For most individuals, learning one’s way around a kitchen or bar is a skill acquired only over time and with a great deal of practice. While various food and beverage networks permeate cable and satellite television, and, as always, printed cookbooks and guides are available, most people simply learn by doing. In fact, this method of skill and talent honing is used for an overwhelming amount of a person’s avocations. In the case of Denise Lanica, a thirty-something woman living in her hometown, few community events or school functions proceeded without contributions from her kitchen or, depending on the event, home bar. The curvy, sensuous woman was known for preparing main dishes and, fittingly, desserts.
Newly divorced, yet managing her return to single life exceptionally well, Denise cooked, baked, and made mixed spirits for nearly any and all requesters, notably in the Summer months around the time of the annual Italian Fest. She had enjoyed this festival for many years, and was pleased to provide sale items to local vendors, but was reluctant to post her name or any other identifying reference on her goods. Remaining private, in all areas of her life, was very important to Denise. She was no prude by any stretch (in fact, Denise possessed quite the wild side at times), but, simply wanted people to enjoy her work for what it was, and not who it was from. True as it was, Denise didn’t want to be known as the “sexy chef”.
One rather nondescript evening, Denise’s brother, Jay, made a surprise, unannounced visit to her home. Jay lived an hour’s distance from her now, and only infrequently made the trip into town for family events or job-related appointments. This is not to say Jay didn’t miss some aspects of his old town; what he missed most was Denise’s cooking, friendship, and, speaking purely as a man, the way she looked. “Jay! What are you doing here?” Denise happily exclaimed upon meeting him at the back porch door. “C’mere and give me a hug!”. The two embrace, exchanging tight, caressing-type hugs, then separate to obtain a full view of one another. Instantly, Jay’s “pure male” side agreed with the view: Denise, at arm’s length, clad in cutoff shorts and a loose-fitting, button-down top, apparently worn for at-home comfort, as three top buttons were missing. A subtle, teasing inch or two of Denise’s cleavage was evident, supported only by her natural, soft skin.
While Jay didn’t plan his wardrobe for this impromptu trip, his own attire caught the attention of the sexy sister. “Hey, I like the black short sleeve shirt, Jay..Looks good on ya” she complimented him, flashing her bright, disarming smile. Ever the self-deprecating one, Jay brushed off the compliment, but thanked Denise nonetheless, which offered the opportunity for an in-kind response. “Well, it was clean, so I wore it...You, on the other hand, look great in anything, including that comfy, loose, kinda “I’m at home” shirt and frayed shorts..Like the shorts, by the way” he slyly said to her. With a playful, innocent butt-shake, Denise thanked her brother and strode across the kitchen, Jay’s eyes planted on the countours of her body the whole time.
Striking up typical conversation, Denise asked Jay what brought him up her way that early evening. “Spur of the moment thing, D..I was sitting home, mind just wandering I guess, and decided to make a run up here. Thought maybe we’d grab a beer or something if you were going to be around”. Seating herself on the near corner of the square dining room table, legs touching Jay’s, Denise poured coffee, and tilted her head to one side, with an “Aw, isn’t that sweet” mannerism before offering an apology of sorts. “Sorry, hun, but I’ve gotta make some desserts for this week’s festival tonight..They need them by Tuesday morning..But, stay, you can keep me company, k?” she stated, placing her long-nailed fingers on his arm. Jay considered her request for a second or two before emphatically stating “Cool...You want me to help with anything? Lick the bowl, hold your eggs...No, wait..that didn’t come out right!” They both laughed, and Denise informed Jay that he’d be helping just by hanging out and keeping her company. “The quiet is nice, but, even I get lonely sometimes, hun...Hang out..It’ll be fun”.
As Denise stood up to begin making her famous desserts, Jay placed his hands on her waist, caressed her stomach with his thumbs, and spoke in a semi-serious tone. “I understand, D. Besides, you and I haven’t had any time to just hang out, alone, in such a long time..I’ll stay.” They both understood what Jay was referring to: Most visits that put them in each other’s company were large gatherings or events, with a minimum of 20 people. The alone time, great conversation, and strong friendship they had always enjoyed had become convoluted with and by other people. Since their early years, Jay and Denise would spend hours talking, joking, and confiding in each other. Though unspoken in those specific terms, both older sister and younger brother, now adults, knew they each missed those times.
“OK” she directed, “But you have to let me go so I can get started here!” With a sexy giggle, Denise placed her hands over Jay’s, removing them from her hips and returning to the countertop. Reaching above her head, Denise obtained a large mixing bowl and handed it to Jay, who had privately examined his sister’s posterior as she extended to get the bowl. “Put this on the table, and put in the stuff I give you” she directed, “Some of it may even be in the top cabinet, so you can look at my butt again”, she joked, aware of Jay’s focus. “What? You have eyes in the back of your head, D? How’d you know I was looking there..I coulda been looking at your legs” he responded. “Jay, honey..please..It’s me you’re talking to. I know you. Well. It’s ok, you can admit you just eyed me up.” she said with a laugh.
“Well, I...Yes, I did. But, you do have a nice ass..I AM still a guy, you know, D” Jay stated, becoming more at ease with the whole, building sexual energy situation. “Guess it’s allright..Long as you like what you see and don’t touch while I’m working...So, NO grabbing or pinching my ass, Jay!” Denise answered, then redirecting her brother to crack 4 eggs into the bowl. Such was done, and Jay eagerly awaited further directions. As his vixen sister handed him a recipe sheet, Jay complimented Denise on her inch-plus long nails, polished in an aqua blue color on this night. “Nails look great, D..I see you let them grow out again..Cool color, too” he said, gently stroking her forefinger and thumbnails. “Yeah, I just did them yesterday. Haven’t had them long in a while, so wanted to try it again” she stated, reminding Jay of the occasions when he’d polish them for her. “Sorry they’re not your favorite color, fire-engine red..Remember when you’d do them for me? I loved that, hun”. “So did I, D...So did I” he replied. Jay’s fires were crackling, on their way to being fully stoked for her.
Following her lead, Jay quickly became Denise’s kitchen assistant, and soon enough, the first batch of batter was prepared. Grasping a spoon, Denise dipped into the batter for a taste trial, stating “If it’s not good like this, it won’t be any better when it’s formed and hot”. Sampling a teaspoonful, Denise motioned a thumbs-up of approval, offering Jay a taste from the spoon as well. Complying with her request, Jay nibbled from the spoon before noticing a drop of batter on Denise’s pinkie nail. “Wait..one more taste” he said, halting her arm and licking the remaining droplet of batter from her long, aqua pinkie nail and fingertip skin. “Yum..Tasted good” Jay informed his sister, who sexily responded “The batter, or me?” Providing her with the most fitting and honest answer to that query, Jay simply stated “Both”.
Diligently working together with surprising effectiveness, Denise offered to make a relaxing drink before starting the next dessert. Directing Jay to obtain cranberry juice from the fridge, Denise stated intention to create one of her new favorite mixed spirits, a CosmoPlus. Observing as she concocted the drink made of Triple Sec, dry gin, a hint of Chambord, and cranberry juice, mixed with crushed ice, two thoughts entered Jay’s mind: Would I like the taste of this drink, and, just looking at the alcohol content and knowing Denise’s somewhat mild level of tolerance, how much would it relax her? The latter of these thoughts more than intrigued him as she completed and poured the spirits into goblet-type glasses, delivering two full servings to the table.
“Cheers, bud...And thanks for sticking around and helping tonight. We’ve got more to do” Denise said, raising her glass to Jay’s in toast. A clink of glass, quick sip, and it was Jay’s turn to toast. “Cheers to you, Denise..It’s my pleasure to help out such a beautiful, wonderful, and sexy woman...who also has tasty fingers!” Denise giggled and drank, waving her left hand in the air, showing off her sinewy, polished fingers, ending with a model-like positioning of the hand and nails against her upper torso skin. “Oh, that CosmoPlus hit the spot..Ready for another one?” she asked, returning to the counter to create a new batch. “Sure thing, D...Put that on the list of things you do well...make drinks” Jay responded, adding a flirty “and shake that ass”. Denise obliged on both accounts, presenting Jay with another mixed spirit and sexy butt wiggle, briefly raising the frayed bottoms of her shorts to flash Jay a little cheek.