Just Add Spice

Rafe let them into the loft and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her to bed and did more of the erotically stirring things that made her body go up in flames, leaving her breathless…and deliriously happy.

* * *

The next morning, they found a quaint B&B in Sonoma and toured the wine country by private charter, set up by Rafe. The limo took them to Viansa, the family’s favorite vineyard, and they sampled a couple of reds while noshing on antipasto. Then they toured the Gloria Ferrer winery, known for its Spanish influence and Cavas, and then sipped sparkling wine on the elegant terrace of the Domaine Carneros estate, a branch of the French champagne maker Taittinger.

Jenna took a deep sip of bubbly and sighed contently. “What a magnificent day.”

There was a slight chill in the air, but she’d wrapped a stylish scarf around her neck and wore jeans and a sweater. Despite the cool autumn breeze, the sky was cloudless and bright blue.

“Kinda like our time in Italy, isn’t it?” Rafe mused.

“Yes. And I love it.” She set aside her crystal flute. “And what’s really great is that I know I can trust Tad, so I don’t feel the least bit desperate to get back to the restaurant.”

“You did the right thing by letting him serve as task master, sweetheart. I could see how much it meant to him that you were okay with leaving him to do his job—without you micromanaging.”

She nodded. “He knows what he’s doing. I’m not sure why I even hesitated when he made the suggestion we get out of his hair.”

“Um, could it be that you’re a control freak?”

“Hey, now. Pot…kettle…black.”

He shook his head. “I gave up control of my dining room the second I saw you dancing in your underwear. You wanted to fill in for Reesa and I selfishly thought, ‘whatever keeps her in town…’ Let’s face it, I knew you wouldn’t settle for just seating people and handing out menus. I was instantly intrigued when you started shoving tables together and coming up with new ideas for the restaurant.”

“So you don’t hate my job.”

“That would make me a hypocrite, given that I’m taking advantage of your services.” He pinched the stem of his glass and took a drink of the crisp brut. Then he added, “I don’t hate your job, Jen. I hate that you’re not in my bed every night.”

She smiled softly. “I’ll admit I miss that myself. But we’ve been able to work and enjoy each other’s company. Don’t you think it’s possible to find some sort of middle ground?”

“Sure. If I could get over wanting you all to myself every minute of the day.”

Jenna gnawed her lower lip a moment. “I don’t begrudge you that. I told Tad one of the reasons I never shared much of our life with him, or anyone else, is because I liked holding it in, keeping it just between the two of us.”

Rafe took another long sip before spearing her with an intent look. “At the risk of opening a testy can of worms…why did you not take my last name?”

“That’s actually an easy one, Rafe. I was already known publicly as Jenna Scarsdale. And while there’d been rumors circulating that I’d gotten married and the ring I wore wasn’t just an engagement ring, I didn’t want your name all over the papers. Again… I wanted you all to myself. Our marriage wasn’t exactly a secret, but I got the warm-fuzzies out of treating it that way. It just made it more private. Special.”

Rafe leaned over and kissed her. “It was special.” He polished off his champagne and stood. Holding a hand out to her, he said, “Let’s pick up a bottle for Tad to enjoy when he celebrates his coup. Then there’s an art gallery I want to show you.”

They spent the evening leisurely exploring Sonoma, had a fantastic dinner and then fell into bed.

r /> * * *

The night before the reopening would be Rafe’s first look at the new dining room. Jenna’s entire body hummed with exhilaration. Tad had sent a few photos and she’d resisted the urge to jump up and down excitedly in front of Rafe. Tad and the contractors had brought her vision to life and she couldn’t wait to show it off.

She and Rafe stood outside the building, his eyes closed, per her instructions. Although the windows were covered with brown paper from the inside, the exterior now had Sampogna’s painted on every other window in the deep teal-blue hue she’d selected. The script was sophisticated, yet not at all dated.

With her arm linked through his, she told Rafe, “Okay, open your eyes.”

He stared at the tall, arched windows and grinned. “Look at that color. It’s incredible, Jen.”

“It really pops, doesn’t it?” She bounced elatedly on the balls of her feet. “I thought you’d like it. You inspired it.”

“Me?”

“Sure. I mean, it’s not the exact shade of your eyes, but when I looked into them the other day, I just knew blue was the right accent color. There’s something grandiose about it, yet it doesn’t scream old world, expensive or formal. It’s warm and inviting. Wait till you see the inside.”

She tugged on his arm and they rounded the building to the courtyard where black, wrought-iron bistro tables were now situated around a fountain, an outdoor fire pit and a well-groomed rose garden.