THE UNLIKELY UNION

Landon Ryder, a billionaire with a reputation for ruthlessness, stood in front of the canvas, his eyes fixed on the vibrant colors and bold strokes. He was captivated by the raw talent and emotion that radiated from the artwork.

Ava Moreno, the artist, watched him from across the room, her heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity. She had never met anyone like Landon before - his chiseled features, piercing green eyes, and commanding presence made her feel like a small bird trapped in a gilded cage.

As Landon turned to face her, Ava felt a jolt of electricity run through her veins. He was even more intimidating up close, his gaze piercing through her like a knife.

"You're the artist," he stated, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.

Ava nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I am."

Landon took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I want to buy this painting. Name your price."

Ava hesitated, unsure if she wanted to sell her art to this enigmatic stranger. But something about Landon's intensity drew her in, making her feel like she was standing at the edge of a precipice, staring into the unknown.

"I'm not sure it's for sale," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Landon's smile was like a crack of thunder on a summer day - sudden and electrifying. "Everything has a price, Ava. I just need to find out what yours is."

Ava felt a shiver run down her spine as Landon's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. She tried to step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.

"I'm not interested in selling," she repeated, trying to sound firm.

Landon chuckled, the sound low and husky. "Oh, I think you are," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're just not sure what you want yet."

Ava's heart raced as Landon took another step closer, his presence suffocating. She could smell the scent of his cologne, a heady mix of leather and spice.

"I'll give you a million dollars for it," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Ava's eyes widened in shock. No one had ever offered her that kind of money for her art before.

But something about Landon's offer didn't feel right. It felt like he was trying to buy more than just her painting.

"I'll think about it," she said finally, trying to sound nonchalant.

Landon's smile grew wider. "I'll take that as a yes," he said, his eyes glinting with triumph.

As he turned to leave, Ava felt a sense of unease settle over her. She had a feeling that she had just made a deal with the devil himself.

"Landon," she called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned back, his eyes questioning.

"Why will you offer a million dollars for this painting?" she asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

Landon's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Oh, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky. "I always get what I want."

Ava's heart skipped a beat as Landon's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. She felt a shiver run down her spine, but she tried to shake off the feeling.

"I need to think about it," she repeated, trying to sound firm.

Landon nodded, his expression unreadable. "Very well. I'll give you a week to decide. If you don't sell it to me, I'll make sure no one else buys it either."

Ava's eyes widened in shock. "You can't do that!"

Landon smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, but I can. And I will. You see, Ava, I'll get what I want. And right now, I want that painting."

Landon's smile grew wider as he leaned in, his lips inches from hers. "I'll be back for more," he whispered, With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ava feeling frustrated and uneasy. She didn't know what to make of Landon's offer, or his strange behavior. But one thing was for sure - she wasn't going to let him bully her into selling her art.

As she watched him leave, Ava felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to find a way to outsmart Landon Ryder, no matter what it took, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that their encounter was more than just a coincidence. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she remembered the way his eyes seemed to bore into her soul.

Just as she was about to turn back to her art, Ava heard a faint whisper in her ear. "You're talented, Ava. But be careful who you trust."

Ava spun around, but there was no one there. She looked around, wondering if someone was playing a prank on her, but the room was empty.

Shrugging it off as her imagination, Ava turned back to her art. But as she began to paint, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon was still watching her.

She couldn't believe what had just happened. But as she turned back to her art, she saw a small note on the floor, next to her painting.

"Meet me at the coffee shop at 2 pm. -L"

Ava's heart skipped a beat as she smiled, feeling a spark of excitement. Maybe this was the start of something beautiful.

After she was done in the gallery, Ava hurriedly close up and went out, she called her friend Sophia telling her what happened with Landon, after their talk she decided to go home and have a rest, but she still couldn't get Landon off her mind, everywhere she looks she sees fragments of him.

So she took a shower, got dressed and decided to go see Landon and know what he wants from her, because she can feel it in her bones that this is just more than buying a painting, there is something more to it.

Ava walked into the cozy coffee shop, scanning the room for Landon. She spotted him in the corner, sipping on a latte, and her heart skipped a beat. He looked up, catching her eye, and smiled.

As she approached, Landon stood up, his eyes roving over her. "Ava, you look stunning," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Ava felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she sat down across from him. "Thanks," she said, trying to sound casual.

Landon leaned in, his elbows on the table. "So, I couldn't stop thinking about your art," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "And the artist herself."

Ava laughed, trying to deflect the flirtation. "Oh, yeah? What did you think?"

Landon's smile grew wider. "I think you're incredibly talented. And beautiful."

Ava's heart raced as Landon's gaze held hers, his eyes sparkling with flirtation. She tried to look away, but couldn't help being drawn back in.

"Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Landon leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'd love to see more of your work. And maybe, get to know the artist better."

Ava's pulse quickened as Landon's breath brushed against her ear. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and suddenly, she was aware of how close they were, how easy it would be to lean in and kiss him.

But she pulled back, trying to clear her head. " What do you want from me?," she said, trying to sound firm.

Landon's smile never wavered "what if I say I want all of you," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Ava was stunned and could not think properly at the moment, he wants all of me, is this some sort of joke" am sorry I can't give you any reply now, I'll think about it".

As Ava left the coffee shop, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon was playing a game with her. But she couldn't deny the spark she felt whenever he was near.