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Max gazed at each painting with a hunger he rarely felt The as extraordinary, and he realized his wife’s talent crackled with a passion and depth that could rock the entire art world He was looking at the beginning of a long, successful career No wonder Sawyer sounded so excited He’d discovered the latest hot new artist on the block

People sware him in conversation Waiters stopped and asked if he needed anything He never answered Just soaked up her work and felt as if he knew the last secret part of her soul she kept hidden Now, it revealed itself in full naked glory

Dio, he loved her

He arrived early to ie His plan was ridiculous and all male Sneak in, see her work, torture hi drunk with his dog at his feet

"Max?"

Her voice rang in his ears Husky like Eve Sweet like an angel He clenched his teeth and turned

She set sunburn Priht it off and ed to smile back "Hi, Carina"

"You came"

He lifted a shoulder "I had to see"

Why did she look at hilad What did you think?"

His voice ripped fro"

She blinked as if fighting tears, and another piece of his heart tore off He’d have nothing left by the end of the conversation "You didn’t see the final one It’s back here under a separate display"

"I can’t, Carina I have to go"

"No! Please, Max I need to show you"

Was this what love felt like? A wrenching pain that pushed you underwater like a riptide and refused to let you surface? He sed back his second protest and nodded "Okay"

He followed her toward the back of the rooallery opened up to a showcase under a spotlight The painting hung frole splendor Max took a step forward and looked up

It was him

The title boldly slashed across the top: Maxi low on hips Features half blurred and cast in shadow, he stared straight into the onlooker’s eyes and held his gaze A swirling array of eed his face, his eyes a stor in that glance Vulnerability Deterance Need And an ability to love

His heart squeezed He turned

Carina stood before hith he’d never seen "I love you, Max I’ve always loved you, but I needed to love ive you what you need I don’t know if it’s too late, but I proive me another chance, I’ll stand by your side and be the woman you deserve Because I am that woman The other half of your soul The question was never will I come back to you The question is, will you coh his veins He gave a half laugh and pulled her into his arms "I’ve never left, cara"

He claimed her mouth and kissed her deeply, tenderly, as if they sealed their vows froo

Suddenly, the faht circle while Michael and Nick pounded his back and Alexa and Maggie wiped away tears

He was finally, truly, hoether" Alexa sniffled "We couldn’t stand the dra to suck"

Max held Carina tight to his side and laughed "We’ll clear that up this week Party at our house"

The consultant hurried over and broke through the line His normally staid expression slipped "Umm, Carina, can I talk to you a sec?"

"Sure" She kissed Max hard on the lips and stepped away After a whispered conversation, she returned with a dazed look "I sold out"

Max grinned "I’et started--you’re going to have to paint a lot led and buried her fingers in his hair "Bring it," she whispered

Max looked at the woman he loved His wife His soul o home"

• • •

She lay in a tangle of sheets, exhuasted, sated, and happier than she’d ever been

"Finally ready to call uncle?"

Carina raised her head one inch off the pillow and collapsed back "Never I just need a hed low and slid off the bed She heard footsteps pad to the walk-in closet, then come back His ain Damned if her husband hadn’t made her into a nympho, and she loved every moment

"I have a present for you"

That irly part of her ift "You do?"

"Yeah I was saving it Hoping you’d coive it to you"