Monica Murphy - Savor

Matt

CAN YOU BECOME addicted to someones smell? My voice is nonchalant, my thoughts turbulent. I keep my gaze locked on the woman Im talking about. The one I think Im slowly becoming addicted to though my brain is screaming at me that this particular addiction is a huge mistake. Bad for me. Bad for everyone.

Ivy Emerson turns to look at me, her expression incredulous. My friends fianc and the mother of his future child also happens to be one of the best interior designers in all of the Napa Valley and shes working for me. Who exactly are you talking about?

Hell. I actually said that aloud? I didnt mean to.

Were sitting in my office, the door wide open, allowing me the perfect view of the outer lobby, where my assistants desk is. Bryn James. Miss James, she of the intoxicating scent that makes my head swim and my cock hard.

Also she of the bland wardrobe and quiet ways, meaning shes not my usual type. So why the attraction? Why does her scent drive me fucking crazy?

It makes no damn sense.

No one in particular, I lie with a shrug. Ivy has stopped by to go over the latest invoice for her services. Combine her astronomical costs with Archer Bancrofts wealth and these two will end up taking over the entire world. Or theyll just buy it all.

Youre such a liar, she mutters, shaking her head. And youre also in denial.

About what? Grabbing a pen, I scribble my initials on the invoice as Ivy settles into the chair across from my desk. Give this to Bryn and shell cut the check for you. Do you want it now or would you like to come by and pick it up later?

Ivy smiles. Youre also a classic avoider, arent you? Ah, men. Youre all the same.

I frown at her, wondering what shes referring to now. Ive known Ivy since she was a teenager, when I became good friends with her brother Gage and her now fianc Archer. The problem with knowing Ivy for that long is she constantly crosses professional boundaries when we work together. She has no problem telling me exactly how she feels.

Most of the time, like now, I dont want to hear it.

Ivy. My voice lowers, and I glower at her, but she smiles at me as if she thinks Im one big joke. The woman is completely oblivious. When do you want your check?

She waves a hand, the bracelets clasped around her wrist jangling with the movement. Just drop it in the mail. Bryn will know what to do and where to send it. Shes so efficient, dont you think?

Extremely. I push the invoice farther across the desk, closer to where Ivys sitting, hoping she gets the hint. Id like her gone, so I can get back to work. Get back to possibly researching if one really could become addicted to anothers scent. Ive heard about pheromones before.

She also smells amazing. Ive asked her before what perfume she uses, but she wont tell me. I think she wants it to be her secret. Ivys grinning so widely I bet her cheeks hurt.

Damn it. Why the hell did I ask her that question anyway? It just popped out of my mouth without thought, which Ive been prone to doing lately when I stare at Miss James for too long.

As in, I stop thinking. My brain just shuts down. All I can do is watch and imagine what she might do if I pushed her onto her desk, grabbed hold of her long, dark hair, tugged her head back and kissed her with all the pent-up intensity thats been brewing within me since she started working for me.

Which is basically the day I first took over the winery. She came along with it. A built-in assistant, just for me. The previous owner had called her a gift.

Quite the tempting gift. One put on this earthand right outside of my officeto make me freaking crazy with need.

All because of the way she smells.

Oh, and that sexy little voice of hers. The one she doesnt use much since shes so damn quiet. And all that hairhair she keeps tightly bound in a bun or restrained in a sleek ponytail.

Theres something going on under those bland, downright unflattering clothes too. I can tell. Im not an idiot. Shes hiding breasts and an ass that are probably pretty damn amazing.

Of course, this could all be wishful thinking since Im still bothered by the fact that Im attracted to my assistantmy very plain, yet very tantalizing employee.

It makes no damn sense.

Forget I ever asked that question, I growl at Ivy, which only makes her laugh.

God, shes infuriating. I dont know how Archer can stand her sometimes.

Dont be so cranky. Its okay to admit you have a thing for Bryn. Ivy leans forward in her chair, a secretive smile curling her lips. I have a feeling she has a thing for you too, you know.

I do know. And I cant act on it. Bryn James works for me. Shes my assistant. Shes by my side constantly; we spend more time with each other than probably anyone else in our lives, especially lately what with the winerys grand reopening approaching. Shes a representative of my business. If I were to fuck around with the help and the relationship fell apart, Id be in huge trouble. She could screw me over financially every which way by suing me for sexual harassment and Id be left with a limp dick in my hand and a ruined business.

Yeah. Not going to take the chance. Saw it happen with my father. Not going to let it happen to me.

It doesnt matter. Nothing can happen. I send Ivy a stern look. And this conversation can never leave this office. Glancing over her shoulder, I try to see if Bryn is at her desk but the chair is empty.

Thank Christ.

Ivys expression goes solemn and she holds up three fingers. This conversation stays here. Scouts honor.

You were never a scout, I mutter, afraid shes making a promise on an untruth. Shell probably just blab to everyone. Or specifically Archer and Gage. I dont need to hear their shit.

And I am worrying way too much over this.

She laughs again. I wont say a word, I promise. But I need to tell you something, Matt. She leans in close, her voice dropping. Shes got a major crush on you. You might not see it but its theresounding in her voice, shining in her eyes, every time she looks at you, talks about you. The way her body turns into yours every time the two of you are together . . . its pretty obvious. A body language expert would have a field day with you two.

Body language expert? What the hell is Ivy talking about? I have no idea what youre referring to, but office crushes are just that. Crushes. Harmless attractions no one ever acts on. Period. End of story.

This is what I keep telling myself. I cant pursue anything with Bryn, no matter how much Im tempted to. Not only would it be wildly inappropriate, dating my assistant, but we come from two different worlds. She seems nice and normal, quiet and unobtrusive, and I am anything but. My life has been a circus sideshow for years.

I get it. Youre trying to do the right thing, and I admire that. So, of course you dont see anything beyond an efficient assistant in Miss James.

Well. Ivys not too far off the mark. When I first met Bryn, she hardly said two words, kept her head bent when I spoke to her and offered lots of yes-sir and no-sir answers. She had this way of almost blending in with the walls, like she didnt want anyone to notice her.

So I didnt.

As we got comfortable working together though, something happened. Im thinking Ivy had a hand in Bryns slow transformation. She actually makes eye contact when she speaks to me, and shes become somewhat animated. Started to wear bolder colors as well, drawing my attention to her chest though I keep my eyes averted as best I can.

These subtle changes made me notice all of the little thingslike the color of her eyes (blue), how her hair looks (like silk and I want to touch it), and the tempting fullness of her lips (theyre fucking spectacular).