Heaven Scent

by Sasha Wagstaff

  ‘What . . . what does it say?’ Cat said as Xavier groped for it.

  He glanced at it briefly, then tossed it out of sight. ‘It’s from Max. He said that Dad destroyed the second set of legal papers but, get this, Grandmother hid the third set.’

  ‘Really?’ Cat gasped as Xavier’s tongue tickled her in a very rude place. ‘Oooh, that’s . . . that’s really. . .’ She hooked her thumbs into his boxer shorts and slid them to the floor.

  Xavier groaned. ‘I know . . . it’s . . .’ His eyes glazed over with lust as Cat’s hands wandered. ‘Don’t stop . . .’

  ‘Amazing,’ Cat murmured as he dispensed with her underwear with agonising slowness. ‘And there I was thinking . . . thinking . . . that Delphine didn’t . . . like me.’ She really couldn’t concentrate when he was touching her there, she thought, her head spinning.

  ‘She’s adores you, trust me.’ Xavier threw Cat on to the bed and flung himself after her. ‘And she can’t wait to host a wedding at La Fleurie.’

  Cat sank her hands into Xavier’s hair. ‘Was that . . . ?’

  Xavier nodded. ‘Yes, that was a proper proposal, Cat. Now, could you possibly shut up while we get down to something a bit more spontaneous?’

  Cat smiled and pulled Xavier closer. ‘Definitely,’ she murmured happily.

  Acknowledgements

  So many people to thank! As ever, general thanks to my family and friends for being so supportive and excited about my novels. A big thank you to all the fabulous people who have contacted me to tell me how much you love my books … it’s great for my ego, obviously, but on a more serious note, it really spurs me on and makes the tougher writing days easier to bear.

  I must thank my brother, Paul, for his assistance with the French language parts of the novel, even though much of it disappeared in the edit! Richard and Julie Crompton at Monster Creative, for all their help with the advertising and branding information – your enthusiasm and time was much appreciated, and all the fascinating details made a difficult part of the novel much easier to illustrate. As always, thanks to my best friend Jeni, for being there with positive words and laughter, no matter where she is in the world.

  Very special thanks must go to my lovely mum, who looked after Phoebe when she had chicken pox during deadline week, as well as plenty of other times when I needed to get my head down. And a big kiss to Phoebe for sleeping so well during the day and allowing me to get precious writing time in.

  Thanks to my fantastic agent, Diane Banks, for her continued enthusiasm, encouragement and support, and to the wonderful Sherise Hobbs at Headline, who patiently wades through my manuscripts and makes sense of them. Thanks to both of you for being so genuinely delighted about pregnancy news, even when it might affect writing deadlines. And to the lovely team at Headline who make the whole experience such a pleasure.

  There’s a theme here, but the biggest thanks must go to Ant. For putting up with me when I’m under pressure and probably a screaming banshee, for always believing in me and for our gorgeous daughter . . . and the one on its way. Much love.