The next morning, he woke me before sunrise. “Let’s go.”

I glanced at my phone to check the time. “Now? It’s four in the morning. We’ve only slept a few hours.”

“Now, sleeping beauty.”

I yawned and sat up in bed, trying to focus. “I was hoping to spend all day in bed.” I’d missed him so much. I just wanted to make love to him all day, order room service, and watch some movies.

“Ha. Don’t tempt me. Get up, we’re going to be late.”

I hated surprises. “Late? For what?”

He had a devilish smirk on his face. “I told you, it’s a surprise.”

“Fine.” I didn’t know what he was up to but I reluctantly packed our bags, and we headed back to the truck. He drove on the freeway, and he pulled into LAX. Long-term parking.

“Grady, what’s going on?” My nerves were jittery.

“The ball? Remember? You promised.”

“You’re taking me to Hawaii?” I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten that the ball was today. I’d put it out of my mind after Tahoe. I was thrilled that we hadn’t missed it.

“Yup. Let’s go.”

Ay dios mío! I squealed and jumped into his arms. We kissed and his hands ran down my back, caressing my body. I wanted more but he placed me down, and we headed into the airport. My heart sang, and I couldn’t resist humming. Yesterday had been one of the scariest days of my life, the other being when my mom died, but twenty-four hours later I was happier than I’d ever been. My beast had returned to me.

Five hours later, and one too many mai tais, our plane touched down. My mouth was watering in anticipation of eating my weight in chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. But more than anything, I was eager to get Grady alone in the hotel.

We climbed into a taxi, but when we arrived at the hotel, Grady just took our bags and instructed me to wait.

A few minutes later, he returned. “Ala Moana, please.”

“The mall? We just got here. Can’t we relax?”

“No. The ball’s tonight and you need a dress and heels. I didn’t think we’d make it, but I already have my blues ready—they were sent to the room.”

“Tonight? It’s two o’clock? I need to get my hair and makeup done.”

“I know this. Don’t worry, baby. I’ve got it taken care of. Let me spoil you.”

As we drove down to the mall, my head spun. Within twenty-four hours, I’d gone from wondering if I would ever see Grady again, to spotting him in the audience, to almost being raped by Pasha, to end up in Hawaii, about to attend a ball, and meet the President. And I couldn’t believe Grady had offered to take me on a shopping spree. No man had ever done anything this nice for me.

“Where to?” he asked.

I never spent money on clothes. I didn’t go anywhere, really, besides school. “You really don’t have to do this, Grady.”

He put his hand on my back. “Let’s go here.” He pointed at Bloomingdale’s.

We walked into the store and took the escalator to the second floor. An older sales clerk approached us, her eyes immediately focusing on Grady.

“Sergeant Grady Williams? It’s an honor. My son is a Marine. Thank you for your service, son.”

Whoa. We hadn’t been in public for more than a few minutes. Did this always happen to Grady? It was really starting to seem like it.

“Thank you, ma’am. My girlfriend is trying to find a dress for the Marine Corps Ball. Very formal. Could you help her?”

Girlfriend. First time he’d said it to anyone in public. I loved the way it sounded.

“Of course, I’d be honored.” She turned her attention to me. “Do you have any particular style or color in mind?”

I shrugged. “No, I’m not sure what’s in style.”

“That’s fine, dear.” She surveyed my body, guessing correctly my size, and brought out a selection of dresses.

The weight of last night’s attack still heavy on my mind, I wanted something simple and classy. My eyes immediately went toward a navy blue A-line dress with a lace bodice, sweetheart neckline, empire waist, and a layered chiffon skirt. I pulled the dress over my head, the soft fabric draping across my curves. I gasped when I saw myself in the mirror. The dress was stunning.

I walked out of the dressing room, and Grady did a double take when he saw me.

He walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “You look gorgeous.”

That was easy. I changed out of the dress, and in the rest of our shopping whirlwind, he also bought me heels and a clutch. Before I knew it, he’d dropped me off at a spa, where they did my nails, hair, and makeup.

I felt like a princess.

Two hours later, my jaw dropped, literally dropped, when he picked me up in his full dress blues, medals gleaming, especially the Medal of Honor around his neck. The sight of his scars never made me wince anymore. As far as I could see, he was the sexiest man alive.

“Hello, handsome.”

He took my arm and led me to a limo parked outside.

Once inside, Grady poured himself a glass of whisky and I had a rum and coke. It was as if we were going to prom, another experience I’d skipped because of my dancing.

The limo took us to the Hawaiian Marriott.

I stopped for a moment to take in the view of the beach and the palm trees, the scent of freesias in the air. We walked upstairs to the ballroom, all eyes staring at us. I’d had the public eye on me before, but never on the arms of someone I loved. Who I was proud of. Who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. And as if this night couldn’t get any better, I was about to meet the President.