Shadows Of Disire

rlisle paced behind his desk, his mind not on the quarterly reports laid out before him but on the woman who had left an imprint on his

before entering. "Mr. Carlisle, I have th

lery shows but limited financial success, a modest studio in a rundown part of town. She was a stark contras

reached for his phone, dialing his assistant. "

across the canvas, creating strokes of deep blue, when her phone buz

her hands on her paint-splattered apron before

e answered

r Carlisle," came the smooth

d slightly. "To what d

" Alex said, his voice like silk. "I'd like to co

to pass up, but she wasn't about to make it easy for him. "I'm flattered, b

gued me as you

l at his words. "Alright

r you tomorrow at ten. We can

had a feeling that this commission was g

was sleek, polished marble floors reflecting the light from the crystal chandeliers. She felt the e

her inside. The office was a stunning mix of modern design and luxury, wit

nst the morning sun. He turned as she entered, a smile

replied, trying to k

his eyes gleaming with amusement.

the size, the colors. But the conversation

t, Sophie?" he asked

paint emotions," she said slowly. "The things

t, she saw a flicker of something vulnera

u?" she c

verwhelming. "Maybe. But I'm will

ged with an undercurrent of tension, an electric pull neither could ignore. Sophie found herself

n his office, Alex leaned in closer, his breath

eat of his body, the magnetism between them. "

tted, his voice low and husky. His hand brushe

oe, a stunning blonde with icy blue eyes. She stepped into the room, her gaze flicking between

lushed. "I was just leaving," sh

. Evelyn watched her go, a smirk playing on her

th thoughts of Sophie. He knew he was treading dang

er head. Alex Carlisle was like a drug, intoxicating, addictive, and dangerous. She cou

arm. She turned, startled, to see a man she hadn't seen in years David

illed with a mix of regret an

d from their past, and now he was here, thre

ere, David?" she dema

ession darkening. "I heard you've been spending time with Alex

her chest. Was David here to protect her? O

es narrowing. "I don't have

erous edge. "Because if you don't, I'll make sure your

catching up with her, threatening to destroy ever