MASKED AFFECTION

ding her through the social maze of the event, and for all intensive purposes, he made her feel like she belonged in his world-even if she knew it wasn

nconsidered speculations to criticism. But Maya did not give up. The money Alexander was so liberally supplying her with allowed her to hire a private investigator to begin searching for Isabella. Though the first leads were less than promi

blended and swirled, just like the turbulence of her emotions across the canvas, found their refuge in strokes of her creativ

you to go to his of

their next planned event, and so this unplanned meeting felt unusualᅳalmost ominous. She hastily cleane

fixture in his world. The building of steel and glass felt imposing as she entered an office that was decorated so elegantly. There,

aid, gesturing to a seat, which she took on the edge

houlders beneath his jacket. Normally so relaxed and confident

line on the nature of our agreement. I've been able to keep it contained, but there's only so long that will last. Given the sensitive nature of this situation, we have to be more careful. Maya's heart sank, as all she needed now was for people to question her

her spine. "If we can make our relationship more convincing, it'll keep people from digging too deeply. We'll

all, always been businesslikeᅳan exchange to serve the needs of them both. Now, th

ful. "That makes sense, I think e

riosity getting the better of h

aze far away. "I work. I think that's prob

ws rising in surprise as he sp

met hers. "No-not really. I used to think this whole building company thing was enou

t. She was aware only of Alexander-the man who had flung his life into the pursuit of success,,, and then turned around to wond

they were building. They spoke of dreams and aspirations, past failures, and future goals. With every passing mom

xander reached across the t

and yet a wave of warmt

en any couple might share it-but it sent her thoughts spiraling. Long after the touch was gone, the feel of his warm touch continued to fire a flurry of conflicting emotions within her. In the car, city lights flashed by, but Maya merely could not get rid of the feeling that something between them had shifted irrevocably. They were crossing lines left and right, blurring reality and fiction for one another. It was as if the very fabric of their arrange

to amass any resource that would help find her sister. But every word she spoke, every glance she made toward Alexander, blurred fu

motions about Alexander aside-to remind herself this was still just a business deal. She needed to be clearheaded, for I

her racing mind. Alexander looked over at her, and for a split second, their eyes locked in the weighty, almost palpable star

ep before pulling herself out into the chill of the night; the part that wanted to prolong this

to him. Her heart was racing. "Thank you fo

hirled in her mind. "Thanks. Guess we're

their earlier discussion hung