A Very Scandalous Fairbanks Christmas (Those Very Bad Fairbanks #14)

Epilogue

The soft glow of the morning sun bathed the deck of the grand yacht as it bobbed gently through the English Channel, the vast, endless blue of the sea stretching before them. A crisp spring breeze carried the scent of salt and freedom, mingling with the distant cry of gulls that followed their path. Caroline inhaled deeply, letting the fresh air fill her lungs as she gazed over the endless waters, excitement thrumming through her veins.

She had dreamed of this journey, of traveling the world, and now it was real. They were on their honeymoon, embarking on a grand tour of Europe together, a journey filled with promise and adventure.

Strong arms slid around her waist, drawing her back against a familiar, solid chest. Daniel’s warmth wrapped around her, and she sighed in contentment, leaning into the cage of his embrace. He pressed a soft kiss to the side of her neck, his breath stirring against her skin.

“Are you happy, love?” he murmured, his voice low and smooth.

She turned in his arms, tilting her face up to his. The sunlight caught the flecks of silver in his eyes, making them burn with something deeper, something tender. Her heart clenched with love so powerful it nearly stole her breath.

“I am,” she whispered. “More than I ever thought possible.” She brushed her fingertips along his jaw, feeling the rough shadow of stubble. “And I love you.”

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile before he bent to kiss her. It was soft at first, lingering, reverent, as if he were savoring the words she had just spoken. Then, as she melted against him, the kiss deepened, and the taste of him sent warmth curling through her.

When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against hers. “I love you too,” he murmured. “And I am damn glad you stole that wooden horse.”

A laugh bubbled from her lips, light and full of joy. “I cannot believe that all of this began with a rocking horse.”

He tightened his hold on her, his fingers splaying possessively along her back. She let her eyes drift shut for a moment, feeling the gentle sway of the yacht beneath them, the rhythmic pulse of the waves against the hull. The sea shimmered, stretching infinitely before them, a perfect reflection of the life they would build together—boundless, untamed, and full of promise.

As the yacht sluiced through the sparkling waters, carrying them toward new adventures, she knew with absolute certainty that her greatest adventure had already begun and as Daniel kissed her again beneath the golden spring sky, she knew she would never want for anything more.