Page 36 of Perfume Girl
I stared as he began weaving the belt out through the loops of his pants and tugged it free.
“Leather,” he said, offering it to me.
My fingers tingled when they brushed against his as I took it from him. I lifted the leather strip to my nose and breathed in raw earthiness. A stirring of erotic pleasure surged through me.
“Raquel?”
“I would need to keep this for a while.”
“I have others. I keep a spare suit in my office just in case.”
“Oh, an extra belt in your office?” I winked.
“Let’s keep this professional, Ms. Wren.”
I suppressed a smile and thought it was cute the way he tried to hide his amusement. I’d gotten to him, made a crack in his steely armor and it felt good to see his human side. Thank God no one was around to watch us flirt.
He stepped closer. “What reaction does the scent of leather evoke in you, Raquel?”
“A primal need. Carnal, even.”
“In what way?”
“It awakens the senses.” I went for it. “Causes a delicious arousal.”
“I see.” He looked intrigued.
“Though I have a cold coming,” I said, sniffing. “I’m probably way off.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll grab some vitamin C on the way home.”
His gaze locked on mine. “I’m interested in collaborating with you on this.”
“I usually work alone.”
“So do I, but I’d like your help in creating a sensation of craving.”
A shudder ran through me and reached my core. The husky way he’d spoken those last few words made my breasts ache for his touch.
“In a bottle,” he added. “I have a feeling you know how that feels.”
“I can do that.”
“What inspires you, Ms. Wren?”
“Um…a place, a person, a memory…”
“Let’s start by you imagining the perfect man, Raquel. Someone loyal, distinguished, wealthy, well-traveled and intelligent, of course. And above all…honest.” His gaze darted to Arabella’s office.
I didn’t flinch. “Are you describing yourself, Mr. Beauregard?”
“I haven’t finished.”
My throat tightened.
He stared at me. “I want to create a cologne that gives fuck-boys the advantage.”
