Page 78 of Perfume Girl

I looked around for a throw. “Your couch is ruined.”

Astor stepped closer. “Fuck the couch.” Still looking panicked, he ran his fingers through his hair, probably realizing how much he’d scared me.

Outside a flash of glittering sparks caught my attention and I sidestepped him to take a better look. I stared wide-eyed at the neighbor’s downed power line that had been snapped by a lightning strike. The thing was snaking violently near the pool, looking like a wild anaconda.

Astor followed my gaze and winced at the sight of sparks shooting in every direction. With another whip the cable jolted high and then bounced into the center of the pool, thrashing jolts of electricity in every direction.

The garden lit up.

“Oh, my God.” I was unable to turn away, or breathe, or think. My body trembled uncontrollably. If Astor hadn’t come back…

In a daze, I felt him lift me in his arms. He carried me up the staircase and then kicked a door open. It was his room, but I couldn’t see properly, my vision blurred from the adrenaline coursing through my veins, causing me to shake.

“You’re in shock.” He put me down. “I have to warm you up.”

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the bathroom, guiding me into a marble-tiled shower. Falling water tumbled over me and I blinked through the downpour as I watched him strip off his shirt and throw it on the floor.

He joined me beneath the chrome faucet. “Body heat.” He pulled me against his firm body and rubbed my arms.

Pressing my cheek against his chest, I exhaled in relief. “It could’ve gotten you.”

“Takes more than that.” He gave me an amused smile.

He’d saved my life and risked his own for me. The thought of all I’d done to him these last few weeks…all the lies, all the deceit, screeched guiltily across my conscience.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about,” he soothed. “It was a freak accident.”

“I was about to get out of the pool…”

“Don’t give it another thought.” He pressed his lips to my forehead. “You’re safe now.”

“Astor…”I have to tell you something.

Have to confess why I’m in your life.

“Shush.” He rested his thumb against my lips to quiet me.

Opening my lips wider, my tongue darted out to taste his skin. I drew his thumb into my mouth and suckled it, the sensation as comforting as it was sensual. I let go, crushing my cheek once more against his firm chest, his provocative scent filling my senses.

I want this.

I wanted him.

It felt like fireflies would burst out of my solar plexus. I licked his chest, causing him to groan. In a flash of power he gripped either side of my head and went to kiss me.

His mouth so close…

“Raquel,” he whispered. “I have to make a call.”

“What?”

“I have to warn my neighbors about the cable. Have them turn off the electricity. Make the area safe.”

“Of course.” I stepped back.

Hiding my embarrassment, I watched him grab a towel and wrap it around himself before strolling out. I spun round and raised my face to the streaming faucet, squeezing my eyes shut in shame. He’d wanted to warm me up and I’d come on to him like a hussy. I covered my face with my hands as though it might help hide my humiliation.