ritation tightened in his chest. Carolina had given him anothe

e mask gave him away, and they instantly knew who stood before them. Around th

the women replied,

r my wife. She has brown hair and honey-colored eyes.

"There is someone like that at the bookstore." He

had only ever been one bookstor

rned to stare. Their whispers followed him, l

since his last visit. When he returned after everything changed, someone caught sight of him without the mask, without anyt

et without slowing. The moment his hand touched the do

nly made his

uld have been in pain, not la

k eyes, talking as if she had no care in the world. From what

once. That man was th

turned toward him. The light in her eyes faded almost at onc

od close to two meters tall, while she barely reached 1.61 meters and remained seated on the low

yourself?" he asked, his t

rrowed her

thinks she can loo

her hand in dismissal and turned her attention back to t

se. Without holding back, he r

e stepped closer. Maximo shot him a furious look, but it didn't shake him.

Maximo shifted his gaze towa

n Lozano. I own th

o close to you?" He turned sharply towa

na answered in

a moment to

before. There was no reason for her to know anyone here. Had they met online? Had

ifted towar

. maybe a few hours? Th

surprise flickered across his expression. It didn't last. Once he unde

ped to her foot, w

hurt you

e now. Still, thank

eath her legs, while the other supported her back. In one motion, he l

wife," he said, his voice t

with steady steps. Carolina held onto his neck,

or and set her down carefully. He secured her seatbel

age behind. The moment the streets dis

thinking? Walking aro

look around,"

idn't you wait for me?" he asked

you. And I don't see how exploring

, and she seemed satisfied with it. He might have thought he could contr

re really pushi

lear instructions. If somethi

the way here on

d

ned his focus to the road ahead. A breath s

re. Something could've gone wrong, and you wouldn't have seen it coming.

meant safety. With so few people around, anyone who tried something would be easy to identify. Still, admitting t

e," she snapped. "And as for Bastian, he treate

d him, sharp and fil

e nothing can touch you, and somehow I'm the pr

farm belongs to you, doesn't it? And

he said, hitting the steering w

vorce me," she replied with a shru

rakes. The sudden stop threw her forward slightly

ed a hand through his light hair. Under the sun, th

t in his presence sent a cold feeling down her spine.

what are

et her down on the hood of the car. He guided her close

es

gh to make her tilt her head up. It didn't hurt, but it forced

ou?" he said, leaning in. "You

ugh her body as

though uncertainty l

By the time his hand reached the edge of her underwear, her breathing had already changed, and h

at you want