A Masterpiece Of Our Love (The Masterpiece Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

snapped. Silence greeted him. No matter how annoyed she got him, biting her head off wasn't the answer.
    "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I just don't like this whole thing with Eva. She makes me nervous. I worry about you. So ... is Becca there? Did you find her?"
    Typical Shara. She'd get annoyed, as she did easily, but when it came down to it, she was there for him. Most times, he knew she wanted the best for him. In tough situations, they both butted heads because they were too wound up and worried.
    "I'm sorry too, Shara. This isn't the ideal situation for anyone. I do have things to tend to up here. I did find her though. She's been here every time." Regret smacked him right in the heart. "Let me get back to you later, okay? Thank you for all your help." Without another word, he disconnected the call and shuffled toward the balcony. The ocean before him was a picturesque view. The waves crashed upon the shore. What he wouldn't give to take a run along the waves right now. Maybe that's what he'd do. He wanted to feel the cool rush of water at his feet. Maybe he'd even take a swim.
    The sun rose over the horizon, casting an array of colors on the water. A silhouetted shadow caught his eye. Hunter squinted to get a better view of the shadow. Was Becca up already? This early? Oh, he saw exactly what she was doing. She was capturing the sunrise on canvas. He smiled and hurried to get dressed in hopes of catching her still on the beach while he could.
    A brisk breeze ruffled his hair outside. Birds sang happily while flitting from tree to tree. Nothing beat the sound of the waves rushing back and forth across the sandy shore. He caught the backside of Becca. She wore a blue tank top. She'd brought out a folding chair which she perched on right in front of her wooden easel. Only Becca. Who else did he know that would come out here like this with an easel and paint the world's beauty? He let out a breath that sounded like a hiss as his pulse quickened just thinking about her.
    Becca managed to capture his heart. She'd been in a fragile place four years ago after breaking up with her boyfriend of three years. His off again status with Eva further proved that they weren't a good match. He'd always known that, but he'd done his best. Then he learned the news that changed everything.
    He should have told Becca. He should have called her and explained to her what happened. Never before when he'd left did it leave such an emptiness inside. It was odd. His feelings were conflicted, just as he knew hers had been. Though they only saw each other on a yearly basis until his absence, she always got him. Always. Their connection went deeper than the tragedy that bound them together.
    Now closer to her, Hunter sighed in relief when she put the brush down. He would startle her, not on purpose of course, but he couldn't make her aware of his presence without her messing up the piece she'd been working on. She'd captured the sunrise perfectly. It was stunning, just as she was. "I didn't expect to find you up so early after our late night," Hunter said softly, plopping down in the sand beside her.
    With a gasp and a slight jump, Becca faced him. Her lips curved up into a smile. "The same goes for you." The smoothness of her voice ran over his skin in a wave of chills.
    "Sleep hasn't been on my side lately," he admitted.
    "No offense, but it shows. You look exhausted." Concern laced her voice as she studied him.
    "None taken. I agree with you. I know it shows." Time to take the subject off his lack of sleep. He gestured to her canvas. "It's beautiful. God Becca, you should be in a gallery somewhere with your talent." He knew her grandparents held her back, as they had with anything she wanted. So many times while writing back and forth, phone calls, or visits, he'd wanted to sweep her away from them. Becca had so much to offer, but because the only family she had to take care of her sheltered her so much, she wasn't shining as she should. So many of the