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

Nothing had prepared him for this kind of attention. He longed to go back to his lab to work on something new. The creative process was what nourished him. Only then could he truly evacuate the darkness inside him. In his lab, he didn’t simply arrange and combine scents, but worked on himself as well.


But as Charon had told him this afternoon, this was part of the deal. Success meant exposure. Harris would just have to get used to it.


Now as he stared at the dark sky, he thought of Pallas again. Of Jude. Four days had passed. Four lonely nights too. Should he call him? Let him know just how much he missed his face?


There was no sense in waiting anymore. He couldn’t imagine another night of lying in bed, wondering if he had a future with the man.


Summoning his courage, Harris slipped his phone out of his pants and dialed.


After three rings, Jude answered. “Hey.”


Harris paced the room, unable to sit. “How are you? How you been?”


“I’m good. You?” But Jude’s voice was weak.


Chapter 31