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look scared.”
    “I’m fine.”
    He moved away from the door and sat on the bed.
Noelle couldn’t get over how handsome he looked. He was older than she. She saw
it in the lines on his face and the easy way in which he carried himself.
    His dark hair looked thick and silky. She
wondered what it would be like to touch him and feel him against her. He had
dark eyes, darker than anything she’d ever seen. His whole presence spoke of
power and wealth. She didn’t know why she thought that, but looking at him he
fit the wealthy role.
    “Do you like what you see?” he asked.
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare.”
    “Look as long as you like. You may come closer
if you wish.”
    She shook her head. “I’m fine standing here.”
    He smiled which lightened up his whole face. She
had the sudden instinct to draw him. She wanted to capture the beauty of the
moment. He looked so at ease with himself.
    Gazing down the length of her body, she was
drawn to the strength of his arms. The white shirt he wore was tight around the
muscles of his upper arms. Everything on him looked thick and sturdy.
    “Do you work out?” she asked.
    “Sometimes.”
    “You can tell.”
    “You don’t work out,” he said. Noelle blushed as
she gazed down at her body. She enjoyed eating, and her body showed her love of
food. Her dress sizes were in double figures. The last time she checked she was
well into a size sixteen with some skirts being eighteen. Her body was full and
rounded. Exercise never appealed to her. Running outside would never happen for
her, and running in one place was not an option.
    “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be sorry. I love the way you look.”
    She frowned and lifted her gaze to him. He was
looking up and down her body. “This feels awkward.”
    “Then come closer, and we’ll get to know one
another.”
    With small movements, she walked to where he sat
on the bed. He took her hand and set her down next to him.
    “What’s your name?”
    “Isaac.”
    His name played in her mind. She liked the name.
It suited him.
    “Do you have a last name?”
    “Just call me Isaac while we’re here.”
    Isaac hadn’t let go of her hand. She found
herself staring at the connection they shared. His hand was darker, sun-tanned,
which was a complete contrast next to the pale untouched colour of her skin.
    He reached out to touch the side of her face
that was covered by her hair. She stopped him capturing his hand in hers. Both
of their hands touched. His heat penetrated her cold palms. He represented
everything she wasn’t, hot, sexy, warm, and many wonderful feelings she could
only wish to think about.
    “You’re cold,” he said.
    “My hands always are.”
    “I want to see you, Elle. Trust me. I’m not like
other men.”
    Tears filled her eyes as panic erupted inside
her. Most men ran away from her. By holding his hands she felt a need inside
her to be close to this one man. What if he ran when he saw her scars?
    “I’m afraid.” She bit her lip to keep the tears
at bay. For too long she’d let her tears fall and given into the fear that
claimed her.
    “Then fight it. You’ve already won half the
battle in being here with me. You could have given in and not come at all.
You’re here. Slowly, you’re fighting for what you want.” He pulled out of her
grip and placed his palm on the right side of her face over her hair.
    She found herself breathing hard and staring
into his sinfully dark eyes.
    “Trust me.”
    She nodded her head as he moved her hair out of
the way. Her breathing stopped as her hair went behind her ear, the right side
of her face exposed for him to see. Noelle closed her eyes. She couldn’t bear
to see the disgust on his face. The bed moved, and she expected to hear the
sound of the door.
    “You really went through some pain during this.”
Opening her eyes she watched as he settled on the bed, facing her. He cupped
her cheek and tilted her face up for a better look. His thumb touched the line
from