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Immediately, she was led to the corner table where Sawyer stood to greet her He favored black, and it was the perfect color for hiraceful, his hair hit his shoulders and fraerous aura about hiued her

She ordered a dirty ed in sas so far?"

Carina motioned around her "What’s not to like? I’ve been trapped in Berga on crackers"

He smiled "I’ve traveled to Milan many times and know your mother I’ve always loved the tranquility of your hoas ere overprotective, and it was hard to experience anything new and exciting I’ my taste of freedoleamed with mischief "Like the first hit of a fine wine The taste iscontained for many years"

She plucked an olive froaze followed her mouth in obvious interest "You’re a poet, Sawyer Wells Who would’ve thought? How do you know o She pulled me out of a delicate situation, and I promised herto elaborate?"

"No"

Carina grinned "You ood ht you liked to fix us also Save us from ourselves"

"We do, but you rarely let us"

A chill skated down her spine at the sudden flare of heat in his gaze Oh, yeah, she ay out of her league Thiscamp Still, the heady banter and his sharp wit pulled her in, even as he scared the hell out of her

"Are you going to tell Max about our date?"

The ers clenched "If he asks"

Sawyer caught the motion and leaned in The scent of woods and musk wrapped her in sensuality "Tell me about your relationship with Max"

"He’s ether and he followed Michael to New York to open La Dolce Maggie"

"Childhood friends?"

"Yes Why so many questions about Max?"

Sawyer studied her "Has he claimed you?"

She sputtered on her next sip "Excuse ether?"

"No But I’m not sure why it’s your business"

"There is no question you should be afraid to ask, Carina You’re not only beautiful, but intelligent A dangerous combination I want to make sure you’re free"

His rich tone wrapped her in possibility Thishim to her room? Damn Max Somehow, she was still stuck on her childhood crush, and it only pissed her off

"I’ about Max"

He reached out and snagged her hand A pleasant jolt vibrated through her, but nothing like the intense belly-dropping excite of Max

"So ah I may need to release you to let you keep your dinner date"

She tilted her head and her hair slipped over one shoulder "But not yet"

A smile touched his lips "No, not yet What do you paint?"

"Portraits Fa beyond the surface of people and trying to capture so they never see Reraphy"

"I can’t paint a stick figure, but I can appreciate I re drunk on the art I was almost arrested at the Uffizi Gallery because I wouldn’t leave"

"Yes, I’ve haunted the gallery my whole life The first time I laid eyes on the Sistine Chapel I sobbed like a baby"

"You never wanted to paint professionally?"

The longing washed over her, fierce and raw The ie, thedifferent Carina hesitated, not sure how much to share with hih"

Sawyer nodded "I kno that feels"

The silence between them throbbed with the lure of friendship and the possibility of lamorous world of hotels"

They talked for the next hour until it was time to meet Max for dinner Sawyer clasped her hand within his "Carina, I’d like you to joinif you’d like"

Carina hesitated Her need for Max battled with the temptation before her "I don’t know," she whispered

"I’ll be in Tao waiting for you You decide"

He pressed a kiss to her cheek and left her