Free Ghost Writer (Raven Maxim Book 1) by Tiana Laveen Page B

he brought his long arm dangerously close to her body, almost brushing against her.
    “Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon is a good choice for novices. Not so much beginner drinkers, but to get your feet wet for comparison tasting. It’s got a lot of bang for the buck, too. Not pricey, yet not cheap tasting, either. It’s from California and pairs well with a number of foods.”
    “What about what you have?” she questioned as she pointed down into his basket, though she preferred to keep staring into his eyes that seemed brighter under the direct light.
    “The Cashmere?” He reached into his basket and wielded the thing as if about to do a commercial. “It’s extremely smooth, real good stuff.”
    …Like you, huh?
    “I find it relaxing. It’s a nice drink before bed.” He placed it carefully back into his basket. It amused her to see such a large man being so watchful with his items, cautious, delicate…
    “I like to drink a glass of something before bed every now and again, but I’ve decided lately to try and step out of my comfort zone and try new drinks. So far it hasn’t been going too well. I have trouble sleeping every now and again, too. My mind is always racing.”
    …Why did I say that? This man don’t care about that shit. I’m too chatty sometimes. Why do I talk so much when I’m nervous or around a good-looking guy? Wait, I take that back. I don’t act like this around every good-looking man I may run into, just some of them… and why am I now explaining my explanations to my own damn self?! I’m even chatting too much in my own head, arguing with myself like some loon. Next it will be a full, head on argument and a violent fight between me, myself and I, right here in the wine aisle!
    “A busy mind is a smart mind.” With those words, he brought her back into his world. His eyes hooded, causing her body temperature to rise like some pre-heated oven. Or was it a hot flash? She no longer cared. “Anyway, we’re both night owls I guess. I stay up late most nights for a bunch of reasons and have to eventually force myself to sleep. Wine sometimes helps, ya know?” He smiled, showing almost perfect teeth. One on the bottom row was slightly crooked, but it only added to his handsomeness, made him appear genuine. “See, when choosing wines, one of the best ways to start learning about them is just to try them out for size. If something catches your eye, get it. Start out with a couple of whites, a couple of reds, real simple, see?”
    “Yeah.” Feeling a little silly, she stared into his eyes once more. Another rush of warmth coursed through her, this one a softer sensation, but definitely more lasting. Perhaps that was her preference in wines, too? Just that fast, her thoughts drifted to something low down and dirty, filthy and seedy, as her level of physical attraction elevated like an escalator. The man had a chiseled face, his expression serious, even when he smiled. His eyes were slightly crimped at the ends, the hoods naturally defined, heavy, and the irises an intense shade of green.
    His gaze gave him an air of friendliness, while the rest of his face appeared regal and staunch. Such contrasts he was… Hair the shade of rich espresso was brushed away from his broad forehead, and a beard and mustache lined his face, threaded with mere hints of silver.
    “That recommendation sounds simple enough,” she finally spoke again as she caught a whiff of the man. He smelled clean, like scrubbing solvents, lemon, and something medicinal and oily, possibly turpentine. One would think such a thing would have been a turn off, or at the least off-putting, but, in her years of restoring furniture, she found it rather comforting.
    “What you need to do is get you a good book and read up, then go to some places that let you sample to figure out what you lean towards. Then you’ll have a better idea of what you like and don’t like. There are so many ways to skin this cat, but the possibilities