"So. Are things better?"

Cindy rolled to her side and slid the sunglasses up her face. She immediately regretted it and pulled them back down, her eyes burning from the bright sun. "Yes, better. Unless I'm just imagining things."

"You're not. And I'm glad. You two make a cute couple. You're good together."

Cindy smiled but didn't say anything, not right away. She wanted to believe Maggie, wanted to believe that she and Ethan were good together. But there was still that small part of her, that tiny piece where fear and doubt lurked, ready to claw its way to the surface without warning.

And she hated it. God, how she hated it. Hated the darkness that had controlled her life so recently, hated the person the darkness had made her become: doubting, fearful, distant. And untrusting, not just of those around her, but of herself.

Mostly herself.

She didn't want to be that person anymore, didn't want to be who she'd become. But she was still so afraid of what might happen, so afraid to trust herself.

No. She wouldn't do that anymore, wouldn't fall back into that trap. She wanted to be who she had been before.

No, that wasn't right, either. She wanted to be better than before. Maggie had been right: before, she'd always held a piece of herself back, always afraid—because of what had happened to her father. She understood that now. She had to move past that. And she was. Slowly.

She rolled to her back then adjusted the lounge chair. Not a huge, cushioned, oversized one, like they'd had before. They were staying at a different resort this time, one named after a well-known song. It was still relatively new, maybe only a few years old, with signs of continuing construction going on along the hillside to the right. But it was still nice—better than nice—with spacious rooms and an on-site bar and restaurant and even its own little plaza of shops.

And, of course, the beach, nestled in a small cove.

Cindy looked out over the water, feeling the warm breeze mingle with the heat of the sun against her skin. Blue water, so deep and clear it almost hurt to look at, lapped at the beach's edge. She closed her eyes and inhaled, breathing in the scents of salt and coconut and lime.

"You look so much better. Just in case you were wondering."

Cindy opened her eyes and glanced at Maggie, noticed the smile on her friend's face. And she smiled back, a real one, filled with the peace she was starting to feel.

"Thanks. I feel better."

"I'd say this place fits you."

"Does it?"

"Don't you think so?"

Cindy looked back out over the water, her gaze scanning the deep blue before moving to the craggy horizon on either side of the cove. Green and blue, as far as she could see.

"Yeah, I guess it does." But it wasn't just this place. No, as beautiful as it was, as calm and peaceful, it didn't compare to what she saw in the blue of Ethan's eyes whenever he looked at her.

Why had it taken her so long to realize that? Even knowing that it had been his eyes and the memory of his heated looks that had kept her from going under completely all those months ago, she had fought the truth. Hadn't wanted to believe it. Hadn't wanted to believe it was even possible.

She loved him. And she had for so long, even before their first time here. But she hadn't believed: not in what she felt, not in herself.

Maggie shifted on her lounge chair and sighed. "I really wish we didn't have to leave so soon. But I'm glad we came. This was a nice break."

"Then we'll just have to make it a tradition and come back every year."

"Absolutely. At least once a year, if not more."

"What are you two planning now?"

Cindy glanced over her shoulder, a warm smile spreading across her face when she saw Ethan and Dillon walking toward them. Heat filled her, one that had nothing to do with the sun, when Ethan leaned down and caught her mouth with his.

He cupped the back of her head and swept his tongue inside. Slow, patient. Deep and possessing. Need flared inside her, instant and desperate, as she held onto his shoulders and tried to pull him down.

He groaned and pulled away, his breathing harsh as he rested his forehead against hers. "I miss that big lounge we had before."

"I was just thinking the same thing."

Dillon groaned, the sound teasing. "You two are worse than newlyweds."

"Bite me." Ethan tossed the words over his shoulder then leaned down for another kiss, this one nowhere near as deep and thorough as the first one. Then he pulled away once more and grabbed her hands, tugging until she stood.

"Come on. I've got a surprise for you."

"What kind of surprise?"

"One you actually need to get dressed for."

"What?" Cindy watched, frowning as he dug through the oversized beach bag. Sunscreen, her floppy hat, her book. One by one, he tossed them on the lounge chair, muttering to himself. Then he made a small sound of triumph as he pulled out her cover-up and handed it to her.

"Here. Just throw this on and your shoes and we can go."

"Go where?"

"I can't tell you. It's a surprise."

Cindy pulled the cover-up over her head and exchanged a look with Maggie, who looked as confused and surprised as she did. "Ethan, wait. If we're going somewhere, I need my other bag."

"What's wrong with this one?"

"It's a beach bag. It doesn't have everything I need in it."

"Like what?"

"Well, like my wallet, for one."

"You don't need your wallet, I have your passport."

"My passport? Why do you have my passport? Do I need it?"

Ethan shrugged. "Maybe."

"If I need my passport for wherever we're going, then I need to change."

"Why do you need to change?" His eyes raked her, scorching her. He shifted and cleared his throat, not trying to hide the passion in his eyes when he met her gaze. "You look great."

"This is a beach cover-up. This isn't something you actually wear out."

"But it's a dress. Kind of."

"Yeah. One you can see through. Kind of."

"Oh." His gaze raked her body again and he frowned as he grabbed her hand. "Okay, yeah. I wasn't thinking. So you just need to change. How long will that take?"

Cindy managed to grab the tote bag from the chair before Ethan led her away. She heard Dillon say something to Maggie, heard her friend's excited gasp in reply, but she couldn't make out the words, not with the way Ethan was tugging her back to their room.

Like he was in a hurry.

"Where are we going again?"

"I told you, it's a surprise. The sooner you change, the sooner you'll find out." He opened the sliding glass door to their spacious studio and stepped to the side, letting her pass.

"Okay, fine." She dropped a quick kiss on his mouth then stepped by him, pulling the cover-up over her head as she went. "Just give me five minutes and I'll be ready."