han's penthouse like an unwelcome memory. He stood before the floor-to-ceil

It was wrapped around a girl with paint-s

r

uiver when she said she didn't belong in his world. The sharp pain in her eyes when

s right. She didn't

that was t

er his face. What t

r room. "Your morning meeting with the a

like it held the answers. Then he set his cup

blinked

ng. All of them

Mr.

another word. He gra

opilot, her thoughts elsewhere-on the hotel project she had finished with meticulous care. On the

ard from him

a

better this

ry time the shop door creaked op

ce from behind the workbench. "You've been wi

e it c

Rachel teased. "Because you ha

ng the cloth down.

yes. "Tired from avoi

espond, the bell ab

tu

fr

s coat. He looked out of place, too tall, too sharply dressed f

ep forward.

in the flower arrangements, murmu

move. "Why a

ed to s

this isn't g

kno

ow. "Then what

down, then met her

do w

esn't hurt you. Someone who doesn

htened. "You wer

ord I said to you, every way I tried to push you away. I tho

retched be

she asked,

you from me. I want to

ut she looked away. "

ut nothing worth

ly armor she had left. "What

he regret lining his face. "A second chance. Not

bout work," s

w to be a man you can count on. I want to wake up k

eath c

ou decide," he said softly.

all the power in the world-and was

dmired her arrangements like they were art. She remembered the

aybe

she said at last. "I still d

to," he said.

r a moment, the world

for my mom," she whispered. "Yo

itched. "I'

rough the soft drizzle, t

w up unannounced?"

n it's im

at him. "Why

'm with you, I feel like the man I wante

. Her heart

feel so alo

for his hand

me in years, Ethan V

through the window as they returned-ha

"Took him l

ut beating stronger than ever,

e had learned, wer