Page 104 of Perfume Girl
“Yes, he’s in town for business. He might be checking into getting a job transfer. I forgot to ask.”
“What else did he say?”
“Something about a hurricane.”
“A category three has hit Jamaica. Did you see that?”
“Yes, it might head our way, right?”
He shrugged as though he didn’t care. “It could. I’m going to let the staff leave early.”
“That’s a good idea.” I gave him a kind look.
“Just visited the horses. With the weather turning I wanted to make sure they’ll be okay and my staff has everything they need.”
“Any news on the tourist from yesterday?”
“She’s going to be fine.”
“Thank goodness. And Ruben made it?”
“Back with his pod.”
“Great news all around, then.”
“I was so proud of you yesterday.”
“You were the real hero, Astor.”
He smiled. “If you ever want me to talk with Damien, I’ll tell him to back off.”
“I appreciate that.”
“He upset you.” Astor ran his fingers through my hair, grabbing a lock at my nape and forcing me toward him. He pressed his mouth to mine, forcing my lips open and ravaging my tongue, his moan of want reverberating through me.
This man’s affection felt like the brightest star shielding the truth, and despite everything he still set my body alight.
And yet there was a new threat looming…
I broke away. “Someone might see.”
“Don’t care.”
“I do.”
Astor intertwined his fingers with mine and led me toward the supply room. He opened the door and motioned for me to go on ahead.
Did he know that I’d found out about the incident at Bridgestone? Had I given myself away?
I walked in and headed all the way to the end of the small room, grateful we’d talk in private. My gaze swept over the neatly stacked supplies and then settled on the bottles of Orris bulb oils on the top shelf…those overly expensive flowers caught in liquid form before blooming.
I’d never know if one of them was once mine. That was the problem—I was clouded in doubt constantly and the strain was taking its toll. I needed relief from the stress and for some reason it was this man who always brought calmness my way.
Astor directed me to turn my back on him and place my hands on the shelf in front of me.
“Hold on,” he ordered.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Why?”
