Unspoken ties

R 2: G

he was at Clayton's, the local hardware store where she worked part-time, and she needed to focus. The

r jump. Wiping her hands on her apron, she pulled it

the phone between her shoulder and ear whi

e bad news," her mother's

ately stilled.

to make it to y

ed in Lilli

o mask the disappointmen

d. "Bob...he needs me. He hurt his ankle,

uldn't see it. Bob, her stepfather, was a good man, but

, Mom. I u

ure? I fee

g the subject before her emotions got the best of her. "Loo

love you,

you

ushing down the disappointment. S

k. But just as she placed another can on the shelf,

s St

ropping the can of wood stain.

mpletely out of place among the hard

done just enough to make him look effortlessly hot. His hair was slightly tousled, like

unned. What the hel

?" she stammered,

er reaction amusing. "I was in the area. I t

ed. "You... sho

othly. "I need some cable t

cuited. Those were

rying to compose herself. "I'l

entally cursing herself for being so flustered. She co

ere?" he asked, his t

, stopping in front of the she

tful expression, then picked up a thick

owed again. "

masking tape,"

complete serial killer" she said

e replied h

else, s

" he said as he looked a

lfer? Uh... maybe coverall so

off my cloth, he s

next aisle, grabbing the supplies for him. She handed them over, her fingers bru

ead, he studied her like he

t than when I last sa

d slightly. "D

s lips curved sli

ped. Was he... f

s Clayton, the store owner's so

ly sparing Christian a glance. "He

her mouth, ca

d say anything, Chr

usy," he said smoo

toward him, shocked. Did

finally looking at Christi

ian Bla

ssion immedia

y. "Well, uh, see you later, Lillian." He walke

ing. "I was perfectly capable of

t change. "I didn't like the

t skippe

she asked,

g from you," Chris

her eyes. "And

, he studied her again, his gray eyes

ust

g Kate's questions by the way. She was thrilled

she i

ng a hard time clearing a pho

e around tomorrow. He said as he remo

athman hotel , Ca

at the card as if it might

. "Your friend Kate. I'll arrang

e was something unreadable in his gaze, s

rd again, the weight of h

she

re, she felt the strange, undeniable pull of him

nd curiosity, making Lillian question

h it off and went home to

her friend and photographer. Kate had insisted Lillian attend to help coordinate

tailored white shirt, sleeves rolled up, exuding power and control. His pr

ould feel his eyes lingerin

lose, whispering, "Do you realize

shaking her hea

ticed. She just didn't know w

.. uh.... We are done, " he sa

ward the elevator, her heart was racing. Different thought went through he

"What? No! José i

ssion didn't chan

frowned.

tore who was very

rmed. "Thomas is

lightly as if asse

ike to get s

rd by the sudden invitation. But

dded.

er in a quiet corner, the atm

closely before sayin

soft laugh. "I fin

witched. "

through her

. "Tell me abo

she said with a fond smile. "She's been marri

changed slightly. "And

.. Yes, I mean I study

ed sharply, his expre

n. I can't...... I

"What?" do you have a

rlfriend thing

ooking away.

s mind was still spinning from what he had said earlier "I'm not the man for you." She didn't understa

ice the cyclist speeding toward

happened

. Lillian gasped as she was yanked against a firm chest, her heart sla

asn't ready to let go. His breathing was heavy, and when she looked up, his fa

k and unreadable. His jaw was clenched, and his expression w

e reached up and gently touched her face, his fingers brushing her c

ou go" he said w

ood, she said as

away, leaving Lillian standing there, confused,