Fixation (Magnetic Desires Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

imagine it was his warm skin beneath my fingers.  If he still had this, then there had to be a chance for us.
    I studied the photograph, aware that every moment I lingered made it more likely he would find out I was here before I was ready.  Still, I couldn’t rip myself away, not until I’d drunk in every last detail and reveled in the vivid clarity of one of the few precious memories I had. Soon, I would stand in front of the flesh and blood version of him, and the six years that divided us would be nothing.
    Making my way back to the door, I couldn’t help but stop in front of the streetscape again. I’d fallen in love with San Juan, with the painting, and especially with the colorful houses. My favorite, the yellow, stood proudly as the first in the streetscape. I’d wanted so badly to live there. This piece held raw emotion for me, both happiness and hope. It spoke of the future I wanted when I didn’t believe I could have one.  In the corner of the frame was a price tag, and I stretched up on tiptoe to make out the price. Turning to the girl behind the desk, I asked, "You’re selling this?"
    "Yes, it's a beautiful piece isn’t it?" The young woman tottered around the desk and made her way over to me.
    "It really is." Cocking my head to the side, I took it in from another angle.
    "Are you interested in purchasing it?" She frowned, her eyes widening as she chewed her lip.
    "Maybe."
    "Behind the painting’s joyous atmosphere there is a sad tale of unrequited love."
    I darted a glance at her from under raised eyebrows. "How do you figure that?"
    How much did she know of the story? Leo had been proud and sometimes arrogant, and I hadn’t expected he would have told our story to many.
    She folded her hands in front of her. "To be honest, we’ve had the painting now for six years. It's a great piece and we’ve had offers but Mr. Barclay, the gallery owner, hasn’t been willing to part with it until now. I can only assume it holds memories for him."
    "I want to buy it."
    "Great, let me set up a meeting with the owner. He wants to handle this sale himself," she said, leading the way to her desk. Handing me his card, she pulled a pen from the bun on her head while flipping through the diary on the ipad. "There's a spot open on Tuesday."
    I tapped the card against my fingernails. As much as I wanted the painting, I wasn’t ready to confront Leo yet. There were still things I needed to do before I showed myself. "Unfortunately, I can’t do Tuesday. Let me check my schedule and get back to you."
    "Sure. But can I suggest you don’t wait too long? We’ve had queries about this painting already."
    "Thanks, I’ll let you know." I slid the card into my purse. "I’ll give you a call in the next few days."
    She stared at me. "I'm sorry if this is rude, but do I know you?"
    I held my breath. Of course she'd likely seen the photograph so many times, but seeing the subject was putting her off recognizing me outright. "No, I'm new in town."
    "Oh." My answer seemed to satisfy her and she went back to the ipad. Exhaling, I turned and strode back out to the street.
    At the end of the block, Leo meandered in my direction, his attention on his phone while he held a brown paper bag and a coffee cup, his camera bag slung over his shoulder. I bit down on the urge to throw myself at him and instead dropped into the shallow entry between the buildings. He stopped at a motorcycle, glancing around, and I froze until he stowed his bag and climbed onto the bike. Only when he'd torn off down the street did I venture out of my hiding spot and head back the way I had come.

Chapter Five
     
    Leo
    I set my camera bag down on the edge of the deck and watched my brother’s guests mingle around the backyard. Taking a swig of my beer, I wished it were Jack, or Jimmy, or even vodka. Right now, anything would be better than this charade of an alcoholic beverage that seemed to be the one constant amongst the guests.
    I sat the bottle down beside