He turned his hand to hold hers and lifted it to his lips for a gentle
kiss.
“Remember what you said today.”
His eyes darkened slightly, a hint of possessiveness rising.
“You’re mine. In this life and the next. Only mine.”
Gabrielle’s heartbeat quickened, her cheeks burning red.
The way this man claimed her was so direct and bold. It always made her heart flutter.
The coffee and dessert arrived.
The rich latte and delicate tiramisu swept away the weight of their earlier conversation.
They quietly enjoyed the rare moment of peace.
The sun was warm and the breeze gentle.
And beside her sat the man she loved.
Gabrielle thought that this must be what happiness felt like.
After leaving the cafe, Zachary took her to a few more places.
They visited an art gallery and browsed vintage books in a cozy bookstore.
There were no dramatic twists or no tension. It was just quiet, tender
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companionship.
Zachary seemed to want her to understand that their life together wasn’t just about wealth and excitement.
It was about the gentle and steady days, too, like the flow of water.
At dusk, the setting sun painted the sky a brilliant shade of orange.
Zachary parked the car near Stockroch Beach.
They kicked off their shoes and walked barefoot along the soft sand.
The sea breeze stirred their hair.
Waves rolled, crashing gently with a soothing sound.
In the distance, a giant Ferris wheel lit up with colorful lights.
Zachary wrapped his arm around Gabrielle’s shoulders, resting his chin lightly on her head.
“It’s beautiful.”
Gabrielle leaned into his embrace, quietly savoring the peace and warmth of the moment.
Back home, she had once visited the beach with Timothy.
But back then, she had always been walking on eggshells, trying to guess what he was thinking.
Never had she felt this free and at ease.
“Gabrielle, are you ready for the party next weekend?”
Zachary asked.
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“I want to introduce you to my friends.”
Gabrielle nodded, “I’m ready.”
She was still a little nervous, but she was willing to take this step for
him.
She wanted to be part of his world. She wanted to know everything about him.
“I’ll make sure they know exactly who the real lady of the Monroe family is.”
His tone held a quiet certainty, like a declaration.
Gabrielle’s heart skipped a beat.
The lady of the Monroe family… Was that… a hint at marriage?
The thought made her heart race. She felt both excited and anxious.
She had just started a new life. Was she really ready for a new relationship?
Zachary seemed to sense her unease. He lowered his head and kissed her gently on the forehead.
“Don’t overthink it. One step at a time.
“I won’t push you.
“But I want you to know that marrying you is the one thing I want most in this life.”
His voice was soft but resolute, full of sincerity.
Gabrielle looked up at him, his handsome face so close that she could feel his breath.
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The last rays of sunlight outlined his perfect profile.
In those deep eyes of his, she could see herself reflected clearly.
It felt like he had become her entire world.
Somehow, Gabrielle rose on her toes and lightly kissed him on the lips.
Just a fleeting touch, but it made Zachary freeze.
A rush of joy surged through him.
He quickly took over, pulling her into a deep kiss, one hand gripping the back of her head.
Unlike the tentative affection from before, this kiss was intense, possessive, and even fiercely passionate.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.