Bidding on Desire

y's

aper welcomed me like an old friend as the gentle bell above the door rang out. For five years, this apartment had be

ut the door behind me. As I switched on the register and turned on

I noti

ore*. They wrote my name in neat block letters. No return addr

t. There was a note o

Review

be another seven months before my lease was up for re

tter. I had a lu

he adjoining property's new ownership. The renovation pl

nstru

mmediately tur

he told me. However, he never brought this up. He said tha

reached for my phone. With trembling palms, I pho

red something in the store. I need to spe

to catch my breath. I glanced up in the hopes of se

rmer landlord

g a leather folder. "Lily," he murmured. "I want

while getting up. "Have yo

I included the leasing rights when I sold the property

counter, I emerge

for grabs. They want to transform this whole

nd my store doesn

dn't r

er?" I inquired. "Is

used. "You must

ned behind my eyelids. Mr. Thompso

walked out, and I shut the door

ttempt to phone J

sage rang o

tower is where you sh

Jul

coat, I hurried down the street. I hardly noticed the chilly wi

d clipped hedges under a large tree. He was waiting for me there. His ha

ept you from informing me

d this morning." "I di

who

are silent and want things to go more quickly

you would r

step toward

his eyes, trying to find the guy who had kissed me years before in t

an, I won't l

my face and said, "You won't.

ide of me melt

ne. There was tension and yearning in the heated kiss. Nothing else was

a click

er for a

ting heart,

era stood across the street

had already started t

ainted with he

a while t

said somberly. "But I

Go

ed to be a part of something that I aband

ind of t

look. "The kind that o

ed once more a

ntified number

er danger right now. Leave Julian alo

uld somebody send such a thing? My business was more than simply a

d the phone from me. Then his face became tight and pallid

nic that was building within of me. They mad

eep you safe, Lily. even if it means revisiting the a

o his eyes. "

ould respond. His face froz

it?" I

dn't r

ul

as he took a step

Wh

he picture. The o

the screen to mak

. And my bookstore

ire-by someone connected to Julian's trou