Page 96 of My French Love Affair

Like I’m being watched.

The rational part of me says I’m imagining it. That after one too many encounters, my brain is primed to expect him at every turn, twisting every shadow and every glance into him.

But then I catch a glimpse of something out of the corner ofmy eye.

A figure, dark and familiar, moving just behind me.

I keep walking, winding my way further around the yacht, the warm ocean breeze kissing my skin.

But each time I steal another glance, there he is.

Still following.

Still watching.

My pulse skitters against my ribs, my heart hammering a beat I don’t quite understand. It’s not fear - not exactly.

It’s something else; something restless and buzzing beneath the surface, making my skin feel too tight, too aware.

I should be annoyed. I should be irritated.

Instead, I feel something dangerously close toexcited.

God, what the fuck is wrong with me?

I tell myself I’m being ridiculous. That maybe he’s just heading in the same direction. That there are plenty of people on this yacht and just because he happens to be moving in the same path as me doesn’t mean I’m being followed.

Doesn’t mean he’shunting me down.

Still, my pulse pounds in my ears, my body humming with an energy I can’t place.

The warmth of the party is a distant memory as I step onto the lower deck, where the air is cooler, quieter. The muffled thrum of music and laughter is dulled, replaced by the soft lapping of the ocean against the hull.

I exhale slowly, trying to shake the feeling crawling up my spine.

But Istillfeel it.

The weight of being watched.

I come to a stop, my breath uneven, every nerve in my body buzzing.

And then, slowly, I turn.

My heart is practically in my throat, my body tight with adrenaline, skin prickling in anticipation as I brace myself to see him.

To find him, to catch him in the act, to -

Oh.

He’s gone.

It’s just the dimly lit hallway behind me, empty and still.

There’s no dark silhouette, no piercing blue eyes watching me from the shadows.

Nothing.

I swallow hard, my heartbeat slamming against my ribs as I force a slow breath in through my nose, relief coursing through me.

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