illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. Julian sat in a velvet armchair, fully dre

hes Gavin had procured-a modest cream dress that cost more than most peopl

ian said. He didn't offer a prea

ltered. "Julian

ffee table between them. "I am a recently divorced man. The ink

a list. Movie roles. Endorsement

ked, her voice trembli

aid coldly. "For your ti

ing she had been clawing for in Hollywood for five years.

he paparazzi outside. If I walk out of here and s

htened. He hated

o you s

. "Just friends. Close friends. It protects your image. You're not a l

ugly, but it was predictable. He preferred predictable to th

ess without my team's approval. And do not think

"Of course

f. There was a faint trace of that scent again-Wild Rose. He loo

his head. It must

bu. She stood in front of the brick build

at used to be

out to a truck with the

ver who was carrying her drafting table.

w, lady," the mover

Vivian

ce of S.W. Studios, emerged from the building

avoiding her eye

pels. "We had a pact, Dante. No corp

bling debts... they were going to break my legs, Vee

im as if he burned

pocket. He pulled out a thick contract. "The acquisi

ct. She flipped through th

ith the company for a minimum of two years post-acquisition

illion

as a dry, hysterical

nows he bought the designer named Rose. You can still b

the page. Julian Ford-Sterling IV. The pen str

house only to walk

ounts had money-Rose earned well-but not that much, and moving that kind o

y, Vee,"

he anger that had been simmering since the divorce, since the nig

into something

She smoothed her

te with eyes that

pare himself. He wanted Rose? He's