Grapes of Wrath (Billionaires' Secrets Book 2) Read online

  She was sure Tarrant would want this for Moon, the five-star restaurant atop his Manhattan retail palace. It would be excellent with the chef’s famous osso buco, and with the boeuf en croute. “Are you not interested in selling?”

  “Of course I’m interested. Selling wine is my business.” His expression suggested he found the whole subject vastly amusing.

  “Then, why are you laughing at me?” She hated how defensive she sounded.

  “You’re so serious.” He lifted the plate. “Try some of Rosa’s alfajores.”

  She picked up one of the pastries. It was somewhere between a cookie and a sandwich. Two layers of pastry glued together with...

  She bit in. Caramel. Or, more accurately, dulce de leche.

  Yum.

  She flicked her tongue out to catch stray crumbs of pastry.

  Amado’s dark gaze rested on her mouth. “Rosa is the finest cook in all of Mendoza.”

  “I won’t argue with you. How many cases of these can I buy?”

  He laughed, and she was relieved that at least now she had him laughing with her and not at her. But it was time to get back to her real business here. “Your parents seemed upset.”

  He frowned. “Yes.”

  Susannah took a deep breath. “As if they know something.” She hesitated, waiting for him to draw his own conclusions.

  He looked out at the bright mountain peaks silhouetted against the clear blue sky. And didn’t say a word.

  “They wanted to get rid of me because they don’t want you to hear what I have to say.” She stared right at him. “You know that, don’t you?”

  He blinked. “I agree that their behavior was odd.”

  Susannah sensed that confusion was a rare and difficult emotion for Amado Alvarez. He didn’t know quite how to deal with it. He wanted to say No, you ’re wrong.

  But he couldn’t.

  Chapter Two

  Amado watched the summer breeze play in her long, dark hair and pull at the loose skirt of her dress. Slender and nervous, the lovely Susannah seemed embarrassed by her invasion of his privacy.

  As well she might be.

  What kind of mad story was this? Of course, he should dismiss it out of hand. He had in his office a birth certificate naming Clara and Ignacio as his parents. Ignacio had made a point of presenting it to him and telling him to keep it safe.

  But why had his mother and father reacted so strangely to her arrival? They’d had some obnoxious visitors in the past, folks who’d enjoyed the wine too much, but he’d never seen his parents be less than civil.

  What was going on?

  He stepped closer, until he could smell her scent. Subtle, floral, in keeping with her demure, businesslike persona. “Why did you come here on this strange errand?”

  “Tarrant Hardcastle is my boss. I travel for the company sourcing wines. I’m pretty sure I was chosen because I’m fluent in seven languages, including Spanish. Tarrant’s daughter Fiona offered to come, but they weren’t sure you’d speak English.”

  “I do, you know,” he replied in English.

  “So I see.” She smiled, which revealed a row of delicate teeth. “Then they needn’t have sent me at all, but here I am.” She shrugged. “I do love my job and I’d like to keep it.”

  “And for that you require a few ounces of my life’s blood.” He had no intention of complying with her request, but she was so serious that he couldn’t resist the urge to tease her.

  “As I said before, a swab from the inside of your mouth.”

  Amado winced, then an entertaining idea occurred to him. “Could you perhaps obtain it with a kiss?”

  Her eyes widened, and he saw a flush of color deepen the smooth skin of her cheeks. Lovely.

  She regained control of herself and lifted an eyebrow. “You mean take a cheek cell culture with my tongue?”

  The thought of that quick pink tongue in his mouth made a predatory smile creep across his lips. “That, I might be able to subject myself to. If you were willing, of course.”

  “I don’t think that would be very scientific. My DNA would be mixed in with yours.”

  “All the better.” He stared at her mouth until her lips parted.

  “Ha ha ha.” Her laugh sounded tinny and false. Good. He was making her nervous.

  He cocked his head. “I’m ready and willing. You can take your sample right now, if you like.”

  She narrowed her lovely dark eyes. “My best friend warned me about Argentine men.”

  “Oh?” He let his gaze drift over her face and neck. Enjoyed the sensual curve of her mouth and the proud tilt of her chin.

  She put her hands on her hips. “She said they’re very arrogant. Full of themselves.”

  He fought the urge to say Yeah, and?

  But he didn’t resist letting his eyes wander lower, to where her stance pulled her jacket taut over her firm, high breasts, then down to where her propped hands defined her waist all too sharply.

  Her hips twitched slightly under his gaze. Desire crept through him. He couldn’t help staring as a sudden breeze pressed her gauzy skirt to her long, slim legs.

  Susannah took her hands off her hips and crossed her arms defensively over her chest.

  “I’ve never had a beautiful woman ask for my DNA before. I’m just considering all my options.” Amado raised his eyes again and confronted her with his open admiration.

  Her prim and proper demeanor triggered an urge to see her unbuttoned and breathless. He’d like to take her to his bed and pleasure her. Make her forget all about DNA and someone’s child and the whole crazy idea.

  “Why does your boss think that I, out of all the people in the world, am his son?”

  “He hired a researcher a few months ago. I think he told her all he knew about the mothers, and when they’d had the children.”

  Revulsion rose in his gut. “This man thinks he has several children he’s never met?”

  She nodded. “It’s awkward. I haven’t met the researcher, but I was told they’d located you here. Maybe they’re just fishing in the hope that you’re the right person.”

  “I can’t be, you know.” It simply wasn’t possible.

  She shrugged and a half smile tilted her mouth. Tickled his urge to kiss it. “It does seem unlikely. I’m only here because I was asked to come.”

  “Do you always do what you’re told?” He raised a brow.

  “It depends on who’s asking, and how much I trust them.”

  Her honest answer only intrigued him more.

  “Then how about I’ll give you a sample of my DNA— just to prove you’re wrong, of course—if you’ll spend the night in my bed.”

  Susannah’s mouth hung open for a second before she managed a laugh. “That’s one way to collect DNA. I’m not sure your parents would approve.”

  Ignacio Alvarez burst through the doors onto the patio as if he’d been listening. Susannah recoiled in horror at the realization that he probably had. Clara followed close behind him, plucking anxiously at his jacket.

  Cool and calm, Amado raised the bottle. “Will you join us for some wine?”

  Ignacio’s bushy silver brows lowered. “Amado, we have urgent business to discuss.”

  “I can imagine no business more urgent than entertaining Miss Clarke. As you heard, she’s a buyer for an important New York wine retailer. We’ve spoken about bringing our wines to the States. This could be the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”

  He shot her a sly wink.

  Susannah managed to keep her features composed.

  “There is no record of her appointment.” Ignacio glared at her.

  Tarrant’s office had made multiple calls trying to set up an appointment, and had been pointedly ignored. Most likely by Ignacio. That was the reason she’d been forced to arrive unannounced.

  Her curiosity deepened. She glanced at Clara, who stood in the doorway, eyes wide and anxious.

  “Dad, why does Susannah’s presence here make you so uncomfortable?
Surely you don’t believe her crazy story about me being her boss’s illegitimate son?” He smiled as if it was a great joke.

  Ignacio’s weathered brow creased into a frown. “Of course not,” he growled. “It’s ridiculous and downright offensive. I don’t wish base accusations to tarnish our reputation. Who knows what ugly rumors such scandalous talk might generate?”

  “You can’t have a rumor without something to talk about. And there’s nothing to discuss, right?” Amado leveled a dark and challenging stare at his father. Clearly, his parents’ odd behavior was making him suspicious.

  And curious.

  “She must leave, dear,” Clara piped up in her soft voice. “It’s for the best. We don’t want people to talk.” She wrung her plump hands.

  “Have you both taken leave of your senses? Of course we want people to talk. We want the words ‘Tierra de Oro’ on everyone’s lips.” He tilted his chin to them, defying them to disagree. “I want Susannah to return to New York, unable to stop talking about our wines.” He shot her a winning smile. “In fact, we were about to head to the winery, so I can make her comfortable in the tasting room.”

  Susannah’s eyes widened. Still, she wasn’t going to argue. As long as he wasn’t throwing her out.

  Ignacio spluttered and Clara issued a breathy plea for him to talk to his father, but Amado slipped his arm into Susannah’s and led her past the troubled pair, through the living room, and out into the drive.

  For a split second it occurred to her that he was going to pack her into her car and get rid of her as his parents had demanded. Instead he pulled open the passenger door of a large Mercedes sedan parked in the shade.

  She climbed in, wondering if she’d live to regret it.

  And if he’d live to regret not throwing her off the property. “You must be very close to your parents, to still live with them.”

  “They don’t live here. They built a modern house near the winery. They’re always hovering around, though. I think they worry about me. They keep badgering me to find a nice girl and settle down.”

  His wicked smile confirmed that he had no intention of obeying their wishes.

  “They’re right to be worried.” Susannah raised an eyebrow. “You seem to be looking for trouble.”

  “You’re wrong. Trouble has come looking for me.”

  His heavy lidded stare made her legs wobble.

  She was in trouble. At least she would be if she didn’t find a nice way to turn down his bold invitation to spend the night in his bed, yet still get her sample.

  She couldn’t go home without the sample. If it proved Amado wasn’t Tarrant’s son, then there might still be time to find the right person before Tarrant died. She couldn’t forgive herself if incompetence on her part denied him the chance to meet his child. She had to get Amado to agree.

  Still, she didn’t want to press her point too hard and scare him off. He did seem intrigued by the prospect of doing business with Hardcastle Enterprises. Maybe she could somehow use that to persuade him to go along with her request.

  She leaned back in the leather passenger seat and cleared her throat. “How many cases of wine do you produce each year?”

  Amado chuckled, staring ahead out the windshield. “Changing the subject? I guess you don’t need my DNA so badly after all.” His lips hitched into a sensual smile. “I’m disappointed.”

  His gaze lingered. Would he dignify her question with an answer? And what would she do if he didn’t?

  Being the daughter of devout missionaries didn’t really prepare you for situations like this.

  His big hands rested on the steering wheel. “Last year we produced nearly four thousand cases. This year, there’ll be more, as several hundred new rows are coming into full production.”

  “You’re growing fast.”

  “We have to if we’re going to make a name for ourselves.”

  She nodded. “Are you trying to expand your markets overseas?”

  “Absolutely. I’d especially like to expand into North America.” His expression was entirely genuine, nothing sexual about it.

  Somehow that touched her. “If your other wines are as good as this, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble securing distribution.”

  “We’re still small, so it must be the right distribution. Outlets where our wines will reach the right people.”

  “Where they’ll be appreciated.”

  “Exactly.”

  Amado drove the familiar road apparently by instinct. His eyes seemed mostly to rest on her face, which heated under his intense gaze.

  She struggled to keep her composure. “I think Hardcastle Enterprises could do a lot for you. In addition to our restaurants, we offer a boutique wine-selecting service for our customers. We keep their cellars stocked with the very best wines available that year.”

  Amado’s keen interest was written all over his handsome features as they pulled into a parking area behind the large, stone winery building. “I look forward to showing you our winery. I’m confident you’ll enjoy our wines.”

  Susannah resisted a triumphant smile. Finally, she had some real leverage. If she played her cards right, she could get the DNA she needed.

  Was it the flattering glow of sunset, or was Amado getting more ridiculously handsome than ever?

  Susannah sat at a wide, polished table, rows of fine stemmed glasses in front of her, their shimmering contents ranging in color from darkest garnet to pale silver.

  Across the table, standing, Amado inhaled the bouquet of a youngish red, sipped it, then tossed his head back to swallow with a lavish gesture.

  He’d rolled up his creamy-white sleeve to reveal a tan forearm, and she couldn’t help imagining the rest of his body would be equally hard and well-formed.

  The tasting room was warm, and she’d removed her jacket. Her nipples stood to attention inside the loose-fitting top of her dress. The curved chair with its velvet padding was deliciously comfortable after the long drive crunched into her tiny rental car, and she longed to stretch like a cat.

  She felt downright...tipsy. She’d blame the wine, but as an experienced taster she knew how to sip tiny amounts that couldn’t possibly get her inebriated.

  At least she thought she did.

  Amado poured Chardonnay into a glass. The liquid sparkled in the afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows.

  She inhaled then tasted. Flavor tingled across her tongue and caressed her throat with its smooth, golden warmth.

  Like Amado, the wines seemed to be getting more delicious by the minute.

  “Tierra de Oro—is there real gold in the earth around here?” She set the glass back on the table.

  “I don’t think so. If there ever was, it’s long gone. The only gold around at Tierra de Oro is the kind stored in bottles.” He caressed a stemmed glass of pale liquid between finger and thumb.

  Susannah’s belly shivered in response.

  “I enjoy this kind of gold much more than the metal.”

  “It costs less per ounce but gives more pleasure.” Amado’s smile revealed his white teeth.

  Why did he have to be so great looking?

  And she was entranced by the way he treated the wine like a sacred liquid. He handled the bottles as if they were sentient—firm yet gentle.

  The way he might handle her if he removed her dress and layered kisses over her breasts and belly.

  Susannah sat upright as a rush of heat swept through her. “It’s getting late. I’d better go to my hotel.”

  Amado frowned. “What hotel?”

  “Any hotel.” She hadn’t booked a room, as she wasn’t sure if she’d have to stay locally, or if she could just collect her sample and head back to the city.

  Apparently, she’d have to stick around for one more night to talk him into giving the DNA. What if he balked tomorrow, as well?

  “There are no hotels here.”

  She groaned. The vineyard was over two hours from Mendoza. If she returned there for th
e night, she’d have to drive back here in the morning to resume her campaign.

  “Where do people usually stay?”

  He blinked. Innocent. “Here.”

  “At the winery?”

  “In my house.”

  Chapter Three

  Amado picked up a three-year-old Cabernet. The tapered glass bottle looked slender and delicate in his big hands.

  She could picture those broad palms and long fingers spanning the dip of her waist. “I’d prefer a hotel.”

  He shrugged. “As I said. There isn’t one. This is the countryside, not a tourist destination.” His polite smile warred with the mischievous gleam in his dark eyes. “And Rosa will cook you a very fine dinner.”

  “But what about your parents? They can’t wait for me to leave.”

  “Don’t worry about them. They have their own house and I’ve made my feelings clear. They won’t interfere again.” His expression softened. “You’ll find my home quite comfortable. You’re the only one here, so you can have your pick of the rooms. In the morning, we can conclude our business.”

  Perhaps he’d give her what she wanted if she stayed overnight. And it wasn’t like she had anywhere else to go.

  “It looks like I’m at your mercy. I mean, thanks for your hospitality.”

  He laughed. She couldn’t help smiling. Truth be told, she didn’t mind staying. Not because she had any intention of personally extracting Amado’s DNA, but because everything about Tierra de Oro was so enchanting. The breathtaking views, the lush vines, the comfortable well-kept buildings.

  And the wine had mellowed her out something wicked. She wasn’t even sure she should drive. Not to mention that she still had no gas.

  And she couldn’t leave without his DNA.

  “My offer still stands.”

  “Which offer was that?”

  He leveled a challenging gaze at her. “Whichever one you prefer.”

  Susannah stowed her bag in a guest bedroom, committing herself to stay the night, one way or another.

  As promised, dinner was sensational. A classic Argentine meal with locally raised steaks, fresh-picked vegetables and glass after glass of Amado’s magnificent wines.