The Vintner and the Vixen (Vintage Love Book 1)

by Alexia Adams

  She’d said she was a shooting star. But she wasn’t. She was his north star. Without her, he was lost, directionless.

  He’d almost given up waiting, about to go back to the courtroom in the hope of getting some message to her, when the door opened again and Maya walked in. She wore a baseball cap and sunglasses, but he wasn’t fooled. He’d spent long enough kissing those lips to have memorized them. They curved upward and his heart crashed against his ribs.

  “What the hell are you doing here? I told you it was over,” Maya said. But there was a waver in her voice.

  He lifted the hat off her head and her hair spilled down her back. Next he removed the sunglasses and tossed them with the hat on the table behind him.

  “Our initial thirty-day agreement is over, yes. But you said you wanted to hear my revised terms. I’ve come to present them,” he replied. Then he kissed her. It’d been six weeks since she’d walked out of the chateau in handcuffs. He wouldn’t be finished kissing her anytime this year.

  There was a knock on the mirror, and Maya unwrapped her arms from around his neck.

  “We’re being watched. And I have ten minutes before I have to be back in court. You can’t be here, Jacques. If Tony gets wind of what you mean to me…”

  “What do I mean to you?”

  “You have to ask?”

  He groaned. They didn’t have time for games. “Maya, you’re killing me.”

  She put her hand on his cheek, the gesture so familiar it hurt. “You are my world, Jacques Charles Henri de Launay. The center of my world. Everything I am spins around you. I love you so much that I’m terrified. If something were to happen to you, I wouldn’t want to live.”

  He kissed the palm of her hand. “Excellent. That piece of information will make negotiations go a lot faster. So, here are my terms. First, I am allowed to tell you as often as I want how much I love you. You may reciprocate. Second, this is an exclusive, in perpetuity agreement. You are mine and only mine, forever. Again, reciprocal. Third, you can keep the cottage and the land, but you have to change your name.” He held his breath.

  “What do I have to change my name to?” Her head was cocked to one side, a small smile playing about her lips. Dieu, he loved her.

  “De Launay. And you have to marry me to do so. Those are my terms.”

  “I can accept terms one and two. However, it may have escaped your notice that I’m not really in a position to fulfill term three. How do you expect me to marry you when I’m under guard day and night and the second this trial is done I’m supposed to go into the Witness Protection Program?”

  “There’s been a slight change of plans on that last point. When this is finished, we’re both going to disappear. Big Tony will never find us and we can live happily together. My only stipulation is that you marry me first.” His heart pounded as he waited for her answer. It wasn’t the most romantic of proposals but the best he could do given the circumstances. He’d make up for it with the honeymoon. And the rest of their lives together.

  “Wait. What? I don’t understand.” There was a flicker of hope in her eyes, but it was quickly doused under a wave of doubt. “You can’t disappear. You’re a billionaire with twenty companies to run, not to mention a world-class winery you love.”

  “I have people to run them for me. And even if they fail, I don’t give a damn. I’d rather live in a shack with you than the chateau alone. And I can make wine lots of places in the world. But I can’t be happy without you.”

  “You’ve given up your job and your beautiful house for me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “What about Charles? Is he okay? I’ve been so worried. I’m not allowed access to the news.”

  “Grand-Papa is fine. He and Princess are waiting for us at our destination. He said he wanted one last adventure anyway. Personally, I think he just wants to make sure we produce the next generation of de Launays.”

  The hope in her eyes flared back to life. “He’s not going to stand at the end of our bed and make sure we do it right, is he?”

  He laughed, the first in weeks. “We’ll have Princess guard the door so he doesn’t come in.”

  She put her hand on his chest and he winced. “What’s wrong?”

  “My tattoo hasn’t healed completely yet, that’s all.”

  “You got inked?”

  He whipped off his leather jacket and then his T-shirt. Over his heart was the word “Maya,” the ‘y’ going on to form the tail of a fox.

  “I got branded. And now you have to marry me, because no other woman will have me.”

  “Jacques, this is crazy. You can’t give up your whole life for me.”

  “I can and I have. It’s all arranged. I just need you. Will you come with me?”

  “Yes.”

  “And marry me? I want children with you. And I want those children to be legitimate de Launay heirs. This may be the only chance we have to get married. After this, we’ll be living under assumed names.”

  Her smile could have powered a small town. “Have you really thought this through? It could be years, if ever, before it’s safe to come out of hiding. Can you live with that kind of risk?”

  “I can. I’ve learned that life is nothing without risk. And life without you is too painful to endure. I’ve met your criteria for marriage. I love you, Maya. More than I thought possible to love. Marry me, please.”

  Her cognac eyes filled with joy. “Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife, to love you forever and have your babies.”

  He kissed her again, remembering her taste, the feel of her against him, and the surge of love that spread through him as she wound her fingers in his hair. His brain flashed the reminder that they were being watched, but he didn’t care. Eventually, there was a rap on the two-way mirror, and he reluctantly released her mouth.

  “Of all the people involved in this trial, who do you trust the most?” he asked.

  “Etienne.”

  Jacques winced at the name. In his opinion, Etienne was the one responsible for putting Maya in this situation. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. He’s feeling guilty for the position I’m in. He’ll do anything to make it better.”

  “All right, I’ll talk with Etienne. The second you’re done testifying, we’ll be married. Then the minute the trial is over, we’re out of here.”

  The door flung open and the hard edge returned to Maya’s face. “Time to go, Ms. Tessier,” the guard said.

  She turned back to Jacques as she stuffed her hair back under the ball cap. “I love you.”

  Then she was gone.

  Chapter 22

  Maya stood in the witness box doing her damnedest to remain calm. The defense attorney was deliberately trying to make her lose her cool, make her blurt out something stupid that he could use to discredit her. Big Tony Chartrand stared at her and her skin crawled.

  Only by concentrating on the lingering taste of Jacques on her lips did she keep her grace and serenity. A few more hours and this would all be over. Then she could spend the rest of her life making sure Jacques didn’t regret his sacrifice. She still couldn’t believe he’d given up his career, his home, for her.

  Her eyes swept the courtroom again, but he hadn’t returned after the lunch recess. She was glad because despite the Crown prosecutor’s objections, the defense attorney had dredged up her past, thrown dirt at her character, hoping something would stick and taint her testimony. She’d rather Jacques didn’t hear it. If he wanted to know about her life before she’d met him, she’d tell him herself. No more secrets.

  “I’m sorry. You were repeating yourself so often, I drifted off. What was your question again?” She batted her eyelashes as she spoke. The sass was back. A couple of the jurors giggled and the Crown prosecutor hid his laugh with a fake cough.

  The defense attorney, however, looked like he was about to blow. He could try to intimidate her, berate her, make her feel worthless. But Jacques loved her enough to give up his world, so she
couldn’t be all that bad.

  “Ms. Tessier,” the judge warned.

  Last thing she needed was to be called for contempt of court and delay this thing any further. She answered the questions over and over, repeating her testimony word for word. Finally, the defense attorney gave up and the judge called an adjournment until tomorrow. With luck, they could be done in the next two days.

  The guard escorted her out of the courtroom and through a warren of hallways into the unmarked police car that would take her to the safe house where she was staying. She’d half expected Jacques to be waiting for her. But she saw neither him nor Etienne.

  Maybe he had been present in the courtroom, in another disguise, and he’d heard all the filthy things from her past. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Six hours later she glanced at the clock—midnight. Sleep eluded her and the book she was reading no longer held her interest. Barred from television and Internet access, the only thing she had to do was stare at the ceiling and think of Jacques.

  ***

  The next day the defense attorney asked for more time to pursue another piece of evidence. The judge granted a twenty-four hour continuance, and Maya returned to the secret location.

  At two o’clock she was called back to the courthouse. Had the defense attorney found something to exonerate Big Tony? Was he about to walk free? God, she hoped Jacques was ready. If he was still going through with his plan, that was.

  Rather than being taken to the room where she’d previously waited to be called, the guard led her to an oak-paneled room full of books and a huge desk. One of the female Crown prosecutors, Christine, was waiting for her. “We’ve got fifteen minutes to get you ready for your wedding,” she said.

  “What?” Maya took in the rest of the room. Lying across the leather sofa was a long, white garment bag, and on the floor next to it sat a large box and the shoes she’d worn at the harvest festival.

  “Your groom brought all this. I caught a glimpse of him waiting in the next room. And girl, if you don’t marry him, I will.”

  “Not a chance. He’s mine.” Maya threw off her leather jacket, jeans, and T-shirt then unzipped the bag. Inside was her Gran-Gran’s engagement dress, the one Maya had worn at the party. It was perfect.

  She’d barely had time to fix her makeup when there was a knock at the door. Christine opened it and Jacques, Etienne, and a judge in black robes entered. Jacques was dressed in a suit, a red rose in his buttonhole. The smile he gave her settled all her butterflies. He loved her. This was real.

  She repeated her vows with a firm voice, not wanting Jacques to think she had any hesitation. He promised in turn to love and care for her. When the judge pronounced them husband and wife, Jacques’s kiss was so full of love, tears prickled the back of her eyes.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said into her ear when he finally released her lips.

  “Joe Cocker, an oldie but a goodie,” she murmured back.

  After they signed the paperwork, Jacques said, “I’m sorry this isn’t the wedding you probably dreamed about…”

  “I have the man of my dreams. For me that’s more important.”

  He was about to kiss her again when Etienne tapped him on the shoulder. He had his cell phone in his hand and his eyes were filled with worry.

  “I’ve got bad news. Big Tony has escaped custody. We have to get Maya to a safe location. Now.”

  She was already unzipping the dress and pulling her jeans back on before Etienne finished his sentence. “You got your bike here?” she asked him.

  “Yes, but you’ll be safer in a police car.”

  “And that’s what Big Tony will expect. You don’t think he’ll have every cop car leaving the building followed? Give me the keys to your bike.”

  “Maya, there are protocols to be followed,” Etienne said, although he dug his keys out of his pocket.

  She tossed her bouquet to Christine and took Etienne’s keys. Shoving her dress and shoes into the garment bag, she handed that to Jacques. “To hell with your protocols. I’m done. You got me into this mess. I’m getting me out.”

  Etienne looked at Jacques, obviously seeking his support to talk Maya out of leaving on her own.

  “What she said,” Jacques replied.

  “I am so getting fired for this.” But Etienne drew his gun and led them out the door.

  Eventually they arrived at Etienne’s Suzuki in the underground car park. Maya handed Jacques a helmet and pulled the other on herself. “Your plane at Saint-Hubert?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then that’s where you’ll find your bike, Etienne.”

  “I’ve got six cars all leaving now, heading in different directions. Good luck, Maya.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jacques got on behind her with the dress wedged between their bodies. She started the engine and, with a quick salute to Etienne, they were off.

  Now, she just had to trust that Jacques’s plan would work.

  Maya gunned the engine the minute they cleared the parking lot, narrowly missing a car that pulled out from the curb. She fought to keep the front wheel on the ground. With Jacques’s weight behind her, she had to adjust for the change in balance. Instead of holding himself stiffly as he’d done on their first ride together, he matched his movements to hers, the dress bag squished between them. She should have left it behind, but she wasn’t going to let Big Tony take that one last piece of her Gran-Gran from her. Besides, it was her wedding dress now. Even a bad biker girl deserved one item of sentimentality.

  When they were away from the courthouse, she slowed down, not wanting to draw attention. She forced herself to take deep breaths and concentrate on the road, listening for other bikes or cars approaching too fast. They were almost at the small airport used by private planes when a red hatchback swerved into the lane beside them. The driver pointed a gun out the window and she slammed on the brakes then changed direction suddenly. Thank God Jacques was strong or she’d have flung him off. As it was, only by sheer determination did she manage to keep the bike under control.

  Squeezing the throttle, she weaved through the cars ahead. Sirens were coming from all directions now, but she couldn’t trust that the cops would get there in time. Hunkering down as close as she could to the bike, she tried to make herself as small as possible, praying that Jacques wouldn’t take a bullet for her. He had no protection behind him.

  A trickle of perspiration dripped into her eye. Despite the sting she kept driving as fast as she could. Jacques’s life depended on her getting them to his plane in one piece. A police car waited beside the entrance to the airport and as soon as she passed, it pulled across the road. She thought she heard gunfire but couldn’t be sure as her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She concentrated on Jacques’s arms around her. As long as he hung on tightly, she knew he was okay.

  Two more uniformed police officers were waiting by the entrance door. Could she trust them? Did Big Tony have dirty cops on his payroll? It was a gamble, but she had no other options.

  They waved her straight into the terminal building, bike and all.

  “Etienne called ahead,” one of them said as she shut off the bike. “Your plane is cleared for takeoff as soon as you’re on board.”

  Maya pulled off her helmet and waited for Jacques to do the same. He looked a little pale, but a quick check showed no bullet wounds or other injuries.

  She raised her eyes to his. After this there was no going back. She had to make sure he knew what he was getting himself in for, staying with her.

  “Jacques, you can still walk away. You’ve seen now what being with me is like. I can’t guarantee that won’t happen again. Go back to France. Live free and be happy.” Her voice broke on the last word.

  His eyes turned fierce. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Maya de Launay. I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to keep you safe. And if that means more wild rides with guys shooting at us, then that’s what we’ll do. But next time, I drive.”

  He passed h
er the garment bag, pulled two shiny new French passports out of his breast pocket, and followed the police officers leading the way to his plane. The poor rose in his lapel was crushed beyond saving.

  Some wedding day.

  It wasn’t until they were taxiing down the runway in his Lear jet that she finally took a deep breath. Then her legs began to shake so hard, they bounced up and down in front of her, out of control. The plane had barely leveled off before Jacques unfastened his seat belt and pulled her into his lap.

  He hugged her so tightly, she could barely breathe. But she wasn’t complaining. They’d done it. Escaped.

  As his lips met hers, he whispered, “Now, where were we? Husband and wife, I think the judge said.”

  They kissed until the city disappeared beneath the clouds.

  “This is how to start a new life,” she said when he finally released her mouth to trail kisses down to her collarbone.

  Third time lucky.

  *******

  Coming Soon:

  Read Daniel’s journey to love and catch up with Jacques and Maya in:

  The Playboy And The Single Mum

  He lives in the spotlight. She has to exist in the shadows.

  If Formula 1 racing driver Daniel Michaud is to win the championship, he must steer clear of all distractions. However a compromising photo has his sponsor demanding that he be chaperoned for the rest of the race season. It’s bad enough a sexy advertising executive is assigned to accompany him, but then they’re joined by her adorable car-obsessed son and it’s all Daniel can do to keep his mind on the track and off the tantalizing taste of love and family that could destroy his career.

  Lexy Camparelli blames the Formula 1 circus for her parents’ divorce and the obsessive eating disorder that ruined her teenage years. To keep her job, she’s forced back into that high-stakes world. At least her heart isn’t in jeopardy, given Daniel’s playboy reputation. Then she discovers the gorgeous driver’s secret and it’s a race to see if Lexy can emerge victorious or lose everything—including custody of her son.