Page 32 of Unresolved

Evander reached outand flipped off the lever for the shower, stopping the hot spray.I blinked up at him, resisting touching the water droplets that looked like tiny gems in his long black lashes.

He searched my eyes, then nodded.“I should probably go now.”

I nodded.“Yes, you probably should.”

Less because I needed feminine items and more because my heart was about to shatter all over again.And he didn’t need to see that, or be witness to me trying to put the pieces back together again.

His stare narrowed, his voice husky.“I won’t be long.”He stepped close again, then drew my wet, too yielding body against his own, his mouth covering mine before he kissed me with passionate and unyielding intensity.

I shivered even before he released me and stepped back.His kiss told me exactly who was in charge of our relationship, if it could be called that.I would be severely punished if I went back on my word and betrayed his trust.

Though I’d been kidnapped and held hostage, he’d treated me well.

What the fuck do you mean?He took away your freedom.He’s not the good guy here!

I stared after him with steadily building, seething rage as he stepped out of the shower.He quickly dried himself, then dressed back into his pants and polo shirt.

Then he walked out of the bathroom door without a backward glance.As though we hadn’t just had earth shattering sex.As though I hadn’t just handed him my heart on a silver platter yet again.As though I wasn’t about to relive everything from my past all over again.

I heard him stalk through the cabin, his tread then echoing on the porch outside.A handful of seconds later the car door clunked open and then shut, the engine started and whined slightly as he reversed.The tires swished as he turned around and drove along the driveway that would eventually take him to a main road and the nearest grocery store.

I waited until the car receded from my hearing before I wrapped a towel around me and raced outside, down the porch steps and around the house, my bare feet pounded the grass as I headed toward his Harley.

I bit back disappointment.The key wasn’t in it.But of course it wasn’t!He wasn’t stupid.He’d likely taken them with him.

I wanted to kick the shining silver chrome along with its blood-red fuel tank and fenders.Except it really was a beautiful beast and I wasn’t crude enough to wreck such superb craftsmanship.

Who had I been kidding anyway?It wasn’t like I knew how to ride the thing, I’d probably break my neck trying.

I trudged back inside, my bare feet barely making a sound on the grass.I squirmed a little at the growing wetness between my thighs.I’d need to take another shower at this rate.I took the steps to the porch and stalked across its deck.It was only when I stepped inside that my eyes were drawn to the closed door of the room Evander locked himself in every night.

Whatwasin there that kept Evander away from me for so long?How many nights had he disappeared within its four walls without a sound?The fact he’d forbidden me to enter only heightened my curiosity.I stepped closer then turned the door handle.Of course it’d be locked but it would be silly not to test it anyway.

My pulse jerked rapidly when the handle gave way and the door swung open.In Evander’s rush to get to the shops he must have forgotten to lock up!

Caution pulsing through me, I paused before I stepped inside.My mouth dropped open as I stared around the room.

What.The.Actual.Fuck?

Portraits were stacked on the floor around the room in various stages of completion, with many finished ones hanging on the wall.Some portraits were done in oils, some in acrylics or pastels, there were even some watercolors along with charcoal sketches.

The one and only dominant feature about each of the canvases waswhothe portraits showcased.

Me.

I stepped further inside, my mouth drying as my breathing became choppy and uneven.Most of the portraits had been done almost three years ago, from a time in my life when I’d still been with Evander.

I walked toward one that showcased me at the beach in a yellow bikini.The turquoise sea was behind me, the sun glinting on foamy waves even as it lightened the top of my caramel hair into burnished gold.

My breath caught in my throat when I read the artist’s signature, then spun around and read more of the same.

Chase Holland.

Everything fell sharply into place.

EvanderwasChase.

I brought a shaky hand up to my brow even as a wave of hot and then cold went through me.He loved watching my artistic side becausehewas an artist himself, one with far more talent than I’d ever have.

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