Padraig grasped Mia’s hand, leaving their luggage in the car.

She pulled back. “What about the bags?”

“Later,” he said. “Aren’t you excited? Why wait?”

She laughed and followed him through the hotel lobby to the door that led to the outdoor pool.

“This resort is incredible.” Mia’s eyes flew around, trying to take it all in. She’d never stayed in such a nice hotel. In addition to the outdoor pool, there was an indoor one, a tiki bar, outside seating at the restaurant and—she sucked in an excited breath—beyond those dunes, the ocean.

She and Padraig had fallen into a routine in the past month, waking up in each other’s arms, showering, dressing, eating breakfast together before she went to work. On nights when he worked, she sat at the end of the bar and had her dinner, chatting with him as he poured drinks.

Last night, he’d surprised her by taking the night off to pack for this impromptu trip to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Apparently, he’d found Shell Island Resort online and noticed they had a special weekend rate going for that very weekend. The next thing she knew, she was packed for the beach with just a moment’s notice.

She loved Padraig’s impulsiveness, his sense of adventure. For most of her life, she’d simply been stuck in a rut, a creature of habit, a slave to routine.

With Padraig, every day was different, fun, full of surprises. Sometimes he would stop by her work to surprise her with lunch. Twice, she’d woken up to find a rose on her pillow. More than a few times, he’d turned on music, grabbed her hand and danced her around the kitchen, slow or fast or silly, depending on his mood.

And now, another item was about to fall off her list of regrets. Padraig had already helped her tick off so many of them.

They’d gotten up at the crack of dawn, loaded his car with borrowed beach chairs, pool towels, and sunscreen. Padraig had found an oldies station on the radio, and they’d belted out “Freeze Frame”, “Come Sail Away” and “Melt with You” at the top of their lungs. She’d grumbled a bit about the long drive, but with Padraig, she’d discovered the journey was just as much fun as the destination. So, eight hours later—after stops for gas, food, car treats, and a random stop at Bass Pro Shops—they’d arrived at the ocean.

She followed Padraig up the wooden steps, then stopped, gasping as she got her first glimpse of the ocean.

“Oh my God!”

Padraig grinned. “Come on.” At the foot of the stairs, he kicked off his flip-flops and encouraged her to do the same. They left them there and walked barefoot in the hot sand toward the water’s edge.

Mia struggled to take it all in, the roaring sound, the salty smell, the endless expanse of gray-blue water. As they got closer to the Atlantic Ocean, Mia started to run, laughing, Padraig right beside her.

She pulled up just short of the white foam.

“Don’t stop now. This is the best part.” Padraig placed his hand on her waist, holding her close as they dipped their toes in. It was surprisingly cold.

Taking a few more steps, Mia felt the waves crashing over her legs, soaking the bottom of her shorts.

“Guess we should have put on our bathing suits first,” Padraig said, when one strong wave splashed right up their backs as they turned away, trying to minimize the damage.

Mia laughed and shook her head. “There was no time.”

Twisting back to the watery horizon, she threw her arms out to the sky, feeling free and at peace. “I had no idea it would be so massive. I mean, until you see it in person, you can’t really understand the actual enormity of it. It’s endless.”

“Yeah. I always feel overwhelmed by it. And I’ve been to the beach a ton of times. It always puts life into perspective for me.”

Mia considered that and nodded, feeling her own worldview knocked sideways a bit. “It makes me feel very, very small. Not in a bad way. Compared to the ocean, my life is the blink of an eye. One second in eternity.”

“That’s it exactly. The ocean has a way of humbling a person. And at the same time, I feel blessed to be here. To have this single second in eternity to make my mark.”

Mia smiled. “You have a very romantic soul, Paddy.”

Her words seemed to change something for him. His face was serious as he pulled her out of the water. They stopped just short of where the white foam ended.

“I was going to do this later, but now feels like the perfect time.”

She tilted her head. “To do wha—?”

She stopped mid-word when Padraig dropped down to one knee in the sand.

“Paddy,” she whispered, unable to hear her own voice over the thunder of the sea and the waves crashing inside her head.

“Mia Curtis. I know we haven’t known each other a long time, but if I’ve learned anything these past few months, it’s that it isn’t the minutes that count. It’s the way we fill that time. I’ve fallen so deeply in love with you, I can’t even remember a moment when you weren’t with me. I want to be with you, Mia, as your best friend, your lover and your husband. I want to spend every day from now until…whenever…with you.”

He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a small box.

Mia wiped away the tear that got away from her, shaking her head slowly. “Please, Paddy. You can’t—”

“Marry me, Mia.”

“You know—” she started.

Once again, he interrupted her. “If there was no tumor, what would your answer be?”

“There is a tumor.”

“Answer the question.”

“I would marry you.”

He smiled, but her heart cracked at the sight of it. She loved him just as deeply. Deeply enough that she would do whatever it took to protect him.

“Paddy. I said I would marry you. Not that I will.”

He opened the box, and she gasped at the beautiful ring inside. Every dream she’d ever harbored as a young girl of finding her Prince Charming, the man who would love her no matter what, was coming true.

“It’s beautiful.”

He pulled the ring from the box. “It’s yours.”

Her hand was curled in a fist as she tried to find the strength to do the right thing. The problem was, marrying Padraig felt like the rightest thing in the world.

Mia bit her lower lip, struggling, wrestling with herself.

Padraig didn’t push the issue. The gorgeous, patient man just waited, gave her time to come to the answer on her own.

“In October.”

“What?”

“I’ll marry you on my birthday. October second.”

Padraig sighed, clearly not happy about the idea of waiting. But this thing between them was still too new. And she wanted to make sure Padraig understood completely what he was proposing.

“Mia,” he whispered. “Please.”

“It’s three months, Padraig. Just three…” She couldn’t finish the last. Jesus. Three months was basically all the time she had left if Dr. Richards was right.

He closed his eyes and she half-feared, half-hoped he’d take the ring back. Saying no would be the kindest thing. Getting married had been an item on her bucket list, one she had no expectation of fulfilling. However, over the past few months, marrying Padraig had moved into the number one position on the list. There was nothing she wanted more.

Padraig’s eyelids lifted slowly, and she knew he wasn’t taking the ring back. “Will you marry me on October second?”

Slowly, she unclenched her fist, holding her hand out to him.

Padraig’s smile burst through, brighter than the sun. “Say yes, Tilly Mint. I need to hear it.”

“Yes,” she said, her voice breaking on her happy tears.

The wedding vows included for better or worse. God knew she and Padraig had already walked the razor’s edge between those two things a few too many times.

He slid the ring on her finger then stood up to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing when he lifted her and spun her around.

They kissed another minute more before a man stepped closer.

“Not going to lie, I was holding my breath there, afraid she was going to turn ye down, mate.”

The stranger had an Irish brogue. Padraig grinned at the fella’s joke, but it was obvious he didn’t know the man, either.

“Oh, sorry. Name’s Seamus. I’m just here on vacation. Was walking by when ye dropped down to one knee. Looked around and realized you two were alone, so…” He smiled at them sheepishly. “I recorded it.”

He held out his phone and, sure enough, there was Padraig, holding out the ring.

“Thought you might like to have the moment documented. Had a few hairy moments there, thinking I might actually be recording your heartbreak. Glad it turned out well.”

Mia giggled, delighted by the man’s friendly, funny banter. The fact that his name was Seamus only made it all so much better. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Seamus about Padraig’s wand and the leprechaun with the magic flute.

“Gotta admit, you’ve got style, mate. Proposed to my gal one night in a pub, both of us pissed. She still gives me bloody hell for my lack of romance. So if ye want to give me your email address, I can send ye the video. Then I’m going to have to delete the damn thing. If my wife sees it, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“How long have you been married?” Padraig asked.

“Three years. Love the gal. She’s American. Met when she was studying abroad. If ye can’t tell from this brogue, I’m originally from Kerry. Ireland.”

“My grandfather is Irish,” Padraig said.

Seamus’s eyes widened. “Is that right? Well, small world.”

Padraig gave Seamus his email and the video switched hands.

“Sorry to interrupt your moment. Blame my lack of romance. Hope the two of you have a very happy life together.” Seamus nodded in farewell and continued down the beach.

“What a nice guy,” Mia said.

Padraig tucked his cell phone back into his pocket. “Pop Pop is going to love that story. Suspect he’ll show everyone he knows that video in the pub. Not because of the proposal but because of the Irishman who recorded it. Can hear him now.” Padraig went into a pretty decent impersonation of his grandfather. “He was Irish, he was, the man who recorded it. Full of romance, we Irish are.”

Mia laughed. “I’m not sure how he can say that. Seamus admitted to proposing to his girlfriend during a fight.”

Padraig tilted his head, confused, until a light appeared to go on. “What? Oh, no. They weren’t pissed as in mad. In Ireland, pissed means drunk.”

“Well, that clears that up. I was wondering why the woman would say yes if they were arguing.”

“Let’s go grab our bags and change into our bathing suits. After that long drive, I’m ready for a dip in the pool and a drink from that tiki bar we walked past.”

Mia and Padraig spent nearly two hours alternating between splashing in the pool and sunning themselves. Mia couldn’t stop sneaking peeks at the engagement ring, trying to convince herself that it was really there, that Padraig had truly proposed.

“Hungry?” Padraig asked.

She nodded, so they threw some clothes on over their almost dry suits and grabbed an outside table at the resort restaurant, eating a huge pile of firecracker shrimp. Their table overlooked the ocean, which was sparkling with the last rays of sun.

A man started playing guitar and singing, and Mia decided right then and there was the most perfect moment of her life…again. She’d had countless perfect moments with Padraig.

The singer performed a great mix of cover songs mingled with originals. She was especially moved by a slower one with lines that spoke to her.

I will always be your ladder. Climb to safety.

Padraig had become her ladder, offering her an escape and a safe place beyond. The song seemed to have the same effect on Padraig, who reached across the table to hold her hand. Neither of them spoke, but the electricity between them was growing. Pretty soon they’d need one of those Danger, High Voltage signs.

“Paddy,” she said softly. “Take me to bed.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He paid the bill and they returned to the room.

Once inside, they hastily walked to the bedroom, shedding clothing along the way. By the time they reached the bed, they were both naked.

Padraig pushed her to the mattress before coming down on top of her. He kissed her long and deep, his tongue and hers touching, tasting. She tightened her fingers in his hair, tugging on the thick mass.

He ran one hand along her side, from breast to hip and back again. Then he cupped her breast, tweaking her nipple, before leaning down to suck it into his mouth.

She wrapped her thighs around his upper legs, trying to guide him closer, determined to have him inside her.

Padraig would never be the type of man to be controlled in the bedroom. He always had his own agenda and he made sure it played out. Not that she minded. The man was a master at making her come, giving her mind-blowing orgasms. And usually two or three a night. With past lovers, she was lucky to achieve one lackluster climax. Padraig wasn’t selfish in the bedroom.

Not that that was surprising. She’d never met a more generous, compassionate man. Everything about him was just…perfect.

“Paddy,” she urged when he continued to play with her breast. “Please.”

He lifted his head and winked. Then he drifted lower, his hot breath hitting her clit a split second before his tongue did.

“Ohmigod,” she mumbled. Her arousal tripled when he took her clit between his teeth, teasing the turgid bit of flesh. “Please,” she repeated. “Oh, please.”

Padraig never responded to her pleading. She’d learned that in Paris. If anything, her cries only encouraged him to drive her desires higher.

Her hands were still in his hair, and it wasn’t until she heard him grunt once that it occurred to her she was probably hurting him. She loosened her grip, moving her hands to fist the sheets when he pushed three fingers inside her.

Mia thrust her hips toward the glorious invasion, trying to push him deeper. Padraig placed his hand on her stomach and with a firm grip, held her against the bed.

“You’re killing me!” she yelled at him.

He grinned and shook his head. “No, I’m not. Now be a good girl and lay still.”

“Yeah,” she said sardonically. “That’s gonna happen.”

He raised one eyebrow that let her know she would obey him.

She decided to try a different tactic, tilting her head and adopting a sweet smile. “Paddy,” she purred. “Please.”

“You sure you want to take that route?”

Mia batted her eyelashes. “I need you inside me.”

“At some point, you’re going to have to learn some patience.”

“Why?”

“Because some things are better when you wait.”

“I don’t wanna wait.” She fought not to wince at the definite vein of whine in that comment. Not that it impacted Padraig. She realized it didn’t matter what she said or how. He was going to do this his way.

She blew out an exasperated breath. “Fine. Do whatever. You’re going to anyway.” She threw her hands up against the mattress in the universal sign for surrender and didn’t bother to hide her annoyance.

Padraig shook his head just once. “Wow. You did it that time.”

Before she could ask what, he’d tugged her to a sitting position on the bed. A brief one while he shifted to the edge. Within ten beats of her heart, he had her facedown over his lap.

“What the hell—”

Padraig spanked her ass. Not hard. It certainly didn’t hurt.

So it wasn’t the pain that had her struggling to get up. It was the idea of what he was doing.

Padraig slapped her again, only this one had a slight bit of sting to it.

“What do you think—”

Another slap. And still Mia tried to get up.

After the fourth spank, Padraig ran his finger along her slit. Mia’s legs parted slightly—almost of their own volition—so he could get to the good parts.

He didn’t take her up on her offer. At least, not right away.

He gave her a fifth and sixth slap, and this time he didn’t hold back.

“Ouch!” she cried out, the impact reminding her to fight back. Briefly.

Her desire to get away vanished the second he pushed two fingers inside her. She was somewhat shocked to realize how wet she was. How hot. How freaking close to coming.

Padraig thrust in and out half a dozen times and Mia went light-headed, her vision blurry as her climax erupted.

Her orgasm seemed to surprise Padraig as much as her. He kept his fingers moving, drawing out the pleasure. He didn’t slip them out until the storm had passed.

Then with a gentle hand, he lifted her until she was cradled on his lap.

Mia rested her head in the crook of his shoulder, feeling boneless, replete. It took her several minutes to find her voice.

“You spanked me.” There was no accusation in her tone. It was actually on the tip of her tongue to ask if he’d do it again.

“I did. Did you like it?”

She lifted her head and shot him an incredulous look. “What do you think?”

Padraig chuckled. “You don’t hold anything back.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never have to wonder if you’re with me. Really with me, in bed. Some women are easily distracted, too busy thinking about how they look or what the sex means emotionally to really be in the moment, to enjoy what’s happening. You’re always with me. Telling me what you want. Showing me how it feels with your hands and your cute little cries. It’s hot, Mia. You’re hot.”

His cock was rock-hard and pressed against her hip. While she’d found her release, he hadn’t found his. And yet he was content to hold her like this.

Mia turned to face him fully, reaching down to grip his cock. He sucked in a deep breath when she placed the head of it at her opening.

Padraig gripped her hips, and she thought he might take control again. She was pleased when he simply kept his hands there, letting her guide this moment.

Mia sank down slowly, kissing him. She wasn’t the only one making sexy noises as she continued taking him in deeper and deeper.

She held still once he was lodged to the hilt, but only for a second or two as she tried to catch her breath.

Then she lifted again, pounding down harder and faster the second time. And the third and the fourth.

Mia rode Padraig for all of a dozen strokes before his dominant nature came roaring to the forefront. He lifted her even as he continued to move inside her, twisting her to her back on the mattress. Kneeling over her, he added even more force to the coupling, taking her with a passion that was overwhelming. Amazing.

They came together in a rush of words and movement. Padraig jerking roughly as he swore he’d love her forever. Mia gasping and scratching his back as she promised she would always be his.

After several minutes, Padraig moved and helped her shift so that they could both climb beneath the sheets. He tugged her close, her head resting on his chest.

Then he sighed and shook his head. “Damn.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I was going to bring you up here and make love to you. We just got engaged at the ocean. I was hoping to expand on my romantic gesture.”

She giggled. “You don’t think what just happened was romantic?”

“I tossed you facedown over my lap and spanked that sexy ass of yours, then let you ride me before taking you like a man possessed. Jesus, woman. You push all my hot buttons. I swear to God I lose all control with you.”

She lifted her head, her eyes narrowed. “I’ve yet to see you out of control, Paddy.”

He chuckled. “That’s not what I mean. I wanted to turn on soft music, lick every inch of that silky skin of yours and take you gently.”

She didn’t say that sounded a bit tame and maybe even boring after everything he’d just given her.

“I don’t need roses and romance, Padraig. I just need you. However you want me.”

Her words didn’t seem to calm him. Instead, they appeared to inflame him anew as she felt his cock begin to thicken against her stomach.

“However I want?”

She laughed, not even pretending to regret that offer. “Yep.”

“So, say I wanted to take you out on that balcony, bend you over at the waist and fuck you from behind while the waves crashed on the shore in front of us. That would be something you’d be up for?”

She sat up, climbing out of the bed. It was dark outside and they were on the far end of the resort. If they left the lights off inside the suite, she doubted anyone would know they were even outside.

“Where are you going?” he asked when she reached the doorway of the bedroom.

“To bend over.”

She didn’t need to say another word. Padraig reached the balcony half a step behind her. And when her third orgasm of the night struck, she felt very much like the crashing waves of the ocean.

Wild, untamed. Free.