Love California Box Set: Books 1-3 (Love California Series Collection)
Page 67
Camille read part of an article to her over the phone from Fashion News Daily, the industry trade paper, which hailed the new ownership as “‘a bold move timed with the launch of a new masculine fragrance line from Parfums Dubois,’” Camille said. “The editor included photos of Alain and the racing team, too. Alain is quite handsome. He’ll be an excellent spokesman for the new line.”
As Camille spoke, Dahlia let out a breath of relief. Her grandmother had no idea of the real reason of her trip. After hanging up, Dahlia lifted her coffee to her lips. Once again, she met the steady gaze of her neighbor.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.” He sounded American and his baritone voice had a gravelly quality that was intriguing. “Matchmaking? I haven’t heard that term in a long time.”
She laughed. “That was my grandmother.”
“Ah, I see. I hear that from mine, too.” A friendly grin creased his tanned face. “Are you here for the film festival?”
“We’ve seen a few films.” Kevin fancied himself a producer, but he had yet to make a film.
“I heard you say you have a business. What do you do?”
“I’m a perfumer.” She drained her coffee cup, half-wishing she could stay and talk with him. Kevin should have been here by now. He was probably still on his business call in the hotel room. He’d told her he had a quick call to make, but then, he usually ran late.
“Sounds interesting.” The man inclined his head. “I’d like to hear more about your work. Perfume is a new passion of mine.”
Unlike most men, he truly sounded interested in what she did.
The man shifted toward her in his chair, his movements demonstrating quiet confidence. “Would you like to join me for a walk on the Croisette? I’d really like to learn more about what you do.”
His magnetic gaze drew her in, and she caught herself imagining strolling the wide boardwalk promenade by the sea with him. Everything about him stirred her emotions, and she grew uncomfortable by her fascination with him. “I can’t today. But thank you.”
“Tomorrow, perhaps?” He held his hand out to her in a gesture of hope.
“Actually, I’m here with someone. And I really must go.” As she got up to leave, the strange tug on her emotions was almost palpable, but she swiftly swept her feelings away. She was nearly a married woman. She hoped to have a family of her own soon, and she would never, ever leave her children as her mother had done.
Dahlia hurried along the Boulevard de la Croisette, a light breeze cooling her heated chest and rippling the long skirt of her azure print sundress. As she walked, she breathed in the fresh sea air and the sweet scent of dewy morning jasmine to clear her mind of the man she’d met. With her senses on overload, an idea for a romantic perfume emerged and danced in her mind.
Soon she neared the grand Hôtel Martinez, where Kevin had booked a palatial suite that resembled a film set from Downton Abbey. Inside the hotel lobby, she threaded her way through guests in fashionable summer resort attire on her way to the elevator.
“Dahlia, I was just on my way to meet you.” A robust, barrel-chested man strode toward her. “Had a long business call that kept me in the room.” Kevin’s breathing was labored. He brushed her cheek with a hurried kiss.
“Relax. I had a long call with Camille.” She leaned in, detecting a familiar fragrance that clung to his clothing. Bulgarian rose, to be precise. With a touch of bergamot. Was it on his thin windbreaker jacket?
“And how is the dragon lady?”
At his curt tone, she shot him a reprimanding look. “Kevin, that’s my grandmother.”
“Hey, I’m only kidding,” he said, laughing a little too loud.
She shrugged off his comment, though it was partly true. Camille was known to be demanding, but she was also highly creative and fiercely protective of those she loved. Still, she wished he’d show more respect toward Camille, even if they didn’t get along. “What was so important that your client called from Los Angeles after midnight?”
Kevin coughed and cleared his throat. “Well, he’s not really in L.A.”
“Where is he?”
Kevin ran a hand over his hair, which looked windblown. “He has homes all over the world.” He sounded stressed, too.
“So where is he?” she repeated. Kevin had been acting odd ever since they’d arrived in France. He had booked the trip months ago for the festival. When he had invited her and proposed, it had been wildly romantic to imagine eloping. Now that they were here, she had to admit she was tense, too, but she imagined that was how every bride felt.
“Where is he? Oh, somewhere in Asia, I imagine. Hong Kong, I believe.” He removed his jacket and swept his arm around her. “I’m hungry. Let’s have breakfast in the café here. After that, we can go shopping.” He winked. “There’s a wedding dress in your future.”
There it is again, that scent. Dahlia wrinkled her nose. It wasn’t on the jacket; it was on his skin. “Where’d you get that fragrance you’re wearing?”
“Fragrance? I’m not wearing anything.”
She tapped his neck. “Yes, you are. I have an excellent nose.”
Kevin sniffed his shirt collar. “Oh yeah, some cheap cologne I picked up somewhere. It was in my bag. Forgot all about it.”
“Doesn’t smell cheap to me. In fact, that’s one of ours.”
“Our what?”
He sounded like a parrot, repeating everything she said. “Parfums Dubois.”
“How can you tell?” He sniffed again. “Maybe it was something you wore that didn’t wash out from the fabric.”
She’d never worn that perfume. “You must have been fairly close to someone who had it on.”
He shrugged with exasperation. “Who knows? Maybe the maid had it on, Dahlia.”
She arched an eyebrow. Unless he’d been hugging the maid, he shouldn’t be reeking of perfume. “I have a sensitive nose, that’s all.” She’d been trained since childhood to identify scents. Still, she let it go. She didn’t want to argue with him, not now, not on the romantic trip that would be the beginning of their new life together. Turning to one side, she inhaled to clear her nose. Maybe he’d stood close to a woman in the elevator. Very close. “Let’s get a table by the window.”
Dahlia tossed her dark hair over her shoulder. They were both having a case of nerves, but wasn’t that normal for a couple who were about to exchange vows?
Continue reading Dahlia’s story in the second Love California Collection, which contains Essence, along with Penelope in Style, and Elena in Sparkle.
Download Essence here. Or, if you prefer a box set, download the second Love California Collection Box Set here.
Individual books are also available in print books and audiobooks.
Please join my VIP Readers Club to hear about new releases and receive a bonus read. You might also enjoy reading the Summer Beach series, beginning with Seabreeze Inn here.
Books by Jan Moran
Contemporary Fiction
The Summer Beach Series
Seabreeze Inn
Seabreeze Summer
Seabreeze Winter
The Love, California Series
Flawless
Beauty Mark
Runway
Essence
Style
Sparkle
20th Century Historical
The Chocolatiere
The Winemakers: A Novel of Wine and Secrets
Scent of Triumph: A Novel of Perfume and Passion
Life is a Cabernet: A Companion Wine Novella to The Winemakers
Nonfiction
Vintage Perfumes
Browse Jan’s books and audiobooks now.
About the Author
JAN MORAN IS a writer living in sunny southern California. A few of her favorite things include a fine cup of coffee, dark chocolate, fresh flowers, and music that touches her soul. She loves to travel just about anywhere, though her favorite places for inspiration are those rich with history and my
stery and set against snowy mountains, palm-treed beaches, or sparkly city lights. Jan is originally from Austin, Texas.
Most of her books are also available as audiobooks, and her historical fiction has been widely translated into German, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, Russian, Bulgarian, and Lithuanian, among other languages.
Visit Jan at JanMoran.com. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a brief review online for your fellow readers where you purchased this book, or on Goodreads. Authors appreciate reviews. Thank you!
To hear about Jan’s new books first and get special offers,
join Jan’s VIP Readers Club and get a FREE ebook!
Visit Jan Moran Online
Want to learn about new releases or visit Jan online? Here’s how:
Get Involved
Join Jan’s mailing list (and get a free read!)
Sign up for sales alerts at BookBub
Explore her website
Add her books to your Goodreads list
Get Social
Join her on Facebook
Follow her on Twitter
Follow her on Instagram
Explore her book setting images on Pinterest
Copyright
Flawless
Third Edition: 2018
Copyright © 2014 by Jan Moran
ISBN 978-0-9639065-9-5 (softcover)
ISBN 978-0-9639065-8-8 (ebooks)
Beauty Mark
Copyright © 2014 by Jan Moran
ISBN 978-1-942073-00-0 (softcover)
ISBN 978-1-942073-02-4 (epub ebooks)
Runway
Copyright © 2015 by Jan Moran
ISBN 978-1-942073-11-6 (softcover)
ISBN 978-1-942073-13-0 (epub ebooks)
All Rights Reserved.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Moran, Jan.
/ by Jan Moran
Disclaimer: In this book we have relied on information provided by third parties and have performed reasonable verification of facts. We assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of information contained in this book. No representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of this book or its contents are made. The information in this book is intended for entertainment purposes only, and the characters are entirely fictional. Every effort has been made to locate the copyright holders of materials used in this book. Should there be any errors or omissions, we shall be pleased to make acknowledgements in future editions.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Cover design by Silver Starlight Designs
Cover images copyright 123RF
For Inquiries Contact:
Sunny Palms Press
9663 Santa Monica Blvd, STE 1158, Beverly Hills, CA, USA
www.SunnyPalmsPress.com
www.JanMoran.com