Free The Scent of His Woman by Maggie Pritchard

to know better, indeed
he did know better than to kiss a woman in the open and when the press were likely to be
watching a new project like this one with local interest. To make matters worse it had
nearly resulted in her getting injured, she was not going to like this not one little bit.
‘What,’ she asked ‘what is it.’
She took the paper he proffered, reading the front page article in silence.
“GLM’s spy in Llan-aberth” the headline screamed and the article began, “Gethyn
Mathias of GLM construction has a direct line to inside information at the Llan-aberth
protest camp that gave him the upper hand this week, our reporter discovers. The spy in
the protest camp was identified today as Alexandria Owen a local resident. Despite
standing to make substantial gains when GLM carry out the promised renovations to a
number of village properties newly acquired by the construction giant. Ms Owen has
played a prominent part in the protest against the development, giving her numerous
opportunities to gain the inside information she needed to pass on to GLM. Our sources
also reveal a romantic link between Ms Owen and the Welsh playboy construction boss.”
There was a photograph of her and Geth at her front door last night in what could only be
described as a passionate clinch.
Lexie slowly put the paper down on the desk beside her, not wanting to read any
more.
‘I don’t understand... what does this mean? I understand they think I told you when
everyone would be in London, but what does the rest mean? What does renovations to
properties have to do with me? How did they get this picture...’
She tailed off in confusion, waiting for Geth to explain. He shrugged.
‘We bought some properties in the village, your shop is one of them. Renovating
them and renting them to locals is one of the requests the village council wanted in return
for supporting our planning application. The papers must have found out. As for the
photograph, it happens, they hang around just waiting for a shot that they can hang this
kind of rubbish on, it’s not worth worrying about.’
‘You’re the new owner? I got a letter but it didn’t say who.’
Turning on him she continued, eyes blazing as the impact of what she’d just read
and his culpability began to sink in. ‘
    You own my home, my shop, just when were you going to tell me? Then you had to insist
on kissing me in public, knowing it was not safe. How could you, how could you do such a
stupid thing. How am I to deal with this? Just tell me that. How am I to go on living in my
home after this?’
    She was on her feet and shouting by now and Geth could do nothing but wait for
the tirade to end, she had every right to complain, there was no denying it. Finally she
stopped shouting and sat with her head in her hands in silence, Geth wished she’d carried
on shouting, it was easier to take than this abject despair. He tried to reassure her.
    ‘Look it will pass, the press will soon find someone else to persecute, take my word
for it they’ll soon move on.’
She looked up to answer, her voice dripping contempt.
‘Well that’s ok for you Mr. privileged and rich with plenty of places to go, what am I
supposed to do while I wait for them to move on as you put it? Am I supposed to leave my
home, shut up my shop, lose customers, tell me, what?’
‘Don’t be so melodramatic, we will just have to drop out of sight just for a short while
and don’t worry about the shop, I’ll see you’re compensated for loss of business.’
He took out his mobile and barked a few commands into it.
‘Alun, bring me a vehicle will you, and see that it’s fueled up.’
Lexie could hardly believe her ears, not content with ruining her life he was arrogant
enough to think he could rearrange her life to suit himself now!
‘I am not going anywhere with you,’ she began, but broke off when the other man
re-entered the room.
‘Sorry boss but you won’t get out via the front