In the advertising business, Harris Desmond is notorious for his bad boy attitude, but behind that arrogant front hides a sensitive soul. Weeks away from launching his first perfume for men, Erebus, Harris dreams of success and finally emerging from his painful past. Weeks before the launch party, Harris's friend suggests he contact an escort agency to hire a date for his big night. Of course, Harris has his reservations about the idea, but the last years of casual encounters and failed relationships have left him feeling lonely. He secretly longs for someone special who'd understand him and all of his faults. When the agency sends him his date, Pallas, Harris gets a lot more than he paid for. Sweet and vulnerable, Pallas cuts through Harris's heart like a clean blade. But Pallas is chasing a dream, running on empty and caught in a downward spiral. He wants to give Harris his heart, yet after years of seeing the ugly side of people, he fears there's nothing left of it to give. But Harris knows the secret of scents, and he and Pallas are the perfect accord.

Cling to Me

Was he slipping into his old habits again? Making up fantasies? Believing he was special, that he could have someone specialin his life? Someone who would understand him…


Harris picked up a dry lily of the valley stem from a tray full of little brown glass bottles and fragrance blotters, rubbing it between his fingers. The scent reminded him of his biological mother, but how could that be? He’d been two years old when she’d left. Maybe it was true then, there was such a thing as olfactory memory.


He quickly dipped a finger into the alcohol to cleanse the scent off. Then, without thinking about it for one second, he texted Olympus. He couldn’t be alone right now. He typed.


Hi, it’s Harris Desmond…Can I see Pallas tonight?


Seconds later, came a very short reply.


“Do you need anything?” Harris asked after Pallas had put down his bag by the couch. “Bottled water or—”


Chapter 10