Madison Awakening

Once through the doors, I am welcomed with the aroma of lilacs and wood. At the center is a large, circular dark wood bar set with a plethora of wines and surrounded by modern stools. Above are a series of black rustic chandeliers hanging from the exposed beams. To the left a stonewall encasing a fireplace, a few dark espresso leather couches and small side tables. But all of those features were accessories to the beautiful open back wall with the deck framing the lush, expansive grape vines that are the main focal point.

And he owns this too…

“You don’t like it?” He says, pulling from my private lament.

I must have given something away on my face. He’s observant; I need to be mindful of that in the future, but I remember he’ll be gone from my life at the end of the week.

“Wow, you really don’t like it.” He says with an air of defensiveness.

“No! I think it is beautiful.” I say quickly to try and erase the tension.

Jonathan looks releved. “Good. Now, time for the tour. Ready?” He says grabbing my hand. The gesture instantly melts away all of my apprehension and I feel excitement perk in me again. 

“Yes, Mr. Cain, I’m ready.”

We walk hand in hand throughout the entire farmhouse that houses the inner workings of the winery.  Jonathan explains the grape selection, fermentation, bottling and corking process. I was lost on some of the technical aspects but Jonathan’s enthusiasm keeps me interested. The excitement for his new venture is evident. Just as we walked out of the cask area into the fields I asked the obvious question.

“So why invest in a winery? It’s very different from clubs and restaurants.”

“There is really no difference. All of my businesses serve to satisfy a desire.  Restaurants are to satisfy hunger. Clubs and wineries both fulfill hedonistic desires for drink and lust. One induces the other. I’m in the people pleasing business.” He says matter factly with smoldering in his eyes.  

“So you are Dioyisus essentially?” 

“Exactly.” He says with a smirk as he takes my hand and pulls me closer.

I smile up at him, knowing he is a people pleaser and I am one of his satisfied customers.

We continue walking through the rows of grapes and at the end is a beautifully set picnic table by a small pond with a petite brunette waiting for us with a series of wines on display.

“Can’t come to the winery and not taste the product.” Jonathan says playfully.

“Of course.”

“Did you eat?” I shake my head. “Good because once you choose a wine you like we will go back to the farmhouse for lunch.”

The sommelier greets us warmly as we sit at the table. She begins a detailed explanation of each of the eight wines notes and possible pairings. Each one is more delicious than the next and I feel a slight buzz developing.

“So which is the best? What do you want, Madison?” Jonathan asks with a dazzling smile.

If he only knew how loaded that question is. How the option to focus solely on my own desire was a foreign concept to me. I look into his eyes and once again feel the desire building to touch him but instead I point to the third wine we tasted.  

“You have excellent taste. The cabernet is my favorite too.” She says with a bright smile and begins to clear the table. Jonathan then rises gracefully and offers his hand to help me do the same.  

We turn and begin walking back to the farmhouse on the main path. All of a sudden Jonathan stops, draws me close to him, and angles my head upward. He looks intently into my eyes, revealing something other than lust. He holds me with a protective yet soothing gentle force. It feels familiar, that type of comfort, and until this moment I didn’t realize I missed. I reach up and touch his face, pulling his lips to mine in a deep, long kiss. He holds me tighter as we continue, and I can feel myself falling further away from my control. The breeze rushes over our entangled embrace, then he breathlessly pulls away.

“We need to keep walking.” He whispers.

“Yeah.” I murmur.

He pulls me into his side, tucking me under his shoulder as we walk in silence up the road. My mind is swirling, but I just focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

My stride is interrupted when Jonathan suddenly stops again and pulls out his phone. His face falls when he sees the number and answers it begrudgingly, holding up one finger as I move to the side to give him some privacy. I move far enough away so I can’t hear what is being said, but I can read body language. Whoever is on the other line is deemed an annoyance but he seems obligated to speak to them.

Wonder if it’s a business thing or something personal? Maybe it is the girlfriend, back from holiday in the Greek isles.

I mentally reprimand myself for even going there and turn my back to focus on the landscape.  I take a deep breath inhaling the crisp clean air and use it to calm my paranoia.

It doesn’t matter whom he is talking to, he is physically with you.

I take another cleansing breath and can feel him coming closer. I turn around and see that the annoyance still on his face.

“Is everything alright?” I ask, smiling brightly.

“Everything is fine. Just some loose ends that need tying up. Come on, I’m starving.” He states but there is tension in his jaw as he delivers his words.

“Me too. What are we having?”

“You’ll find out when we get the farmhouse.” He replies with a wolfish grin.

“You are just the king of surprises, huh?” 

Jonathan nods his head. “I guess you will have to trust me. But so far, you’ve liked all my surprises, right?

“Yes, so far.”

“Okay, so stop asking questions and let’s go find out what is waiting for you.”  He says as he reaches down for my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles.

As much as I am enjoying him, the question of trust is still up for debate.