Page 137 of My Real Love Affair

“Let them wonder.”

“You’re so bad,” she teased.

“Five more minutes.” I pulled her closer. “Just give me five more minutes of this.”

She smiled and pulled me down for another kiss. “Okay. Five more minutes. I suppose if you’re going to pressure me.”

We stayed longer than that. I wanted sex, but I didn’t push that far. I enjoyed just kissing and touching her. There would be time for sex later. I just wanted to worship her body. The bathing suit blocked the best parts, but that was okay.

“Ready?” I finally asked.

“No. But yes.” She sat up, running her fingers through her tangled, salt-dried hair. “What an amazing day.”

“One of many.” I stood, pulling her up with me. “We have a whole week, baby girl. This is just the beginning.”

She kissed me once more, quick and sweet. “I can’t wait to see what else you have planned.”

“Good. Because I’m just getting started showing you how good life can be when you let yourself enjoy it.”

We gathered our things and headed to where Marco was waiting with the tender boat. The ride back to the yacht was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts, hands intertwined.

I knew that when I looked back on my life, on all the vacations and adventures and wild times I’d had, this would be the day I remembered.

Not because of the location or the luxury or any of that surface stuff.

But because of her. Because of how she made me feel.

I was happy.

Completely happy.

CHAPTER 42

MELODY

We stepped off the tender boat onto the yacht’s swim platform, both of us covered in salt and sand. My hair felt like straw, my skin tight from the sun despite all the sunscreen Austin had so carefully applied.

“I need a shower,” I said, already imagining the hot water washing away the ocean.

“Same.” Austin’s hand found the small of my back as we climbed the stairs to the main deck. “We should clean up before dinner. Jean-Pierre is planning something special.”

“How special?”

“He wouldn’t tell me. Just kept saying it would be ‘magnifique.’” Austin’s terrible French accent made me laugh.

We made our way through the yacht to our stateroom, and I immediately started peeling off my damp swimsuit.

“I’m claiming the shower first,” I announced.

“Or…” Austin appeared in the bathroom doorway, already shirtless. “We could save water and shower together.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Save water? On a yacht that probably has unlimited water?”

“Environmental consciousness is important.” But his grin was pure mischief.

“Right. Environmental consciousness. That’s definitely what you’re thinking about.”

“Among other things.” He stepped closer. I could smell the salt and sunshine on his skin. “Come on. I’ll even wash your hair for you.”