Celeste's cheeks turned deep pink at his bold words.

This man was shameless, boldly saying such things without hesitation.

Yet, the way his arms held her so firmly, the possessiveness in the strength of his embrace—it made her heart race in a way she couldn't deny.

"Shameless," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed, but even she knew there was no real bite behind her words.

She didn't want to admit it, but there was a strange comfort in his arms. What had started as ...