I’m a red wine lover. My go to wines are a Malbec or Zinfandel. After spending a number of years living in Italy, I have a deep appreciation of Chianti. I also associate with luxury, given its richness and depth. When I drink Chianti, it is for special moments. Here is one of my favorite scenes in Race to Redemption when the walls between Erik and Elaina are starting to wear down. I love reading it with a good a Chianti by my side. Enjoy!
Sleep remained elusive. His gut tied into knots as Elaina Carteret knocked down one brick after another from the walls he built around himself. Her deception should have fortified the barricade but visceral carnal hunger and something much deeper kept dragging him back every time he tried to escape from her. And lookie here, he got out of bed and headed over to where she sat motionless on a sand block holding Sen’s hand.
“How’s he doing?” he whispered next to her ear, the brush of her hair crushed velvet against his cheek.
“No change, I guess that’s good.”
“Yeah. Scoot over.”
He sat down on the seat, their bodies forming a single line from foot up the leg, arms and shoulders. Fuck it. He put his arm around her, leaned his lips to her temple. “How are you doing?”
“You confuse me.”
No shit. He confused himself.
His head lifted and she turned toward him, eyes wide with questions. One finger under her chin, he lifted her mouth to his and took a long, slow taste. Lainie opened to him, her tongue darted sexy little flicks along his but her arms remained at her sides.
“Even more puzzled over here. I thought I was persona non grata. Top of your ten most likely to screw the world over list.” Still angry. He couldn’t blame her.
“I can’t seem to stay away.”
“But you want to.”
“Yes.” He kissed her hard. “And no.”
“It’s because I can cook, isn’t?”
A laugh bubbled through him. For the first time since Kalkaskara, he glimpsed a future in the eyes of a woman.
What do you think?
Want a Chianti recommendation? Check out this list of affordable Chiantis in 2020.
Race to Redemption Blurb
Intergalactic storm racing champion, Elaina Carteret, left the circuit in disgrace after a horrendous accident. Willing to deal with the devil, aka her business manager, she accepts a challenge for one last chance to fly again. The deal seemed easy – pose as Lainie Carter, medical transport pilot, and spy on a hospital outpost. Until she meets the director, Dr. Erik Johansen, who runs the station with an iron hand, a permanent scowl and the tightest bod on the planet.
Erik keeps his emotions and laboratories locked up tight. He once trusted a woman who turned out to be a spy—and millions died. When the sizzling hot Lainie Carter sashay’s into his office with her endless legs, pouty mouth and penchant for sneaking into forbidden areas, he knows she’s dangerous. If only she would stop sneaking into his fantasies.
When the outpost is attacked by mercenaries, the Diva and Dr. Dictator are thrown together in a race across the desert to save two dying children. As a fragile trust grows between their damaged hearts, will it be strong enough to survive the truths that threaten their growing bond?
