Chapter 38 : Family Secrets

*Dawn*

For two weeks, we worked on the art piece. Oil painting was not my strong suit, but I did my best. I was worried that I would be the weak link in this one. I had practiced and practiced before I finally worked up the nerve to start the real thing.

Craig was amazingly rough the whole process. He had helped me to sketch out everything and make sure that it all melded together.

But I won't lie; having him so close was hard for me. Keeping things strictly platonic took a lot of effort on my part.

I was completely enamoured with him. Everything he did was entrancing. His smile, his laugh and his gaze. I was merciful to the pull between us. There were many times I questioned if I had made the right decision in telling him I couldn't give him what he wanted. Because the truth was…I wanted what he wanted. I wanted him—us.

What did that say about me, though? The man had massacred my people in cold blood, but yet, I still looked at him like he had put the sun in the sky and r