Firm footsteps sounded as Dragos walked up behind her. One massive hand came down to cover both of hers, makeup and all. He said in her ear, “Remember, we agreed. No plastic.”

“I know what we said, but… none at all?” she asked in dismay. She picked up a plastic container of antiperspirant. It was her favorite brand. She’d been using it for forever.

“None.” His tone was final. “We’re not going to create a trash or pollution problem in Rhyacia.”

Tilting one shoulder up, she sighed. “I don’t disagree.”

The heat from his tall, muscular body warming her back and legs eased some of the ache she was feeling. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled. His lips moved against her sensitive skin as he murmured, “Besides, I like the way you smell.”

Mmm, delicious. But she would not give into the temptation to go boneless against him. She still had too many items outstanding on her To-Do list. “Did you ever consider the reason why you might like the way I smell is because of my choice in toiletries?” She pulled out her container of mascara and brandished it in front of his eyes. “I’m so fair, I’m almost an albino. Where do you think my eyelashes come from?”

“I have seen you plenty of times without your makeup, and you’re gorgeous.” He ran his mouth along the line of her jaw. “Unless I miss my guess, you’re not wearing makeup right now.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” she demanded.

He paused, then said cautiously, “This is a female thing, isn’t it?”

To Dragos, the female experience was a vast continent filled with baffling mysteries and countless pitfalls, but at the moment she felt too sad to smile. Resting her cheek against the side of his head, she said, “Yes, this is a female thing.”

“Hm.” He scooped up her makeup and antiperspirant. “I’ll take these.”

“What?” she exclaimed. “Why? We haven’t left for Rhyacia yet.”

“You’ll see.” When she spun on her heel to confront him, he raised one sleek black eyebrow. His brutally handsome features were relaxed in an expression of subtle amusement. “That’s all for now. Carry on.”

Her mouth fell open to argue more, but he had already wheeled away and strode out of their bedroom suite.

“I was going to take a shower with some of that,” she muttered crankily. Then what he had said hit her. She shouted after him, “What do you mean I smell?”

His deep laughter floated up the stairs. A few moments later she heard the distant sound of the front door opening and closing.

“It’s not like any of that was special anyway.” She made a face at the empty doorway and whispered, “Because I’m just a New York girl who likes to shop at Target.”