Page 24 of Unresolved

It was ridiculous how envious I was in that moment, like I’d been punched and left reeling, then snapping and snarling like a rabid dog, one that’d chase Rembrandt up the nearest tree.Or perhaps he’d climb higher on Evander, seeking his protection.

Evander smirked, as though reading my every thought, my every emotion.“Though I probably have no need to warn you about running away again, you can consider this your cautionary probation.”

“How kind of you,” I sneered.

Though I was playing with fire, I didn’t much care in that moment.I was getting my just desserts by becoming his prisoner yet again.

He chose to ignore my comment as his gaze swung to my finished painting.“I must also congratulate you on your landscape.It’s...exquisite.You’reexquisite.I’m pleased to see you haven’t lost your passion.”

My hands fisted at my sides.It was as if his words were taunts aimed directly at my churning doubts and heaving hormones.In five long steps I was in front of my stunning artwork.Lifting a fisted hand, I punched the canvas off the easel.It flew through the air, then thudded dully onto the ground.

It was enough of a racket and emotional disturbance for Rembrandt to jump from Evander and onto the ground.He scampered inside then, his tail high and fluffed-up, and flicking with agitation.

I froze as shock pulsed through me.What waswrongwith me?I never disrespected art, and I certainly never disrespected my own hard work!

I didn’t look back at Evander, I was too embarrassed, too torn up by my own telling emotions to want to read his reaction.Withholding a sob, I raced up the steps and along the porch before I burst inside the cabin—just as he caught my arm and tugged me around to face him.

His eyes burned down into my mine, his voice a low, thrumming growl.“I think we both know you redirected your passion in the wrong direction.”

I gasped, my whole body vibrating with fury, with unfulfilled need.“Go to hell!”

“You already sent me there, la mia Gemma.”

Chapter Thirteen

Evander

What was it about thiswoman that sent raging, violent passion coursing through my veins?She’d driven me crazy trying to find her and now that I had it was taking everything I had just to keep from taking that tempestuous emotion out on her.

Or perhaps that was what she wanted?

She’d always travelled a little more on the wild side.

I pressed her backward until her spine hit the wall.Her breathing was as frantic as my own, her stare just as emboldened and daring.With a growl of need I bent and slammed my mouth over hers, kissing her with a rough, crazy need that I was certain sizzled through us both.

I’d been waiting too long for this.

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