I should be ecstatic waking up next to my fiancé for the first time. Instead, claustrophobia is pressing down on my chest.

I lay a hand on my chest and pull in a silent breath. I release the air slowly, following the stream as it exits my body.

I turn to look at him, but he’s not there. His place is warm to the touch, but he’s gone. I can’t help feeling a pang as I remember the days he used to leave after sex. But those days are gone. We’re engaged now.

The door opens as I’m swinging my legs out of bed. Winston fills the doorway, a wooden tray in his hands. He’s still naked.

“Good morning, my future wife.” He crosses the space between us to come to the bed.

I place a hand on my lips to stifle a giggle. “What happened to your clothes?” I ignore the empty feeling in the pit of my stomach.

He glances down at his penis with a grin. “I’m in my own home. I’m free to walk around butt naked.”

“What about Linda? Is she not around to see you walking around naked?” Linda is Winston’s housekeeper, whom I’ve only met twice.

“Not to worry. I gave her the day off. The entire weekend actually.”

“Why? Are you traveling again?”

He lowers the tray to my lap. The aromas of pancakes, bacon, and toast tease my nostrils and make my mouth water. “Did you prepare all this?”

“I sure did.” He waves at the tray. “May I present to you French toast, cranberry orange pancakes, and Danish waffles. And, of course, orange juice and fruit. I hope it’s to your liking, my lady.” He laughs.

“Thank you, Mr. Slade. This looks delicious.”

He gives a satisfied nod. “And in answer to your question, yes, I’m going away for a few days, but not alone.”

“Your personal assistant will accompany you?” I bite into the fluffiest pancake I’ve ever tasted. “Hmmm, this is so good.”

“That pleases the chef greatly.” He shakes his head. “Not my personal assistant, but my fiancée.”

I hold the glass of orange juice halfway to my lips. “I’m coming with you?”

“I’ve only ever been engaged once. And you’re it.”

“Where are we going?” My heart flutters a little, but the positive feeling is not enough to clear the heaviness inside my chest.

“How does the Maldives sound?”

“Fabulous. When...when will we leave?”

“As soon as you finish breakfast.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I take a sip of my juice, enjoying the tangy taste on my tongue.

“Not at all. We’ll be spending a few days there—three, maybe four.”

“But I have so much to do. I need to find a new job.”

“Why don’t you enjoy your freedom before you find another one?”

A curtain of silence falls between us as I bite into my Danish waffle. I take my time before answering, weighing his offer. “I guess you have a point.”

“Of course I do.” He picks up a grape from the tray and pops it into his mouth. “I thought it would be a nice way to celebrate our engagement.”

“Have you told anyone about it yet?” I wanted to tell my family immediately after Winston proposed yesterday, but I couldn’t get myself to. Firstly, Winston is much older than me and I’m a bit nervous they might disapprove. Secondly, this news is too important to share over the phone. I’ll have to tell them in person.

“I actually planned on going to Misty Cove to tell my family.” Misty Cove is a cozy little beach town in Florida where I spent most of my life.

“Your family will be there when we return. Let’s spend a few days alone first. Let’s enjoy the time together before other people get involved.” He lowers himself to the edge of the bed. “When we get back, I’ll even accompany you to Misty Cove. We can tell them together. What do you say?”

“Yeah, okay. I wonder how they will react. They didn’t even know I was seeing someone.”

“If they love you, and they see how much I love you, they will approve. You don’t have to worry. I’ll win them over. But come with me to paradise first.”

Maybe a getaway is what I need to calm my nerves, to clear my doubts. “Yes, okay, I’ll come with you. Let’s go to the Maldives.”

“Perfect.” He leans in to kiss me. The faint smell of mouthwash on his breath is refreshing. “I’m excited to spend a few days alone with you.”

“Can you afford to get away, though? You mentioned yesterday that you have some important projects lined up.”

“I do, but you’re my priority.”

I smile and say nothing more. Neither does he.

We eat the rest of our breakfast in silence, occasionally talking about the wedding. He tells me it will be the best day of my life, that I shouldn’t worry about a thing.

“I’ll hire people to take care of everything.”

“I want to be involved in my wedding,” I say. “I only plan on getting married once. I want to enjoy every second.”

“Exactly. Since we will only marry once, we should make it count. I’ll spare no expenses.” He thrusts out his chest. “Tell me your wedding dreams, baby, and I’ll make them come true.”

“I kind of dreamed of marrying a prince.”

“Well, that’s about to come true. There’s something you don’t know about me.” He tilts his head to the side. “I’m actually a prince. Don’t tell anyone.”

“My lips are sealed.” I purse my lips.

He lifts the tray from my lap and places it on the bedside table. Then he gets under the sheets from the foot of the bed, his hands sweeping across my legs and thighs. The warmth of his breath touches my skin as he tucks his face between my legs. One flick of his tongue and I’m gone.

I throw my head back and grip the sheets while Winston thrusts his tongue deeper into me, swirling it around occasionally. I’m breathless again, for a different reason this time. This man has such a strong grip on me.

In spite of my unease, there’s so much about him I don’t want to live without.

“How did you like that?” He raises his head to give me a naughty wink.

“Please, don’t talk,” I pant. “Just do your job.”

I allow myself to sink into the arms of passion, banishing any lingering doubts. I relish the moment before it ends.

When I’m on the verge of going insane, he withdraws his tongue and licks his way up my belly. He flicks my belly button before continuing the journey to my neck, where he dips his tongue into the small hollow between my collarbones. “You taste so good,” he says into my skin.

“I’m glad you like what you’re getting.” I bury my hands into his thick hair, pulling him up to come and kiss my lips. Unable to bear it any longer, I push a hand between us and ease him into me.

“You feel so good,” I whisper.

He responds by thrusting deeper, inch by inch until his balls rest against me. He has filled me completely. No man I’ve ever been with came close to making me feel the way Winston does.

With each thrust, he tells me he loves me. He paints our future with words. He talks about our children and family holidays. He makes it all sound so good, so irresistible. He makes me forget my worries and see his side of the story. He makes me want to be in this world.

He fucks me until my mind goes numb and my body tingles. Every move pushes me closer and closer to the edge, until I can no longer hold on and have no choice but to lose control. I fall, wishing I will never reach the ground. He follows right behind me.

Our sounds of pleasure merge like our bodies. We hold nothing back.

Thank God Linda is not around to hear us. Not that I would care. I couldn’t stop myself from screaming if I tried. I can’t help losing myself in him.

When it’s over, he continues to hold me tight, still kissing my skin, still reminding me I’m his. The good feeling lasts only until his body parts with mine. Then the unease returns, the weight heavier in my chest.

What the hell is wrong with me? This is as close to perfect as it can get and my addiction to worry refuses to release me.

While Winston takes a shower, I chew on some grapes and fight the thoughts inside my head.

I listen to the birds chirping outside, the sound of an airplane overhead. But the loudest sound of all is the sound of my thudding heart. I don’t get why there are warning bells in my head when my dreams are about to come true. Winston is the complete package. I have no reason to feel like this.

I slide out of bed, wrapping my body in a sheet. I go to stand at the window, looking out but not seeing a thing. My intuition has always been good at warning me when things were not right. This time its warnings don’t make sense to me.

I remain at the window until the shower is turned off and Winston exits the bathroom. He comes behind me, putting his arms around my body, his body cool. He must have ended his shower with a jet of cold water. I turn to wrap my arms around his neck. His dick flutters between us, nudging my belly.

“Forget it, mister,” I say. “You’re not getting any more sex this morning.” I pull a few inches away. “By the way, I need to go to my apartment, to pack a bag.”

“No need.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “Whatever you need, we’ll get it on the way. You won’t need clothes anyway. I plan on keeping you naked as often as I can.”

“You’re such a dirty man.”

“I thought you already knew that.”

I place my hands on his chest when he takes a step closer. “Don’t even think about it. I need a shower. I promise to be fast.”

“Take your time. The plane is expecting us in an hour. You’ll love the Maldives.”

“The place doesn’t mean much to me. What matters the most is that you will be there with me. You matter to me.”

Underneath the jet of water, I remember the last words I said to him before I disappeared into the bathroom. I’d meant the words on my lips, but they felt wrong to my ears.

No. I shake my head. I won’t overthink things again. I won’t sabotage my happiness. My intuition has to be wrong this time.