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"Do you have any idea how ain "Yes," I say "As aze and his proxiht as well be There is nothing about me at that moment that isn’t a reflection of Da to me I want to soothe hih his hair I want to pull his head to my breast and whisper soft words, and I want to make love to hione and the ht bathes us in color

Frohs politely Darin thatmore than look into each other’s eyes, and yet it feels as though Blaine has witnessed so to head on out The cocktail party’s not until seven on Saturday, right? So I’ll come by that afternoon and see if she needs any lasther when I set up the rest of the canvases on easels"

"Perfect," Daotta say," Blaine adds, as he gathers his things, "I’ tomelancholy in Damien’s eyes, but it passes almost immediately "Yes," he says "So am I"

I’one, and Da o a little crazy if I don’t feel his hands upon me soon

"Is it really done?" I ask "I still haven’t seen it"

"Coive hih Instead he puts his hand on my shoulder and eases me toward the canvas I have to move carefully because of the red silk cord wrapped around le me And he certainly doesn’t bother to pass ri my brows in question Damien doesn’t even pretend to misunderstand "Why, Ms Fairchild, surely you don’t expectopportunity"

"Mmm" I try to sound harsh, but I’hter in h, because we’ve reached the painting I gasp--it’s me, yes The curve of my ass, the swell ofand sub and yet vulnerable It’s also anonymous, as Damien had proolden curls are piled atopdown to caress er exist,recently been traded for a shoulder-length cut

I frown, re the way I’d hacked at e to my flesh I’d been lost then, certain that the only way back was to hold fast to the pain like a lifeline

I shiver It’s not a s of the girl in the portrait But her--led such that the worst of the scars aren’t visible The scar on ed toThe edges are blurred, almost as if it’s in soft focus, and the red cord skiht caused the wounds

When you get right down to it, I suppose that’s true

I look away, unnerved by the inescapable reality that the girl on the canvas is beautiful, even despite the scars

"Nikki?"