THE UNLIKELY UNION

nt of the canvas, his eyes fixed on the vibrant colors and bold strokes. He

and curiosity. She had never met anyone like Landon before - his chiseled features, piercing

icity run through her veins. He was even more intimidat

ated, his deep voice sendi

ce barely above a w

s never leaving hers. "I want to b

nger. But something about Landon's intensity drew her in, making her feel

ale," she said, her voic

mer day - sudden and electrifying. "Everything has

eyes seemed to bore into her soul. She tried to s

selling," she repeate

think you are," he said, his eyes glinting with a

r, his presence suffocating. She could smell the sc

llars for it," he said, his

one had ever offered her that

n't feel right. It felt like he was tr

she said finally, try

l take that as a yes," he said,

ase settle over her. She had a feeling that sh

d out, her voice ba

ck, his eyes

lars for this painting?" she aske

wider, his eyes glin

voice low and husky. "I

to bore into her soul. She felt a shiver run down

t it," she repeated,

. I'll give you a week to decide. If you don't sell

ed in shock. "Yo

Oh, but I can. And I will. You see, Ava, I'll get

t, he turned and walked away, leaving Ava feeling frustrated and uneasy. She didn't know what to make of Landon's off

andon Ryder, no matter what it took, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that their encounter was more than just

Ava heard a faint whisper in her ear. "You're

She looked around, wondering if someone was p

o her art. But as she began to paint, she couldn't sha

But as she turned back to her art, she saw a

he coffee sho

, feeling a spark of excitement. Maybe t

hia telling her what happened with Landon, after their talk she decided to go home and have a res

w what he wants from her, because she can feel it in her bones that th

on. She spotted him in the corner, sipping on a latte, and her h

eyes roving over her. "Ava, you look stu

s she sat down across from him. "Than

couldn't stop thinking about your art," he said,

lect the flirtation. "Oh,

"I think you're incredibl

s eyes sparkling with flirtation. She tried to l

d, her voice bare

o a whisper. "I'd love to see more of your wo

he felt a shiver run down her spine, and suddenly, she was aware of

her head. " What do you want from m

if I say I want all of you," he sai

nt, he wants all of me, is this some sort of joke" am so

feeling that Landon was playing a game with her. But s