Chapter 17
Esme’s heart jumped as Pearl–the ever–troublesome kitten–knocked over a can of paint. She quickly scooped the little rascal into her arms, made a loose fist, and tapped its tiny head with a mock scold.
“You’re going to mess up the masterpiece, you know that?”
Pearl meowed defiantly, and just like that, Esme found herself bickering with a cat.
Neil paused his brush mid–stroke, watching them with a gentle smile. The studio, once so still and quiet, suddenly felt alive.
Esme set the kitten outside the door and let out a breath. She knelt to gather the paint tubes. that had rolled everywhere.
“I’ve got it,” Neil said, crouching beside her. They both reached for the same tube–and their hands touched.
Esme’s cheeks flared pink. She tried to pull away, but Neil’s strong, paint–roughened fingers pressed over hers.
Because of all his years painting, his fingertips were callused–when he touched her wrist, the sensation was unexpectedly intimate.
“N–Neil…” Her voice trembled as she tried to slip her hand free.
But he only tightened his hold, weaving his fingers through hers.
“You-!” Esme started to protest, but Neil pulled her right into his arms.
The paints she’d just gathered scattered across the floor again.
“Don’t move,” he whispered against her neck, his breath warm against her skin. Goosebumps prickled down her arms.
With their chests pressed together, she could feel his heart racing–just as fast as hers.
“Neil, what are you doing?”
“Esme, do you really not see how I feel about you?”
Neil nuzzled closer, almost like he was marking her with his own invisible signature.
“…”
“Don’t bring up your divorce again,” he interrupted, wrapping her tighter and settling her on his lap. His hair brushed her ear, making her shiver.
“You’ve said it a hundred times since you moved in. Is that your way of telling me to give up?”
Frustration flickered across his face. He gently bit her shoulder.
“You know I won’t give up.”
“And you… you like me too, don’t you?”
“Neil, love isn’t a game…” Esme bit her lip, hesitating before she finally spoke again. “I’ve been hurt before. That’s why I know how serious this is. I don’t want you to regret it or get hurt because of me-”
“That won’t happen,” he said, his voice fierce. “You’d never hurt me.”
“Neil, I-”
“Esme, is it really impossible for you to accept me?” Neil let her go, his eyes searching hers.
“Some people talk about taking in stray kittens, but when the kitten shows up, they turn it away…”
For a split second, Esme could almost picture him with a pair of drooping kitten ears, looking so lost.
“Some people barge into your life, but then try to leave the moment things get complicated…”
Neil’s voice was thick with hurt. He started to pull away.
“Tomorrow, you’ll probably move out, no matter what I say. Even if I show up at the coffee shop, you’ll act like you don’t see me–like I’m invisible.”
His voice dropped, and he tried to push her off gently. “Just pretend I was joking. We can go back to how things were…”
“I never said I wouldn’t take you in. I will.”
Neil froze, only to see Esme grinning at him, her fingers lacing tightly with his.
She stroked his back, her words low and warm against his ear, soothing and stirring him all at
once.
“You’ve already made your way to my door. How could I turn you away now?”
Neil stared at her–and then he kissed her, hard.
As their lips met, he whispered, almost desperately, “Promise you won’t send this little stray away. That you’ll keep this home for me?”
Breathless, Esme wrapped her arms around his neck. “Never.”
Before she could say anything else, Neil kissed her again, deeper and more possessive, his teeth grazing her lips as if he wanted to claim her.
–
Meanwhile, at the Mitchell estate…
Joy was kneeling on the floor, her cheeks painfully swollen, streaked with blood.
Chapter 17
Two bodyguards stood over her, striking her face over and over without mercy.
Grandma Mitchell, still fuming, shouted, “How dare you lie to me! Lie to the Mitchell family!”
Liam’s heavy steps echoed as he walked in. Grandma Mitchell rushed to him. “Liam, where’s Esme? Has she forgiven you?”
He shook his head, his face like stone.
“Oh, what do we do now? Esme will never forgive me for this!”
Grandma Mitchell slapped Joy, sending her sprawling to the floor.
“You little snake! You thought you could use the Mitchell family for your own gain?”
Liam watched Joy sobbing on the floor, remembering the call from his assistant, anger and hatred boiling in his chest.
“Take her away–and get rid of her baby.”
Joy’s head snapped up in horror, tears filling her eyes. “Liam, please, no! I’ll die if you do this!”
Liam just stared down at her, colder than ever.
“Don’t you love putting on a show? Don’t you love playing the victim?”
“Mr. Price has already decided–both you and the child belong to the Mitchell family now. We’ll deal with you as we see fit.”
His eyes were ice. “Take her away. Make sure she loses that child.”
