ad claimed the spot years ago, drawn to the sunlight that streamed through the window and the quiet murmur of conversatio

Saint

ed visit to her studio had left her rattled, not because of what he said, but beca

your skin,

am slid into the seat across from h

Lexi said, placing a hand over h

t, I could've brought a marching ba

eyes. "What do

look like you've

Julian made her reluctant to talk. He was a puzzle she hadn't pie

he said finally.

oes this have anything to do with a cert

Can we not do t

. "But if you start doodling his name in yo

The club was quieter during the day, with most of the staff busy preparing for

together to create an image that was both abstract and deep

ress

against the doorway, his sharp suit somehow m

ng her hands on her overa

artist Julian can't

d. "He talk

Ethan said, a sly smile tugging at

er arms. "What

pping closer to the mural. "And to meet the woman

ed anything," Le

m someone who's known him a long time-Julian do

feel exposed, like Ethan co

ile, "if you're done psychoana

ock surrender. "But if you ever need a break fr

re why she had come. Maybe it was Ethan's comment about Julian's "armor," or may

ite smile. "Mr. Saint Clair is in a mee

taking a seat in th

, from the artwork on the walls to the arrangement of the furniture, spoke to Julian's need for order. It was a s

ex

n standing in the doorway,

tanding. "I didn't

said, stepping as

ate as the rest of the buildin

the city. Lexi hesitated by th

said, his voice

rom his desk, feeling unc

?" Julian asked, lean

ted. "I guess I

ed an eyebr

rising even herself. "And w

othing. Then he sighed, run

ng I talk about,"

y n

doesn't chan

not, but it helps p

ark and intense. "And why do yo

. She didn't have an answer-not o

she said hones

filled with words left unsaid. Jul

man," he said finally. "

ng that this was somethi

ture. And when I finally broke free, I swore I'd nev

people at a distanc

d. "It's eas

he said, her voice b

nd for a moment, she saw somethi

" he ad

n his expression stopped her. Instead, she reach

e said firmly. "And you don'

hers, and for the first time, she

-

had shifted between them. Julian Saint Clair was still a mystery, but for the

that made her more intr