H-he remembered that?
Though our visits here were vague in my mind, I still remembered the day Tobias brought him along to introduce his new best friend. How could I forget the day I encountered those stormy grays for the first time?
The reserved yet shy boy was uncomfortable among so many unknown people, until his gaze locked with mine. The soft smile that had tugged at his lips in the return of my own toothy one had engraved into my heart since then.
He gently brushed his thumb on my cheek. “Those adorable freckles are almost nonvisible now.”
“I still have them. It’s just the makeup,” I said, lost in his gray pools.
A tiny frown set between his brows. “The makeup that hides your beauty, you should avoid it.”
“Back to dictating me, are we, Mr. Valencian? I’m not in your office right now.” I teased, though the mushy feeling inside me at his compliment didn’t go missed.
“I’m not dictating you, just stating the truth.” He pulled me against him. “Those powders just hide your natural beauty.”
I bit back my smile. Did he just call makeup as powder?
Then I realized how he had me pinned against him. Throwing him a stern look, I pulled away and turned to the house. It was beautiful. The sound of waves crashing onto the shore and retracting into the ocean reached my ears.
Memories of old days regenerated into my mind.
“The beach!” With my eyes wide, I cast him a glance before running inside the house.
The velvety sound of his chuckle reached me before his footsteps followed behind.
Adrenaline rushed through my veins. Pushing open the backdoor, I relished the salty sea breeze that touched my face as soon as I let myself free outside under the open sky.
But before the ocean could enthrall me, the beautiful gazebo in the middle of the beach caught my attention. The decoration of white lilies and fairy lights, and the candles lit on both sides of the way to it, had me speechless. Not to miss the red petals of roses scattered on the pathway.
My mouth was on the ground until I forced myself to shut it. Everything was just… extraordinary. Just like the movies.
And he did all of that…for me?
“You liked it?” His deep voice rasped close to my ear.
Not being able to form any words, I just nodded.
“Come.” Securing my hand in his, he maneuvered me to the gazebo through the path full of soft rose petals.
I cleared my throat, my insides went all shy. “Your staff did a good job decorating everything.”
Popping open the cap of the champagne, he poured the liquid into two glasses. Casting me a glance, he said, “They just set up the gazebo. The other credits would go to me.”
My eyes widened again. “You did all of this all by yourself?” I looked around at the beautiful view.
Putting the bottle down, he took my jacket off. As soon as the upper side of my dress revealed before his eyes, he stilled.
“Yes,” a hiss came out of his mouth. His heated gaze roamed my body, lingering on my dipped neckline.
Cassie was right.He looked extremely bothered. Observing his tight jaw and darkened gaze had me doubting my decision to wear this dress now. We were all alone here…
And he didn’t even see the back yet.
When he took a step forward, eyes not moving from me, my heart skipped. But I held my footing. I wouldn’t let him see my weakness for him today.
But my determination couldn’t live long. As he glided closer, I stuttered out, “W-what are you doing?”
He didn’t answer. Raising his hand up, he brushed his fingers against my neck in a feathery touch. I shivered. Reaching for the back of my neck, he let my hair fall free from the bun.
“Now it’s better,” he whispered, inches away from me.
Heat crept up my cheeks as I fumbled with my bracelet. Gray eyes followed the movement. Clearing my throat, I pulled away from him, causing his hand to fall from my hair.
His thick brows crinkled at the loss of touch.
Seriously, this man was obsessed with my hair. He seemed to love touching it every now and then.
Taking the glass of champagne, I took a sip. The cool liquid soothed my suddenly dry throat.
“I can’t believe you did all of this all by yourself. All the lights and flowers. You could just ask your staff. They would have done it for you. When did you do it, anyway?” I went back to our previous conversation, cutting the tense ambience around us.
He took his own glass, eyes still on me. “I was here before I went to pick you up. I wanted to do it with my own hands. After all, it was for my Rosebud.”
A warm sensation spread throughout my chest. Needing some more liquid to quench my thirst, I took another gulp. This man always had a way with words. He knew how to affect me with them.
The fruity flavor of the champagne felt good in my mouth. Then something clicked into my head.
Even for champagne, he didn’t go for the alcoholic one. He opted for a clean drink instead. I’d noticed it before. He didn’t drink anymore. Not even at parties.
As far as I remembered, wine was his favorite drink of all time. On some occasions, I’d seen him drink alcohol like water. What changed?
“What’re you thinking, Rosebud?” Tucking a strand behind my ear, one of his hands gently placed over my hip.
Then the hefty roar of the wave crashing onto the shore snatched my attention. Gentle wind blew across the beach. The full moon dangled in the sky, cradling its luster in the water as it shimmered along the waves.
With the beautiful sight before my eyes and his heat right behind me, I held my questions back for some time. I didn’t want to break the peace raising the queries of the past.
Getting out of my heels, I walked up to the shore feeling the cool, supple sand under my bare feet. Soon a curse of his followed from behind me. But I didn’t stop. The corner of my mouth twitched, imagining the look on his face, seeing my revealing back cut of the dress.
The moment the waves reached me, tingling my toes with cold water, a smile stretched across my lips.
It’s been so long since I’d last visited a beach, let alone a private one like this.
Soon, I felt his presence beside me. And to my surprise, he was also bare-footed. I noticed how big his feet were compared to mine. Just like our hands.
Looking up at the moon, I took a deep breath. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Not more than my Rosebud.”
My head snapped to him. Stormy gray met my turquoise.
Did he write some cheesy lines for tonight before coming here? He seemed to be the total opposite of the cold businessman I saw everyday.
Averting my gaze from his intent one, with the fluttering of my tummy, I walked along the shore, enjoying the cool water and breeze. He followed behind.
Flashes of us playing on the beach floated across my mind. A grin spread across my lips. And then I did what I didn’t even dream of doing ever again. Crouching down, I took some water into my hand and splashed him. Achilles Valencian.
Jerking back slightly, he stood frozen for a second. After registering what just happened, a wicked gleam flickered over his eyes. When he took a hasty step towards me, I let out a squeal, and ran.
A musical laughter followed me as I sprinted away from him. Not wanting to miss the chance of this rare sight, I looked over my shoulder.
With just a foot away, he chased me. Moonlight fell onto his heavenly features as his eyes twinkled with happiness. The smile lines on both sides of his eyes, and the beautiful grin across his lips had me breathless. And it had nothing to do with my running.
Another screech left my mouth when he leaped for me. But speeding up my legs, I ran away from his clutch.
“Do you think you can escape me, Rosebud?” His light voice mixed with mirth rang like harmony in my ears.
“Looking like you’re falling behind, Mr. Valencian. Catch me if you can!” yelling over my shoulder, I ran faster. The night breeze slapped against my skin and the water splashed under my feet. I felt like I was flying. Free from everything. I felt lighter.
“Gotcha!”
Another squeal left my mouth as he tackled me. But before we could land on the ground, his strong arms around me pulled us straight.
“This is cheating! Your legs are bigger than mine!” I complained, wiggling in his hold. But the smile on my face was still there.
“Now that’s also my fault?”
“Yes, it is!”
A throaty chuckle reverberated through his chest as he pulled me against him, resting his forehead against mine. The way he tightened his arms around me, as if he never wanted to let go. His gaze shone with contentment and felicity as he let out a breath. “Rosebud, what do I do with you?”
“What will you do?” I peered into his eyes, relaxing into his chest.
As an answer, he cupped my cheeks and placed his lips on mine. My eyelids fluttered close, already drunk on him. With his thumb brushing just beneath my lower lip, his mouth danced with mine into a slow magical synch.
This time, it wasn’t an urgent, possessive, and demanding kiss. This time, it was a sweet, slow, yet passionate touch of affection. It had my heart racing like his punishing kisses did.
Pulling away, I gasped for breath, placing my head against his cheek. “It’s just a friendly date, you remember that, right?”
“I didn’t know you kissed your friends.”
My face turned hot as I hid myself in his chest, causing him to chuckle.
So not fair! He couldn’t just kiss me and expect me not to kiss him back. Who could resist this Greek god?
And just then my stomach decided to embarrass me more. A grumble had me turn into a beetroot.
Pulling away, he cupped my chin. Amusement curved in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hungry?”
I shrugged, looking away. Stupid stomach!
Biting his lip, he took my hand and dragged me with him. “Come, let me feed you something.”
I didn’t complain.
When we reached the gazebo again, he turned to me. “Wait here. I’ll go get the food.”
“I can help,” I offered.
He shook his head. “No, you wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
I nodded, and he turned, walking back into the house.
Sighing, I took my glass and drank the rest of the champagne. Gazing at the ocean as I waited for him to come back with the food, something caught my attention.
A vibration.
My phone?
When I grabbed my purse, my suspicion turned out right. But as soon as I opened the purse, the vibration stopped.
Shaking my head, I fished the phone out. God knew who was calling me.
As soon as my eyes locked with the screen, I stilled.
Three missed calls.
From Warner.
