Facade of Desire

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with visions of Ava, her bright, beautiful smile, the graceful curve of her neck, and the way her eyes had met his for just

onal to think he could land a woman like Ava Taylor? The ravishing heiress moved in rarefied circles, her

same burning drive that had pushed him to get this far in life. The thrill of an impossible challenge, the allure of the unatta

racing a mile a minute. Think, Parker, think. If money was what separated him from Ava's world, then

il and Gas and the corner office of Taylor. He smoothed his palms over the exquisitely tailored suit he'd

d as he strode through the revolving d

he reception desk eyed him up and

I hel

rming grin. "Yes, I have a

hot up in disbelief. "You have an appoin

smoothly, "Please, just let her know Liam P

Ava's office. Moments later, her features settled into a frown. "I'm sorry, but Ms. Taylor is not ava

it down with a tight smile. "I understand, but I can assure you

doors parted and out stepped the woman herself, Ava Taylor in the flesh. If possible, she looked even more striking

, lips pressing into a thin line of disapproval. He felt his heart

onfidence he didn't quite feel. "

, not even sparing him a second glance as she tur

anger churning in his gut. Vagrant? He opened his mouth to f

p crack. "Have this man forcibly removed from the premi

wallowed his pride. He'd come too far, put too much effort into

ng building." Without another word, he pivoted on his heel and stalked back ou

amming his fist against the brick wall of an alleyway. Shards of pain lanced up his arm, bu

look at him with such disdain, like he was little more

was better than this, more calculated and composed. Games of passion and impulse were how reckl

then he would have to be more...subtle. Suck up his pride, lick his wounds, and find another angle to

reaths, Liam began pl

features. He may have lost this round, but Ava Taylor was in for a ru

ngy alleyway, his steps were light,