BOUND TO HER WILL

ter

city lights flicker to life as dusk dipped into night. The air between them w

... made

e him out. And Layla hated

d eventually, his voice low a

ai iced tea slowly.

specially if it ends wi

ed in her chest irritated her more than

said. "Jus

an eyebrow

he sai

heek. "You don't know me we

n't waver. "I

pt people at a comfortable distance with her cheerful, calm chaos. It worked. She di

things. Anticipating needs. St

erself. "What's your actual job? Besid

. "I own a f

agu

ns. Logistics. Some

the kind of guy whose phone

insult your favor

ite herself. "Great.

he table, voice quieter. "

were you

g moment. "Noise. Masks. Ga

e meant it. And that unsettled her mor

-

. Sunlight spilled across her comforter, mocking her need for rest. She shuffled i

update: Still waiting

t real. If a hot billionaire psyc

s weirdly spe

is a joke, remember? J

messages, unease cu

st a joke any

tery pens after too many mimosas. Layla had written hers half-jokingly-someone who saw

d the universe had

re mind-reader who stirred

-

e on 5th-a cozy little place that s

ing for. That was the rule. She wa

ok literally f

cover. No title. Just a silver moo

, every page was blank-ex

g you call in w

rawled up

k quickly and clutc

ncid

ay

fate. But ever since Luca walked i

e wants to feed you pad thai and wors

k to the register

reets, the late afternoon sun was dis

en she

s the

n in the

ga

H

la f

move. Didn't bli

hest. She reached into her pocket and

took a photo.

he text

ay

coat. Same look.

ne rang

?" Luca's voice

ifth and Culle

where there are peo

hat's go

Layla. J

bey. It was the crackle of fear behind it. Like som

-

up to the curb. The driver's door opened, a

ack slacks, a fitted shirt, and ey

the street, then her

t she couldn't hi

there," she said. "Lik

loser. "Did she

nished. A black car

under his breath, too

at him. "You kno

away. His jaw worked like

ell you somet

d something he

hed for

didn't

to change," he said softly. "And

lled. "What do

t been completely honest. About who I

th caught

to his chest. Beneath the fabric, his he

yes wi

what ar

w when you're afraid. I know when you're thinking about me. I

, panic rising in her thr

idn't

dn't d

hat wa

e you're just... really intuitive or some tech bi

t spying

the hell are

hesi

hen, f

not

hem as if the world its

t slammed aga

u to trust

he could d

thing ancient, something primal, som