Page 35 of Perfume Girl
Astor removed his foot. “Elaborate?”
His scent reached me and it was like the aura of an Arabian night, the full glare of a midday sun, a forbidden spice that made my clit tingle.
Damn him.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes.” I folded my arms to hide my beading nipples.
“What are you working on?”
I crooked my neck to look back at the counter. “An instant classic.”
Taking a step forward, he lifted the mortar to his nose and flinched. “Jesus.”
My cheeks flushed as I watched him set the bowl down with annoyance.
I raised my chin with pride. “I’ve yet to add the Madagascar ylang-ylang—”
“Please don’t.”
“But—”
“Ms. Wren, you vowed to create a product I could market to distinguished gentlemen. Gentlemen of good taste. Something I could wear.” He pointed. “What the hell is this?”
“It’s for women.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“I was going for innocence.”
“Well, you’re halfway there. Thisisfor a nubile—one too timid to attend her own prom.” He waved his hand through the air. “She’s scared to admit what she wants. She remains unfulfilled. Frustrated…”
Was that a bloody accusation?
He tutted. “This isn’t worth my time.”
I slid off my barstool and rested my hands on my hips.
“So you were serious when you asked if I could create a scent for fuck-boys, then?”
“Leather and sex.” He didn’t blink. “That is what you promised me.”
“I would need—”
“This lab contains all the ingredients you would require. Now deliver.”
“Where’s the leather?”
“You have a memory don’t you?”
“I need reminding.”Asshole.
His expression turned provocative. My gaze shot to his shoes as though he was hinting for me to kneel and whiff his Brogues. This man was incorrigible.
He unclipped his belt buckle.
Oh, no.
