Page 74 of Perfume Girl

“Your choices of ingredients are unusual.” He tilted his head. “But I think they’d work.”

“I had Orris oil once.” I said it without thinking and on his frown, added, “You mentioned you have a new fragrance made from Orris?”

He rose and then came around to my side of the table to place his jacket on my shoulders. “Want the heater on?”

I glanced at the patio heater above us. “I’m fine.”

His cologne was masterful. I stilled to savor the waves of pleasure it brought, appreciate the elegance of it. Those possessive properties told me it was one of his.

Astor took his seat. “Eat. Then I’ll take you home.”

“Your guest house?”

He lifted his fork and held my gaze. “It will be your home for now.”

“Not sure I should take advantage of your kindness.”

“Finish your wine, Raquel. It’ll make for a more relaxing drive to South Beach.”

He was right—we had a long drive ahead.

Was I really willing to go as far as necessary to carry out my plan? The risks were becoming greater every day, and Astor had been different around me tonight, leading me to believe he might know more about me than he was letting on.

“Those who cross me regret it for the rest of their lives.”Astor’s words came back to haunt me, causing me to shiver.

His steely gaze swept over me. “I’ll have them turn that heater on.”

“IWASN’T EXPECTING…”RAQUEL’S WORDStrailed off as she looked around the luxurious living room.

“What were you expecting?” I asked.

“Not sure, really.” She slipped off her shoes and walked barefoot on the polished wooden floorboards, a respectful gesture.

A plush white couch sat in the center of the room surrounded by armchairs, with Persian rugs strewn here and there. The modern art had been personally chosen by me to avoid unnecessary pretentiousness. Most of it was created by local artists, bohemians who’d fled to Florida to escape the rat race of other cities. Like Raquel, I was drawn to the earthy types.

The color scheme and furniture style were meant to have a calming effect. This simplistic theme was continued on the other side of the glass wall to include the infinity pool, where one could appreciate the ocean view.

Bridgestone belonged to my mother, and so many times I had asked her to let me sell it for her. I guessed those lonely hallways served as a form of punishment, though she didn’t deserve it, not really. She apparently drew some comfort knowing I kept my stables there, which meant I could be found on the estate most weekends, feeding and grooming the horses.

But this place was easily my most precious sanctuary.

Perhaps it would have been wiser to take Raquel to a hotel and not fill my home with memories of her. Yet, inexplicably, I felt compelled to have her here. Maybe she’d see the benefit of our friendship and learn to trust me. Maybe she’d open up and tell me all her secrets.

Raquel rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes as she walked around the living room. She picked up a photo of my mother and sister and studied it.

She turned the frame around. “Your mom?”

“Yes.”

She grinned at me. “I can see where you get your looks from.”

She put the picture frame down and glanced around the room. My smile faded when I realized she was looking for photos of my dad. She didn’t find any, but was polite enough not to mention it.

A worried frown appeared on her face. “You live here, don’t you?”

“Yes.

“Then I’m putting you out.”