Worth the Challenge (Worth It 3)

He wasn’t about to confess in front of everyone.

“What inspired you for this particular scent, Ella?” Hunter asked, his voice filled with curiosity. “It’s so completely different compared to the first two.”

“I knew Worth wanted the scent to smell like the modern woman. A confident woman who knows what she wants and how to get it, who enjoys pampering herself, who fully lives her life but has a hard time allowing herself to relax and be free.” Gabriella paused, letting everything sink in. She weaved a story with only a few words and everyone at that table was enthralled by it. “I wanted this scent to take her away. Remind her that life is not only about your every success and career but also hope and love and—and sex. That such an indulgence is good for the soul, good for the blood. Every woman needs that reminder. This scent tries its best to capture that and hopefully becomes the reminder she needs to stay in tune with every aspect of her life.”

The room remained quiet for a long moment

“Rhett told me that was what you were all looking for,” she finished lamely, a complete and utter lie, a way for her to give him some credit for this amazing creation of hers.

“Here, here,” Gracie cheered.

Gabriella ducked her head, seemingly embarrassed.

“I think it’s brilliant.” Alex’s voice was pitched low, his hands resting on the tabletop, fingers laced, posture stiff. “It’s edgy but not over the top. Unique but not strange and off-putting. I agree with everyone else’s evaluation. It’s very sexy, dark yet light. Do you like it, Rhett?”

“I love it,” he said simply. How could he not? It smelled like the woman he wanted like no other.

“I believe we’re all in agreement then?” When everyone at the table nodded, Alex scanned everyone who sat at the table. “It’s unanimous. That was the damned easiest decision we’ve ever come to in the history of Worth, I swear.” He glanced up at Ella. “Excellent job, Miss Durand. I think we have a future hit on our hands.”

Chapter Seventeen

The accolades came rapidly as everyone exited the cavernous conference room. Heavy doses of kind words were offered, murmured congratulations and plenty of handshakes. Half of the Worth marketing team was in attendance and praised her efforts, letting her know how excited they were to be working on the perfume launch.

Ella nodded her thanks with a few stuttered words in return, too overwhelmed by the flurry of activity surrounding her to truly process what they said, what it all meant. She would have time to contemplate everything later, back at her tiny apartment, all alone in her bed in the dark. Mull over the smiles and whispered approvals, Alex’s firm affirmation that they would go with the third scent, the stunned expression on Hunter’s face when he’d first smelled sample B26.

A secret smile played upon her lips as she bent and grabbed the box from beneath the table. Carefully, she placed her samples inside, winding the thick layers of tissue paper around the glass vials to protect them from knocking against each other, still musing over Hunter’s reaction. It was exactly what she’d been looking for. She wanted to shock, wanted to rivet them into place as they breathed in her scent.

Her thoughts drifted to Rhett. He hadn’t been surprised. From the knowing looks he’d shot in her direction, she knew he understood. Knew he recognized what she’d done, what she created. She hoped he wasn’t displeased, hoped she hadn’t gone too far…

“Quite an impressive meeting, wasn’t it?”

She whirled around on a gasp, surprised to see Rhett standing before her with a smirk on his face, his hands sunk into his pockets. Glancing about the room, she realized they were completely alone.

Not necessarily a good thing…

Steeling her spine, she contemplated him. “Were you impressed?”

“You know I was. Your scent was a hit.”

“But did you like it?”

Cocking his head to the side, he studied her. His eyes narrowed, his lips pursed the slightest bit, and she grew impatient. Clamped her lips shut to restrain the anxious words that wanted to burst forth.

“It…surprised me,” he finally said, his voice a sexy drawl.

“In a positive way or a negative way?” She crossed her arms in front of her chest, trying her best to remember her suit of armor, her supposed aura of power that she needed to fuel her. It had worked only a few moments ago. She’d had everyone eating out of her hand by the time she finally passed around the final scent.

Unbeknownst to her, she had actually picked up a few pointers from her father after all those years working with him. He was brilliant at captivating an audience, explaining his scents in vivid, sensory detail.

Perhaps she could be just as good someday. Perhaps better.

“Are you fishing for compliments, Gabriella?” The smirk grew, bursting into a full-blown grin and she had the sudden urge to slap it from his face.

“Absolutely not.” Turning her back to him, she finished packing the vials and the small stack of leftover touches, folding the top of the box back over itself to seal everything. Gripping the sides of the box, she breathed deep, ready to offer him a polite goodbye before she would push past him and leave.

It was easier that way. He was toying with her and she wasn’t in the mood.

“The scent was amazing,” he murmured, his voice so low she almost didn’t hear him. “I don’t quite understand how you did it.”