Page 41 of Perfume Girl

She left to return to her duties and I descended the winding steps into what looked like a hub.

I stopped halfway down when I saw Astor.

He was dressed in black slacks and a white shirt and was tieless, looking all kinds of suave as he lowered a speedboat into the water. His gaze rose to meet mine.

“How’s the party?”

I suddenly felt tongue-tied, and cringed through the awkward silence that followed.

He grinned and it was one of those heart-stopping smiles. “I’m making a getaway before anyone notices.”

I smiled, trying not to look guilty. “I thought this was a work event.”

“Private party.” He gestured toward the upper deck.

“You’re not revealing something new?”

“No.” Astor watched me carefully. “But now that you’re here you’re welcome to stay.”

I didn’t want to be left alone with Penelope.

The speedboat swayed as it met the water and then floated into the center of the hub.

Astor held out his hand to me. “Wanna escape?”

I flew down the remaining steps and accepted his outstretched hand. As I climbed into the speedboat, it wobbled slightly beneath me. I made myself comfortable in the passenger seat and then watched Astor climb in beside me.

When he leaned toward me super close I froze, and then realized he was securing my seatbelt by tugging it across my chest before clipping it in. His cologne wafted over me and a shudder ran up my spine.

He gave the belt an extra tug before moving away. “We can never be too careful, Raquel.” He faced the control panel without clipping his own belt in.

I made a mental note to mention it to him once my breathing returned to normal and my heart stopped hammering. This man’s charisma was off the charts. He probably knew I was on the boat the moment I boarded, and me not mixing with the other guests had to have looked suspicious.

The engine roared to life. We were forced back in our seats as we zoomed out from beneath theRiveting,skimming along the water. I turned slightly to see the yacht getting smaller behind us. At this speed we’d be back to Key West in no time.

“How was your first week?” Astor raised his voice above the engine.

Locks of hair whipped around my face and I tried to get them under control.

“Great,” I yelled.

“Settling in?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Astor drew back on the throttle, reducing our speed so we could talk more easily.

“So tell me more about you, Raquel.”

“I grew up in England.” I reached out and gripped the side of the boat as it bounced along. “I was hired by Parfum De Royal to head up their lab. Stayed there for five years until I opened my own place.” I felt a stab of regret for bringing it up.

“That was how you came to America?”

“Yes.”

“How about before then?”

“I studied at Cambridge.”