Real peace. The kind that came from making the right choice even when it was the hard one.
I’d saved him. He’d saved me. We’d fought through hell together and come out the other side.
Not unscathed. Never unscathed.
But alive. Together. Free.
The sunset painted the sky in spectacular shades. Orange, pink, purple bleeding together like watercolors.
Beautiful didn’t cover it.
I stood there for a while, breathing. Being. Letting the ocean’s rhythm settle deep.
Footsteps approached. I didn’t turn. Knew who it was by his presence.
Arms wrapped from behind.
I startled, just for a heartbeat, old defensive instincts kicking in.
Then I recognized his touch. His scent. The solid warmth of him against my back.
Xavier.
I relaxed, letting my weight settle against his chest.
His chin rested on my shoulder. Arms locked, holding me close.
“Are you trying to flee?”
I laughed. Actually laughed, light and genuine. “Flee? From you?”
“You walked away.”
“I wanted you to have this with your sister.”
He turned me in his arms. Gentle pressure until I faced him.
Ocean breeze moved his hair. Sunset painted his face in gold and shadow. Green eyes catching the fading light.
Beautiful. Devastatingly so.
“I had enough and will have more,” he said quietly. “Now I want this with you.”
My chest tightened. Good tight.
I reached up, cupping his face. “How did it go?”
“Good.” His throat worked. “Hard. But good.”
“She forgave you?”
“There was nothing to forgive.” His voice roughened. “She just wanted me back.”
I smoothed my thumb across his cheekbone. “I told you.”
“You did.”
He pulled me closer. Forehead dropping to mine, close enough I could feel his breath.
