After the driver brought in our bags, Caleb left me for just a moment to tip him, and once we were alone, he grabbed my hand and brought me to the sliding door and out onto the patio. There were several seating areas and a large firepit along with an infinity pool that backed up to the ocean’s edge. From there, a dock ran along the side of the property with a large black boat tied to it. The color alone made me assume it was Caleb’s, as his entire Boston home was decorated in the same shade.

“Florida looks gorgeous on you,” he said.

A blush moved across my cheeks as our eyes met again, and it definitely wasn’t from the heat. “I can’t believe this is all yours. It feels like we’re on our own island.”

He surrounded my face, his lips hovering over me. “I’m going to show you the world, places even more beautiful than here.” When he kissed me, there was a dominance in his movements, an intensity that dragged me even closer. “And I can’t wait to watch you smile each time.”

“Caleb, this smile has nothing to do with Florida. It’s all because of you, the happiness you make me feel.”

His hands lowered until they were on my ass, and he lifted me into the air, as though I were weightless, wrapping my legs around his waist. “Let’s get you in a bathing suit. It’s time to tan this pasty New England skin.”

I laughed, circling my arms over his shoulders, and kissed him as he carried me inside, unable to go another second without the feel of his mouth on mine.

“This is unreal,” I moaned as the blackened grouper hit my tongue. I dipped my fork into the creamy risotto and added that in as well. “And it just keeps getting better with each bite.”

“Florida has some exceptional fish,” Caleb said, watching me.

This was our second evening here, and after eating at his favorite restaurant last night, he had hired a private chef to cook for us tonight, enjoying the meal on his patio. The setting sun was dancing across the ocean, the color reflecting the brilliance of the sky. The clouds were thin whispers cast in a baby-pink backdrop, mixed with magenta, a fall orange, and highlighter yellow. After each mouthful, I found myself looking up at it, seeing something new each time.

“You were made to live in the sun,” Caleb said, holding his wine, a lazy smile spreading across that handsome face.