Page 91 of Perfume Girl

She looked straight ahead as though trying to hide her mortification at being so wet for me.

I let her go and pushed myself to my feet. “Change your underwear. Then get dressed. Meet me downstairs.”

Turning away from her, suppressing a smile, I headed out and down the hallway, relishing how I’d felt a crackle of electricity in the air between us. Playing with Raquel was becoming my new favorite sport. Bringing my fingers to my mouth to taste her sweetness, I savored her all over again.

For twenty minutes, I sat on the couch with my gaze locked on the winding staircase in anticipation of Raquel walking down it.

Soon, she appeared wearing her skinny jeans, a white shirt and flat shoes. Her hair hung loose and lovely around her shoulders and delicate bracelets dangled from her wrists. She descended the staircase slowly as though needing time to gauge my reaction, and then stood in the middle of the lounge with her expression full of anticipation.

I gave her a triumphant smile to warn her I was still in charge.

“Is this okay?” She glanced down at herself.

“You’ll need a sweater.”

“Where are we going?” she asked breathlessly.

I stood and walked over to join her. “On an adventure.”

ASASTOR DROVE US UPthe coast in his Range Rover, I constantly stole glances at his gorgeous profile.

I had been destined to spend another night alone sleeping on the floor of my shop, and this was so far from what I imagined my Sunday was going to look like. I had not expected to be whisked off to South Beach and spoiled by this man who kept throwing me dazzling grins.

I soaked up the sunshine while the fresh ocean breeze blasted my face. The astounding views of wide open spaces never failed to inspire me.

Gripping the armrest, I sat forward with excitement when we passed a sign: MARINE SANCTUARY OF SOUTH BEACH.

Astor parked the car and killed the engine. “Ready?”

“Can we go in?”

“That’s why we’re here.”

A rush of excitement made me squeal with happiness.

He reached out and twirled a strand of my hair between his thumb and forefinger. “Already having fun?”

I grinned. “Yes, thank you.”

It was easy to admire the beauty of him, the masculine yet elegant way he climbed out of the Range Rover and rounded the front. He opened my door and offered me his hand. I didn’t want to break this spell, didn’t want to think of why or how our circumstances had brought us together…or how they may rip our friendship apart. I just wanted to appreciate the here and now and savor this day.

He helped me out of the car, his chest almost brushing mine as I slid down, my feet finding the gravel, my head tilting up to look into his kind hazel eyes.

Astor leaned in. “This is a very special place.”

“I feel it.”

I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine. I could have been anywhere in that moment, all I knew was him…the confidence of a man who made me feel truly alive.

“I haven’t taken a day off in months,” he admitted. “You’re good for me, Raquel Wren.” He slipped his sunglasses over his eyes.

We walked the short distance across the gravel to a dome-shaped building that rested on the water’s edge.

Astor pointed to the vastness of the structure. “This is a hospital for sick and injured marine life. It’s a great place for students to visit and learn about their environment. Many of the animals are released back into the wild, but some wouldn’t make it on their own so they house them here.” He opened the door and gestured for me to go ahead. “They don’t let tourists back here but my friend Garcia Rena is the senior marine biologist so we get access.”

The chill from a blast of air-conditioning hit my skin. “How did you meet him?”

“Charity gala. He’s a great guy.”