His dad held up his hand. “Don’t, son. There is a woman a few blocks from here who is clearly in love with you. Do not do what I did. I cared for your mother, but I love the woman I’m with. You may not like me, but I’ve got a woman who will open her arms to me when I go home. What have you got?” He passed him the paper and walked out of the office.
Isaac opened the paper and stared at the woman who plagued his thoughts day and night.
Running a thumb over her face on the paper he pictured her in his arms. He remembered the smooth soft skin of her body, the easy response as she came apart in his grasp. He stared at the paper where the woman who held his heart sat.
Throwing the paper down, he called down for a ride.
He was going to win his woman.
****
“This is a very special portrait of the painter herself. Miss Noelle Evans is the distinguished artist. Her self-portrait, titled Scarred Beauty, is a rare item. I would like to start the bidding at ten thousand dollars,” the auctioneer said to the crowd.
I’m pregnant. I’m going to give birth to Isaac Welch’s baby.
Stop thinking or panicking, and stare at the work being sold. This is good business. The baby can wait.
Only nine months.
Long enough.
Noelle stood back, tears in her eyes as she looked at the painting she’d done of herself after her time with Isaac. That man had made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. Closing her eyes she tried to block out the pain. The auction was turning into a huge success, better than anything she could have ever imagined.
The prices escalated for her self portrait. She guessed the reason for her increase in popularity was down to her relationship with Isaac Welch. Not Isaac the man she knew but Isaac the successful business man. When she thought of the betrayal Brad and Isaac had put her through, her heart ached, and she felt filled with humiliation. Her best friend had asked his older brother to play an escort. Was everything she felt in his arms a lie? The inner turmoil of that had happened over the last few weeks shocked her.
“Ten million dollars.” Gasps echoed round the small room. She looked inside the room. Isaac stood in the doorway his hair drenched from the rain outside, his eyes blazing with passion. She stared at him with the comfort of the curtain between them. This was the first time she’d seen him since the episode in the loft over her leaving.
“Does anyone want to increase the bid?” the auctioneer asked.
Biting her lip, Noelle stepped from behind the curtain. “His bid does not count. No sale,” she said.
He moved down the aisle, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him even if she wanted to. He captured her attention like the first time she had met him.
“I want that painting.”
“You’re not getting it.”
He stood at the bottom of the stage staring up at her. She moved down the steps so she was the same height. Looking down on him felt wrong.
“You’re going to give me that painting, Elle. It’s mine. You’re my scarred beauty. No one else has a right to that picture. I watched you paint that portrait.”
The vision he brought into her mind had her weak at the knees. There was a point at which she painted where he’d sat on a chair in front of her painting, parted her thighs and sunk deep inside her. She’d painted part of the portrait while he was making love to her. The sensuality of the painting captured the feelings he evoked.
She gazed out at the audience, her blonde hair wrapped off her face for once. No one looked away from her in disgust. They all starred at her with rapt attention. How had her life changed so much?
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she turned back to the man who’d crushed her heart.
“Take the painting. I have no use for it.” She held her head high and walked past him. Down the aisle she walked not daring to look anywhere but straight in front.
“You will always be my girl, Noelle.”
She stopped at the last row of chairs, her back straight. He’d never in all the time they’d been together called her by her full name. The only time she’d heard her name from his lips had been in the media coverage of their relationship. Without thinking, she turned back to face him. He stood in the same spot.
“I’m not your girl,” she said, even though in her heart she knew she’d never be with anyone else.
“The best time of my life was the moment I met you.”
“Why are you saying these things? Now? Today? Why?” When their relationship had come to light, she’d read the article where he’d denied any contact with her. The feature in the newspaper had stung her more than the betrayal of her best friend and lover.
“Because I f**ked up. You’re right. I spend most of my time acting as if I don’t care what people think when the truth is, I let it get between you and me. I love you, Noelle. My love will never stop.”
His words were cutting her deep.
“And if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I will make sure you never go a day without my love. Every morning when I wake up I will prove to you with more than words what you mean to me. I cannot even begin to express the extent of the love I feel for you.”
Tears were streaming down her face as with every word he spoke, he took a step towards her.
“When you paint, I will be there to watch. When you’re sick, I will hold you until the pain stops, and you’re better. There is nothing I won’t do for you. All this means nothing to me.”
He opened his wallet and pulled out his credit cards and cheque books, throwing them at her feet. His expensive designer watch went on the floor along with a few other things he held.
Isaac grabbed her hand, placing it over his heart. She felt the heat of his body through his clothing, up her arm and inside her own heart. Staring into his eyes she saw the love he felt for her.
“I ask that you forgive me,” he said. Noelle was about to say the words when he went down on one knee. “Noelle Evans, will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?”
He went to his pocket and pulled out a small square box.
The lid opened revealing a small, delicate gold band. The simple band meant more to her than any diamonds.
“Yes,” she said. “You had my heart and my love the moment I collided with you.” They shared a smile as he got up off the floor.
He slipped the ring on her finger. The weight felt perfect to her. Isaac took her lips as their audience applauded.
“How was my proposal?” he whispered against her ear.