Anne stiffened, his words shocking her.
Fall in love with him? The idea should have made her laugh. She should have scoffed, rolled her eyes, brushed him off. But she didn't. She couldn't.
Because deep down, she felt it—the undeniable pull toward him. The way her heart pounded, the way her body reacted at his nearness – it was something she hadn't anticipated. It terrified her.
Her silence and the look in her eyes revealed that he had certain effects on her. At least, she didn't push him away.
Augustine's eyes flickered with something triumphant. A knowing smile touched his lips. It was enough for him to believe that he could make her fall for him.
Leaning even closer, he whispered in her ear, "You're already falling for me."
Anne inhaled sharply, startled by his sheer confidence. Her lips parted to protest, to throw back a sharp remark—but before she could speak, he pressed a finger against her lips.
Her entire body tensed at the light touch.
