The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 771

Tara wraps her arms around his neck on instinct, pressing her cheek against his broad back. Through his shirt, she can feel his steady heartbeat and radiating body heat. The lingering awkwardness from moments ago dissolves, replaced by a profound sense of security and a flutter in her chest.

Across the rocky riverbed, sharp-eyed colleagues spot them and immediately start teasing. "Well, would you look at that! Mr. Calhoun is carrying President Dennis like a royal princess!"

"Seriously, they're shoving their romance right in our faces!" another jokes.

A woman nearby chimes in, swooning. "I know, right? Look at Mr. Calhoun—he took his shoes off and is walking barefoot on the rocks just so she doesn't get her feet wet. The attention to detail is melting my heart! Compared to my husband, who complains when I ask him to bring me an umbrella in the pouring rain, I want to toss my guy back into the womb for a total redo."

A newlywed male colleague feigns a heavy sigh. "We're doomed. Mr. Calhoun just raised the bar for boyfriends everywhere. How are the rest of us supposed to survive now?"

Laughter and good-natured teasing echo across the water, filled with nothing but lighthearted envy. Hearing their jokes, Tara's cheeks burn hotter, and she buries her face deeper into his shoulder. But she can't stop the corners of her mouth from lifting. Her heart feels like melted sugar, warm and overwhelmingly sweet.

Danny turns a deaf ear to the playful uproar. He keeps his focus entirely on the uneven ground, carrying her safely to the flat grassy area on the opposite bank before setting her down with incredible care. "Find a place to sit for a minute," he tells her softly. "I'm going to grab our things and set up the tent."

Without waiting for an answer, he turns and heads back toward the water. The careful, measured steps he took while carrying her are gone, replaced by confident, long strides.

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