Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Milo
It’s nearing midnight, and the party that refused to die has spilled onto the beach. A large bonfire crackles at the center of a wide circle, sending orange sparks spiraling into the star-filled sky.
I stand a little apart from the main group, whiskey glass in hand, the ice long melted.
Laughter and overlapping conversation drift toward me—Tom telling another golf story to Gregory, Aria teasing a bridesmaid about her dance moves, and Wendy and Lillian swapping stories about how fast their kids grew up.
But my eyes keep finding their way back to her.
Sienna.
She’s in the middle of a loose circle of bridesmaids and other resort guests, dancing in front of the fire.
The flames paint her skin in warm gold and flickering orange.
Her pale lavender sundress swirls around her thighs with each spin, her loose curls bouncing wildly.
And on her feet are the silver heels I got her.
She hasn’t taken them off all night.
Every time she moves, the tiny crystals catch the firelight, sparkling like stars against her sun-kissed skin. She looks breathtaking—radiant, carefree, and so completely alive that it makes my chest ache in the best way.
I had the shoes flown in from the mainland the moment Aria confirmed they were the ones she wanted. It was ridiculous and impulsive, but completely worth it just to see the look on her face when I opened the box.
She spins again, arms raised, laughing that bright, uninhibited laugh that always hits me straight in the ribs. God, she’s so fucking beautiful.
As I’m admiring her, a guy—probably in his early twenties—who has been hovering near the edge of the dance group for the past twenty minutes steps forward, flashing a confident smile and extends his hand toward Sienna.
Jealousy surges through me, hot and immediate, making me clench my fist around the glass.
I set it down on the nearest table and start walking before I even realize I’ve moved.
The guy reaches her first, touching her elbow lightly. Sienna turns, polite but clearly uninterested. She shakes her head with a small smile and steps back.
That’s when I reach them.
I slide my arm around her waist from behind, pulling her gently but firmly against my chest. Her back molds to me instantly, the thin fabric of her dress doing nothing to hide the warmth of her body or the curve of her ass pressing against me.
Her body fits perfectly against mine, as if it were made to be there.
The guy’s smile falters.
I keep my voice calm, but an edge lingers. “She’s taken.”
Sienna tilts her head back to look up at me, her eyes wide with surprise and something warmer, almost delight.
The guy raises his hands in surrender. “My mistake, man. Enjoy your night.”
He walks away. I don’t bother watching him go. My attention is entirely on the woman in my arms.
Sienna turns fully in my arms, her hands coming up to rest on my chest. “Taken, huh?”
I look down at her, my thumb brushing her lower back through the thin fabric of her dress. “Yeah. Taken.”
Her lips curve into a slow, pleased smile. “You were jealous.”
“I was.”
She bites her lip, clearly delighted by my answer. “That’s kind of hot.”
I groan softly, tightening my arm around her. “You’re going to be the death of me, baby.”
Her only response is a grin so wide it blinds me.
We stay like that for a moment, wrapped in each other as the fire crackles and the party continues around us. Eventually, she pulls back just enough to look up at me.
“My dad’s been watching us all night. He said he spoke with you earlier…”
I nod. “He did.”
She waits, searching my face. “And… what did he say?”
I hesitate for half a second, then choose honesty. “We talked about you. About us.”
A small smile tugs at her lips, but her brow lifts. “That’s all I get?”
I chuckle and pull her a little closer. “You’re so beautiful, you know that?”
She rolls her eyes, but there’s affection in it. “Nice try. What did you really talk about?”
“I already said,” I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “We spoke about us. You and me.”
“Okay, fine,” she smiles. “I’ll bite. What amazing things did you have to say about me?”
“Who said it was anything amazing?” I tease.
That earns me a playful slap on the shoulder. She shakes her head and rests her cheek against my chest. God, I want to kiss her. I really do. But kissing her out here in the open feels too exposed.
Minutes pass in comfortable silence. The fire pops and crackles, sending sparks drifting into the dark sky. Sienna’s body is warm and relaxed against mine. Then she lifts her head again, that playful spark back in her eyes.
“Milo?”
“Yes, baby?”
Her smile turns just a touch wicked. “I’m cashing in that foot massage tonight, by the way.”
Ten simple words, and my mind instantly goes somewhere far less innocent.
I let out a low chuckle, my hand sliding a little lower on her back. “Is that so?”
“Mmm.” She nods, biting her lip to hide her grin. “Right now, actually. As beautiful as these heels are, they hurt like hell. Beauty is pain, though, right?”
I glance down at her feet and smile. “Come on then, baby. Let’s go get your feet up.”
She laughs softly and places her hand into mine, our fingers lacing together. She starts pulling me away from the firelight and the group's noise, her feet kicking up little puffs of sand as she bounces down the beach.
I follow willingly, my thumb brushing her knuckles the whole way, already imagining how her skin will feel under my palms.