Brenda
Like Cyndi, I recognized the O’Sheerans right after they entered our work.
I tried not to sneak peeks at them, but I couldn’t stop myself.
I was guilty of admiring them anytime they were on television, in the newspaper, or in a magazine.
Both were extremely good-looking men. For me, the one who made my heart race was Sean.
He was tall, like his brother. However, he was a couple of inches over six feet tall.
His skin was dark, and his hair was a thick, dark brown, almost black pelt.
I wondered how it would feel between my fingers. It was short, yet curled on his nape.
His firm jaw was covered in a five o’clock shadow, only accentuating his masculinity and looks.
His body was powerfully built, as far as I could tell.
His clothing clung to his body, revealing a physique covered in bulging muscles.
No one would see him and ever think he was a fool or weak.
His green eyes pierced my chest when they met my eyes.
I’d seen plenty of handsome men in my twenty-three years. I’d dated a few attractive guys, including one who was my boyfriend for a while. None of them held a candle to Sean. This air about him shouted danger, as it tried to suck me closer. His holding out his hand to me broke the spell.
“I-I’m sorry. What did you say?” I asked.
“Show us that questionnaire. I’ll do one, and Cormac will do the other.”
Rather than take his hand, I scurried to the spot behind the display where I kept those forms and other things.
I felt hot and as if I could feel him looking through me and seeing everything.
I heard Cyn murmuring with Sean. Snatching up two forms attached to clipboards and two pens, I brought them to the men.
“Here you go. If you’ll have a seat, and complete these, I can get started on concocting the perfumes while Cyndi shows you the jewelry.”
Both men took the clipboards, but Sean’s fingertips skimmed over the back of my hand. Tingles erupted in my hand, and fluttering started in my stomach. I swiftly moved my hand away.
“We might have some questions. We’d like you both to come and sit with us. It’ll be more efficient than us having to call you repeatedly to answer questions. Then, when we’re done with these, we’ll go check out the jewelry,” Sean’s deep voice stated.
The undertone of demand, which usually would raise my hackles, didn’t. Cyndi latched onto my arm. The tension in her hands told me she was as affected as I was. Her pleading expression was what made me agree.
“Sure, we can do that. Would any of you like a glass of wine?” I offered.
We’d begun serving it to our clients. Carlos told us to offer it only to the ones who were serious about buying. When he wasn’t watching, we offered it to everyone.
“Not for us. We’re good, but thank you,” one of the bodyguards said, smiling.
“What kind of wine?” Cormac asked.
“I’d have to check the exact maker and kind, but we do have white and red. Most people seem to like them,” I answered.
“Which do you prefer?” Sean asked me.
“Oh, we’re not permitted to drink it,” I informed him. His pleasant expression slipped a tiny bit.
“What about wine in general? Red, blush, or white?” he asked.
“Red,” I said.
“What about you?” Cormac asked my friend.
“I’m more of a white or blush wine person, though we don’t get a chance to taste it often.”
“I’ll take white,” Cormac said.
“And I’ll try the red,” Sean added.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’ll go prepare the wine while you get comfortable. Start the questionnaire, and we’ll be there to answer your questions in no time,” I informed them before half-dragging Cyndi into the back with me.
Once we were behind the closed door, I fell back against it and sagged. My hand was above my breasts. Cyn was doubled over, holding her chest.
“Oh my God, have you ever been around anyone who made your heart want to jump out of your chest? Or you wanted to lick his skin the moment you met him?” she panted.
“Jesus, Cyn, stop talking like that. You’re making it worse. Help me get this wine poured,” I pleaded.
We slowly straightened ourselves and walked on wobbly legs to where the wine was kept. As we got out two glasses and two wine bottles, I worked to slow my heartbeat and control my shaking hand.
“Well, don’t you agree?” my best friend prodded. She might be the quieter of us, but she wasn’t a pushover.
Knowing I couldn’t lie to her even if I wanted, I nodded as I confessed, “Yeah, they’re potent for sure, especially Sean.
But men like them are used to women feeling that way about them and acting like fools.
Remember the articles we’ve read about them.
Those two and their brother have a different woman on their arm every time they go somewhere.
They’re handsome, sexy playboys with too much money and not enough character. ”
“Probably, but nothing says we can’t look. I’ll keep my tongue in my mouth,” she promised.
That remark, along with her tongue hanging out, caused me to burst into laughter, and she joined in. We were fighting to regain our composure when the door burst open, and Carlos stormed in. Crap, I forgot about him.
“What are you two up to? Get to work, and you’d better not screw up this sale. I expect you to convince them to purchase not only two fragrances but also two of our most expensive jewelry items. You understand me? You don’t want to disappoint me.”
We read between the lines. He was threatening our jobs. I clenched my fist at my side as hard as I could.
“Understood,” Cyndi whispered.
When I didn’t say anything, his eyes narrowed on me.
“Understood,” I muttered.
Wearing a smile, Carlos walked to the door and then stopped. He looked over his shoulder at us. “Oh, before I forget, that commission is mine. Don’t you dare tell them that,” he warned before sweeping out the door.
“I hate his fucking guts,” I snarl.
“Shh, keep it down. I do too, but we can’t afford to be fired. We have to find a new job first. Let’s go. Oh, we should grab three waters for their guards,” she reminded me.
Knowing it was true, I sucked up my dislike, plastered a smile on my face, then, after retrieving and splitting up the waters, I carried the glass of red, while she carried the white.
We returned to the showroom. Both O’Sheerans were at the table, but their gazes were focused on the door we had just exited. We rushed over to them.
“Sorry for the delay. Here you go. And these are for your guards, in case they change their minds,” I explained.
“That’s sweet of you to do that. Quinn, please take one out to Eoin. You and Kevin take one for yourselves,” Cormac directed.
As Quinn and Kevin thanked us and distributed the water, Sean and Cormac stood up and, in unison, pulled out the two empty chairs at the small table where they were seated.
“Please, sit,” Sean directed.
I ended up in the one next to him, and on my other side was Cyn, which placed her next to Cormac. The guys resumed their seats. After a preliminary sip of wine, they both shrugged.
“It’s nothing to rave about, but it’s not bad. Ours will be better one day,” Cormac said.
“You make wine?” Cyndi asked in surprise. I admit, I was surprised, too.
“Not yet, but it’s in the works to make it happen one day. Or I should clarify, our brother Patrick and his wife, Maeve, will. Pat is adamant he’ll buy or build a winery for Maeve. I’d say in less than three years, they’ll have one. Right now, they’re busy,” Cormac explained.
“Busy?” It slipped out before I could censor it.
“Yeah, she’s less than a month away from having their first child. Patrick will want to have time for them both to get used to being parents before he takes her to check them out,” Sean explained.
Wow, they were ultra-rich. People with loads of money did things like buy wineries.
Just as I thought that, the unbidden thought popped into my head, wondering what illegal activities they could run through a winery.
Plenty, I thought. Shoving those unproductive thoughts away, I got down to explaining the questionnaire.
Twenty minutes later, they were done. It took them that long because they peppered me with questions about my process, my favorite scents, and how I got involved in making them.
It was during our exploration that I discovered the women they were buying for weren’t the hussies that they were seeing. It was their mom and sister-in-law.
The way they spoke of them made it clear they shone with love, respect, and deep affection for the two women. Jesus, I hoped one day to have someone feel that way about me. Did their brother Patrick treat his wife half as well? If he did, she must feel like a queen.
“Your sister-in-law and mom are going to be fortunate women for Christmas,” Cyndi informed them.
I let the three of them talk. I became lost in thought as the possibilities of essential oil combinations gathered in my mind. I’d have to tinker with the components and proportions to get it right.
“Brenda, are you alright?” Sean asked, concerned.
“Oh, yes, sorry. I didn’t mean to zone out on you.”
Cyndi giggled. “Don’t mind her. She gets like this when the right combination of things forms in her head. She’ll be getting up any second—”
Proving her correct, I came to my feet before she could finish. The guys stood, then the four of us, trailed by the two bodyguards, went to the display cases. I halted before going behind the case.
“I have to go in the back to mix. As soon as I have something, I’ll come back. Why don’t you allow Cyndi to show you the gorgeous pieces we have? That way, we won’t waste your time,” I suggested.
“Cor, why don’t you go with Cyndi and check out the jewelry. Gather the ones you think I should see. I want to see Brenda at work. I hope that’s permitted.” He gave me an endearing smile.
I had allowed a few clients in the past to watch, but the thought of being alone with him in what I referred to as my lab made my palms sweat. But Carlos’s warning earlier overrode my nervousness. If I said no and it blew this sale, Cyndi and I would be jobless, and soon afterward, homeless.
“Sure, you can watch. My room is in the back. I’m afraid there’s not much space. I don’t think one of your men can fit in there with us.”
Maybe if he couldn’t bring a bodyguard, he’d say, “Forget it.” However, I couldn’t imagine why he would ever be afraid of me. His deep chuckle made my body react, with my core tightening and zings of fire following. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from gasping aloud.
“Sure, he can do that. Sean, see you when you’re done,” his brother said.
“It’s just you and me. Lead the way,” was Sean’s response. Seemingly satisfied with the division based on his expression, Sean lifted my arm and placed it to rest on his. I noted Cormac did the same to Cyn.
“Lead on. I’m ready to learn how you do what you do. It sounds like magic.”
“It’s all about science, not magic. You’ll see,” I told him as I led him to the door into the back. Carlos’s eyes followed us.