Anne quickly pressed her hand to Augustine's lips, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "Don't say things like that," she whispered, voice trembling. "Don't talk about risking your life. What would I do if something happened to you?"
Augustine smiled. "Nothing is going to happen to me," he said with quiet confidence. "No one can lay a hand on me. I know how to protect myself and those I care about."
But his reassurance didn't ease the worry gripping her heart. Anne threw her arms around him, holding him tightly, as if she could shield him from danger by sheer will alone.
Augustine chuckled, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. "You really have no idea what you do to me when you are this close," he whispered in her ear. "If you keep clinging to me like that, I might lose control and start something right here."
