Then I realized how he had me pinned against him. Throwing him a stern look, I pulled away and turned to the house. It was beautiful. The sound of waves crashing onto the shore and retracting into the ocean reached my ears.

Memories of old days regenerated into my mind.

“The beach!” With my eyes wide, I cast him a glance before running inside the house.

The velvety sound of his chuckle reached me before his footsteps followed behind.

Adrenaline rushed through my veins. Pushing open the backdoor, I relished the salty sea breeze that touched my face as soon as I let myself free outside under the open sky.

But before the ocean could enthrall me, the beautiful gazebo in the middle of the beach caught my attention. The decoration of white lilies and fairy lights, and the candles lit on both sides of the way to it, had me speechless. Not to miss the red petals of roses scattered on the pathway.

My mouth was on the ground until I forced myself to shut it. Everything was just… extraordinary. Just like the movies.

And he did all of that...for me?

“You liked it?” His deep voice rasped close to my ear.

Not being able to form any words, I just nodded.

“Come.” Securing my hand in his, he maneuvered me to the gazebo through the path full of soft rose petals.

I cleared my throat, my insides went all shy. “Your staff did a good job decorating everything.”

Popping open the cap of the champagne, he poured the liquid into two glasses. Casting me a glance, he said, “They just set up the gazebo. The other credits would go to me.”

My eyes widened again. “You did all of this all by yourself?” I looked around at the beautiful view.

Putting the bottle down, he took my jacket off. As soon as the upper side of my dress revealed before his eyes, he stilled.

“Yes,” a hiss came out of his mouth. His heated gaze roamed my body, lingering on my dipped neckline.

Cassie was right.He looked extremely bothered. Observing his tight jaw and darkened gaze had me doubting my decision to wear this dress now. We were all alone here…

And he didn’t even see the back yet.

When he took a step forward, eyes not moving from me, my heart skipped. But I held my footing. I wouldn’t let him see my weakness for him today.

But my determination couldn’t live long. As he glided closer, I stuttered out, “W-what are you doing?”

He didn’t answer. Raising his hand up, he brushed his fingers against my neck in a feathery touch. I shivered. Reaching for the back of my neck, he let my hair fall free from the bun.

“Now it’s better,” he whispered, inches away from me.