Chapter 551

Chapter 550:

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “For being a weak link p>

Justin’s grip tightened, just enough to convey his meaning. He shifted his weight and moved closer to the edge of the sofa, lifting her leg and resting her calf across his muscular thigh. His hands slid higher, past her ankle, his thumbs pressing gently into the soft skin just below her knee.

Carmen’s heart hammered against her ribs. The physical proximity was its own language — a silent affirmation of everything they had chosen together.

Justin leaned forward. His face was inches from hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek and smell the faint, masculine scent of cedar and expensive soap.

“Carmen,” he said, his voice dropping to a low, resonant whisper. “You are not a weak link. You are the reason I fight. We are in this together. And I will protect you from anything p>

His words settled over her like a shield — a promise from the man who had already chosen her, all of her, flaws and all.

He leaned in closer. His gaze dropped to her lips.

Carmen’s eyes fluttered shut. She was completely still, caught between the sharp fear of what was coming for them and the pure, undeniable comfort of being exactly where she was.

Ne𝗐 𝘸ee𝗸𝘭𝘺 𝖼h𝖺p𝗍𝘦𝘳𝗌 о𝘯.сo𝘮

Justin’s lips brushed against the sensitive skin just below Carmen’s ear.

His breath was hot and unsteady. His large hands slid further up her calf, his thumbs pressing firmly into the muscle, sending a jolt of warmth straight through her.

Carmen’s entire body went boneless. The rational part of her brain — the part screaming about Conrad Sterling and hidden political agendas — was completely overwhelmed by the heavy, intoxicating rush of connection.

She parted her lips, letting out a soft, involuntary sigh, and tilted her head back, exposing the long column of her neck to him.

Justin groaned low in his chest. He shifted his weight, closing the final fraction of an inch between their mouths.

The heavy oak front door of the townhouse slammed open.

“Mom! Dad! I got an A on my science project p>

Aaden’s bright, energetic voice echoed through the foyer, followed by the heavy thud of his backpack hitting the hardwood floor.

Justin and Carmen snapped apart as though struck by a live wire.

Justin shot up from the rug and turned his back to the hallway, running a hand roughly through his dark hair. A muscle feathered in his jaw, betraying the intensity of his frustration.

Carmen scrambled upright on the sofa, her face burning with a deep flush. She frantically smoothed the hem of her skirt down over her knees, her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

Aaden ran into the living room waving a piece of construction paper. He stopped dead when he saw them. His wide, innocent eyes darted from Justin’s rigid posture to Carmen’s flushed face, then dropped to the ice pack and tube of ointment on the coffee table.

“Mom?” he asked, his excitement evaporating into concern. He ran to the sofa. “What happened to your foot? Are you hurt p>

Carmen forced a steady smile and reached out to brush a stray curl from his forehead. “I’m okay, sweetie. I just slipped on the stairs and twisted my ankle. Dad was helping me put some medicine on it p>