Setting down the phone, I grabbed the violin. Maybe it was time for me to find a little courage of my own. I held the instrument for several minutes, played a few chords that didn't go together, and almost quit. But it was just an hour of trying. I could do that. I didn't have anything else to do.

Taking Kade's advice, I stopped thinking and just let my fingers play my emotions. All the fear, anger, and pain came out in notes that felt clashing but also cathartic.

When Kade came into the room, I looked at him in bemusement. "Has it been an hour?" I asked.

"It has been two." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "What were you playing just now…was it your music?"

I nodded. "Yes. But I don't even remember all the notes. I was just playing."

"How did it feel?" he asked, his gaze intent on mine.

"It felt good. It felt like me. Now, tell me how it sounded to you."

"Amazing. Did you write anything down?"

"No," I said, gazing into his beautiful dark eyes. "But that doesn't matter. Thank you, Kade. Thank you for making me try."

The air between us suddenly seemed electric. I became very aware of where we were and the anticipation running through my body. This man had somehow gotten into my head in a way that no one else had.

Kade suddenly cleared his throat and got up. "Goodnight, Brynn. I hope you can get some sleep now."

He was gone before I could say a word.

I stretched out on the bed, my feeling of peace having already evaporated, replaced by other, more complicated emotions. My body was tingling from the heated look we'd just exchanged, and I had a feeling that sleep had just gotten further away.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I woke up Saturday morning completely disoriented. It took a moment for me to realize I was sleeping in Kade's bed. But at least I was alone. That was a good thing, I told myself. My life was complicated enough. I didn't need an unexpected attraction to a sexy painter to tie me up in even more knots.

It was very quiet in the apartment. I got out of bed, realizing I'd once again slept in my clothes, although I had managed to kick my shoes off. At some point, I needed to find a real place to stay. I just couldn't seem to take myself away from my mom's house. This was the farthest I'd gone, and it was just downstairs.

I moved to the door and opened it quietly, peeking into the living room. I expected to find Kade asleep. I'd seen the light under the door until late into the night.

But Kade wasn't on the couch or anywhere in sight. I moved into the kitchen and once again found a fresh pot of coffee and a note: Gone to the gallery. Will check in later.