“It’s kind of a savory, funky odor. Go ahead and taste. Tell me what you think.”
“Okay.” I swirled the wine in the glass again, took a sip, trickled it along my tongue, and swallowed. “Definitely plum, but some earthy tones too. It’s kind of dry on my tongue. I don’t mean not sweet.”
“Those are the tannins. Common in Bordeaux blends.” He took a sip. “I taste the plum and the earth. A little vanilla, a little chocolate. A lot of tannin. I like tannin, but this is a little much.” He took another sip. “Not a bad blend, but overrated based on the awards it’s received. In my opinion, anyway.”
I took another sip. I liked it. “What are the grapes in this blend?”
“I’m not exactly sure. It’s a Meritage, so it’s made with Bordeaux grapes. Mostly cabernet sauvignon, I’d say. Some merlot and malbec as well. But I’m getting mostly cab.”
The flight attendant returned. “We
’ll be serving dinner soon. We have two choices today. Boeuf bourguignon aux champignons or chicken cacciatore.”
“The lady and I will have the beef,” Ryan said.
Why was he ordering for me? “I’d prefer the chicken,” I said. “I’m not really a beef person.”
“Not a beef person?” Ryan clutched his heart. “When I’m part owner of the greatest beef ranch in the world?”
“I thought you were the winemaker.”
“I am. But beef is the biggest part of our enterprise.” He held up two fingers to the flight attendant while still looking at me. “Two chickens.”
She smiled and hurried away, while my skin warmed me in a cocoon. He was looking at me. Me. Instead of the pretty stewardess.
“I’m used to prime beef,” he continued, smiling, “and I doubt the airline has access to that.”
I returned his smile. How could I not? Ryan Steel wasn’t just gorgeous. He was a damned nice guy. I liked him.
God help me.
Chapter Four
Ryan
After I settled in to my room at the resort, I changed into board shorts and a muscle shirt and decided to look around. No one would miss me. I had promised to meet up with the rest of the clan for a late dinner at ten, but for now I was going to check out the place…and possibly wander onto the nude beach. I knew there was zero chance of encountering anyone in my family there.
I walked along the beach and found the nude section. Bodies of all shapes and sizes greeted me, and before I knew it, I had walked off of the sand and found a nude swimming pool. I stripped off my shorts and shirt, entered, and swam to the pool bar.
“What’ll it be, mon?” the bartender said in his Jamaican accent.
“Rum punch.”
He handed me my drink with a toothy smile. “Enjoy.”
I took a sip of what I expected to be refreshing and sparkling. Instead, it was cloyingly sweet.
What was the big deal about rum punch anyway? Give me a good red wine any day. I drank the rest down and then turned around. Naked bodies were everywhere, including a luscious-looking blonde on the other side of the pool who was checking me out. I gave her a smile.
She swam toward the bar and then stood next to me, her full breasts bobbing on the surface of the water.
“Can I get you a drink?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ll have a Bahama Mama.”
I got the drink from the bartender and handed it to her. “I’m Ryan.”
“I’m Juliet. Where are you from, Ryan?”