would have married the shit in the first place-money or no money.