The Scent of His Woman (11 page)

Slowly Lexie began to regain some semblance of coherent thought, she felt heavy,
sleepy, unwilling to move from the warmth of his embrace and as she snuggled closer,
kissing the corded strength of his thick neck she knew without doubt, he was right. To deny
this would be madness, she might be limited in her practical sexual experience but she’d
read enough of the theory to know this was special, this was something she would never
find again, her perfect sexual mate. The only sane thing to do was to grasp as much as
she could while they were together, what was wrong with taking advantage of a once in a
lifetime opportunity like this, all she had to do was be careful not to fall for his legendary
charm. That way there would be no emotional mess when it all came to its inevitable
ending and they both went their own ways, no mess, no broken hearts.
The sound of someone entering the apartment startled her out of her reverie and
back to the cold light of day. Turning to the bedside table Lexie reached for her watch to
check the time, eight thirty, well it would not be Geth returning then, his breakfast meeting
was set to go on for at least another hour. She thought she remembered him mentioning
he employed an housekeeper, that was who it must be. As if to confirm that thought the
aroma of fresh coffee wafted into the bedroom and Lexie suddenly realised she was
ravenous, so reaching for her wrap she headed out in search of the source of the delicious
aroma. The kitchen she found was exactly what she expected, its clean lined no nonsense
style mirroring the rest of the apartment and moving from counter to counter with a
minimum of effort was the tiniest little woman Lexie had ever seen. She turned as Lexie
entered.
‘Why Miss owen, I was just going to bring you a nice hot coffee, just what you need after a
late flight. Well now you are up you just go relax in the lounge and I will be right through
with it. I’m Nora by the way, I’m the housekeeper here. While Mr Mathias is here I come in
every day and see to what needs doing, course when the place is empty I don’t do so
much. Well now just listen to me rattling on, and you still with no coffee.’
Lexie smiled and settled herself on a nearby stool, leaning on the pristine counter.
‘Coffee would be nice Nora, but I would rather have it here if you don’t mind.’
‘Just as you like dearie, and will you be having a little breakfast? I mean you look as
if you might, not like those skinny bits Mr Mathias usually takes up with, nothing but black
coffee for them.’
Lexie laughed.
‘Ugh, I like my coffee with cream and yes please I will have some breakfast, but just
something quick and easy, please don’t go to too much trouble.’
‘No trouble at all dearie, I will just rustle up a nice muffin with some crispy bacon
while you drink your coffee.’
The coffee really was excellent and Lexie sipped thoughtfully, so Geth regularly
brought women back here, skinny model types apparently, well no surprise there so why
did she feel so cross then? It was not as if she had any real right to be, he had been a free
agent and still was. Ok so they would both have to put on an act while they played this
charade out, but they were still free agents in actual fact, this was no genuine
engagement, she thought fingering the ring on her left hand, not real at all.
‘Oh my now that is a pretty thing.’
Nora exclaimed out loud as she reached over to put the muffin and a glass of
orange juice down in front of Lexie
‘Just look at that sparkle.’
Lexie held her hand out for the customary inspection.
‘Yes indeedy, pretty as a picture, just like you my dear, now you tuck in.’
So Lexie did just that, enjoying the luxury of having a delicious breakfast cooked for
her, and as she ate she watched the little woman bustle about the room. Though she had
a distinct Canadian edge, she clearly was not a native of the country, though Lexie couldn’t
place the accent it was certainly British. Nora looked to be in her sixties at least, small and
wiry, silver grey hair neatly tied back with a black ribbon and sporting a bright yellow
tracksuit. She moved with sprightly grace and seemed to have boundless energy.
‘Where are you from Nora? I don’t think you are Canadian are you?’
‘No my dear, I came over from England with my husband over thirty years ago now,
Dorset, that’s where I grew up. My Ronnie got a job over here and I came with him. He
worked for Mr Mathias, headed many a project he did, then when he died sudden like last
year, Mr mathias asked me if I wanted him to help me go home. But I didn’t, you see my
whole life seemed to be here by then, friends we’d made, our house that Ronnie built, just
felt right to stay. So Mr Mathias helped me sort everything out, and I help him out by
looking after his place for him. He’s a good boy, thoughtful, good farm upbringing you see,
no matter what happens later, a good upbringing lays the foundation of a man I always
say.’
Lexie smiled, wondering not for the first time about Geth’s family and his farming
roots, once again she’d had a glimpse of the man behind the public figure and it was quite
intriguing.
‘Nora, what is there to see, close to here? I have to go to a lunch meeting with Mr,
with Geth she quickly corrected herself, but I don’t want to waste any time so as it’s only
nine now I have some time I can use to look around this morning. But it has to be not too
far so I can be back and changed in time for lunch.’
‘Well now let me think, you could get to the riverfront quite easily from here, it’s
through the old French quarter too that’s what tourists want to see. Course there’s
Chinatown too, you mustn’t miss that.’
‘The French quarter sound great, how do I get there?’ ‘Well just ask the taxi to take
you there dear, or has Mr Mathias left his driver for you?’
‘I’m not sure, but I would much rather walk, that way I see much more.’ ‘Well if
you’re sure’ Nora sounded doubtful, ‘you just head left out of this building and keep going
in a straight line for two blocks. You will know the French quarter as soon as you see it,
very European but a bit shabby too. But I’d be happier if you let me check if the driver is
able to take you.’
But Lexie was already half way out of the room.
‘I’ll be fine Nora, don’t you worry about me.’
She changed quickly, glad she’d thought to buy some casual wear, and was soon
out in the bustle of the city, heading in the direction Nora had described, soaking in the
sights and sounds of the bright modern streets. Wide, straight, lane after lane with traffic
sweeping unrelentingly past. Each side rose the impressive, gleaming sky scrapers typical
of the modern city. Between these glass edifices were tucked, somewhat incongruously
and in Lexie’s eyes completely charmingly, a myriad array of older building each telling its
own part of the history of Montreal. Impressive banks, shops, churches and even
cathedrals, all from an era long past, when the city displayed its affluence in its
architecture as never before. These marble columns and gleaming spires were now
reflected in the shining glass of the modern city that dwarfed the old. Here and there were
well worn signs warning of the danger of falling ice and Lexie was reminded that this was a
country that saw snow and ice in quantities she was unable to comprehend. She
remembered reading somewhere that to protect shoppers, whole streets in the city had
been covered with glass roofing and so she began to search for these as she walked.

Before long she noticed a steady stream of people entering and leaving a rather mundane
looking doorway to her left. Pushing through the door, Lexie gasped and stood still taking
in the amazing sight. Each side of the street the buildings rose much as you would expect,
the difference was that between them towered an impressive glass roof. Beautifully
designed to allow the light to reach the street below, this protective shell had transformed
what must have been a fairly mundane row of shops into a quiet oasis of elegance.
Discreet designer outlets, stylish coffee shops, and here and there some well tended
greenery, the effect was stunning and Lexie wondered how many of these modern
adaptations to the extreme weather had been constructed to allow the business of
spending money to continue uninterrupted? It only took her a few minutes to walk the
whole length of the covered street and soon she was pushing her way back through a
second set of doors out into the open air. Again she was taken aback at the contrasting
sights, to her left was the bright modern city, but to her right the street formed a dark,
narrow contrast. The French quarter started here and Lexie was entranced immediately.
Distinctly European this part of Montreal transported visitors back to the early history of the
city, in a mix of atmospheric streets and alleys filled with a charming mix of art and tourist
tat.

Lexie wandered entranced, completely oblivious of time until she emerged onto a
broad flat street that separated the old city from the St lawrence river. It was unlike
anything she had ever seen, deep dark grey swirling waters spread before her almost as
far as the eye could see, decorated with bridges, and peopled with ships and boats. Along
the shoreline stretched a well used cycle-way a smooth ribbon joining up the waterside
attractions and parks. Realising she was suddenly ravenous, Lexie began exploring the
street to her left, looking for somewhere selling warm food and it wasn’t until she was
sitting eating a soft, warm, sweet roll and sipping a fragrant coffee at a roadside cafe that it
suddenly hit her. Lunch, she was supposed to be with Geth at some business lunch in
about twenty minutes. By now he was probably hunting high and low for her livid at what
he would see as her outright defiance. No way was he going to believe she had simply lost
track of time.

Digging in the bottom of her bag for her mobile phone and flipping it open her heart
sank as she saw the missed calls from Geth. She just had not heard it in the depths of the
big bag so now he’d think she had deliberately not answered. She sat looking at it, not
quite able to bring herself to return the calls. It was just too galling, to have to ring knowing
he would already be annoyed because she’d be late for lunch. To admit she had been so
clueless stuck in her throat, but there was nothing for it and so she pressed the recall
button.

‘At last,where are you?’ his voice was terse, ‘ I was beginning to think I would have
to launch a full-scale search party, as it is Owain is driving down towards the river in the
vain hope of finding you.’

‘I’m in the French quarter’ she tried to sound calm and nonplussed, I’m sorry I just
lost track of time, just give me instructions for the quickest way back to your apartment and
I will walk back.’

‘The quickest way back is to tell me where you are and then wait for the car, so
once again, where are you?’
‘I’m near the river, not far from’ she hastily looked around for a landmark, ‘the
science museum’ she concluded smoothly. ‘I’m actually opposite the museum.’
‘Wait there and the car will pick you up, in the meantime I will send word that we will
be delayed.’
Geth rang off with obvious impatience, leaving Lexie staring into the phone. Within
minutes the sleek limo pulled up at the curbside, and Owain, Geth’s silent Welsh
bodyguard was opening the door for her, his implacable face giving nothing away. Lexie
got into the car feeling a bit sheepish at having to be rescued in such a fashion, but by the
time the car pulled up at the apartment, the feeling had given way to impatience. What
exactly was his problem? So she was a little late for lunch, he could have gone on his own,
there was surely no need to send the car and two men searching as if she was lost.
Nonsense, absolute nonsense and she would be telling him so too.
She entered the apartment at a run, despite her earlier defiant thoughts. Geth was
waiting, sitting drumming impatient fingers on the arm of the chair.
‘OK, Ok I’m late, I do know’ she threw at him as she fairly flew past, ‘two minutes
and I’ll be changed and ready,’
And she was as good as her word, a quick lick and a promise, fresh undies and
dress, black silk of course, a squirt of perfume and dragging a brush impatiently through
her hair she walked back into the lounge.
‘Ok, I’m ready’ she said, a little out of breath, then stopped dead a few feet in front
of where he sat, head tilted slightly to one side, a faint frown on his handsome face.
‘What?’ she asked impatiently, ‘ What’s wrong now?’
Geth didn’t reply, but merely sat forward in the chair to reach for the hem of her
dress, fingering it lightly, before looking up into her bemused eyes.
‘More black silk?’ It was more a question than a statement.
‘That’s what you instructed, remember? Black silk is considered suitable, you said,
so that’s what I bought, with your money. She couldn’t resist putting a little emphasis on
the word your, even thought a warning bell was beginning to ring in her head.’
His face gave nothing away, but there was an almost imperceptible darkening of his
eyes which sent a little frisson of warning through her.
‘Suitable for what exactly?’
‘You tell me, for your latest bit of stuff? For turning a sows ear into a silk purse good
enough to be seen on your arm? I was only following your instructions.’
Geth thought a moment before answering.
‘So, black silk, on my instructions, not quite how I remember it, but let’s leave that
for now, I don’t have time to argue the point. I presume the undies match, plain black and
like the last set I saw, very sexy and as you say, paid for with my money. That, to my mind,
means I can take ownership whenever the mood suits me, wouldn’t you agree?’
The question took her by surprise, making her stammer a little, ‘we, we’re late, you
said so yourself, there’s no time for...’
‘For sex, no, but for you to pay a very intriguing price for your stubborn behaviour,
yes. Now take off those panties and give them to me.’
He held her eyes in a steady gaze as he delivered his command, a small smile
playing around his lips as he extended his hand in expectation of her compliance. Lexie
simply looked at him in stunned silence.
‘I’m waiting and so are our lunch guests, so comply please or do I have to take
them for myself?’
‘I don’t have any others with me, you will have to wait until I can shop for myself and
then you can take all of them. In the meantime you can forget this nonsense and take me
to lunch’
Flashing defiance, Lexie delivered that tart remark and made to move past him to
the door, hoping he would just follow. But he reached out as she passed, two big hands
grasped her hips and brought her to a stop right in front of where he sat. The look on his
face leaving her in no doubt of his intention as his hands moved to lift the hem of her
dress.
‘Ok, ok’ she yelped, and twisted back out of reach ‘you win, here you have them, I
will find something else to wear.’
Then shimmying quickly out of the tiny slip of black silk she stepped forward and
threw them in his face, before turning to move to the bedroom. But before she could cover
even half the distance his lazy drawl, iced with triumph stopped her in her tracks.
‘Thank you Cariad, now let’s go or we will be even later.’
Turning slowly, his meaning sank into her brain.
‘You can’t mean for me to go to lunch like this, that’s just...’
‘What? Just the right forfeit for such pretty defiance, I would have thought. Just think
Cariad, it will be our sexy little secret as we enjoy lunch, and who knows what it might lead
to.’
With that last retort, Geth slowly and deliberately folded the scrap of silk and placed
it carefully in his breast pocket, so that it looked for all the world like a handkerchief, an
elegant addition to his grey wool jacket. Then extending his arm he led a stunned Lexie to
the door, tugging down the hem of a dress that now felt indecently short. The feeling
persisted as they took the short journey to the restaurant. Lexie felt exposed, unsure of
herself and to her dismay incredibly sexy as she struggled to sit demurely, acutely aware
of the short skirt and of the nakedness underneath. Geth on the other hand seemed calm
and in control and she hated him for that and for the way he sat, leaning back against the
leather seat, watching her discomfiture with a self-satisfied smile. As they exited the limo,
he held out a hand to help her out onto the sidewalk. It felt warm and damp in his and he
whispered wickedly in her ear.
‘Mmm, hot little hands Cariad, where else are you nice and warm and moist?’
Lexie ignored him, snatched her hand from his and pulling the dratted skirt down
once more she marched into the restaurant, determined to turn the tables on him before
the meal was over.
The four business associates they were dining with were waiting and Geth
introduced a glowering Lexie.
‘Alexandria cariad, Mr Jon Albernathy and his associate Mr Daniel Lawson of DD
Associates, Mr Charlie Reeves and Mr Frank Fairly, both of Reeves and Fairly Solicitors.
Gentlemen, may I introduce my fiancée Ms Alexandria Owen?’
‘Charmed my dear.’
The older of the four men, Charlie Reeves smiled and all the others murmured a
polite greeting. They were all impeccably dressed, obviously men of distinction, and except
for Daniel Lawson, they were all the other side of sixty, Lexie thought. But Mr Lawson, now
he was different, here she might find a way of baiting Geth, of paying him back. Well over
six foot, the gentleman in question was handsome enough in an overly affluent sort of way.
A little too brash, slightly overweight and extremely sure of himself. Oh yes Lexie thought,
just the type she would normally avoid like the plague, but today, well today, she would be
all attention. I mean she was here to make a good impression after all.
‘Well hello little lady’
He smarmed as she took her seat beside him and Lexie flashed him her sweetest
smile in return as she pulled her skirt down.
Throughout the meal she remained sweetly polite, responding when spoken to, she
was polite in the extreme to Geth, frosty even. But when Daniel Lawson spoke she leant
forward, giving him her undivided attention. Sneaking the occasional look at Geth, she
watched as he became more tense with each passing minute. He didn’t finish his meal,
instead he topped up his wine glass again, throwing it back in an impatient movement
when she giggled in a particularly girly fashion at something Lawson murmured in her ear.
Geth was in turmoil, it seemed like a good way of punishing her, removing the
panties, making her come to lunch out of her comfort zone, but it was backfiring badly.
This was supposed to be a business lunch but all he could think about was how much he
wanted to slip his hand up that damn skirt that she kept tugging down over her thighs. It
didn’t help that she was doing her best to make him feel that Lawson was a threat, though
Geth knew the man was married to a fine Canadian woman who ruled him with a rod of
iron, no threat there. And it certainly didn’t help that he was as hard as hell, knowing she
was so close, so exposed. Their sexy secret, huh, some secret it would be if he stood up
before regaining control over that.
At last the meal came to an end, leave was taken of their companions and as they
rose to leave Geth played his final trump card. Ignoring his napkin, Geth reached for the
scrap of silk in his breast pocket, hearing Lexie gasp as he did so. She watched wide eyed
as he carefully bunched the panties into his hand and raised it to his face, inhaling slowly
the scent of her that was still clinging to the silk, before wiping his mouth delicately with it
and dropping it onto his empty plate. All the while looking directly into her shocked eyes.
Not thinking of anything but the embarrassment of having her panties left on the dining
table Lexie made a move to snatch them up, but Geth was too fast. Catching hold of her
arm he moved her away from the table, out of the restaurant and into the waiting car.
‘Pig, you absolute pig.’
Lexie was past caring, she was incandescent with rage now, as he slid in beside
her she moved forward and landed him a stinging slap to the left side of his face. And that
was when Geth lost control, moving decisively he pulled her too close to hit him again and
Lexie found herself sprawled in most undignified fashion across his lap. The hem of her
skirt pushed so high that it was positively indecent.
‘Let go of me.’
She just managed to yelp at him before he gripped her head with his one free hand
and pulled her face to his. The kiss was hard and heated. Geth ground his mouth to hers
intent on teaching her who was in charge here, at least that was the initial thought in his
head. But all too soon the knowledge of her exposed state that had been driving him mad
with lust all through the meal took over and he gave in to the need to help himself to her.
Twisting her around onto the seat he moved over her, finding her mouth with his again as
his seeking hands gripped her thighs and moved upwards. The skirt was no barrier and he
found her hot, moist core, long fingers delving into her with a groan of long awaited
appreciation. Acutely aware of the driver and security man up front, managing to free her
mouth for a moment she protested.
‘No, don’t, you can’t not here, we aren’t alone, Geth please!’
He stilled for a moment reached for the button that brought down the privacy screen and
then claimed her mouth in a deep seductive kiss while his fingers moved skillfully between
her legs. Within minutes Lexie was lost, consumed by the fire he was creating within her,
unable to think or resist as her body responded to him. He trailed kisses down her throat,
nipping at the soft skin there, then moving further down to where her breasts pushed
against the black silk restraining them. When he suckled one tight little nipple through the
silk she moaned aloud, not caring who might hear, she was truly past caring now and he
knew it as she arched under him in a timeless plea.
‘Come on cariad, come for me now.’
His voice penetrated the fog of lust he’d created in her head, just before the erotic
command sent her hurtling off the edge of the precipice and she pulsed wetly into his
hand, crying out against his mouth with the wonder of it. She was still consumed by the
last ripples of her orgasm as the car pulled up outside the apartment and Owain opened
the door for them.
The blast of cool air brought her back to reality and she adjusted her clothing before
weakly following Geth out of the car. He turned to help her and she found she had no
choice but to lean into him, accepting the support he offered knowing her legs were
incapable of holding her up. Geth wrapped his long coat around her and half carried her in
through the doors and into the lift. Dismissing his security man with a wave he impatiently
punched the button that would take them up.
Lexie was only vaguely aware of the lift stopping, why did the doors not open she
thought weakly, only to find the thought pushed out of her head as Geth pressed her
against the side of the lift pushing her skirt up past her waist as he did so. He was
muttering something as he undid his belt his voice hoarse with passion. Then he lifted her
and thrust upwards, deep into her and she knew she was completed. This was what she
needed, craved, it was the most erotic thing she had ever experience this rough taking, in
this small space, against the steel of the lift wall, spiced and heated with their frustration
and anger. She sought his mouth and returned his kiss. Exchanging each rough caress
with a fire to match his. Together they soared to heaven, Lexie crying out with the wonder
of it and when they were spent she held on to his broad shoulders as they shook.
Long minutes passed before Geth found the strength of will to separate himself
from her, adjust his clothing and restart the lift. Then picking her up lightly he and headed
into the apartment, straight to the spacious bathroom. The way he bathed and dried her
tenderly before carrying her to the bed made Lexie feel both incredibly special and
deliciously sleepy, so when Geth returned after his own shower, he found her sleeping
soundly, a small smile curving her lips. With a sigh, he lay down beside her, protectively
curling one arm around her sleeping form and letting sleep steal softly into his brain. No
rush he thought sleepily, they had all the time in the world.
Chapter 7
The rich fragrance of fresh brewed coffee percolated through Lexie’s dream, alerting her to
fact that once more she was alone. Geth she assumed had left for yet another meeting,
leaving her to her own devices. Canada, in her imaginings it was wild, untamed and,
delightful as she’d found Montreal it was still a city, and not even a bit wild and untamed.
No, it was positively civilized, and she would need to get outside the city if she was to find
the Canada of her imaginings before it was too late and they went home. With that thought
in mind she showered, dressed and followed the scent of coffee to the kitchen.