Authors: Michele Scott

Murder Uncorked (3 page)

BOOK: Murder Uncorked

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“I thought I might buy you a glass of wine, as well as apologize for my date’s rudeness. You ran out before I got the chance.”

Silenced by surprise, Nikki shifted on the suede-covered bar stool and nodded, then shook her head. “Wait.” She found her voice, ironed out the drawl in it before speaking again. “Let me get this straight. You’re here to apologize to me and buy me a drink?” She searched the bar. “What’s the deal? Where’s Ms. Thing? Is she hiding in the wings? How did you find me, anyway?”

“Bring me a bottle of the Saddleback Cellars,” Casanova said to the bartender, who set Nikki’s glass down in front of her. Casanova then picked up the appetizer menu and scanned it. “Can we also have a plate of your goat cheese and mixed mushroom bruschetta?” He turned back to her and stuck out his hand. “I’m Derek Malveaux. I hope you don’t mind an appetizer. Sauvignon Blanc goes so well with mushrooms.”

Nikki hesitantly returned the handshake. “Okay.” She couldn’t think of anything more intelligent to say at the moment. She was stunned at the turn of events.

“I’m not here to prove anything. I felt terrible about the incident at Chez la Mer. My date treated you horribly. I called for a car to take her home. And as for finding you? Seems your bartender friend agreed with me that you would appreciate an apology. I got your job back, too, if you want it.”

For the second time in less than five minutes, a wave of shock overtook her. Nikki shut her trap again, having to think hard for a response. She had no clue as to what to make of this man. Why on God’s green earth would he do such a thing for her? After all, he had it in the bag with The Bimbo. What was his deal? “I get it. You’ve decided to go for the vulnerable girl, the one who’s just lost her job.” She knew she was far more of a challenge than The Bimbo, and men supposedly liked the thrill of the chase.

He eyed her. “No. I really am here to tell you that I’m sorry and buy you a drink.”

“Okay.” He was hot, he had good taste in wine, and she didn’t have any other prospects. But Nikki wasn’t a bimbo, and memories of her last breakup warned her to tread carefully. She promised herself to keep it all together, including blouse buttons and pants zipper. The next man she allowed to get her naked would most certainly be one she was in love with. Gorgeous or not, she was sure that Casanova was far more interested in getting naked than in experiencing love.

Nikki held up her glass of wine. “Here’s to apologies accepted.”

They clinked their glasses and brought them to their lips. Derek’s lips were full, with a perfect cupid bow in the center of the upper one. They were very sexy, and kissable. The bartender set the bruschetta in front of them. They each took a bite.

“You’re right. The Sauvignon Blanc works well with this. Good idea. So, tell me, Mr. Malveaux . . .”

“Derek, please.”

“Okay, Derek. Tell me what happened to your date. She didn’t exactly seem to be your type. And, to be blunt, are you hitting on me?”

“Sabrina, my date for the evening, was not someone I would have asked out. I can tell you that much. I don’t live here in Los Angeles. I’m down for business, and one of my clients set the two of us up. Trust me. All I wanted to do today was have my meetings and go back to the Century Plaza, maybe have a massage in the spa, order room service, and retire for the night. And, no, I am not hitting on you. I’m apologizing to you over a glass of wine.”

Nikki sized him up. Was this really the truth? Hard to say. There were plenty of men out there who knew how to tell a good story. This
was
L.A., and for all she knew, Derek was an aspiring actor with a bunch of fables ready to tell to any damsel he wished to bed. “Why didn’t you cancel the date?”

“My client said she was a nice woman, and—”

“Had a nice bod.”

“Yes, he did add that. I should’ve canceled, anyway, even if I might lose an account.”

“I can’t believe that. Over a defunct date?”

“She’s best friends with my client’s wife.”

“Then he’d have to be one shallow jerk. I hope that’s not the case. I’d feel even guiltier for losing you your client than for spilling a drink all over your date’s designer outfit.” She laughed. The wine was making what he was saying easy to buy into. He poured her a second glass. They polished off the bruschetta.

“Tell you what,” Derek said. “Why don’t we go back to the Plaza? Have dinner with me. I’ll get you a car back to your place afterward.”

Nikki shook her head. “I don’t know about that.”

“It’s only dinner.”

It wasn’t like he was coming on to her. In fact, Nikki felt a bit irritated at the fact that he hadn’t come on to her—at all. Was her getup that bad?
Oh, God.
Maybe she should’ve checked herself in the mirror in the bathroom. What if her mascara had run all over the place? And stress could make her break out in hives, too! What if Derek was staring at a red, rash-pocked face with a running black mascara mess? Not to mention, she hadn’t taken a comb to her hair since walking from Chez la Mer to the bar, and there’d been a slight wind. This could not be good. She’d been dead wrong about Derek Malveaux. He really had only wanted to apologize to the pitiful waitress.

“What’s the matter, Nikki?”

“I, you know, should really get home. I’m sure you’re tired. I’m tired. It’s been a stressful evening for me.”

He frowned, and the few lines on his forehead crinkled together, as he appeared hurt by her response.

She touched his hand. “This has been great, and I really appreciate the apology. But, please, you don’t have to do any more for me tonight.”

“I don’t get you,” he said. “One minute, you think I’m making a play for you. The next minute, I’m Saint Derek.”

“I don’t know. At first I thought you were trying to score with the ditzy waitress, which by the way, I am not. But, I’ve sat here with you for a while, and not once have you even tried to flirt with me.”

“Let’s start from the beginning, okay? I think you are a very beautiful woman. I’m sorry that the woman I was out with was so horrendous to you; so, yes, I felt that an apology was in order. Yes, I did, and do, want to get to know you better. However—” Nikki started to comment. He held up his hand to her, and she closed her mouth in response. “However, I am not trying to get you into bed. I’d like to have dinner with you, and I actually may have a proposal for you. Something you might be interested in.”

“Are you some positive-thinking guru? You know, the kind who teaches that you can do anything you want as long as you try? Achieve your dreams, blah, blah, blah.”

“No, but I believe in that way of thinking. I own a winery. That’s how I make my money.”

Then it hit her. Malveaux Estate. Some of the best Cabernets and Merlots to come out of the Napa Valley region. A major winery. They also produced a Chardonnay that was quite good. Nikki couldn’t afford the wines, but working at Chez la Mer, she’d tasted a few. It now made sense to her why The Bimbo had made that comment to her about her wine expertise. Nikki was a threat to her.

“Derek Malveaux,” she replied in wonderment. “Of Malveaux Estate?”

He nodded. “What do you say, we head over to the Plaza, have dinner, and I’ll tell you my proposition?”

“I’d say you’re on.”

The evening hadn’t gone as planned, but it certainly hadn’t been boring. And, Nikki had to admit, she couldn’t help wondering what Derek Malveaux’s proposal might be.

Goat Cheese and Mixed Mushroom Bruschetta

If you want to make an elegant but easy appetizer, try the Goat Cheese and Mixed Mushroom Bruschetta. Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice to accompany this treat. It is light and fruity, which enhances the earthy flavors in the bruschetta. Nikki and Derek shared a delightful bottle of Saddleback Cellars Sauvignon Blanc with their appetizer. The Sauvignon Blanc contains a citrus and hibiscus nose with a wonderful gold/green color. The wine is crisp, with a clean acid balance and light sweet oak; it’s youthful and is a perfect food wine. It will give you the flavors of summer and the pleasures that come from a well-crafted wine. Enjoy!

5 ounces Portobello mushrooms
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 ounces oyster mushrooms
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 shallots
2 minced cloves of garlic
¹⁄4 cup chicken broth
¹⁄3 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
salt and red pepper flakes

12 slices of rustic baguette: sourdough, Italian, even whole grain for the health conscious

4 ounces goat cheese
2 ripe red tomatoes, cored & diced

Chop the mushrooms. Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat in a sauté pan. Add the shallots and garlic and mix for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Add the mushrooms and raise the heat a bit. Mix everything for about 8 minutes. Add chicken broth, white wine, and dried seasonings and cook until the liquid is evaporated. Season with salt for taste.

Preheat broiler. Spread the bread slices with goat cheese and spoon the mushroom mixture evenly over the bread. Place the tomatoes on top. Broil for 4 minutes, or until mushrooms begin to brown. Serves six.

Chapter 2

Nikki had been inside the Century Plaza only twice before; once to do a catering event for Chez la Mer, and again when she’d done her pilot for an inconsequential cable network. They’d shot a chase scene down one of the halls. It seemed so good at the time, but now when Nikki watched the outtakes, she realized how bad it really was. As painful as it was to admit it, she was not a great actress.

Inside the sunken lobby at the hotel a pianist at a grand piano played Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” Talk about class and quiet good taste. Overstuffed sofas covered in sage-colored silk damask were strategically placed around glass-topped coffee tables. It all exuded elegance, style, and comfort.

Once seated at a booth inside the Breeze restaurant, Derek Malveaux looked even more debonair, his blue eyes sparkling in the candlelight.

“Here’s the deal. I want you to order the wine tonight. With each course,” he said.

“What? You’re the expert. Is this some type of test?”

“You could say that. I was impressed earlier with your knowledge of wine. Once dinner is over, I’ll tell you my proposition.”

“You are mysterious. I don’t know if I can live up to your expectations. I know wine, but I don’t know if I’d meet your criteria of a wine expert.”

“Something tells me you can. Order anything you want.”

Nikki shook her head. “Are you sure about this?”

“Humor me.”

“Fine.”

When the waiter came over, Derek ordered a Caesar salad to start for each of them, and Nikki ordered a half bottle of a crisp Fumé Blanc produced from a winery in Napa. “Why did you go with this wine?” Derek asked.

“Their Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the salad because the tart, crisp fruit of the wine contrasts with the salty flavors of the anchovies and Parmesan in the salad. The winery that makes this wine is one producer that still believes in varietal character. Their Fumé Blanc actually tastes like a Sauvignon Blanc instead of the style of some other producers that over-oak their Sauvignon Blanc to the point that it tastes like Chardonnay instead of the grape it actually is,” Nikki said when the waiter moved away.

“Off to a good start.”

“This is very strange, Derek.”

“Not really.” He set his glass down and looked pointedly at her. “Why did you order a 375 instead of two glasses, since they pour it here by the glass as well?” Derek asked, referring to the half bottle by its other term.

“Why would I order two glasses of wine and pay more per glass, when I can get two and a half glasses in a half bottle for a little less and watch the waiter open it? This way, I know that it’s
fresh
and hasn’t been sitting behind the bar for three days.”

“Good point.”

They drank the wine, and Derek ordered the next course—Maine diver Scallops with lemon basil risotto. Nikki paired the main dish with a Pinot Noir.

“Explain yourself,” Derek said.

BOOK: Murder Uncorked

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