The Scent of His Woman

by Maggie Pritchard

  Digging in the bottom of her bag for her mobile phone and flipping it open her heart sank as she saw the missed calls from Geth. She just had not heard it in the depths of the big bag so now he’d think she had deliberately not answered. She sat looking at it, not quite able to bring herself to return the calls. It was just too galling, to have to ring knowing he would already be annoyed because she’d be late for lunch. To admit she had been so clueless stuck in her throat, but there was nothing for it and so she pressed the recall button.

  ‘At last,where are you?’ his voice was terse, ‘ I was beginning to think I would have to launch a full-scale search party, as it is Owain is driving down towards the river in the vain hope of finding you.’

  ‘I’m in the French quarter’ she tried to sound calm and nonplussed, I’m sorry I just lost track of time, just give me instructions for the quickest way back to your apartment and I will walk back.’

  ‘The quickest way back is to tell me where you are and then wait for the car, so once again, where are you?’

  ‘I’m near the river, not far from’ she hastily looked around for a landmark, ‘the science museum’ she concluded smoothly. ‘I’m actually opposite the museum.’

  ‘Wait there and the car will pick you up, in the meantime I will send word that we will be delayed.’

  Geth rang off with obvious impatience, leaving Lexie staring into the phone. Within minutes the sleek limo pulled up at the curbside, and Owain, Geth’s silent Welsh bodyguard was opening the door for her, his implacable face giving nothing away. Lexie got into the car feeling a bit sheepish at having to be rescued in such a fashion, but by the time the car pulled up at the apartment, the feeling had given way to impatience. What exactly was his problem? So she was a little late for lunch, he could have gone on his own, there was surely no need to send the car and two men searching as if she was lost. Nonsense, absolute nonsense and she would be telling him so too.

  She entered the apartment at a run, despite her earlier defiant thoughts. Geth was waiting, sitting drumming impatient fingers on the arm of the chair.

  ‘OK, Ok I’m late, I do know’ she threw at him as she fairly flew past, ‘two minutes and I’ll be changed and ready,’

  And she was as good as her word, a quick lick and a promise, fresh undies and dress, black silk of course, a squirt of perfume and dragging a brush impatiently through her hair she walked back into the lounge.

  ‘Ok, I’m ready’ she said, a little out of breath, then stopped dead a few feet in front of where he sat, head tilted slightly to one side, a faint frown on his handsome face.

  ‘What?’ she asked impatiently, ‘ What’s wrong now?’

  Geth didn’t reply, but merely sat forward in the chair to reach for the hem of her dress, fingering it lightly, before looking up into her bemused eyes.

  ‘More black silk?’ It was more a question than a statement.

  ‘That’s what you instructed, remember? Black silk is considered suitable, you said, so that’s what I bought, with your money. She couldn’t resist putting a little emphasis on the word your, even thought a warning bell was beginning to ring in her head.’

  His face gave nothing away, but there was an almost imperceptible darkening of his eyes which sent a little frisson of warning through her.

  ‘Suitable for what exactly?’

  ‘You tell me, for your latest bit of stuff? For turning a sows ear into a silk purse good enough to be seen on your arm? I was only following your instructions.’

  Geth thought a moment before answering.

  ‘So, black silk, on my instructions, not quite how I remember it, but let’s leave that for now, I don’t have time to argue the point. I presume the undies match, plain black and like the last set I saw, very sexy and as you say, paid for with my money. That, to my mind, means I can take ownership whenever the mood suits me, wouldn’t you agree?’

  The question took her by surprise, making her stammer a little, ‘we, we’re late, you said so yourself, there’s no time for...’

  ‘For sex, no, but for you to pay a very intriguing price for your stubborn behaviour, yes. Now take off those panties and give them to me.’

  He held her eyes in a steady gaze as he delivered his command, a small smile playing around his lips as he extended his hand in expectation of her compliance. Lexie simply looked at him in stunned silence.

  ‘I’m waiting and so are our lunch guests, so comply please or do I have to take them for myself?’

  ‘I don’t have any others with me, you will have to wait until I can shop for myself and then you can take all of them. In the meantime you can forget this nonsense and take me to lunch’

  Flashing defiance, Lexie delivered that tart remark and made to move past him to the door, hoping he would just follow. But he reached out as she passed, two big hands grasped her hips and brought her to a stop right in front of where he sat. The look on his face leaving her in no doubt of his intention as his hands moved to lift the hem of her dress.

  ‘Ok, ok’ she yelped, and twisted back out of reach ‘you win, here you have them, I will find something else to wear.’

  Then shimmying quickly out of the tiny slip of black silk she stepped forward and threw them in his face, before turning to move to the bedroom. But before she could cover even half the distance his lazy drawl, iced with triumph stopped her in her tracks.

  ‘Thank you Cariad, now let’s go or we will be even later.’

  Turning slowly, his meaning sank into her brain.

  ‘You can’t mean for me to go to lunch like this, that’s just...’

  ‘What? Just the right forfeit for such pretty defiance, I would have thought. Just think Cariad, it will be our sexy little secret as we enjoy lunch, and who knows what it might lead to.’

  With that last retort, Geth slowly and deliberately folded the scrap of silk and placed it carefully in his breast pocket, so that it looked for all the world like a handkerchief, an elegant addition to his grey wool jacket. Then extending his arm he led a stunned Lexie to the door, tugging down the hem of a dress that now felt indecently short. The feeling persisted as they took the short journey to the restaurant. Lexie felt exposed, unsure of herself and to her dismay incredibly sexy as she struggled to sit demurely, acutely aware of the short skirt and of the nakedness underneath. Geth on the other hand seemed calm and in control and she hated him for that and for the way he sat, leaning back against the leather seat, watching her discomfiture with a self-satisfied smile. As they exited the limo, he held out a hand to help her out onto the sidewalk. It felt warm and damp in his and he whispered wickedly in her ear.

  ‘Mmm, hot little hands Cariad, where else are you nice and warm and moist?’

  Lexie ignored him, snatched her hand from his and pulling the dratted skirt down once more she marched into the restaurant, determined to turn the tables on him before the meal was over.

  The four business associates they were dining with were waiting and Geth introduced a glowering Lexie.

  ‘Alexandria cariad, Mr Jon Albernathy and his associate Mr Daniel Lawson of DD Associates, Mr Charlie Reeves and Mr Frank Fairly, both of Reeves and Fairly Solicitors. Gentlemen, may I introduce my fiancée Ms Alexandria Owen?’

  ‘Charmed my dear.’

  The older of the four men, Charlie Reeves smiled and all the others murmured a polite greeting. They were all impeccably dressed, obviously men of distinction, and except for Daniel Lawson, they were all the other side of sixty, Lexie thought. But Mr Lawson, now he was different, here she might find a way of baiting Geth, of paying him back. Well over six foot, the gentleman in question was handsome enough in an overly affluent sort of way. A little too brash, slightly overweight and extremely sure of himself. Oh yes Lexie thought, just the type she would normally avoid like the plague, but today, well today, she would be all attention. I mean she was here to make a good impression after all.

  ‘Well hello little lady’

  He smarmed as she took her seat beside him an
d Lexie flashed him her sweetest smile in return as she pulled her skirt down.

  Throughout the meal she remained sweetly polite, responding when spoken to, she was polite in the extreme to Geth, frosty even. But when Daniel Lawson spoke she leant forward, giving him her undivided attention. Sneaking the occasional look at Geth, she watched as he became more tense with each passing minute. He didn’t finish his meal, instead he topped up his wine glass again, throwing it back in an impatient movement when she giggled in a particularly girly fashion at something Lawson murmured in her ear.

  Geth was in turmoil, it seemed like a good way of punishing her, removing the panties, making her come to lunch out of her comfort zone, but it was backfiring badly. This was supposed to be a business lunch but all he could think about was how much he wanted to slip his hand up that damn skirt that she kept tugging down over her thighs. It didn’t help that she was doing her best to make him feel that Lawson was a threat, though Geth knew the man was married to a fine Canadian woman who ruled him with a rod of iron, no threat there. And it certainly didn’t help that he was as hard as hell, knowing she was so close, so exposed. Their sexy secret, huh, some secret it would be if he stood up before regaining control over that.

  At last the meal came to an end, leave was taken of their companions and as they rose to leave Geth played his final trump card. Ignoring his napkin, Geth reached for the scrap of silk in his breast pocket, hearing Lexie gasp as he did so. She watched wide eyed as he carefully bunched the panties into his hand and raised it to his face, inhaling slowly the scent of her that was still clinging to the silk, before wiping his mouth delicately with it and dropping it onto his empty plate. All the while looking directly into her shocked eyes. Not thinking of anything but the embarrassment of having her panties left on the dining table Lexie made a move to snatch them up, but Geth was too fast. Catching hold of her arm he moved her away from the table, out of the restaurant and into the waiting car.

  ‘Pig, you absolute pig.’

  Lexie was past caring, she was incandescent with rage now, as he slid in beside her she moved forward and landed him a stinging slap to the left side of his face. And that was when Geth lost control, moving decisively he pulled her too close to hit him again and Lexie found herself sprawled in most undignified fashion across his lap. The hem of her skirt pushed so high that it was positively indecent.

  ‘Let go of me.’

  She just managed to yelp at him before he gripped her head with his one free hand and pulled her face to his. The kiss was hard and heated. Geth ground his mouth to hers intent on teaching her who was in charge here, at least that was the initial thought in his head. But all too soon the knowledge of her exposed state that had been driving him mad with lust all through the meal took over and he gave in to the need to help himself to her. Twisting her around onto the seat he moved over her, finding her mouth with his again as his seeking hands gripped her thighs and moved upwards. The skirt was no barrier and he found her hot, moist core, long fingers delving into her with a groan of long awaited appreciation. Acutely aware of the driver and security man up front, managing to free her mouth for a moment she protested.

  ‘No, don’t, you can’t not here, we aren’t alone, Geth please!’

  He stilled for a moment reached for the button that brought down the privacy screen and then claimed her mouth in a deep seductive kiss while his fingers moved skillfully between her legs. Within minutes Lexie was lost, consumed by the fire he was creating within her, unable to think or resist as her body responded to him. He trailed kisses down her throat, nipping at the soft skin there, then moving further down to where her breasts pushed against the black silk restraining them. When he suckled one tight little nipple through the silk she moaned aloud, not caring who might hear, she was truly past caring now and he knew it as she arched under him in a timeless plea.

  ‘Come on cariad, come for me now.’

  His voice penetrated the fog of lust he’d created in her head, just before the erotic command sent her hurtling off the edge of the precipice and she pulsed wetly into his hand, crying out against his mouth with the wonder of it. She was still consumed by the last ripples of her orgasm as the car pulled up outside the apartment and Owain opened the door for them.

  The blast of cool air brought her back to reality and she adjusted her clothing before weakly following Geth out of the car. He turned to help her and she found she had no choice but to lean into him, accepting the support he offered knowing her legs were incapable of holding her up. Geth wrapped his long coat around her and half carried her in through the doors and into the lift. Dismissing his security man with a wave he impatiently punched the button that would take them up.

  Lexie was only vaguely aware of the lift stopping, why did the doors not open she thought weakly, only to find the thought pushed out of her head as Geth pressed her against the side of the lift pushing her skirt up past her waist as he did so. He was muttering something as he undid his belt his voice hoarse with passion. Then he lifted her and thrust upwards, deep into her and she knew she was completed. This was what she needed, craved, it was the most erotic thing she had ever experience this rough taking, in this small space, against the steel of the lift wall, spiced and heated with their frustration and anger. She sought his mouth and returned his kiss. Exchanging each rough caress with a fire to match his. Together they soared to heaven, Lexie crying out with the wonder of it and when they were spent she held on to his broad shoulders as they shook.

  Long minutes passed before Geth found the strength of will to separate himself from her, adjust his clothing and restart the lift. Then picking her up lightly he and headed into the apartment, straight to the spacious bathroom. The way he bathed and dried her tenderly before carrying her to the bed made Lexie feel both incredibly special and deliciously sleepy, so when Geth returned after his own shower, he found her sleeping soundly, a small smile curving her lips. With a sigh, he lay down beside her, protectively curling one arm around her sleeping form and letting sleep steal softly into his brain. No rush he thought sleepily, they had all the time in the world.

  Chapter 7

  The rich fragrance of fresh brewed coffee percolated through Lexie’s dream, alerting her to fact that once more she was alone. Geth she assumed had left for yet another meeting, leaving her to her own devices. Canada, in her imaginings it was wild, untamed and, delightful as she’d found Montreal it was still a city, and not even a bit wild and untamed. No, it was positively civilized, and she would need to get outside the city if she was to find the Canada of her imaginings before it was too late and they went home. With that thought in mind she showered, dressed and followed the scent of coffee to the kitchen.

  ‘Good morning Nora, that coffee smells good.’

  ‘It is good too, here you help yourself while I get your breakfast. You’ll be needing it today.’

  ‘Too right, I’m going to explore further afield today. I think I’ll get a train and get out of the city. There’s a little travel office right by the conference centre. They’ll be able to advise me where is the best place to head for to see the real Canada.’

  ‘Oh there’s no time for sightseeing, Mr Mathias left his instructions. His driver will take you shopping, see here is a note, so you know what to get. I expect he’s planning something wonderful like the opera. You really need to see the cultural side of the city. It’s very popular.’

  ‘Shopping. Oh lovely.’

  Trying not to let her disappointment show, not wanting to seem ungracious, Lexie opened the envelope and read the note, putting the credit card that was with it on the counter. “9 am meeting, should be over by 10.30, will take you out for the day when I get back, in the meantime go shopping. My driver knows where. Use my card and this time no black!” Oh drat the man, what was it with him and shopping, did he think that’s all women thought about? She ate her breakfast, all the while turning over her predicament in her mind, but there seemed to be no way out of it. She would have to go along
with whatever Geth had in mind and forgo this one-off chance to get out into the countryside. They would be going back home tomorrow and it was unlikely she’d ever be able to afford to come back. Oh it really was too bad!

  Half an hour later she was sitting in the limo as it made its way along the straight, wide, multi-laned arteries of the modern city. Glass fronted skyscrapers towered each side, reflecting the city in mirrored splendour and Lexie found herself gazing about her in awe. Everything was so huge, so modern, so from another world. She was still wide eyed with it all when the limo took a side lane and seemed to allow itself to be swallowed up by the city. Moments later it parked in an underground car-park and lexie found herself met by a courteous young man ad escorted to a large lift, which took them up into the heart of the building.

  ‘If you’d follow me Miss Owen, I will show you to our sports department, where a personal shopper is waiting to help you with your choices.’

  ‘The sports department?’

  ‘Yes Miss, Mr mathias was in earlier and his completed order is ready. Once you are happy we will of course deliver immediately.’

  Lexie was at a loss, what on earth did Geth have in mind for the day that required a visit to a sports department? Come to that who needed the services of a personal shopper anyway? She was about to insist on being left to her own devices, intending to ring Geth and find out just what he was playing at, when the lift stopped and they exited into the store.

  ‘Oh.’

  It was all she could say, as, eyes wide she wandered into the room, ignoring those around her. All around her were arranged for the discerning enthusiast, the very best cycling equipment and accessories. At least half of the spacious department was taken up with row upon row of high-end bicycles. Serrota, Ellsworth, Klein, Bianchi, they were all there along with many she’d never heard of. The rest of the room was taken up with the accessory department and in the centre was a raised area with comfy sofas and low tables, from which came the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. Lexie was in heaven.