Chapter 17 Esme's heart jumped as Pearl - the ever - troublesome kitten - knocked over a can of paint . She quickly scooped the little rascal into her arms , made a loose fist , and tapped its tiny head with a mock scold . " You're going to mess up the masterpiece , you know that ? " Pearl meowed defiantly , and just like that , Esme found herself bickering with a cat . Neil paused his brush mid - stroke , watching them with a gentle smile . The studio , once so still and quiet , suddenly felt alive . Esme set the kitten outside the door and let out a breath . She knelt to gather the paint tubes . that had rolled everywhere . " I've got it , " Neil said , crouching beside her . They both reached for the same tube - and their hands touched . Esme's cheeks flared pink . She tried to pull away , but Neil's strong , paint - roughened fingers pressed over hers . Because of all his years painting , his fingertips were callused - when he touched her wrist , the sensation was unexpectedly intimate . " N - Neil … " Her voice trembled as she tried to slip her hand free . But he only tightened his hold , weaving his fingers through hers . " You- ! " Esme started to protest , but Neil pulled her right into his arms . The paints she'd just gathered scattered across the floor again . " Don't move ," he whispered against her neck , his breath warm against her skin . Goosebumps prickled down her arms . With their chests pressed together , she could feel his heart racing - just as fast as hers . " Neil , what are you doing ? " " Esme , do you really not see how I feel about you ? " Neil nuzzled closer , almost like he was marking her with his own invisible signature . " … " " Don't bring up your divorce again , " he interrupted , wrapping her tighter and settling her on his lap . His hair brushed her ear , making her shiver . " You've said it a hundred times since you moved in . Is that your way of telling me to give up ? " Frustration flickered across his face . He gently bit her shoulder . " You know I won't give up . " " And you … you like me too , don't you ? " " Neil , love isn't a game … " Esme bit her lip , hesitating before she finally spoke again . " I've been hurt before . That's why I know how serious this is . I don't want you to regret it or get hurt because of me- " " That won't happen ," he said , his voice fierce . " You'd never hurt me . " " Neil , I- " " Esme , is it really impossible for you to accept me ? " Neil let her go , his eyes searching hers . " Some people talk about taking in stray kittens , but when the kitten shows up , they turn it away … " For a split second , Esme could almost picture him with a pair of drooping kitten ears , looking so lost . " Some people barge into your life , but then try to leave the moment things get complicated … " Neil's voice was thick with hurt . He started to pull away . " Tomorrow , you'll probably move out , no matter what I say . Even if I show up at the coffee shop , you'll act like you don't see me - like I'm invisible . " His voice dropped , and he tried to push her off gently . " Just pretend I was joking . We can go back to how things were … " " I never said I wouldn't take you in . I will . " Neil froze , only to see Esme grinning at him , her fingers lacing tightly with his . She stroked his back , her words low and warm against his ear , soothing and stirring him all at once . " You've already made your way to my door . How could I turn you away now ? " Neil stared at her - and then he kissed her , hard . As their lips met , he whispered , almost desperately , " Promise you won't send this little stray away . That you'll keep this home for me ? " Breathless , Esme wrapped her arms around his neck . " Never . " Before she could say anything else , Neil kissed her again , deeper and more possessive , his teeth grazing her lips as if he wanted to claim her . - Meanwhile , at the Mitchell estate … Joy was kneeling on the floor , her cheeks painfully swollen , streaked with blood . Chapter 17 Two bodyguards stood over her , striking her face over and over without mercy . Grandma Mitchell , still fuming , shouted , " How dare you lie to me ! Lie to the Mitchell family ! " Liam's heavy steps echoed as he walked in . Grandma Mitchell rushed to him . " Liam , where's Esme ? Has she forgiven you ? " He shook his head , his face like stone . " Oh , what do we do now ? Esme will never forgive me for this ! " Grandma Mitchell slapped Joy , sending her sprawling to the floor . " You little snake ! You thought you could use the Mitchell family for your own gain ? " Liam watched Joy sobbing on the floor , remembering the call from his assistant , anger and hatred boiling in his chest . " Take her away - and get rid of her baby . " Joy's head snapped up in horror , tears filling her eyes . " Liam , please , no ! I'll die if you do this ! " Liam just stared down at her , colder than ever . " Don't you love putting on a show ? Don't you love playing the victim ? " " Mr. Price has already decided - both you and the child belong to the Mitchell family now . We'll deal with you as we see fit ." His eyes were ice . " Take her away . Make sure she loses that child . "