Page 107 of Perfume Girl

He stepped forward and cupped my cheek with his palm. “Report to my office in fifteen minutes.”

“Report?” I mirrored his words.

“Yes, I want to talk with you about our collaboration.” He leaned toward me and kissed my neck. “I’ll be leading the design but I want your help. There’s something special I want to show you, too. The formula I told you about that I’d like your input on.”

It was mine. He was talking about my formula.

He seemed to realize the change in his tone had affected me. “Raquel.” His thumb eased past my lips. “I need you passionate and ready to bring out your seductive side.”

“Is that what this was about?”

“It can’t hurt, right?” He looked dangerous in that moment.

Pressing my hand to my lips, I swooned at his devastating presence. Even after what Damien had told me, I was still spellbound whenever Astor came near me. This, this was a kind of madness that had taken possession of me.

He buttoned up my blouse. “I have your taste in my mouth and that means I take a part of you with me.”

“Astor,” I whispered.

“Is it enough?” He eased a strand of hair behind my ear.

“What do you mean?”

His fingers traced my lips. “Do you want to take a step toward something more?”

I lowered my gaze because there was still this undercurrent of mistrust between us.

“Think about it,” he said softly. “Let’s start with this perfume. Working on it together is a process we can both trust.”

“A collaboration born out of passion,” I agreed.

Yet I’ve already created it.

“I’ll see you in my office. Let’s get to work.”

I nodded, sensing our time together was running out.

Astor stepped away and opened the closet door, pausing for a beat then turning around to face me. “It’s safe to come out. They’re not back yet.”

“Just need a second.”

“Sure you’re okay?” He gave me a gentle smile.

“I’m inspired, Mr. Beauregard. I’m ready to wow you.”

His face was marred with confusion. “Raquel, if I admit that you and I—” He turned away for a second and then glanced back. “The last time my life felt this perfect…”

His words roused hope in me. “Before you went to live in Cuba?”

Astor’s brows shot up in surprise. “Yes, right before then,” he said softly.

“What happened?”

Don’t tell me…don’t break our spell.

He hesitated. “I made a decision back then…the wrong one. But it was also the only one.” He left, closing the door behind him.

I stared at the spot he’d been standing, my heart aching for him and for myself, too, because today could not be undone and words could not be unspoken.