Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“Good,” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “You want to go out on the balcony?”
“We’re on the top floor.”
He chuckles. “I know that, but it’s safe. There’s a railing, and we won’t get close to the edge. I’ll be with you the entire time.”
“You promise you won’t let go?” I ask, turning to look at him over my shoulder.
Bending, he kisses the tip of my nose. “I won’t let go, Eden. I promise.”
I know what he’s saying—he’s not going to let go of me while we’re out on the balcony—but my heart, that poor organ inside my chest that’s head over heels for this man, kicks into overdrive, beating faster. But not because of my fear of heights, but because he promised never to let me go. Different context, I’m aware, but my heart apparently has a mind of its own.
“Open it. My hands are full of precious cargo,” he says, and I relax into him as a laugh slips free from my lips. I slide it open, and together, we step cautiously out onto the patio of our top-floor hotel room and look out at the ocean.
My breath stalls in my lungs at the vision before me.
The ocean stretches out endlessly before us, deep blue meeting pale sky at a distant horizon. Sunlight dances across the water in shifting patterns, and the waves roll in slow, steady rhythms, crashing against the wide, sandy beach. Even from up here, the sound is soothing.
I feel him tighten his arms just slightly, as if anchoring me there, sharing the moment without a word. The warmth of him at my back contrasts with the ocean breeze brushing my face, and I become acutely aware of how still we are, how perfectly unhurried this feels.
If I could bottle this moment and keep it forever, I would.
I rest my hands over his, grounding myself in the quiet weight of his embrace, and take in the incredible view. Up here, wrapped in his arms with the ocean laid out before us, time feels softer, less demanding. For a moment, nothing exists beyond the sound of the waves, the warmth behind me, and the simple, breathtaking fact that I’m here, experiencing this, feeling this.
“I never thought I’d see this,” I admit softly. “I live on one income, and I’m frugal to a fault. This moment, being here, with you… it’s everything, Foster. I can’t tell you what this means to me.”
“You just did,” he says, kissing my cheek. “We’ll go in whenever you’re ready.”
“I could stand here with you forever,” I confess quietly.
“We could,” he says, “but I promised we’d bury our toes in the sand.”
I turn in his arms, wrapping mine around his neck. “I’m ready for whatever adventure you want to take me on,” I tell him.
“There are no rules. No timelines. If you see something you want to do, we’ll do it. As of right now, I have us flying home on Friday, but if we need more time, then we’ll take it.”
“This is too much,” I tell him. Guilt sits heavily that he’s paying for all of this.
“Eden, it’s been a long damn time since I’ve been able to spend my money on someone I care about. And yes, I know I have the guys, but they have their own money. This, bringing you here, seeing your eyes light up, getting to experience this moment with you, it’s a gift. One that no amount of money could buy me. Please, don’t think about that. I promise you, this isn’t a financial hardship for me.”
“I know—I mean, I don’t know, but I do know you’re a professional athlete, and you make a good wage, but still, that’s your money.”
He chuckles. “A good wage? Baby, I make nineteen million a year. That doesn’t count bonuses or endorsements. Please stop worrying.”
My mouth falls open. “That’s—a really good wage,” I say, and he tosses his head back in laughter.
“I love that you couldn’t give a single fuck about my paycheck. That only makes me want to spoil you more.”
“Oh, no, this trip is like a decade of birthday presents or more.” His words echo in my mind. That’s—a lot of money, but being here with him, it’s priceless. Getting to share this trip with him feels right, and no amount of money could replace this memory for me. Even without the fancy plane ticket or the massive suite, this is what I know will be the best trip I’ll ever take because it’s with him.
“Not a chance, baby.” He winks. “Now, are you ready to go feel the sand between your toes?”
“Yes,” I say, standing on my toes and pressing my lips to his. It’s a quick peck, but I’m taking every chance I have to touch him, to kiss him while we’re on this trip. I don’t know what happens when we get home, and if we’re making memories, I want the full Foster Vaughn experience.