Page 54 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

A small, shaky breath escapes her.

Then, she nods. “Of course. We’d love to stay.”

Quinn claps her hands. “Perfect. You two will be in the guest room.”

I exhale.

One bed.

One night.

With Layla wearing that damn dress.

I’m so screwed.

13

LAYLA

Myheartpoundsasthe door to the guest room clicks shut behind me, sealing us inside. My heels dangle from my fingers as I step further into the dimly lit space, the faint scent of cedarwood and something distinctly him wrapping around me.

The air is thick, charged with something neither of us has dared to name.

The party had been a blur of stolen glances, of fingertips grazing over skin in fleeting, dangerous touches. Of his voice, low and rough in my ear, making promises I’m not sure were ever spoken aloud.

And now, here we are.

Valentino leans against the door, arms crossed over his broad chest, watching me. His tie is loose around his neck, the top buttons of his shirt undone, revealing a sliver of tan skin I’ve been thinking about far too much tonight.

"My family loved you at the party. And seeing you in that dress… You looked beautiful tonight."

I arch a brow, setting my heels on the floor. "Only tonight?"

His smirk is lazy, dark. "You always look good." He pushes off the door, taking a slow step toward me. "But tonight? You were a distraction."

I let out a soft laugh, even as my pulse betrays me, racing at the way he closes the space between us. "A distraction? That’s an interesting way to say you couldn’t keep your eyes off me."

Valentino hums, his gaze dropping to my lips before lifting back to my eyes. "And here I thought you didn’t notice."

I tilt my chin up. "Oh, I noticed."

A challenge. A dare.

He takes another step closer, and suddenly, the space between us feels too small, the air too thick.

My breath catches, my body hyper-aware of every inch of him, of the heat rolling off him, the quiet intensity in his gaze, the way my own body leans into his pull, unable to fight it.

For the first time tonight, words fail us.

Silence settles, heavy and expectant.

And then we just look at each other.

No more teasing, no more games. Just anticipation. Need.

His jaw flexes, his eyes darkening, and in that moment, I know, if he touches me, if I let him, there will be no going back.

“So…” I murmur, turning to face him.

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