Page 163 of Perfume Girl

“Well, a scent is best appreciated on skin.”

She held out her arm to me.

“Wrist is too obvious.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, for this experiment I’m going to need you naked.”

Raquel dragged her bottom lip along her teeth and unzipped her dress, stepping out of it and letting it pool at her feet. She stood there looking stunning in her lacy underwear with her hair curling over her shoulders.

“Where would you like to dab it?” she asked.

“I’m considering. Might need some time to think this through.” My gaze drank her in…her beauty, her elegance and her serenity.

She reached around her back and unhooked her bra. It slid off her arms to the floor.

“Seems a reasonable place,” I agreed, stepping forward. I dabbed some of the perfume between her breasts. Leaning in, I appreciated her tenderness, her compassion and, as the notes lifted from her skin, her remarkable scent of love.

Carefully, I placed the bottle on the table and then reached for Raquel, cupping her face and leaning in to press my lips to hers, tasting her mouth, kissing her gently, passionately, revering her beauty.

Raquel reached for the new bottle of cologne. “Your turn.”

She dabbed some onto her finger and watched me unbutton my shirt before touching the amber liquid to my chest, leaning forward to breathe in the musky leather and spice.

“It’s effective.” Her fingers reached for my zipper and released me from my pants. “It makes me want to do this.” She knelt before me.

“Well, this is market testing at its best.”

“Thought you’d like it.”

“Oh, God, Raquel, that’s…”

She drew me into her mouth, sucking and lapping and sending shudders of pleasure though me.

I didn’t want to be that man anymore, the one who wooed a beautiful woman only to turn away when they wanted more.This timeit was me wanting more, needing more, and needing her more than the air I breathed. Raquel was the most important woman in my life and I didn’t want what we had to ever end. I had to somehow convey what she meant to me.

Lifting her up, I sat her on the edge of the table and nudged her backwards, tearing off her panties. I was hungry for her, desperate to taste her and make her arch her back with pleasure.

I was gone completely, lost in her and never wanting to find my way back. Not even my past could have kept me away from her—this was me claiming my lover and asking for forgiveness for all I had put her through.

I buried my face between her thighs, possessively taking her with my mouth, but lavishing her with all this affection wasn’t enough…it would never be enough.

She shivered beneath me. “Slow down.”

“This is slow,” I teased. “This is me claiming what is mine.”

“Oh, God, the things you say.” She arched her back. “I want to come with you inside me.”

“For you, anything,” I whispered. I rose up and stood between her legs, and as she lay back on the table I slid inside her, burying myself deep and feeling her muscles clenching. I leaned forward to hold her hands and weave my fingers through hers.

This was purity, our brilliant connection that was brighter than the sun. This was the song poets chased after, two hearts becoming one. Raquel called out my name and I whispered hers, still awestruck that she was finally mine.

One year later…

IT WAS THE WAY THEglass bottles lining the shelves reflected the myriad shards of light that mesmerized me, the soft hues glinting off the sunlight that streamed in through the window, the liquids within promising to kiss the soul and then set it free.

Each fragrance delivering an experience that would last until the end of the day, some well into the night.