The sun dipped below the edge of the horizon, setting fire to the ocean.
Gideon refilled our flutes with champagne, a small splash of the golden liquid escaping the rim as the yacht rocked gently on the waves.
“This is nice,” he said, giving me a slow, easy smile.
“I’m glad you like it.”
It amazed me to see him so happy and relaxed. I’d always thought of Gideon Cross as a tempest. Lightning and thunder, fiercely beautiful power that could be both dangerous and compelling. Barely contained, like the vortex of a tornado.
I would describe him as the calm after a storm now, which only made him an even greater force of nature. We were both … centered now. Feeling confident and committed. Having each other made everything achievable.
All of which had led me to thinking about a dinner cruise.
“Come here, angel.” Standing, he held his hand out to me.
We carried our champagne from the candlelit dining table to the luxurious chaise longue for two. We settled there, tangled with each other.
His hand stroked up and down my back. “I’m thinking of blue skies and smooth sailing.”
I smiled. So often our thoughts followed similar paths.
Reaching up, I cupped his nape, running my fingers through the rough silk of his hair. “We’re getting the hang of this.”
Gideon dipped his head down to kiss me, his mouth moving gently, his tongue licking leisurely, reaffirming the bond between us that grew stronger every day. The ghosts of our pasts seemed like faint shadows now, beginning to dissolve even before we’d renewed our vows.
One day, they would vanish forever. Until then, we had each other. And that was all we needed.