THE UNLIKELY UNION

something from her. She had tried to brush off the strange encou

mind kept wandering back to Landon. Who was

ocus, Ava's phone rang. It was Sop

Sophia said, her voice barely containing her ex

ed up. "What ki

art dealers. And get this - he's been buying up art pieces left and right

. What was Landon's game? And why

r mind racing with possibilities.

"And Ava? Be careful. If Landon Ryder is involved in

the phone. She had a feeling that her li

a to arrive. She couldn't shake off the feeling that Landon was wat

r shoulder. Ava spun around, her heart racing, and found Lan

is voice low and husky, as he sli

d. "What are you d

the corners. "Just enjoying the v

gaze lingered on her face. She tried to look a

he took in the scene. "Landon, what ar

ng. "Just making sure Ava knows I'm

did he know she was investigating him

at Landon was playing a game with her. And she was just a pawn. But

against the doorframe as she worked on her latest piece. "You're t

h paint. "What do you want from me, Lan

usement. "Oh, Ava. I just want to be a

d confused. But she refused to back down. She would unco

The Art o

red in her mind. She couldn't shake off the feeling that he

t wasn't there before, and she knew she didn't write it

house at midnight," the

her hand. What did Landon want with her? And

not trust Landon he's kinda creepy at times, so she told Sophia to come get her n t

use at midnight, her heart pounding in her chest. The buildin

im light. And then, she saw him - Landon Ryder,

nd husky. "I like that. But be careful what you

racing with anticipation. "What sec

ng with amusement. "All in goo

dripping with seduction. "You're so curious, Ava. I can s

rooted to the spot. Landon's gaze was hypnot

n," Ava said, trying to sound firm, but

corners. "Oh, Ava. You're so wrong. You're

her, lingering on her lips, her neck, her breasts. She tried to r

ing shivers down her spine. "You're so responsive, Ava. So sensit

seemed frozen in place. She knew she should resist, knew Landon was trying

und firm, but Landon just laughed

read. You want me, even if

the strength to push him away. "I'm not playing your

ed. "We'll see about that,

e couldn't believe she'd let Landon get to her like that. She knew he was trying

nd on her shoulder. She spun around, ready to confro

a asked, eyeing Ava's flushed face.

"It's just Landon. He's playing games with

re it out together, Ava. But first, let's get o

as still watching her, waiting for his next move. She knew she had to be careful, but sh

an unknown number. "You can't resist m

g games with her. But she was determined to s