Chapter 2
Constantine
The sun has fully dipped below the horizon, casting a twilight glow over the yacht. The soft hum of the engine mingles with the gentle lap of waves against the hull, creating a serene symphony that lulls my senses. Bianca is sprawled out on the plush lounge chair, her dark hair cascading like silk over the cushions, catching the last glimmers of twilight. She’s a vision, a work of art I’ve admired since we were kids, and I can’t help but marvel at how lucky I am to be here with her.
I set my glass of champagne down on the teak table, the crystal clinking softly against the polished wood as I slide closer. A playful grin dances on my lips as I take my position behind her. “Are you ready for the full-service back rub experience? Because I’m about to blow your teenage memories out of the water.”
Bianca glances over her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, please. How could you possibly top the ‘worst back rub’ of my teenage years?”
“Just you wait,” I say, my fingers poised to begin. I press my palms into her shoulders, feeling the tension lodged there like an uninvited guest. “How about I start by reminding you that I’ve spent years perfecting this art? I mean, I had a lot of time to practice—especially when I was halfway around the world, dreaming about you.”
“Dreaming about me, huh?” She leans into my touch, her body melting like butter beneath my hands. “What exactly did those dreams consist of? My terrible singing, or was it the pizza incident?”
“Definitely the pizza,” I chuckle, digging my thumbs into the knots at the base of her neck. “But seriously, you were always on my mind. I could be standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, and I’d still be wondering what you’d say about the view. Spoiler alert: it would probably be something witty.”
She chuckles softly, the sound warm and inviting. “Well, I do have a talent for making giant holes sound amusing.”
“Exactly!” I laugh, my fingers working their way down her spine, easing the tension with each stroke. The warmth of her skin under my fingertips ignites something deep inside me. “You’ve always had this way of making everything seem enchanting.”
I pause for a moment, taking in the contours of her back, the curve of her shoulder, the delicate line of her spine. Memories of our youth flood back—days spent dreaming, nights spent wondering. Even when we were apart, I’ve always loved her, through every missed moment and every mile that stretched between us. It feels surreal to finally have her in my life again.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am,” I say, my voice low, intimate. “After everything, you’re still here with me. It feels like fate, don’t you think?”
Her breath hitches, and a shiver runs down her spine as my fingers glide lower, pushing aside the remnants of her day. “Fate or good luck, I’ll take it,” she replies, her tone teasing yet sincere. “As long as the back rub doesn’t involve any of your awkward teenage moves.”
“Not a chance,” I assure her, shifting my hands to her lower back, pressing in with a firm, soothing motion. I can feel her muscles yield beneath my touch, and it’s the most gratifying sensation in the world. “I’ve grown up. Well, sort of. I still have my moments.”
“Moments, huh? You mean like when you tried to cook pasta and almost burned the kitchen down?” she fires back, laughter dancing in her eyes.
“Hey! That was one time, and it was a very tragic incident,” I say, feigning indignation. “I was simply trying to impress you with my culinary skills.”
“Oh, I remember. The smoke alarm and my laughter—how could I forget?” she replies, a grin spreading across her face. “But it’s okay; you’ve redeemed yourself since then. Mostly.”
“Just you wait until I whip up my famous pasta alla vodka again,” I say, my hands continuing their rhythmic exploration. “But tonight, I think you’re getting something far more delicious.”
I let my hands linger a moment longer before I draw back, letting her absorb the sensation of my touch. Bianca turns to face me, her expression softening, and in the low light of the deck, she looks breathtaking. “What do you have in mind?”
I lean in, my breath warm against her lips, my heart racing at the sudden shift in the atmosphere. “I think we should take this celebration to the next level.”
Her eyes widen slightly, anticipation shimmering like the stars that begin to dot the night sky above us. “Oh? Is that part of the full-service experience?”
“Absolutely. And it includes dessert,” I murmur, brushing my lips against hers, feeling the heat radiating between us. The air crackles with unspoken desire, and the world around us fades away, leaving just the two of us suspended in this moment.
She grins, her gaze locked onto mine, and I can see the spark of lust ignite in her eyes. “Then let’s skip the small talk and get to the good stuff.”
With a smirk, I capture her lips in a deep kiss, feeling her melt against me, the warmth of her body igniting a familiar fire within. The yacht rocks gently beneath us, but it’s our shared warmth that truly sets the stage for what’s about to unfold. As the kiss deepens, my hands slide down her sides, fingers tracing the curves I’ve always known so well. This isn’t just passion; it’s a rekindling of everything we’ve been and everything we’re about to become.
I break the kiss, my forehead resting against hers, breathless. “Let’s take this inside,” I whisper, the urge to claim her overpowering. “I want you to myself, away from the world.”
Her breath quickens, excitement flashing in her eyes as she nods. “Lead the way, Captain.”
With a grin, I take her hand, feeling the thrill of anticipation surge between us as we step inside the luxurious cabin. The mood is electric, and I know that tonight is only the beginning of our celebration—one filled with passion, laughter, and the promise of forever.
“I need to be inside you,” I whisper against her soft skin.
“Oh, Costi,” she murmurs.
She eases onto the bed as I stand here, my heart beating uncontrollably. “Tonight is all about celebrating you. I would be a different man, a criminal, if you weren’t in my life.”
She gazes up at me as I remove my shirt. “You’re not a bad man, Costi.”
I nod. “It’s because of you that I’m not.”