Page 133 of The Innovator

I strode over to her design table, a massive block of stone I’d gotten from a European vendor. Placingthe takeout bag on a side table, I met her smiling eyes as she continued her phone conversation.

She quickly adjusted the black fabric covering the display. “Okay, see you tomorrow night.” Placing her phone on the table, she beamed at me.

“Everything okay with Kiera?” I asked.

“Yeah. The girls and I are meeting tomorrow before she goes to Texas for her next photoshoot. Her mom’s in the hospital, so she’s stressed. I told her we’d visit Mrs. Ford so she could focus on work. Mrs. Ford lives just outside of Providence.”

“That’ll give Kiera peace of mind.”

Nodding, Natalie moved in front of the display as though she didn’t want me to inquire, but her suspicious gesture made me curious. Her excited expression made me want to yank off the cover.

Sunlight streamed in through the reflective glass and cast a shower of golden rays onto the walls and the floor.

She walked up to me, and beams of sunlight radiated around her, illuminating her face and making her hair appear gold. Or rather,shemade the sunlight brighter.

Sunlight without her was just sunlight. Sunlightwithher transformed into this metaphysical or cosmic ray that I couldn’t explain. It was like a photonic light that came from a different place that was so unique—so perfect.

I yanked her to me and turned her around to face the windows.

“This is the beauty I want you to see.” A flock of birds flew by and broke through the sunrays while casting moving shadows on the floor and walls.

“I love how the sun illuminates my office. It’s magical the way the building comes alive with the light.”

She turned to face me, the blue of her eyes like glittering gemstones.

“You make it come alive.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I used to think I knew everything about architecture and creativity, but I was wrong.”

A crease appeared between her eyebrows. “What do you mean? You’re an extraordinary architect. Myfavorite.”

She had no idea the profound effect she had on me, or how much she had changed me.

“Everyone knows the sun gives life to everything. The initial reason I was drawn to The Prism was because of the way the sunlight hits it. But since I met you, I learned something new.” My fingers skimmed her cheek. “The sunlight didn’t know it existed until it touchedyou. You gave it meaning.” I heard her gasp as emotion filled her eyes. “The moment the sunlight hits your face, it realizes its purpose.”

Tears glistened down her face like rivers of diamonds.

“You gave me purpose, Natalie. I love you.” I ushered her over to the window, placing her hand on the panel with mine. “Windows are my signature feature. They let me see everything in the world. You’re everything I see, everything I feel, and everything I dream of.”

“Stop making me cry.” She buried her face in my chest.

Smiling, I grabbed her a tissue from the desk.

Once she dried her tears, she embraced me, pressed her face into my neck, sniffed, and sighed as though she wanted to absorb me.

“You’ve changed me too, Grayson. Your brilliant mind makes you an innovator who creates profound things. I admire what’s in here.” I tapped his head. “And here.” I placed my hand over his heart. “Let me show you how you’ve inspired me.”

* * *

Natalie

His unique scent was kissed by the sun, chilled by the snow, and pressurized in a container of aged wine, organic wood, and rustic metal. He was masculine, and he was all mine.

I never knew what it felt like to matter so much to someone. Grayson made me feel like I was the reason for his existence. Standing beside him, my heart overflowed with love and gratitude.

I broke free from his addictive scent and interlaced my fingers with his, steering him toward the concealed display. “I dedicate this to you—a man forever tied to me.”

He arched a curious eyebrow while walking around the concealed display case.

My heart thudded, unsure if he’d like what I’d created for him. He’d seen three of them before, but now he had the full spectrum of colors and designs.

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