“It’s okay. I never got to meet him,” he replies, staring off into the distance. “But everyone who knew him talks about how amazing he was. Apparently, he was the type of person who lit up every room he walked into.”
“Just like you,” I whisper, watching the sunlight dance in Owen’s eyes as he tries to hide the ache in his chest.
Leaning in, I murmur, “I’d say you’re doing him proud.”
His brows pinch together with emotion.
“You think so?”
“I know so,” I grin. “You’re magnetic, Owen. You should see the way people smile when you’re around. Everything about you is contagious in the best way possible.”
His gaze flickers across my face, raw and unguarded.
My eyes lower to his lips as he leans in, cradles my cheeks in his palms, and presses his mouth to mine in a long, slow kiss.
When he finally pulls back, my lips feel all swollen and tingly.
“Thank you,” he breathes against my mouth. “That means more to me than you know.”
“Good,” I rasp, pressing my lips to his in another kiss. “And I hope you believe it. You’re amazing, Owen.”
His eyes dart between mine, like he can’t decide if he wants to wrap me in his arms or kiss me.
He steals the air from my lungs when he does both, pulling me into his lap and sliding his lips against mine in a toe-curling kiss. An involuntary moan comes from deep in my throat as I thread my fingers into his golden locks.
“Mmmm,” Owen rumbles between kisses. “We’d better go get in the water. If I keep kissing you, I’m going to have Security called on me for having this place turned into a nude beach.”
I throw my head back, bursting out in laughter.
"We definitely can’t have that on our permanent records," I tease, stealing one final taste of him.
We push ourselves up from our loungers, and Owen threads his fingers through mine, tugging me toward the waves.
Ahead of us, the Caribbean glistens beneath the scorching sun, calling us into its embrace.
Seconds later, we're submerged to our waists, my fingers still intertwined with Owen's. I release his hand to duck under the surface and cool off.
When I emerge, dark, wet strands cling to my face. Owen hasn't moved an inch—his gaze zeroed in on me with an intensity that takes my breath away.
He’s not just staring—he's consuming me with those emerald eyes.
He moves closer, palms finding the curve of my hips and pulling me against his body until there's no space between us.
"Look at you, Meadow," he murmurs, his voice husky. His eyes track every glistening bead of water rolling down my skin.
My pulse races wildly beneath my ribs. He gives a slight shake of his head, his thumb tracing lazy patterns along my side that leave goosebumps in their wake.
"You have no idea how goddamn stunning you are. But I swear to make sure you know it. I’m going to make sure you never question it again."
Crimson rushes to my cheeks.
The way he watches me is so heartwrenching, like I’m the only thing that matters to him.
"You’re… staring," I whisper, my skin hot beneath his gaze.
His lips curve into a slow, dangerous smile. "And I don’t plan to stop."
The world around us disappears until nothing exists beyond the water between us. Owen’s gaze drops to my mouth, seconds before he erases the gap and captures my lips in an unhurried kiss that sends heat waves flooding through my veins.
