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His words hter on his shoulder

“This is the first time I feel like anyone has ever seen me,” said Rafiq “Not only did you see me…you painted me; you immortalized reat gift you’ve given ot upset with you”

Overwhelhten over mine

“It’s okay I’ even as I tried to stop it

“I love it,” he said “Are you finished with it?”

I gave the painting a careful gaze “Yeah, I hit the final stroke right before you woke up Why do you ask?”

“Because I want to hang it up”

“Right now?”

“Yes,” he said “I want this in e allery”

At this, I let out a breathy laugh “I think I feel fine about giving you this one gratis, Rafiq, since I did violate your privacy to get it and all”

Rafiq gave me an amused, lopsided smile He disappeared into the kitchen to find the tools he needed, and then returned toit on the blank expanse of wall between my temporary bedroom, and the studio

Once he had the fixtures hung, Rafiq carefully lifted the canvas off the easel and attached it to the wall fixtures I spotted hile to get it level When it was perfect, I came up next to him as he stood back to admire it

“It’s beautiful,” he said “I’et to look at it every day”

I srateful, but unsure what to do in the face of all his compliments

“Thank you, Evangeline You’ve given me so much in the short time we’ve known each other”

Without warning, Rafiq turned and wrapped his strong ar me into a warm embrace

At first, I tensed up in surprise, but the inviting strength of his ar against hiers of one of his hands gently stroked at my hair I closedof being in the strong arms of a capable and attractive man, even if it was only a farce

Deep in , even if I refused to look directly at it Feeling Rafiq’s body againstspread faster I took a deep breath against his chest