Page 48 of Tamed By Her Touch

He shrugged.

“I was not attempting humor.”

“Come on. Pick one thing,” she urged. “If we go to Titus Four and you tell them every little thing your wife does drives you crazy, they aren’t going to believe we’re a couple. Or else, they’ll think we need couples counseling.”

Kaelus was silent for a long moment. Finally, he said,

“Your scent.”

She looked at him in surprise.

“My scent?”

He frowned.

“Yes. You told me to choose one thing about you that drives me to distraction—I choose your scent.”

Clair shook her head.

“But…I don't wear any perfume,” she pointed out.

Kaelus nodded.

“I am aware of that.”

There was something in his voice that made Clair's stomach tighten, though she didn’t know why.

“Then what are you talking about?” she demanded. “You’re not saying I stink, are you?”

“Of course not.” He shook his head. “I’m talking about your natural scent—it is most…distracting. So much so that sometimes I have a difficult time getting work done around you.”

Clair remembered the molecular solvent accident. She remembered him kneeling in front of her, his large hands holding her hips while he slowly inhaled along her bare skin to make certain none of the dangerous chemical remained. She remembered how hoarse his voice had been when he realized she was safe.

She also remembered his refusal to let her enter his suite because, according to him, her scent would be left behind and he wouldn't be able to concentrate.

“Oh,” she said softly. “You like my scent.”

“Yes,” he said shortly. “Though perhaps ‘like’ is too weak a word. I find your scent enticing…almost addictive. Even though it distracts me when I’m trying to work, I find I miss it when you are not near.”

“Well, that’s…very revealing of you to admit that,” Clair said, not certain what else to say. She’d had no idea her grumpy lab partner was addicted to her scent. She didn’t even think she smelled that wonderful—but maybe she couldn’t tell since she didn’t have a nose that was twice as sensitive as a bloodhound’s, like Kaelus did.

Neither of them spoke for several seconds. Then, Clair finally looked back down at her tablet.

“Well, apparently I'm just one big walking distraction,” she murmured.

“You are,” Kaelus said at once. “With your gorgeous full curves and your enticing scent—I find it very difficult to concentrate around you.”

There was no irritation in his voice, this time—just honesty.

Clair swallowed and felt herself blushing again. She’d had no idea she was such a distraction to her lab partner. Did he really feel that way about her? She’d never had a man say they could barely concentrate around her before. Her ex certainly never would have said such a thing.

“Next question,” she said, determined to push on. “What's something you like about me? And don’t say my scent or my curves again,” she added quickly. “I’m talking about something else—something non-physical.”

Kaelus frowned.

“This is unnecessary.”

Clair shot him a look.