Page 58 of Secret Baby for my Off-Limits Fiancé

I should put some distance between us.

But I don’t.

Instead, I find myself settling against him, melting into the warmth of his body like I belong there.

He lets out a sleepy chuckle, his lips brushing against my temple.

“I could get used to this,” he mutters, voice thick with exhaustion.

I don’t respond.

Because the truth is, I could too.

And that terrifies me.

I glance up at him, my heart pounding too hard, too fast.

In the dim glow of the moonlight, his features are softer, free of their usual arrogance and sharp edges.

He looks peaceful.

Safe.

And for the first time in a long time, I’m at peace too.

I swallow hard, my chest tightening with something dangerously close to longing.

I’m falling for him.

And it might already be too late to stop.

14

VALENTINO

Iglanceovermyshoulder, smirking as Layla huffs behind me, clearly struggling to keep up.

“Come on, baby, you can do better than that,” I tease, reaching the clearing ahead before she does.

She glares daggers at me, chest heaving, hands planted firmly on her hips. Her flushed cheeks and slightly tousled hair make her look effortlessly gorgeous, if only she weren’t directing all that irritation at me.

“Tell me again why you thought a hike was a good idea?” she demands between breaths.

I chuckle, stepping toward her. Before I can think better of it, I reach for her hand.

And she lets me take it.

Something sharp and electric zips through my body.

Her fingers fit against mine so naturally it’s like they were always meant to be there.

I clear my throat, pretending the simple touch doesn’t send a pulse of heat straight down my spine.

“Look around.” I nod toward the view in front of us.

Layla finally lifts her gaze from me, and then she sees it.

Rolling vineyards stretch endlessly into the golden horizon, the sky painted in soft, warm hues of orange and pink. The trees rustle lazily in the breeze, and the distant hum of cicadas fills the air.

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