Fiona put brush to canvas. If anyone was watching, they'd probably think she was in a trance. It did feel like that to her some days. This wasn't even her creation. This was Damien's vision, but she could share it. She could reap the pleasure she derived from painting it. He wouldn't. Which brought her a certain amount of satisfaction.What he would reap would be the money he'd receive from selling it. None of which would be passed down to her. She'd heard that other artists gave the actual painter a commission. Not Damien. She'd love to go out on her own. What if she wasn't good enough? What if she didn't have her style and someone accused her of copying Damien's style? He was a bright star in the Philadelphia art world. She'd be ruined before she started. Stepping back, she admired what she'd done then looked over his notes again. "That should do it."She glanced at the gargoyle. "Well, Declan, what do you think?"He remained stony-faced. His fangs hung out of his lips as they wer

Fiona greeted Meg and Colleen both with a kiss on the cheek. She'd been surprised when Meg had suggested they get together. Her two friends rarely tore themselves away from their male companions. Not that Fiona could complain. She needed her friends tonight. They met in a bar near Colleen's work. She was still in her suit, but she'd paired the staid gray jacket with a colorful blouse. Fiona had bought her that blouse knowing she would leave the original firm, eventually. Fiona sat on the stool they'd saved for her. "How is your new firm?" "It is so nice working for myself. Now I just have to find a place out in the suburbs like Meg and Donal," Colleen said. "Sean is itching to get out of the city.""I cannot believe you'll both be out there. I'll be in the city by myself," Fiona said."We are only an El trip away. It isn't that far," Meg said."But not as close as when you lived in the city.""I know," Colleen said, putting a hand on Fiona's arm. "If you lived out of the city, you

Fiona couldn't get Declan out of her head. She'd hung on his every word, loving the lilt of his accent and how it felt like music in her ears. She'd never been so enamored of a man so quickly. They usually had to spend some time impressing her before she considered them dating material. The only time she hadn't done that was with Damien and look how that had turned out. At work the next day, she stopped a few times to just stare into space. "Are we keeping you from something, Fiona?" Damien asked offhandedly.He had her and two other assistants in a line. They each had a canvas and Damien would spout directions to them. It was Fiona's least favorite activity. Damien liked to pit the assistants against each other, but they all knew who could do no wrong: whoever was sleeping with him. Fiona had had that favored spot, but she hadn't known how tenuous that position was for anyone. If she'd known, she might not have gotten involved with Damien. He would have lost interest and possibly

Declan held the door open for Fiona as they entered the large room filled with tables set for a banquet. He put a hand on the small of her back and she felt a tingle go up her spine. He couldn't have looked more delicious in a tuxedo. The black of the outfit was almost the same color as his hair and it all made his ice blue eyes more vivid. Her mouth had watered when he first opened her door. He'd been nothing but a gentleman so far though he'd been flirting with her. Was this guy for real? An orchestra played in one corner of the ballroom. Uniformed circulated with trays of champagne glasses and hors d'oeuvres. Fiona didn't mind these events, but she wouldn't have chosen to attend it. She might have balked if she hadn't chosen to find her art sponsor. Here would be the perfect place to mix and mingle with people who had deep pockets. She took a deep breath then let it out to settle the butterflies in her stomach. They were as much a result of the location as the man beside her. "L

The nerve of him! was all Fiona could think as she scoped out the ballroom. There were only fifteen minutes left in the cocktail hour and then people would populate the tables. If she made contact with the person here, would it get back to Damien? This was a public place as Declan suggested. Feeling angry and petulant, Fiona wanted to leave Declan in the dust. Were he just some guy she might. Too bad he was the brother of her best friends' significant others. Get-togethers would be awkward. She roamed around the ballroom, deciding that settling at the bar might help her chances of someone talking to her. This was different than just picking up a guy. She could do that without breaking a sweat. No, this was business and important to the rest of her career. Hopefully, she wouldn't say something stupid.Fiona stopped at the bar and ordered a soda. "Make that two," Declan said next to her. "I never said you didn't have talent, Fiona."He hadn't. She'd read into his words and come up wit