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“Let me hold you,” I say with a chuckle.

She carefully leans against me and kisses the cut on my bicep.

Feeling every inch of her skin on mine, I begin to harden again, and it gets her attention. “That’s quick.”

“I have you naked in my arms.”

She pats my chest and pulls away. “Sex will have to wait.”

My eyebrow lifts as I give her a questioning look. “Why? Do you need more time?” Thinking I just sounded impatient, I add, “It’s okay if you do.”

Annie shakes her head as she walks into the closet. “No, it’s because you were stabbed and sliced and diced.” She turns to give me a serious look. “You’re in no condition for sex, and I want it to be special. Right now I’ll worry I’m hurting you every time we touch.”

And suddenly I wish I had special healing powers.

Once we’re both dressed, we quickly brush our teeth. Seeing my reflection in the mirror and the black bruising beneath my eyes and on my jaw, I don’t worry, knowing it will fade in a few days.

“Let’s go outside,” I say as I place the toothbrush back in the holder. “I could do with some fresh air.”

“Me too.”

We leave the suite, and when we walk out onto the deck, it’s in time to watch the sun set over the horizon. Standing by the rail, I take in the spectacular view of nothing but open water.

No Bratva hunting us. No marshals. No blood and death.

Just us and the open sea. It almost feels unreal after everything we had to go through to get here.

I wrap my arm around Annie, resting my hand on her hip while my thumb dips beneath her shirt to brush over her skin.

Neither of us says anything for the longest time, and when it gets dark, I hear movement. I glance into the lounge and see Javier placing a round table and two chairs in the middle of the room.

When he’s done setting the table, he gives me a questioning look. “Would you like me to serve dinner, sir?”

“Please.”

Annie turns her head and looks at the flickering candles on the table. “Oh, wow. That’s romantic.”

“The first of many romantic dinners with the light of my life.”

“And then you make it better by saying something so swoonworthy,” she sighs, seeming much happier and more relaxed.

I lead her into the lounge, and we take our seats, then she asks, “How do you feel?”

“Good as new.” She searches my eyes to see if I’m lying, so I assure her, “Really. You don’t have to worry.”

“Okay.”

Javier pushes out a cart into the lounge and sets our plates in front of us. “The chef has prepared grilled sea bass resting over lemon butter, roasted baby potatoes, and charred asparagus.” He also places a basket with mini rolls on the table, then opens the bottle of wine, pouring some into our glasses. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“No.” I glance at him. “Thank you, Javier.”

Annie picks up a roll and breaks it open before smearing some butter on it, and when her teeth sink into it, she lets out a moan that has a direct link to my cock.

Soft music comes over the speaker, and while we eat, I keep staring at the woman I fought so hard for.

She’s mine.

No fights waiting at the next dock. No Bratva closing in on us. Just Annie and me.