My Dear, Valentine

asn't going to argue. I gave a weak nod

peared again. Maybe he'd only come to make me br

use. It had been so long since I'd felt this caref

of my own voice, the hum turning into a quiet tune I barely recognized. Maybe it was something from my childhood-one of the lullabies Mom

was exhausting. Max must've kept it well-ma

earing beside me. I flinched, cursing inw

st yet!" I panicked. Earlier, he'd sa

" he said, and my e

?" I asked, rememberi

town over-an hour's driv

ready!" I rushed to

-shirt and jeans. The closet was full of clot

ebellious about the freedom to choose even this. No corsets, no painted lips, no forced smiles. Just m

'd never had the freedom to sho

confused, as he reached out and gathered my hair, securing i

whom. Maybe he had sisters. Or maybe he was just used to fixing his own hair and didn't thi

etter," he

efore turning away. I followed his long str

. I nodded, stealing a glance at his profile. His expression was stern, his dark lips slightly

are plenty of staff there, so your worklo

my distant cousin so

o there?" I as

ver, bodyguard. It depe

that you're the late Mr.

tomorrow. Hopefully

ou'll only work mornings to e

y found me a job there. My real mission wasn't to work

ilding came into view. I pressed my face against the

Everything was loud and alive-a sharp contrast to the silence of the cabin. It felt li

e." Max yanked my a

s grip tightened around my hand, as if I w

still searching for me-but we were so f

s too fast for me to keep up. Had

s-groceries, pantry items, some snacks. It felt amazing to

where before?" Max asked

brothel. We never left unless it

this your cha

s, chocolate in a dozen shapes, fruits I'd never tasted. But even now, that invisible leash tu

Max with too many bags

in a few weeks,

ay

now, so... can you bring me

indifferent, but I di

hand, only letting go to pay a

ars. I turned to Max as he settled in, about to thank him-

asked when he didn

he ordered. His tense express

scanned our surroundings while I st

aned in-so close I felt

o kiss you so they think we're just a

kiss?

s warm lips brushed against m