The ocean lapped at our feet, and the sand tickled between my toes. The sun glistened as it set over the horizon. Pink and orange streaks of warmth stretched to the shore to where I held Nate’s hand.

“I do,” I whispered. My smile hadn’t faded, and he was lucky I hadn’t cried yet.

Nate’s grin matched my own. He slipped the ring on my finger, and the gold band complimented the beautiful garnet stone I used as an engagement ring—our daughter’s birthstone.

Nate’s father spoke, but I didn’t hear it. I hadn’t moved, hadn’t breathed. I wanted to remember this moment forever, but everything blended into a haze of joy and happiness.

Nate kissed me.

No.

My husband kissed me.

The small gathering was everything I could have wanted—a destination wedding on the shores of Key West. Mom and Dad made it down together, standing hand in hand as they watched us pledge our vows. They weren’t wearing their wedding rings yet, but just that bit of contact was a good step.

Our family applauded as we embraced on the beach. Nate’s parents hugged us too. Rick wrapped his arms over his new girlfriend. Lindsey grinned, waving my baby’s hand at me. She and Bryce had hardly let Lily out of their grasp. She said they were practicing for her own little bump’s arrival.

I took Lily and cradled her. At six months, she was getting too rambunctious. She took after her daddy.

Not that I was complaining.

Nate leaned down to kiss me and her, and that sneaky little smile proved he was up to no good.

Our surprise vacation turned into a surprise wedding on the most beautiful beach in the world.

I had no idea what he planned next, but I couldn’t wait to find out.

The resort served dinner by firelight on the beach—a tropical feast in four courses…five if I counted the handful of sand Lily tried to eat. Nate held me close, delighting me with bite after bite of fruit and sips of coconut water. I never pegged him for a romantic, but Nate’s goal was to explore new and exciting ways to spoil me and our daughter. Different ways to prove his love.

He said he was lucky, but I was the lucky one.

I never expected to be loved so much. Dad had been right. No relationship was perfect, but mine was so close. I told Nate every day how grateful I was for him.

It only encouraged him to try harder.

“To the happy couple!” Rick held up his glass. “A long and happy marriage.”

Lindsey leaned over to hug me. Lily slammed her bottle against the table, and I giggled, toasting with the plastic pink mug. As far as I was concerned, her little bottle meant more than any champagne flute from a fancy country club wedding ever could.

We ate, laughed, and when the fire died, we said goodnight. Nate led me to our room. He grinned as I opened the door. Rose petals. Champagne. A stuffed teddy bear—one promptly claimed for Lily.

“You’re pretty slick,” I said.

“I bet you are too.”

I laughed. “And you’re as good a husband as you are a father.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I lowered Lily into the tiny bassinette, and Nate helped to tuck the blanket over her. The suite he reserved overlooked the ocean, and he led me to the balcony, leaving the screen door open so we could listen for the baby. Like Nate, she had been perfect. She’d sleep through the night.

He pulled me onto the soft chaise, and those green eyes mimicked the calm sea in the moonlight. I didn’t know if it was possible to fall more in love with this man, but every day I vowed to try.

So far, it had worked.

His kiss was soft, gentle, and tender, everything I needed. I sighed as he held me close. He nibbled the tender spot on my neck. I shivered as arms tightened over me, aiming for the hem of my sundress.

“I want to make you my wife.” His breath tickled my ear. Everything inside me clenched. “Right here. Right now.”

The sun dress cast off. I whispered, staring into his eyes.

“I am your wife now.”

“Not yet…but soon.”

The night air caressed me like another set of hands. He cupped my breasts and layered kisses from my throat down. His lips left a delicate trail to the budded tips, and I arched to feel the skilled swirl of his tongue over my nipple.

I didn’t think I’d ever grow accustomed to his touch. Every brush of his fingers was like the first time, every excited nip of teeth or lap of his tongue as enthusiastic as the secret nights we touched, kissed, and loved each other.

I gasped as his fingers teased along the softness of my slit. I was ready for him, but his touch only thrilled me more. I twitched, bucking as he savored my sweetest spot.

“You have no idea how much I love you.” His words layered another caress over me. I never thought the truth would be so rewarding. “I will always love you. Everything I do is for you and Lily.”

“You’re my everything.” I kissed him, moving over his hips. He knew what I wanted, and his fingers worked quick to free his cock from his jeans. “You are the only man I’ve ever loved. Nothing will ever change how I feel about you. I know we didn’t mean to start this…”

Nate arched, holding my hips as he guided me over him. I slid down, taking him completely, filling myself with more than just his body.

I had his heart.

I had his soul.

And it was more than I ever expected.

“I’m so grateful we did.” Nate groaned as I moved against him. “I had no idea what I was doing with my life until I found you.”

“I’d waited my whole life for you…”

“No more waiting.” Nate gripped me tighter, and I fell upon his chest, crippled with passion and overwhelmed by his size. “Our life might have started a year ago, but this is just the beginning. I promise I’ll make you happy.”

“You already do.”

“I promise I’ll give you pleasure.”

“Oh, that’s not a concern.”

“And I promise I’ll be the greatest husband for you and father for our baby.”

“I know you are.” I kissed him, groaning as his hips moved faster. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

My words dissolved as every stroke drew a shared breath and ripple of pleasure. It built deep within me, and I surrendered to the night, the ocean, his touch.

Nate tensed, and I stared into his eyes as he arched to meet me.

We came together, just as we always did, as powerfully and beautifully as we always had. His heat caressed me from the inside, and I clenched, unraveling over him as he guided me through the shredded pleasure that captured me within his arms.

Nothing compared to these moments.

We had snuck around for so long in the past, and the secrets and fears that kept me from loving him faded the instant we confessed our feelings. I had wasted three months of our life before Lindsey’s wedding, but we had the rest of our days to make up for what we lost.

I rested against his chest, and he wove his fingers through my hair.

“I think I’m going to like being married to you,” I whispered.

Nate smiled. “We’re going to have a long, happy life together. I promise.”

He didn’t have to promise anything.

Nothing in the world would have torn us apart.

Love wasn’t about courage or kindness or honesty or work.

It was this.

Us. Together.

It was happiness.

And it was ours.