Page 136 of My Real Love Affair

“I just feel so plain compared to the women you are usually seen with.” She paused. “You could be with anyone. Models.Actresses. Women who look like they belong in magazines. And instead you’re here with me.”

I sat up, suddenly serious. “Melody, look at me.”

She did.

“I don’t want models or actresses or magazine women. I want you. Exactly as you are. Your curves. Your confidence. Your laugh. Your heart. All of it.” I touched her face gently. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And if you don’t believe that, I’m going to spend every day of this trip proving it to you.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

I lay back down. “Stop underestimating yourself.”

“I’ll try. Old habits.”

“I am going to remind you constantly that you are beautiful.”

She laughed. “You don’t need to do that. I won’t say anything again. Thank you. Thank you for giving me confidence.”

“You have it already. You just keep letting it get stolen by bullshit people.”

“I know,” she said softly.

After drying off, the sun got to be just a little too strong. We retreated back to the cabana. We feasted on the cheese and fruit that had been packed for us. I noticed the other beachgoers were packing up, heading back to their boats.

“Should we head back too?” Melody asked.

“Not yet. Let’s stay a bit longer.”

We had moved together, both of us reclining on the cushions. Full. Sun-baked. And completely at peace.

“This has been perfect,” she said, settling against my chest. “Absolutely perfect.”

“It’s not over yet.”

“What else could possibly make this day better?”

I showed her, tilting her face up to kiss her properly. The kiss quickly turned into a lot more. I had her under me within minutes.

“Austin, we’re on a beach,” she murmured against my mouth.

“Just kiss me. We’re alone. The crew’s back on the yacht. No one can see us.”

So she did. We made out like teenagers under that cabana.

And I knew—without a shadow of a doubt—that I was in trouble.

Big trouble.

Because a couple months ago, if someone had told me I’d be on a beach in Tahiti, completely focused on one woman, I would have laughed. Back then, I would have wanted multiple women, a party scene and all that wild chaos I’d built my reputation on.

But now? Now I couldn’t imagine being here with anyone else.

Being with Melody felt too good. Too right. Too much like something I’d been searching for without knowing it.

She broke the kiss, breathing hard. “We should probably head back.”

“Probably.”

“The crew will be wondering where we are.”