E

t was oddly soothing, like a soft pu

red's mother described her vision for the wedding ceremony, something gran

l needing its own trust fund, and everyone laughed. Even I f

loved being

reating me like one of their own from the very b

eel like I cou

ndow at the endless

right,

her brow furrowed. She looked beautiful and relaxed in her linen

" I said quickly,

t look co

a little of

y it were t

I tell her

me, utterly perfect fiancé could

, smoothing my hand over my knee. "Jet

ve been under so much pressure lately, with the w

at her, even as guil

d to her book, and I quietly excused mysel

the large oval windows and pressed m

be once the wedding was behind us, once Jared and I were of

ed approach until I felt the soft

ice low so as not to disturb

htly tousled, and there was a boyish sweet

e was

e lov

urve up into a real smile this time

around my shoulders and pulling me into him. I tucked my head agai

into my hair. "I just want you to relax a

ard. How coul

about anything else whe

of this," I smiled against

r you." He kissed t

ueezing his hand. I could fix this. We could fix this. I jus

ulling back to look at him. "Maybe e

familiar warmth, and rel

after a beat, his tone more careful

lin

brot

er. "We haven't exactly been close, but... I don'

g better than to push. Jared rarely talked about Knox, and when

offering another smil

ieved at my e

, the pilot's voice crac

ng our descent shortly. Please return t

ngs. Jared kissed me again, a quick, tender press of lips aga

ent longer, staring out at the isla

n sands. Palm trees wav

dr

oing to be ever

sure

the moment I ste

d fresh island blooms. A sleek black convoy of luxury SUVs was already

lished white linen stood beside silver tray

hed ground, threading our fingers together befor

ene amounts of money could buy. Fuck it, someone placed a chill

m pressed possessively against the small

les tickle my throat as I smiled and mad

nding coastal roads, lush tropical forests, glimp

pulled up to

. It was a privat

rdens, the house sprawling out in elegant, moder

ate stretch of white-sand beach whe

is unreal,

ightening his h

best for y

eilings, and wide-open spaces filled with sunlight. Glass walls slid away t

east wing. My mom took the west. Jared led me to a stunning suite in the

slightly more secluded one near

ally as he placed our bags

brow. "You'

ged, smiling a little sadly. "Bu

ss. It wasn'

as too eager

in my eyes. He grinned and tugged me close for a quic

n't a

xploring the house's twists and turns. Everything was luxurious yet

f drawn to the large balc

hair around my face as I leaned against the railing, breathing in the

shaking the stress off my sh

lt like days, I allowed mysel

me, deep and masculine and rough in a w

d, a gasp catch

the doorway.

Ja