Chapter 29
Gunnar
As we drifted off to sleep that night, Zaila’s nude form pressed to my side, the sound of the sea a gentle lullaby in the background, I marveled at how much my life had changed. The stark beauty of the High Coast had always been a balm to my soul, but with Zaila here, it felt truly magical.
In the morning, we woke to the sun streaming through the windows, the sea a glittering expanse of blue. Over breakfast on the terrace, we planned our day. She wanted to do a kayaking trip through the archipelago, which I was in favor of as long as a picnic followed on one of the smaller islands.
As we paddled out into the clear waters, the red granite cliffs rising majestically around us, I felt a surge of joy so intense it almost took my breath away. Zaila’s laughter echoed across the water as she raced ahead, her paddle cutting through the sea with surprising skill.
“Come on, old man!” she called, her eyes sparkling with challenge. “Can’t keep up?”
I grinned, digging my paddle in deeper. “Oh, it’s on, Rookie!”
I took Zaila to a hidden cove near another rocky beach, and she marveled at the ever-changing landscape. As we sat on a rocky outcropping, sharing sandwiches and stolen kisses, I realized that this moment, this woman, this life was everything I never knew I needed.
“Thank you,” I said, setting down my water bottle.
Zaila blinked at me. “For what?”
I gestured around us, at the breathtaking scenery, at the space between us. “For coming here with me. For helping me remember how to live, not just exist.”
She reached out, intertwining her fingers with mine. “Thank you for bringing me here. For showing me there’s still beauty in the world, even after...everything.”
That night, as we sat on the dock watching a spectacular sunset, Zaila turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, Gunnar Evaldson, oil and gas tycoon, ever thought about getting that tattoo fixed?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “No. It’s a reminder of a different time in my life. Plus,” I added with a wink, “it’s a great conversation starter.”
Zaila’s grin widened. “Well, in that case, how about we get matching ones?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Matching tattoos? Isn’t that a bit cliché?”
She shrugged, her eyes dancing. “Maybe. But who cares? We’ll make it our own.”
As I looked at her, silhouetted against the painted sky, I felt my heart swell with love and gratitude. “You know what? Let’s do it.”
“Promise?” she asked.
“I do,” I said, enjoying the words, their permanence. I considered their implications but settled for this moment. For now.
Zaila’s delighted laugh rang out across the water, a sound I’d never tire of hearing. We sealed our plan with a kiss, and I was once again speechless. This vibrant, beautiful woman had turned my world upside down in the best possible way.
“How would you feel about letting the team and staff know about our relationship?” I asked. My heart thumped against my chest as I waited for her answer.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” she asked, her brows pulling tight. “I mean, I’d love that, but I don’t want to make things weird…”
“Why would they be weird?” I asked.
“Because, you know, I’m your employee. And younger.” Her smile grew. “And so fun and interesting,” she teased. “While you like to watch stock tickers and talk about ROI.”
“Hey, don’t knock stocks. My company shares helped build the Wildcatters.” I stared deep into her eyes. “I love you. I want everyone to know that I plan to build a life with you. The fact that we met because you came to work for my organization just means we were meant to be together.”
Her eyes went hazy, and she melted against me. “Okay. Let’s let everyone know you’re mine.”