Page 79 of Perfume Girl

My joy from earlier came crashing down.

When I heard the bathroom door open behind me, I summoned my courage, turned, and forced a smile. “Everything okay?”

A towel was wrapped tightly around Astor’s waist, his body sprinkled with droplets of water. His abs were chiseled and his dark complexion mesmerizing. His masculine beauty made me more self-conscious of my nakedness.

Astor stepped forward and rested his forehead against the glass. “Their power’s off. A technician’s on the way.”

“Good.”

“Raquel…”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry.” He tipped his head toward the shower. “It was impulsive of me to get in there with you.”

“I liked it.”

“I brought you here to feel safe. I broke your trust. After everything you’ve been through that was wrong of me.”

“Everything I’ve been through?”

“Your divorce. Losing your business. Your home.”

My eyes stung with the tears I was holding back.

“And you work for me,” he added. “I have a responsibility and I shouldn’t take advantage.”

“It’s fine.” I didn’t trust myself to say anything more.

He gave me a kind smile. “It’s not that I don’t want to open this door and walk in there…that would be easy.”

“Right.”

“And to taste your lips again.” He squeezed his eyes closed.

To feel his mouth on mine was everything I wanted. All the pain, all the heartache, all the deceit, all the hope I’d once chased after no longer mattered in this moment. He was all man standing there with a sheen of water shimmering off him, his hair as black as night, framing that perfect face, his features softening as he smiled my way with those endearing dimples, his hazel eyes filled with empathy.

Perhaps he was waiting for me to speak, but I had nothing to say, not really. All I could do was find a way to cope with the ache I felt below that had me trembling with need. I reached down to cup myself to soothe this yearning.

His gaze followed my hand as I covered myself and then rose to meet mine. My face burning with embarrassment, I snapped my hand away and covered my breasts with my arms.

“Raquel.” He shook his head.

I pressed my fingers to my mouth, longing for his kiss.

His voice was deep and penetrating. “If I come back in…”

Leaning forward, I nudged the door open for him.

Slowly and deliberately, his fingers wrapped around the top of his towel and he pulled it away, letting it slip to the floor, exposing him. The ridges running along the shaft’s wide girth, its enormity, and the way he caressed its length with a firm hand left me mesmerized. A sigh escaped my lips as I studied the purple head, watching his masterful strokes and yearning to feel its power.

I licked my lips…

“We take it slow,” he said softly.

My gaze rose to meet his. “Yes, kisses…foreplay.”

He shook his head. “Us. I meant us.”