Blood & Wine Preview

"I've got the most perfect Porterhouse steaks and a couple of bottles of wine," a sexy voice said, "you want to join me for dinner?"

"May I see your ID officer?"

"I'll show you anything you want, Ms. Fox," he purred.

"Oh, my!" I exclaimed with a chuckle. "May I bring anything?"

"How about your tooth brush?" he teased. "See you at eight." and hung up.

Chapter 20

I took a long hot shower, washing my hair with the rich jasmine-scented shampoo and conditioner that Frederick Fekkai made up espeically for me, lathered twice with jasmine body shampoo, and after briskly toweling off, smoothed coordinating creamy lotion all over my body.

The last few days had been unseasonably warm, so I dressed in very soft pink cotton cuffed shorts, as my tan was still a beautiful creamy color, a matching top with wine bottles and wine glasses happily dancing across it with beads and stones that shined, and soft pink sandals that also had beads and stones that adorned them. To this I added fun pink ear bobs, then twisted my hair up into a pink clasp.

He had rented a cottage just down the beach from me, and as I approached I could see him through the kitchen French doors. He had on khaki shorts, a polo shirt and dock shoes. He was mixing something, very engrossed in his work, so I snuck up the stairs from the beach and rapped sharply on the glass, watching him jump and throw the utensils he was using into the air. He screamed something, then muttered something else while he opened the door for me.

"Awfully jumpy for a cop, aren't you?" I snickered.

"Cute," was his only reply.

"What are you making?" I inquired.

"Caesar salad, so why don't you mix us a drink?" he glowered.

I spied a cocktail bar at the end of the kitchen and proceeded to fix a couple of Black Velvet's on the rocks. When I handed him his, he pushed me against the counter, and I felt the hardness of him against me. He lowered his head and his mouth came down over mine with a possessiveness that surprised me. I kissed him back feeling the intense heat, and then suddenly he moved away, almost like he needed to get that out of his system. I should have felt assaulted, however I felt wonderful instead.

He went back to preparations of the salad and asked me how I liked my steak.

"Rare, or medium rare, depending on the chef," I replied.

He glanced sideways at me, and resumed his duties. "So, just what brought you to this area?" he asked.

"Well, I was born in Iowa, studied in New York, and decided if I were to ever make any money I needed to be where people loved to spend money. I've worked very hard to be the very best I can, and I am lucky to have an excellent reputation throughout the community of the privileged."

At this point the salad was done and he went to the refrigerator, pulled out two beautiful thick steaks, and headed for the grill. I could smell the baked potatoes in the oven, I picked up my bourbon and headed out onto the patio right behind him. He threw the steaks onto the flaming grill, and smiled.

He was so confident, so sexy, without even trying. It was almost like he didn't care what you thought of him. He knew who he was and didn't care if anybody liked him or not.

He had a patio table set for dinner and even had all the flatware in the right place! He reached over and flipped a switch on a CD player, and for the second time tonight he surprised me by playing classical music. A timer went off on the stove and I offered to get the potatoes and salad. He had wine open and breathing, and we sat down to a wonderful meal.

We talked about some of my clients and some funny things that have happened to me over the years, like the time I submitted my bill to a clients husband, or so I thought. Turns out the guy is her lover, takes one look at the amount and says to me, "she isn't that good in bed", hands the bill back to me and walks off. I damn near died. He had a few funny stories of his own so we sat there enjoying the night and a second bottle of wine.

Finally we got up to carry the dishes into the kitchen, and before I knew what was happening he gathered me into his arms. He slowly kissed me and his lips were warm and moist. His arms were strong around me and I felt totally protected. Then suddenly he scooped me up in his arms and carried me straight to his bedroom.

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Deadly Referral Preview

Downtown, I ducked into a bookstore called The Book Worm and selected several books on plants for the wicker coffee table. Next to The Drunken Billy Goat for the floor lamp I'd seen here earlier. Now for lunch. I didn't want to go anywhere I'd been before and decided to try Spikes Sand Skullduggery. The restaurant decor hosted a pirate's theme, and to my horror there were actually human skulls perched proudly on shelves. I could only hope they really weren't some ancestor, but made of resin instead. Just as I was deciding whether or not to leave, my waiter arrived.

I went ahead and ordered a glass of Cortese Di Gavi, and reviewed the menu. After last nights tuna sandwich, I was hungry. I settled on the chicken fettuccini Alfredo Caesar salad. When my lunch was served, I was delighted that the chicken was sautéed with real cream, imported Parmesan cheese, then accented with a medley of fresh garden vegetables. The creepy decor was soon forgotten.

Back at the Bogart mansion, I decided to get a little sun, and changed into my bathing suit. After a couple of hours by the Olympic size pool, I felt I'd had enough for one day and went inside for a shower.

Later in the library, I poured myself a drink. The servants had already left for the day, so I peeked into the fridge to see what she left me this time. Liverwurst on rye! Uck! Well, I wasn't hungry anyway after my big lunch, so now where to dispose of it so Quintessa will never find it? It wouldn't do to hurt her feelings.

I carried it to the bathroom, dissembled it and flushed it down the toilet. Then I went back to the library to read. After awhile I switched on the lamp taking note that the room had long shadows. Upon checking the clock I realized it was already after nine.

Suddenly I heard a noise. A very distinct noise that sounded like it came from the kitchen. Just then I knew I hadn't checked the French doors, nor had I set the alarm!

Panic broke in little beads of perspiration on my forehead. I listened again. Nothing. I unsteadily got to my feet and crept across the vast room. I could hear the pounding of my heart and thought my chest would explode. At the doorway, I stopped and listened again. I could have sworn I heard footsteps whispering over the stone kitchen floor.

What to do? The kitchen was completely dark. I reached around in the darkness groping for the light switch. I snapped it on and........

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Fatal Intentions Preview

"Madeline, will you marry me?"

"Chance! No! You know better," I hissed. "We've had this discussion before!"

A few heads turned from diners at nearby tables, with sympathetic expressions for Chance.

"I know Madeline, I'm not trying to rush you. But, I just love you so much."

"You are trying to rush me and you know it. Look Chance, lets table your proposal, then when, and if I'm interested in accepting it, you'll be the first to know."

"Ah, Madeline, why do you have to be so damn independent? We make a great team."

"I am not out to be a team, Chance. Anyway, everything is going rather nicely between us, so why spoil it with a piece of paper?"

"I want you to be my wife. I want to come home to you each night. I want you in my bed every night."

"Yeah, well I get the bed thing, you should have listed that first," exasperated.

Thank goodness just then the first course arrived and the waiter refilled my champagne glass. Tonight we were dining at a new restaurant called Pickled Pete's. Upscale, fine dining, white tablecloth, you get the picture.

Hi, I'm Madeline Fox. I am a 37-year-old Interior Designer with a specialty in period furniture. I live on the beach of the Pacific Ocean, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, in a 17 room, 70 windowed Victorian. A turn-of-the century Victorian, that is. I live here with my two girls, a 7-year-old, and a 3-year-old Shih-tzu. They are Onyx and Emerald, respectively.

Chance Stoneworthy is a wealthy winery owner, and quite honestly, the most eligible bachelor in the county. He lives in an 11,000 square foot house, high atop a hill, overlooking his hundreds of acres of vineyards.

I have been seeing him for a while now. After his wife left him over a year ago, he started seeing a woman named Connie Smith. After turning down many invitations, I finally agreed to have an after dinner drink with him. And so, the relationship ensued. However, I knew nothing of this Connie Smith, nor of the way he unceremoniously dumped her for me.

So, she tried to kill me. First by attacking me with a huge cleaver and leaving me for dead. Then, after spending weeks of recovering in a hospital, she took her second shot at finishing me off by trying to shoot me, in my own house!

I am currently redecorating a guest cottage for Porsche Sterling and am having great fun with it. I so often work with period pieces, that doing the cottage has been a breath of fresh air. And, not to mention, I love nautical.

The cottage is rather large compared to the normal bungalow. It has two bedrooms, two baths and an eat-in kitchen. She wants the works, including all new furniture, dishes, linens and accessories.

The cottage has a large fireplace that hasn't been used in a while, so I have my chimney sweep, Mitch, owner of Sparky's scheduled in first. After that the painter's I use, Smith Painting. They consist of two brothers, Steve and Dean, and they're the best in the business. Then the cleaning crew, Dust Busters, will finish up.

It's Saturday night, and early fall, September 24th. Fall is my favorite time of the year, and Halloween is my favorite holiday!

"Madeline, what do you say we take a drive to Sonoma County tomorrow and check out the Russian River Food and Winefest?"

"Sounds lovely, Chance."

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