Bound by the strings of desire

ng shadows as it illuminated the room's disorder. Caleb paced before her, toes pressed hard a

and through his dark hair. "Scraping by, waiting for a

were smearing onto her fingertips, as though they were battle sc

ped from his gaze. "That's just why you have to take

te envelope from his pocket,

asked, reaching

a," Caleb said, like it was the

insane? That's only for people with private jets and bank a

to. This is your chance, Lily. Rub elbows with the right people, find someone who belie

now," she

softening then. "And everything to gai

ours later, the worst

e so fast that she was sure it was audible to the valet. An imposing landmark of modern architecture, t

gripped the clutch purse for dear life. Guests flowed around her, effortlessly elegant

er, felt l

s Ca

smartly dressed man with a cold, piercing gaze, to w

es

way, p

dor of the room stole her breath. Chandeliers dripped crystals, casting rainbows across marble floors. Softly the music of an orche

no right t

t. Be confident. S

it d

he didn't have the courage to drink. Her painting portfolio, hidde

ing th

st a bit too intimate. Lily whirre

aw with smoldering blue eyes and the slightest trace

stammering while pink tin

lio she clutched, and his s

little more firmly

e teasing but not unkind. "You're here

way to irritation. "I'm here to fi

intrigued. "Is that so? A

perfectly even. "It's about the story, the emotio

her, unreadable expression. Then wit

kstone," he

drop to the floor of

nd, her palm was sweaty against h

id nodding towar

luttered. "

y n

m, delicate yet fierce, her

gth of time, an unsolvable gaze. Once he did lif

n a quieter voice

e sure she had heard r

But real art deserves a real platform. Not. this." He

of his pocket. "Come to my office tomorrow. Noo

, her mind reeling. "W

sty with more--something she couldn't quite make out.

crowd, leaving Lily holding o

ily reviewed the evening in her mind, as Ma

it from her handbag, ready for the word

But be careful. Mason Blac

ther message arrived, and he

him about Mar

screen, her heart thump

does Mason Blackstone ha