Scent of a Woman by Joanne Rock

wants their fifteen minutes of fame, and some people will push it for as many minutes as they can grab.”

    Danielle felt a pang of recognition. She’d never sought the public spotlight, but she’d been born into a well-known, wealthy family and knew how easy it was to attract attention.

    “My father has made a career of marrying high-profile women with money to spare.” She turned at the sound of clapping outside the wine bar. The lecture must be finishing up. “I guess that’s kind of similar. You must be quite the—how do you say?—quite the prize catch to elicit such attention.”

    “Far from it.” He denied the charge so vigorously she wondered why it offended him. “I’m thirty-eight years old and all I do is work. As I walked onto the ship yesterday I realized this is the first time I’ve taken anything close to a vacation in a decade.”

    “But from this young woman’s perspective, you are wealthy and successful. Combined with a face that is compelling enough, you make an enticing prospect.”

    “I told her my brother will have to handle her relationship with Prestige from now on. She threatened to pull her endorsement of our new scent.”

    Only then did Danielle remember seeing the actress’s face in a racy ad for Reckless perfume in which she bared her midriff and covered her hips with the sheerest of scarves. The image had appeared in a two-page spread of a popular fashion magazine.

    A moment of fresh jealousy seized her. She hadn’t realized her feelings for Adam had such a possessive bent.

    Warning bells blared in her head.

    “Adam, I believe you are sincere about not having a relationship with this woman. But I would rather not date a man who is being chased by females I would be tempted to beat off with a stick. That would not be good publicity for any of us.”

    His laughter was so warm—so genuine-sounding—she felt tempted to join in. What was there about laughter that could chase away bad feelings and leave such a marvelous warmth in one’s heart?

    “I think you’d be able to walk around without your stick. And we’ve only got nine days left now.” He peered out the window at the town of Corfu on the island of the same name. “I really wanted to spend today with you.”

    And she really didn’t want to get drawn in by a man in the same business, especially one involved with Hollywood starlets, no matter the circumstances.

    “I would rather not risk a run-in on Corfu today,” Danielle admitted, reluctant to risk getting caught up in Adam’s personal life drama and lose sight of her professional goals.

    If they were going to forge ahead with a week of fun together, she’d make sure she protected herself at the same time.

    “We would probably avoid Jessica if we caught up with the tour sponsored by the fragrance conference,” Adam suggested. “Or we could just stay on board.” He nodded at an officer with four stripes on his crisp white uniform.

    “Why don’t we take a look at the antique replicas on display in the library? I heard part of the lecture about the pieces earlier and the speaker was very enthusiastic about his collection.” That kind of date would involve less pressure than a full-blown day spent touring a romantic Greek port. Besides, she wasn’t dressed for playing tourist any longer, her high heels an impediment to traipsing around town.

    Adam peered toward the library, dubious.

    “Okay. But I have to tell you I’m about as well-versed in antiquities as I am in perfume.”

    “Not to worry.” Danielle finished her ouzo and signed the credit slip the waitress had brought. “I want to look strictly for inspiration. Viewing any kind of art makes me feel closer to my mother.”

    She walked out of the wine bar and Adam followed.

    “Danielle, wait.” He caught her elbow and turned her toward him before she reached the library.

    The warmth his touch inspired surprised Danielle. Even though he had women chasing after him halfway around