Dark Tides

e: The Billo

d retreated to for years. Sleep had come in fragments, disturbed by the previous evening. She

d said, his voice a mix

her unsettled. Men like Damien Blackwood didn't simply take i

self with her art. Her easel stood near the wide windows overlooking the cliffs, but inspiration f

a frowned. She rarely had visitors, and after Damie

r, Sarah's familiar, br

r an invitation. She held a bag of pastries in one hand and

. Sarah's presence always came

said, though the

ter and crossed her arms, looking her friend

how much to share. "I w

ith who? Don't tell me you've

oward the kitchen. She poured herself another cup of tea,

afening. When Anya finally turne

e billionaire? The reclus

lied, sitting d

tement and concern. "Okay, you can't just drop tha

elivery of the invitation, and the private dinner at his estate. She kept the details vague, l

tle. "Wow. I mean, I knew living in a small

nya said sharply. "I

ning. "Are you okay? He didn'

ite. Charming, even. But there's someth

ense

e he's already decided something about

owed. "That sound

ow why he's interested in me, but I

hand. "If he makes you uncomfortable, you don't o

down, she knew it wo

-

breeze would clear her mind. The cliffs loomed above her, jagged and unforgi

ps behind her. Turning, she saw Damien standing a few yards away,

tened. "What are

though the faint smirk on h

't your p

g closer. "But I thought

rms, trying to mas

ike me as the type to

guard, and she hated the wa

said, her voice steady, "I do

remained. "And I told you I'm not asking fo

in his words sent a s

ou could have anyone. Why

voice low. "And because I know what it's li

nerve, but Anya ref

know anythi

replied. "Bu

ng the ocean. "I don't

he said, his tone soft but f

l the silence between them. After a moment, she heard

a couldn't shake the feeling that Damien

-

she tried to focus on the book in her lap. The words blurred

essly to keep buried. But Damien's presence, his piercing gaze and en

e to answer it. When she opened it, she found a package sitting

Anya didn't need one

was a sketchbook, its leather cover embossed with her initials.

ude. She ran her fingers over the cover, wo

lso felt like a reminder that he was watching her

ent years building walls to protect herself, but Damien Bl

Anya wasn't sure she had