Perfume Girl

by Vanessa Fewings

  “Want me to stop?” He circled his hips.

  I gasped in response.

  Astor’s scent consumed me. This was sex and sin and danger and it was making me heady and I tried to understand why I wanted more of this, my body yearning for his harshness, his domination. “Fuck me, then. Go on.”

  “First, answer my question.”

  “This is not you.”

  “Clearly it is.”

  His sudden change was overwhelming and yet it was turning me on, taking me to a place I’d never explored. I was so aroused I was on the precipice of coming.

  He nipped my chin. “Don’t let my hospitality fool you.”

  “What did I say to trigger this?”

  His expression became sincere. “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “You’re asking me…like this?”

  He smiled seductively. “I like having a captive audience.”

  I tried to wriggle my wrists out of his grip but he was too strong, too insistent. His erection buried deeper…impaling me.

  “I was embarrassed to tell you,” I bit out.

  “What did they steal?”

  “Everything.”

  He pulled out of me. I rolled onto my side and went to get out but he grabbed me from behind and pulled me back, hugging me against his chest.

  “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

  Even now in the heat of this battle I was turned on, and I wanted to hate him for it, wanted to scream that he had no right to make me feel this confused, this needy, longing for his touch even now.

  I turned my head to look back at him. “They stole my handwritten files.”

  His grip tightened around my waist. “Did you make copies?”

  “No. Why?”

  “It’s a logical question.” He let out a frustrated huff. “What else?”

  “The perfume I was working on.” I turned completely and stared at him. “The one I tried to sell to save my store, but it never made it to its destination.”

  “What destination?”

  “Dazzle and Bazaar.”

  He mulled that over. “What happened?”

  I broke his gaze. “My meeting was sabotaged.”

  “How?”

  I shrugged, letting him know I was done discussing the subject.

  His hand smoothed my hair. “Tell me.”

  “Are you sure, Astor?”

  He pressed his erection into my back. “What do you think?”

  I leaned back against him. “You’re sending mixed signals.”

  “This level of compassion is unusual for me.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “I don’t do cuddling in the morning.”

  “Then I’m honored.”

  He kissed the back of my neck. “Why didn’t the meeting at Dazzle and Bazaar work out?”

  I let out a sigh. “When I arrived at their office my perfume was missing from my handbag. The one I was going to license to them.” I squeezed my eyes shut, reliving the humiliation.

  “Did you find it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where?”

  “On a shelf where it didn’t belong—where I would never have put it.”

  “Did you meet with Anna Rosenthal?”

  “No, I had to cancel.”

  “Have you ever met with her?’’

  Snapping my head around to look at him again I said, “No. Why?”

  “Just curious.”

  I tried to pull away. “I’m curious about you, too, Mr. Beauregard.”

  He crushed me back against his chest. “Why would you say that?”

  I was destroyed all the way to my core and this wasn’t me feeling sorry for myself, this was me hurrying up the inevitable.

  “I want you to trust me, Raquel.”

  “Really, after this?”

  Our uncomfortable silence filled the room as an annoying trickle of perspiration snaked down my spine.

  “What did the police say?” he asked softly.

  “The thief left no trace.”

  “Who threw your scale on the floor?”

  “The thief, I’m assuming.”

  “A personal strike.”

  Whether or not the person knew me, I felt violated by their actions. I buried my face in my hands at the thought of a stranger being in my beloved store.

  Astor’s strong arms wrapped around me. “Share that thought, Raquel.”

  I didn’t speak. My mind and body reeled with confusion. Last night had been one of those too good to be true moments and I wasn’t falling for his charm anymore—or the dashing way he’d saved my life.

  “Let me take you again,” his voice was barely a whisper.

  “Why?” I asked, staring up at him.

  He arched a brow. “Because it’s what my cock wants.”

  “Not what you want?”

  “It’s attached, so we agree on most things.” He reached low and his fingers trailed along my clit. “Let me apologize for the way I behaved. I’ve upset you.”

  I managed a nod and tipped my hips back. He eased into me and as he filled me completely, we rocked as one as though no harsh words had been spoken between us.

  I hated that it felt so good.

  As though reading my mind he said, “I see you, Raquel. I remember everything you say. I remember every encounter. And I’m getting to know your body, too.”

  With his left arm wrapped around my chest to hold me still, his right hand reached low over my belly to play with me. I let out a desperate sigh as he flicked my clit, sending me hurtling toward the edge.

  “And I want in on your mind, too.” Astor’s hand left my pussy and he raised it to my mouth, sliding his fingers between my lips. The erotic sweetness sent a shock of arousal through me and I moaned into his palm, suckling his fingertips. He yanked his fingers out of my mouth and grabbed my throat, and I melted against him, swooning at his show of power.

  “I want this,” I stuttered.

  “So do I.”

  But I could never be his lover after this. I would never allow myself to be used for another’s carnal pleasure only to be discarded later. “Why did you say it?”

  “Say what?”

  “That there could be an us.”

  “I’m not ruling it out. Just don’t cross me, Wren. Understand?”

  “You’ve made yourself quite clear.”

  He caught my glare and added, “I really like you, Raquel. Maybe more than I should.”

  “I thought you didn’t do feelings, Astor.”

  “That was before I met you.” He reached low, using two fingers to strum my clit fast with a heady beat.

  I rose into a blinding climax that had my toes curling and my thoughts scattering into the ether but all I could manage was, “Don’t hurt me.”

  “I would never hurt you on purpose, Raquel.” His lips pressed against my shoulder.

  Yet I was too far gone to gauge the sincerity of his words. I felt like I was caught up in perilous waters with the deadly undercurrent being Astor Beauregard himself.

  He used a firm hand to turn my chin so he could look into my eyes, and then he gave me a heart-stopping grin. “Don’t mind me.”

  “What are you going to do now?”

  Astor moved lower and then nestled between my thighs. “I’m having breakfast.”

  I stared down at him, stunned by how insatiable he was as he lavished affection with his mouth, working his tongue along my inner folds, my body shuddering with unbearable pleasure.

  Time was running out, and as this orgasm snatched me away into oblivion, I knew that soon all I would have left of Astor was the memory of him.

  DAYS BEFORE I KNEW RAQUEL never started like this…

  Before today I would have spent the morning reading, swimming, and maybe even catching a movie…alone. It wasn’t that I didn’t have any friends—I had plenty, I just preferred to kick off the day with my own thoughts and in my own way.

  Having Raquel here was easy. I liked everything about her�
��other than her possibly being a corporate spy. But the more I got to know her, the more I doubted the possibility of her betrayal.

  Usually the women I’d bring back here never stayed past 9:00 A.M. and—hell to the no—never ate breakfast with me. I would make up some excuse to get rid of them, yet here I was sitting at the central island in the kitchen with Raquel, both of us sipping coffee and eating cereal and swapping the occasional smile.

  She stared up at the walled TV watching CNN spewing its doom and gloom. I reached for the remote control on the counter and changed the channel to a documentary about Africa. When Raquel knitted her brows together in the way of an inquisitive reaction I gave her a friendly smirk.

  “Can I get you anything else?” I asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  I carried our bowls and mugs over to the sink, rinsed them off and then slid them into the dishwasher.

  When I turned to face her, sunlight was kissing her hair and she looked ethereal, her expression one of peace. She was threatening me with happiness and I refused to trust it.

  “Excuse me.” I strolled out and headed toward the lounge.

  I walked up to the glass wall and stared out at the scene of last night’s near disaster, taking in the empty pool that was now drained of water and the sunlight glinting off the blue and white tiles. The downed power line was gone. Over the wall, on my neighbor’s property, a technician was at the top of the pole fixing the line.

  Outside the sun burst its brightness over the garden—a contrast to the unrelenting tension that resided inside.

  What if she asks about your past? What if she digs around for the truth?

  My life had been dedicated to protecting my family, and when a woman got too close there was only one way to deal with their curiosity. This secret was my burden to bear.

  And besides, I hardly knew Raquel and no doubt I’d have to come to terms with ending this self-indulgent urge to spend time with her. Though in the world of perfumery she was clearly my equal in chemistry and there was something intriguing about that.

  But I didn’t want her to know about my past.

  The haunting words spoken by Father Fernando all those years ago had not been meant for my ears.

  “If that’s what a boy can do imagine what the man will be capable of. We must save him from himself.”

  Ignoring these macabre thoughts, I opened the sliding door to gaze out at the ocean. I breathed in the fresh, warm air and admired the seascape beyond.

  When I turned around, Raquel was standing behind me.

  She didn’t look like someone who was pleased with themselves for infiltrating my space, if that was indeed why she was here. She merely appeared intrigued with the man who had invited her on a whim to stay with him, no strings attached. Yet last night…

  I gestured for her to join me. “Come here.”

  She walked over and stood beside me. “Astor, thank you for breakfast.”

  “Of course. Make yourself at home.”

  “I’m very low maintenance, usually,” she said softly.

  “You should never admit that.” I broke into a smile. “Let them think you’re worth every second of their time.”

  She turned her attention to the garden. “I meant…if you have somewhere to be today.”

  “I can see I’m going to have to build up your self-esteem.”

  “My self-esteem is fine.”

  I arched a brow, and she added, “Please don’t ever again ask me a personal question while your dick is inside me.” Her eyes flashed with passion.

  “I’m a cautious man.”

  “Take your arrogance down a notch, okay?”

  I found her sudden feistiness arousing. “I will do my best—”

  “I’m not done.”

  “Let’s have it then, Ms. Wren.”

  She pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “Don’t ever change the channel on the TV when I’m watching it. You can ask me if I’m done watching it first.” She raised her hand in her defense. “I know I’m a guest and I’m grateful but I’m nipping that in the bud right now.”

  I gave her an amused smile. “Okay.”

  “You hate me now don’t you?”

  I stared at her for the longest time. “So no changing the TV while my dick is in you. Got it.”

  She slapped my arm playfully and gave me a warm smile.

  Taking her hand, I brought it up to my mouth and kissed her wrist. “There’s a risk we won’t leave the house all day.”

  Her puzzled frown turned into a smile.

  “I want to make today memorable for you,” I said.

  “It already is.” Her focus returned to the pool and her expression became thoughtful. Was she thinking of our night together?

  “Do you like sea creatures?”

  She looked surprised. “You mean for lunch? I like salmon. And shrimp.”

  I smirked. “No, I mean would you like to go visit some living sea creatures, ones that are protected. If you’re going to leap into the water and start gnawing on them…” I burst out laughing.

  She looked a little embarrassed. “I’d love to. Where is it?”

  “A surprise. Let’s leave in twenty minutes.”

  “I’m not taking you away from anything important am I?”

  I cupped her face in my hands and leaned in to kiss her, my tongue leisurely lashing hers. “You are my something important.”

  The sweetness in her gaze made her look so young.

  “Go get dressed.”

  She smiled broadly as she turned to head upstairs.

  “Raquel,” I called after her.

  She smiled back at me.

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  I watched as she ascended the winding staircase and moved out of sight. No one had talked to me like that before and gotten away with it, and yet with her it felt so damn arousing. If there was a match in this world for me, Raquel Wren was close.

  I found myself following her up and around the twisting stairs. A faint trace of her perfume hung in the air, the scent of lilies. For a second it reminded me of Penelope’s new product, with the base notes reminiscent of her masterpiece.

  It’s a coincidence. Yet my back stiffened with the realization that I’d detected underlying notes of Orris.

  When I entered the bedroom I found Raquel stripped down to her bra and panties, bending over and rummaging through her suitcase.

  “What perfume are you wearing?” I asked.

  She rose and turned to look at me. “Have you seen my jeans?”

  I dragged my fingers through my hair. “Sorry about the interrogation earlier.” My gaze flashed to the scene of the crime that was my king-sized bed.

  “Apology accepted.” She strolled toward me, staring up at my face as though reading my sincerity. “Every time you do the right thing, Astor, you’ll be rewarded.”

  My jaw slackened in surprise when she knelt before me, her gaze holding mine as she fiddled with my belt buckle. She unzipped my pants, reached in and withdrew my cock, which immediately became firm in her grasp.

  She ran her tongue around my head, lapping along the length of my cock to tease it until I was rock hard and my balls were tight. When she dipped her head to draw them into her mouth all I could do was stare at the ceiling as my thoughts scattered and my heart thrummed in my ears.

  I was enraptured by her.

  This…this was my all-time favorite morning activity and I was amused that Raquel had sensed it, too. She stroked me up and down and with her other hand she cupped my balls, her mouth opening wide and welcoming all of me. When the back of her throat closed around my tip, the pressure to my head forced my body to shudder and I covered my eyes, moaning.

  “Do you like your reward, Astor?” she cooed, before taking me in so deep and fast it made me forget everything.

  “I’m gonna… ”

  In these unfolding moments, Raquel’s control over me was maddeningly enslaving. Her touch aroused
and yet soothed, provoked and teased, proving she was enamored with me.

  Her groans thrummed through me and I could no longer hold back. My hips rocked, bursting heat into her mouth. Silently exalting the way she swallowed and lapped at what spilled over, I let her bring me down with tender kisses, hearing her soft sighs of appreciation.

  I reached out and gripped the doorframe, resting my weight against it as I slowed my breathing.

  “Well done,” said Raquel as she pushed herself to her knees. “Now, where did I put those jeans?”

  With every cell still buzzing from my orgasm, I shoved my dick back into my pants and zipped up my jeans. “Raquel…”

  “Yes.” She turned and smiled, knowing she had just delivered a mind-bending orgasm.

  “So it’s gonna be like this, is it?”

  “Oh, yes, Mr. Beauregard. Steel yourself for a lot more of that if you please me.”

  Her smug smile told me she was feeling proud of herself for having me so vulnerable before her. Her scent lingered on me like an erotic curse.

  “And if you please me,” I countered, “I will leave you sore for days.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “You definitely should,” I said darkly.

  She bit the end of her tongue seductively. “You taste amazing, Astor.”

  My gaze lowered to her panties, where a wet patch of her arousal dampened her lace. She followed my gaze and a momentary flash of embarrassment crossed her face.

  I strolled forward and knelt before her. She looked down at me and narrowed her eyes as though daring me to go further, holding on to that look of pure defiance.

  She’d done well holding onto the power for all of ten minutes.

  Reaching up, I tugged her panties so they slid down over her thighs, exposing her completely, her pussy only inches from my face.

  Her aroma was dazzling.

  If I could bottle this scent I’d own the industry.

  “Let me see.” I held her gaze to taunt her.

  Raquel’s jaw flexed with frustration that her little game was up. This evidence proved she had been as equally aroused as me. With gentle fingers I eased apart her folds, examining her swollen clit. “Remain still, Ms. Wren.”

  She shivered and let out a long breath.