Fascinating women with desires (7)

I believe the answer is:

witches

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'fascinating women' is the definition.
'witches' can be an answer for 'women' (witch is a kind of woman). I am unsure of the 'fascinating' bit.

'with desires' is the wordplay.
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'desires' becomes 'itches' (itch is a kind of desire).
'w'+'itches'='WITCHES'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for witches that I've seen before include "Enchantresses" , "Members of a coven" , "Female sorcerers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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