13
Flynn leads me toward a dock where a small speedboat floats gently in the crystal-blue water. He hops in easily and motions for me to climb aboard.
“Just a boat ride?” I ask, eyeing it with suspicion. “There’s no harpoons or anything?”
“Oh, this isn’t the surprise.” His husky tone sends chills down my spine and below my belly, and he reaches a hand out to me. “You have to be patient.”
I take it and allow him to help me on board. “Well, I can’t wait to unwrap it,” I say, leaning toward him. I relish the approval simmering in his eyes.
With a jolt he hits the gas, and I yelp as I grab on to a cushioned seat. Warm wind whips through my hair, and I throw my head back, basking in the sun.
He glances down at me and heat builds in my core as his gaze rakes over my body.
Flynn drives with all the precision of an experienced captain as he cuts through cerulean waves, rounding the island, passing by white beaches and rocky cliffs.
The view from the sea is as breathtaking as it was from the villa.
I snap some pictures on my phone to send to my group chat with Wit Wit and Juliet.
Me: Hope you’re enjoying the snow
I include a selfie in my bikini.
Juliet: You’re making his Christmas wishes come true in that outfit.
Wit Wit: He is totally going to propose to you today.
Juliet: Kristy needs changing… so let me know how it goes!
I look up as Flynn eases back on the throttle.
We’re gliding toward a tiny crescent of white sand tucked neatly between two towering gray rock cliffs like a scene from one of my romantasy books.
I admire the sand so pale it practically glows and the caress of the aquamarine waves lapping against the shore.
This is the kind of place that deserves its own account—@SecludedCoveLife—with a million followers swooning over every post.
The air smells faintly of salt and sun-warmed stone, and the breeze is gentle enough to ruffle my hair like it’s welcoming me personally. It’s private, it’s perfect, and it’s so absurdly beautiful that I’m half convinced we’re trespassing on some billionaire’s secret island.
If Juliet is right, there’s no better place to pop the question than here.
Flynn chuckles, watching my expression. “Welcome to Pleasure Cove.”
“Pleasure Cove?” I smirk—it’s a bit tacky. “Is it really called that?”
He waggles his brows and sweeps a hand toward the beach. “Since my family bought this island, we can call it whatever we want.”
His eyes meet mine and there’s that glint there—the one he has anytime he closes a big deal. He’s serious. Flynn’s family bought an island.
I burst out a surprised laugh. Of course they did. Merry Christmas to me, I guess.
He steers the speedboat as close to shore as possible. “We’ll have to swim from here, so the boat doesn’t get marooned,” he explains.
It’s a short distance, but I still give him a dubious eye. “Is it safe?”
“Of course.” He laughs. “Nothing extreme going on here.”
“That’s what you said on our kayaking trip that ended up turning into whitewater rafting.”
“Bloody oath, you’ll be fine.” His brown puppy-dog eyes meet mine and melt me. “It’s Christmastime. I wouldn’t lie.”
“Fine.” I shake my head and jump overboard. If a little swim is all it’ll take, I can handle it.
The lukewarm water envelops me, creating the absolutely perfect temperature to swim in. I don’t know why I doubted him. It’s beyond pleasurable to be in the water.
There’s a splash behind me, and of course, he beats me to the shore, but I certainly don’t mind the view. Dry Flynn is gorgeous, wet Flynn is sinful. He rises from the water soaking, his swim trunks clinging to his hips and rock-hard ass.
“There’s just one thing—” He turns to me with a glint in his eyes, cups his hands, and hollers, “Just watch out for sharks!”
I stop mid-stroke. Eyes wide. “What? Seriously?”
His face splits into a wide grin. He is so dead. I’m going to actually murder him myself. I tear through the water, and as soon as my hands and feet graze the sand, I scramble through the surf, shouting at him, “Sharks? Flynn? Really?”
He’s holding his belly laughing. “I’m sorry, love,” he says. “It was a bad joke.”
“You know what? You can kiss my ass,” I say. Still in the water, I angle my body so my thong-clad bottom pokes above the lapping waves.
I make a kissy face—but instead of teasing me back, the cocky sparkle in his eyes is replaced by a panty-dropping, low simmering burn.
“I think I will,” he murmurs. With a tiny splash, he lowers himself into the water next to me. I gasp as his large hands wrap around my waist, and he pulls me onto his lap.
My back crashes against his hard chiseled chest.
“Oh no.” I laugh, wriggling against him. “You’re not getting out of this that easy!”
“I told you I wanted to make you scream,” he murmurs in my ear. He presses himself—large and hard—against my ass, and the warm cove water only amplifies the heat growing between my legs.
“Sharks, huh? I’ll show you a shark attack,” I threaten.
“You’re welcome to bite me anywhere,” he teases as he sucks at the sensitive part behind my ears.
I gasp as Flynn’s mouth moves to my neck and his hands trace the bottom of my breasts. Each of his caresses makes me wonder, is it possible I never stopped loving this man and he never stopped loving me? Is this a future I can have? If so, I want it, I really do.
I shut my eyes as Flynn’s kisses move to the back of my neck, sending shivers up and down my body. Flynn’s hands rove my body then stop to cup my breasts once more.
I moan as his fingers rub my nipples through the fabric of my bikini.
His laugh is husky as I moan. “I’ve got a present for you.”
“A present? That must mean I’m on your nice list,” I say breathlessly as he pulls me to face him.
I comply eagerly, wrapping my legs around his waist and throwing my arms across his broad shoulders.
I tilt my breasts toward him and grind myself against his lap, enjoying how huge and swollen he feels beneath the thin fabric of my bikini bottom.
“I was thinking naughty. Very, very naughty.” He unties my bikini top with an expert flick, and I cry out as he buries his face between my exposed breasts, sending flares of pleasure through my veins until all I see are stars.
He groans as I rub myself harder against him. The scraps of fabric between us are really getting in the way, and I silently curse them. The friction and the want inside me burn hotter than the island sun.
With a grunt, Flynn cups my ass cheeks and expertly lifts and twists our bodies so he’s atop me.
The waves lap against my skin as I relish the swell of him pressing between my thighs.
I want this man deep inside me. I want to remember what it’s like to feel consumed by him, to touch him and have him touch me.
He scrambles in his swim trunk pocket for a condom.
My vision goes blank and my back arches as he slides my bikini bottom off and his fingers inch into my core, and he slowly and intentionally explores me, covering my mouth with a deep, hungry kiss.
He stirs jolts of red-hot heat throughout my body as my stomach coils with a sweet, urgent need that builds and builds and builds.
I tug his hair with one hand and reach for him with my other.
He groans as I touch him and it sends sparks through me, feeling his need hot and throbbing in my hand.
“You ready for me, babe?” he whispers, sliding the condom on.
My “yes” is a muffled cry. I whimper as he teases me, rubbing himself against me, making me wetter and wetter.
“More,” I cry greedily as I press and grind myself into him, swiveling my hips. I cry out with pleasure as he enters me.
His movements grow faster, and he drives into me large and hot.
He feels so good. I throw my head back with a cry, facing the warm sun, and inhaling the mix of salt from our sweat and the ocean.
This is how I should be spending all Christmases.
All holidays for that matter. What have I been doing with my life?
My back arches as the waves of tension inside me build and build as his hands grip my hips and he fills me so completely.
I feel like I’m going to explode from how utterly senselessly good he feels inside me.
Finally, my wave crests, and I shout with wild abandon as my orgasm peaks.
Bursts of starlight engulf my vision, and a delicious ripple of golden warm pleasure pulsates through my body.
After a long shudder, Flynn rolls over, landing beside me with a splash.
He wraps his arms around me and we lie together side by side, quiet, tired, and satisfied, waves lapping gently against our legs. I scoot myself and rest my head on his chest. He wraps an arm around me.
Slowly my senses return. I enjoy the soothing sound of the waves and seagulls crying in the distance.
The warmth of sand under my body and the fine specimen of a man lying next to me.
I can’t stop grinning. Thank you, Universe, for bringing Flynn back into my life.
He must be the love of my life; there’s no other explanation.
Madam Lunas said I would be with the love of my life on Christmas Eve and here I am with him.
The universe wanted me to find Flynn, and I’m so glad I did.
So glad I realized that Dale wasn’t the one.
I snuggle into his chest and close my eyes as a cool breeze washes over us.
It’s not long before Flynn lazily strokes the inside of my thighs, coaxing my legs to open again. “Ready for round two, love?”
I sigh with satisfaction. I could relive this day over and over again. That wouldn’t be so bad, would it?
Round two was short, but I’m not knocking it. Didn’t help that a tiny hermit crab decided to intervene.
“Kinky beach-cove sex loses again to Mother Nature,” Flynn jokes as he pulls up his swim trunks. I try not to be too disappointed as he covers himself. There will be many more opportunities, I’m sure.
He leans over and kisses my lips. “That was amazing, love.” His eyes are glazed with post-climax satisfaction.
I grin up at him. “It was. Even better than I remembered.”
He tilts his head, confused, and I realize my error. “I mean we get better each time we do it…”
“I feel the same way,” he says, getting to his feet and reaching a hand down to help me stand. “I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but I’m so happy you’re mine.”
A bolt of happiness goes through me.
“I feel the same,” I echo him.
“Good.” His eyes crinkle as he smiles. “Now, follow me. I have a Christmas present I think you’re going to like.”
He bounds back into the sea foam toward the boat, kicking up arcs of salty water as he goes. I laugh and follow him, my pulse beating double time. I think I know exactly what this gift is.
By the time I reach the speedboat, he’s already aboard. It’s only two rungs, but I huff as I climb up and stop at the top step.
Flynn stands there holding a small box in his hands. A small box that’s every girl’s favorite color: Tiffany Blue.
My heart flutters in my chest, and my hands almost slip off the ladder rungs. My family was convinced he was going to propose, and it looks like they were right.
“Is this real?” I ask, my voice catching.
“Why wouldn’t it be real?” He frowns slightly.
I don’t know, maybe because yesterday, or whenever it was, I was with Dale, and the day before I was fighting with my family, but now somehow—thank you, Madam Lunas—I’m finally having the moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
I’m getting engaged to my one true love.
But I can’t say any of those things. Instead I go for, “I feel like I’m in a dream. ”
He laughs, a good-hearted chuckle. “Believe me, you’re not dreaming.” He grins. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
On shaky legs I reach for the box.
As I untie the white bow, I’m already planning the message I’ll send to Juliet to show her my new hardware. I am so ready to be Flynn’s fiancée.
I crack the lid.
White stone shimmers against a silky cushion.
But when I snap the box open all the way, my heart plummets to the bottom of the ocean. It’s not a ring. Instead, I’m staring down at a pair of gold cloverleaf-shaped earrings adorned with emeralds and diamonds.
“A cloverleaf for my lucky charm,” Flynn says proudly.
I swallow the sudden rise of sadness in my chest. I’ve only been with Flynn for a few hours, but the desire to be his wife was so overpowering, the disappointment is gutting me.
I hold the golden earrings up to admire them and plaster a smile on my face. “Thank you, they’re lovely.”
The jewels flash in the sun. They’re beautiful, and clearly expensive, but not my color at all. He’d only have to glance at the other jewelry I have on to know I’m a silver girl. And shamrocks? I’ve never worn something like this.
“I’m glad you like them,” he says, before looking me up and down. “Do you have my gift?” he asks shyly.
My mind scrambles.
“Back at the villa,” I say at last, hoping that this version of Marygrace bought him something. “I didn’t know we were doing a gift exchange out here.”
“Only joking. Your trustworthiness and loyalty to my family is enough,” he says with a grin before revving the engine and pulling out of Pleasure Cove. “I have all I need.”
I cup the little earrings in my palm and watch the beach disappear into the distance.
They’re really lovely, and it’s the thought that counts, right?
But no matter how hard I try to convince myself of those things, between the gift and the jumpy boat a lump has formed in the pit of my stomach. And my gut says something’s not right.