Chapter 4
I found the entire process Brenda went through to create her unique perfumes fascinating. As we chatted and she answered my numerous questions, it became clear that she was smart and had a gift. Maeve and Mam would like her, popped into my head.
Don’t be ridiculous. We don’t introduce the women we sleep with to our family.
Only someone Cormac and I were serious about would get that honor.
My internal dialogue and struggle diverted me somewhat, so when she stopped moving and held up two small bottles, I was surprised to see how much time had lapsed.
“Here, smell. Then we’ll put it on a piece of paper. Keep in mind that scents can change when applied to the skin. Everyone’s skin will alter the original compound. It further makes it distinctive for every person wearing it.”
I took the first one she handed me. Our fingers touched.
Brenda’s hand spasmed, but I left them touching.
I raised the whole thing to my nose and inhaled deeply.
The explosive bouquet of the combination made me take another breath.
I couldn’t describe it, but it was heavenly.
I wanted to keep smelling it, but I knew I had to let go.
Reluctantly, I withdrew my hand from hers.
Instantly, she sprayed the perfume on a piece of paper and held it out to me. I took it from her. The second time didn’t change my opinion of the fragrance. Wanting to try one more thing before moving to the next one, I gestured to her.
“I’d like to smell it on your skin before I tell you what I think.”
“Ah, remember what I said about altering it based on the individual chemical makeup of our skin.”
“I recall, but I still want to know what it smells like, even if it’ll be different.”
Brenda slowly brought the atomizer to her wrist and spritzed it.
She waited a few moments before raising her arm.
I cradled it in both hands as I carried her delicate wrist to my nose.
Inhaling, I had to hold back a groan. Yes, her skin was altering it a bit, but I was reacting more to the feel of her in my hands.
I had to resist not burying my nose at her wrist. I would have my face buried in her neck if she sprayed it there.
During the time we worked back here, I’d struggled not to let her see the erection that pushed against my slacks.
I found her voice, the way she moved, and the scent of her made my body react aggressively.
I tried to recall the last time a woman had elicited such an intense response from me. My mind drew a blank.
“Ah, Mr. O’Sheeran, if you’ll let go, I can present the second one to you. Do you like this one?” she asked somewhat breathlessly.
“I love how this one smells. And call me Sean, remember. Mr. O’Sheeran is my daid,” I reminded her yet again.
Early in the session, I’d told her to use my first name.
She hadn’t done so yet. Her nod didn’t reassure me she’d listen this time.
After I let go, she set down the atomizer and held up a glass container with holes in the lid and whole coffee beans inside.
I used it to clear any lingering aroma from my nostrils.
The steps were a repeat for the second sample, with me holding her hand and insisting she spray some on her opposite wrist. When I knew I couldn’t tarry longer, I reluctantly let go of her arm.
“So, how do you like them? Do you think they’ll appeal to your mom and sister-in-law?” she asked cautiously.
“I do believe they’re both extraordinary perfumes. I’d like Cormac to smell them, to see what he thinks, but they have my vote.”
Her body sagged in relief as a smile spread over her face. Her smile only increased her appeal. My cock throbbed. The goddamn thing would tear through my pants if it had hands. I wanted her, and the urge was growing.
Her beauty kept me studying her the entire time.
She was of average height compared to my six feet two.
She had a gorgeous shade of medium red hair.
It wasn’t orange, but a true red. It was up in a bun.
The size of the bun told me she had a lot of hair.
I wanted to see it loose and wild. Her complexion was surprising.
Most redheads had freckles. However, other than a few golden ones on her nose, she had fair skin without a mark, or at least what I could see with her clothes on.
A petite nose, full lips, and slightly arched eyebrows emphasized her eyes, which were an incredible bright blue. I wanted to stare into them for hours.
“Great. Give me a few minutes to put these into pretty bottles. Even if you decide not to purchase them, I can place them up for sale. Someone else will like them.”
In no time, we were back out in the main showroom. As soon as he saw us, Carlos came over to us. His brow was creased with lines. He wasn’t happy, as if I gave a shit.
“How did it go? Was Brenda able to create something you want?”
As he asked about Brenda, he gave her a narrow-eyed frown. Cormac was waving us back to the table where we’d filled out the questionnaires.
“She did a fabulous job. I want my brother’s opinion, and I need to see what he and Cyndi chose. Excuse us.” As the last word dropped from my lips, I took Brenda’s hand and drew her with me as I walked over to the table. I ensured she was seated before I sat down.
“Well?” Cor asked.
“Take a whiff of these,” I told him, which caused Brenda to pass the two bottles over.
She had dispensed one in a red jeweled-toned, ornate bottle. The other was in a purple one. He smelled the red one first and groaned. Before he went to the second one, Brenda had him clear his sinuses with the coffee jar she brought out. His second groan was as intense as the first one.
“Shit, those are spectacular. Do you like them?” he asked.
“I love them.”
“Then they’re a yes. You are incredible, Brenda. I have no clue how you did it, but they each make me think of one of our special ladies.”
“Red for Mam and purple for Maeve?” I asked.
“Exactly. Alright, I need you to take a look at what Cyndi and I found. She has an incredible eye,” Cormac told me, sending a smile in Cyndi’s direction, which she shyly returned.
There were six pieces. Two were single items, and the rest were actual sets consisting of the necklace, earrings, and bracelet. They sparkled and were dazzling. All had massive appeal, but my eyes kept returning to two of the sets.
One was a blood-red garnet-and-white-diamond set. The other had a medium purple amethyst and white diamonds. The garnet was set in platinum, and the amethyst in yellow gold. I pointed to them.
“These two in the same colors as the perfumes—amethysts for Maeve and garnet for Mam. What did you choose?” I asked him.
My brother grinned. “The same as you did, down to which was which. Damn, this turned out better than I hoped.”
I chuckled. “Agreed. We have our gifts. Please ring these up for us.”
As the four of us rose to our feet, I felt hesitant to leave.
I desired more time with Brenda. The way Cor acted, he wanted the same with Cyndi.
Exchanging a look with my brother, understanding and a plan passed between us.
We read each other’s minds. It was often like this with us and Patrick, though it was stronger between Cormac and me.
Our parents claimed it was because we were true Irish twins, meaning we were born in the same year.
My birthday was in January, and his was in December.
As we stood at the register being rung up, I felt eyes boring into my back.
Based on the feel, it had to be the manager.
He was still upset that we’d cheated him out of a fat commission.
The total was several tens of thousands of dollars.
I never blinked as I handed over my credit card.
As Brenda rang us up and dealt with the card, Cyndi wrapped the items and arranged them in pretty bags.
When the transaction was complete, silence stood between the four of us. I was about to break it and issue our proposal when the chime over the shop’s door tinkled. I didn’t bother to look. That was until I heard Quinn grumble, “Fuck.”
My head, along with my brother’s, swiveled around to see what got that reaction out of our guard.
I had to squeeze my lips tight to prevent myself from swearing.
Sashaying up to us was none other than the three unwelcome socialites from last night.
Behind them, outside on the sidewalk, was a small crowd.
Goddamn it, the word had gotten out that we were here.
Clearly, these three had somehow heard. It was too much to be a coincidence.
“Hello, Cormac, Sean, what a wonderful surprise. We didn’t know you came here,” Maureen stated coyly.
“Yes, we had to stop in to see what they had new. I see you found something. Let us see,” Linda demanded. Her hand reached toward the bags in my hand. I snatched them out of her reach.
“No, you can’t see them,” I snapped.
“Why not?” Patricia asked.
“Because they aren’t for any of you,” I bluntly told her.
There was a brief moment of surprise before Linda replied, “Oh, how sweet. No worries, we won’t ruin your surprise. I assume it’s for Maureen and me.” Linda tittered.
My stomach churned at the idea of giving any of those socialites a gift, let alone something as special as ours.
“No, it’s for our mam and Maeve. These are way too special to adorn you three,” Cormac slammed them with a smirk.
Their faces tightened, and redness surfaced on their necks and faces. Their eyes shifted off us and onto Brenda and Cyndi, who were still behind the counter, watching us. Linda, Maureen, and Patricia’s expressions changed to scowls.
“What the hell are you two looking at? Go back to work, but do it somewhere else. This isn’t any of your business,” Linda ranted.
“You clearly haven’t been taught manners and not to eavesdrop on your betters’ conversations,” Maureen added.
“Where’s the manager?” Patricia’s tone was a threat.