Although, perhaps her sudden, bolt-from-the-blue carnal cravings were predicated by the samurai comic books she adored or her penchant for Japanese films. That Jake Chambers’s Eurasian looks were nothing short of awesome could not be ignored. Or maybe there was some real basis for the pheromone theory, and she could blame a sudden blast of biological stimuli for her unusual response. Or it could be her inexplicable horniness was based on some weird familiarity. She’d actually met Jake once years ago in L.A. “Sure-we can taste my wines if you like,” she said, making sure she made it clear what exactly they were tasting. “And I don’t know if you remember, but we met before, ” she added, hoping banal conversation would help mitigate her outlandish rush of desire. “We were introduced at your restaurant in L.A. It was years ago-I forget exactly when-but it was around the time of the Academy Awards.” Perfect. Cool, detached-or at least her voice was. Her body continued on its own willful path.

“No way we met,” Jake said. “I would have remembered. ”

“I was with someone and with a large group.”

That explained it, at least. He didn’t zero in on other men’s women.

Do not throw yourself at him, she nervously warned herself. Be sensible. Fucking customers on the more-or-less first meeting isn’t a good idea. With that prudent maxim in mind, she decided wine-tasting wouldn’t be in her best interests. Alcohol, her sordid cravings, and Jake Chambers up close and personal weren’t a good combo. “Maybe we could take a rain check on the wine tasting,” she said, resisting temptation. “I actually have friends waiting for me at Taglio’s. I probably should go.” Tapping her wristwatch, as though to temper her Freudian slip of the tongue in using the word probably, she smiled politely. “Good luck with your new venture.”