Page 83 of Perfume Girl

She giggled. “That’s what I meant.”

“Ah.”

“I know, you’re the big bad wolf and I’d be wise to remember you don’t do relationships.”

“Who told you that?”

“You did.” She held my gaze. “I don’t blame you. Certainly not after all I’ve been through. Life can be…”

“Don’t let the world break you.”

She frowned, as though she wanted to ask me if I spoke from experience.

“This place is lovely.” She studied my face. “Why do you have two homes in South Beach?”

“This is my fuck pad.”

Her gaze narrowed.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding, seriously.” I grinned down at her.

“You better be.”

“Usually the falling power line stuns my lovers and leaves them powerless against my advances. Last night it missed you…a technical glitch.”

She dug her fingertips into my ribs and tickled me.

“I’m joking!” I grabbed her wrists and held them together. “Actually, my neighbor better sell that property to me or they’ll face a lawsuit.”

“Don’t be hard on them.” She eased her wrists out of my grip. “It was an accident.”

“Andrew’s a musician. He’s stoned most of the time so he’s letting the place go. I don’t need him bringing down the value of this area.”

“Still, you’d never sell? It’s paradise here.” She exhaled slowly. “Now I really feel bad you weren’t going to stay.”

“I’d have been fine.”

“Would you have stayed at Bridgestone?”

Hell to the no.

“Haven’t stayed there since I was a boy.” I raised my head to look at her. “I use the stables there because of convenience.”I don’t go in the house.

“Your parents live there?” she asked.

“My mother does.”

“Isn’t that where you grew up?”

I looked at her suspiciously. “I went to live in Cuba for a few years.”

“Why did you leave America?”

Of course, I’d led Raquel into this formidable conversation where my past could be exposed. I chose to breathe through the rising tension and remain silent.

She stared at me. “Astor?”

“I was sent to Havana to round out my education.” I rolled onto my chest and rose up, using my elbows to keep my weight off of her. “Tell me about you, Raquel. I want to know more.”