Page 21 of Finding New Dreams

My body itched to move, so I flitted around the gallery, making little adjustments to frames and easels.

Flynn continued to stand in the center, watching me, like a burning flame that knew the moth would come to it eventually.

I knew he’d walked in with the idea of working here, but I hadn’t realized he needed space to create. There was also the fact that, according to his social media, he was in a bit of a lull since his last piece. Again, I wondered if he was stuck, struggling.

And then there was Chloe. He was her brother, and we had the wedding coming up. She needed to know what was going on.

On my end, I desperately needed the help. It wasn’t like art-hungry students were knocking down my door for the meager experience and compensation I could offer.

My mind felt like a heavy pair of scales, tossing pros and cons on one side or the other, weighing everything, weeding out the gray areas for inspection.

Finally, I came to a stop in front of him. Without his usual smirk softening his face, his high cheekbones were even more pronounced, as if perfectly sculpted by Michelangelo. But those blue-green eyes were anything but harsh.

“Here’s the deal,” I started. “You may use my studio for your work according to a schedule we’ll work out. In return, you will be my assistant until July, helping me with classes, photo shoots, and maintenance as I see fit.”

A smile grew at the corners of his mouth.

Pouring all my reserves of confidence into my voice and expression, I continued. “But we will tell Chloe what happened last night and assure her that nothing will happen between us, so she doesn’t need to worry about any drama. Our business deal will be strictly that—business. Agreed?” I stuck out my hand like we were striking a million-dollar deal.

Flynn’s gaze flicked from my hand to my eyes. “You drive a fair bargain, Miss Rafferty. Except for one thing.”

Frowning, I dropped my hand back to my side. “Which is?”

His eyes traveled over me, slowly, luxuriously, from head to toe. The smile that eased his full lips could only be described as devilish. A shiver curled around the base of my spine.

“I can’t promise that nothing will happen between us.”

7

FLYNN

Rose’s eyes widened, and she took a step back as if I were going to jump her right there.

The thought had crossed my mind earlier when she’d been leaning against that table, her eyes closed, her thoughts telegraphed through the fluttering pulse in her neck. I’d wanted to sink my lips into that soft, exposed skin.

Rose cleared her throat. “Nothing—nothing will happen, Flynn. If you work with me and we’re both going to be in this wedding and you’ll be going back to California…I don’t want to complicate things.”

Pressing my lips together, I studied her for a moment. What she was saying was true. From what little I knew of her, she didn’t want to cause any drama or pain for those around her. An admirable yet rare quality.

What she wasn’t saying, however, was that she didn’t want anything to happen, or that nothing existed between us already. But she was nervous around me, and had been completely thrown when I’d opened the door of my sister’s house.

I didn’t want that.

I wanted her to trust me, smile at me, want me near her.

And that wouldn’t happen if I pushed her.

Sticking my hand out to her, I said, “Nothing will happen if you don’t want it to.”

She hesitated, clearly realizing that it wasn’t the exact promise she wanted. But it was the best I could do. Whatever attraction existed between us would either go away or…not. I liked to keep my options open.

Making a decision, she slipped her small hand into my grip. “Fine. But I need to be the one to tell Chloe. As soon as possible. I don’t want to feel like I’m hiding something from her any longer.”

I continued slowly shaking her hand, savoring every moment of connection. “Let me. I’m the one she’ll be mad at.”

Rose smiled, either not noticing or not caring that I still held her hand. “That’s sweet of you to offer, but I feel like I need to explain myself.”

Honest and loyal to the core, this one. Something I’d known precious little of. I found myself wanting to mine those treasures for myself like a greedy miser.

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