“I have a fear of them but knowing they are behind the glass and can’t eat me makes me feel better.” Evelyn pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she stared at them.
Faith leaned into Asher’s chest as he pointed to a hammerhead shark that swam past. He was whispering into her ear, and she was giggling.
“Two days, love birds!” I sang out to them.
Faith’s pearly white smile widened. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening!”
Evelyn laughed. “I can. You two are made for each other. Always have been!”
“Damn straight.” Asher kissed the back of Faith’s head.
Luca bumped my shoulder against his. “You hungry?”
“I’m starving!” My stomach growled, confirming my statement. Our friends laughed around us.
“It’s time for us to head back anyway.” Asher checked his watch. “Dinner’s in an hour.”
Luca gave me a lopsided grin. “I don’t know if Mags can wait that long.”
I rolled my eyes and grumbled. But he had a point, my stomach was eating itself. The attention Luca was showing gave me butterflies. It was as if he was finally letting his walls down for me, but I didn’t want to push it. I had to wait for him to make a move. I couldn’t run him off again.
Day Four
8 PM - 9 PM - After Dinner
My feet sunk into the primrose sand, the steady warmth from the grains absorbed through the soles. The stars shimmered across the night sky. I inhaled the salty air, entranced by the sound of waves. With the moon, the shore was tinted sepia, the sand more orange, and the water dark. My stomach was full of the juicy steak and baked potato I had at dinner. The meal paired perfectly with the copious amount of red wine I helped myself to.
I swayed back and forth as the ocean breeze tousled my hair. I turned my head and saw Luca’s muscular physique strolling my way.
“Thought I’d find you out here.” His hair was pushed back. The black strands had grown out in the four days we had been here, and he wore it well.
I outstretched my arms and stumbled into a spin, my feet stepping into the lapping of the waves. “Why wouldn’t I be? We only have three more days to take advantage of this beautiful island before we go back to Violet Ridge.”
His arms shot out to catch me before I fell into the water, enclosing me in his warmth. I wrapped my arms around his waist and nuzzled my face into his chest. He smelled like a perfect combination of seaweed and timber. A mixture of home with the exciting new location we were at. “Careful, Mags.”
A bubble of laughter came out as I stared up at him. The moonlight bathed us in soft blue light. His once smooth jaw had a perfect stubble appearing. I was tired of waiting, and my hand reached up to let my fingers skim against the stiffness of the facial hair. Being in his arms was a little touch of heaven.
The swirls of emotion I saw in his blue eyes made me gasp. Desire, vulnerability, and… something else. But before I could consider it further, his hands rested on each side of my face as he covered my mouth with his in a ravenous kiss. As our lips moved together, sparks flew for the first time. The kiss obliterated every thought. It was perfect, the way his lips connected with mine. His mouth was warm, the caress of his lips softer than any of our previous kisses. I opened my mouth with a low moan, allowing his tongue to slip inside.
A kiss like that was just the beginning, a promise of more to come. He pulled away, and my fingers trembled as I held them against my lips. “Does this mean you’re…”
“Willing to give us a try? I think so. But, fuck, Mags. I’m scared.” His breathing ragged as he pressed his lips into a slight frown.
“It’s okay to be scared.” I touched my nose to his. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.” His thumb brushed over my cheek.
I shook my head. “I’m here, but you have to promise me you won’t walk away again.”
His fingers gently ran up and down my spine, coaxing shivers of need out of me as his forehead rested against mine. I watched breathlessly as his eyes studied me with silent intensity. His warm breath fanned across my lips. “If you really think I can do this, I’m not going anywhere.” The heat of his statement traveled through my veins. Just as a rush of euphoric bliss enveloped my heart, he drew away.
“You can do this. Just be open with me.” My lips parted as desire swelled in my lower abdomen.
He linked his fingers with mine. “I’ll try. I may fuck up, but I promise I’ll try.”
I bit my lower lip, and my eyes flickered toward the light of the resort. We were a good way from it, at least a twenty-minute walk back. A few brightly colored lounge chairs were situated behind us a bit. “Do you want to stay here a little longer?”
A mischievous glint twinkled in his eyes. “I think we could occupy ourselves a bit longer.” His thumbs hooked the straps of my dress, sliding them over my shoulders.
I hooked my hands through the straps, letting the dress pool at my feet. His eyes explored my body like he was taking in a piece of art, running over the pale-pink lace bra with matching underwear. I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. He grabbed the hem of his shirt, lifting it over his head.
He always had a chiseled chest, but he was even more defined than before. His skin was tanned, and it glowed, even under the light of the moon. His abdominals were sculpted to perfection. His biceps were solid and his shoulders were round and protruding. It felt different this time. The
