falling for you again

er heart racing as the words on her phone screen

brought just moments ago. Whoever was behind these messages wasn't just watching her-they knew about Max, kne

nsion in his clenched jaw was unmistakable. "They're trying to scare

s presence, his calm determination, should have been enough to ease her fears. But how could she

ldn't tr

hrough her silence.

e there, an unwavering determination to protect her, but also something deeper. Something vulnerable. The same vul

ading her thoughts. "I swear, I'm not going

in the safety his words promised. But a voice in t

n. David had been the biggest betrayal of all men she had thought she loved, only to discover the

wasn't

ns had shown nothing but care and respect for her. Ma

I don't know who's doing this, or why. And now they're targeting y

y, his grip on her hand tightening just slightly. "I'

He cared about her. It was such a simple thing to say, but it w

His touch was so gentle, so careful as if he knew she was fragile and didn't want to break her

heard the sound of her heartbeat, loud and erratic in her chest. She couldn't pull her eyes aw

ould think better of i

ting the waters. But then it deepened, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. The warmth of his body was a stark contrast to the chil

not from fear this time, but from the intensity of the connection between them. She hadn't expected to feel this way so so

him. More than th

s forehead against hers, his eyes still closed. "You don'

her mind refused to disappear completely. Whoever was watching her

s still clutching his. "But I don't know if

but calm. "Then we'll make them stop. We'll go

the authorities to help? Whoever was behind these messages seemed to be one

danger," she said, her voice barely

ad. "You're not putting me in danger. I'm choosin

For the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe-just

ht crossed her mind,

one from her pocket. Max's hand hovered over hers, his c

short, but it sent i

otect you, you're wron

s, they were closer than she had thoug

essage to Max, her voice barely audib

ning the café, his gaze sharp and focused. But the crowded room was filled with strangers

trolled anger. He grabbed her hand, pulling her gen

pping hers tightly. She glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see someo

anned the area, his body shielding hers. "I don't know who's doing this, b

cing with fear and confu

together." His eyes softened as he looked at her, his hand brushing gent

arms, Lily believed him. But as they stepped out of

as different. This time,

nning out

rning into full-blown panic. Whoever was behind this wasn't just watching a