Chapter 45
Grace's POV
"This is our first Valentine's Day," Alex said softly. "I didn't want to miss it. I hope... I hope we'll spend every one together from now on."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Every one together. My chest tightened, and I felt the familiar sting behind my eyes. The tears spilled over before I could stop them, hot and unexpected. I wiped them with the back of my hand, embarrassed by my reaction.
"Grace?" His voice was immediately concerned, and I could feel him shifting closer. "Did I say something wrong?"
I shook my head quickly, trying to find my voice. "No one has ever..." My voice cracked, betraying me. "No one has ever put this much thought into spending a holiday with me. I barely celebrated birthdays growing up, let alone... I'm just so touched."
Richard never remembered Valentine's Day. Hell, he barely remembered our anniversary.
Alex's expression softened completely. He reached out, his fingertips gently brushing away my tears, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
---
Something shifted in the air between us. The space felt charged, electric. I found myself moving closer without conscious thought, my fingers reaching out to grip the fabric of his shirt. The material was soft under my hands, warm from his body heat.
I closed my eyes as he leaned in, my heart hammering so hard I was sure he could hear it. His kiss was gentle at first – just a soft brush of lips against lips, tentative and questioning. When I didn't pull away, it deepened. His nose nuzzled against mine, and I could taste the faint hint of champagne on his lips.
My body went liquid, every nerve ending coming alive. My grip on his shirt tightened, anchoring myself to him as the world seemed to tilt around us. This wasn't like the careful, calculated kisses Richard used to give me. This was real. This was Alex.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine, his breathing slightly uneven. "Grace..." His voice was husky, sending shivers down my spine. "Let me hold you a little longer."
I lowered my lashes, feeling them flutter against my cheeks like butterfly wings. My fingers loosened their death grip on his shirt, then pressed back against the warm fabric covering his chest. I could feel his heartbeat beneath my palm, strong and steady.
"Okay," I breathed.
We stayed like that as the plane began its descent, wrapped in each other and the golden glow of the cabin lights. Through the small windows, I caught glimpses of something magical below – lights twinkling like earthbound stars.
The plane gently touched down on what appeared to be a private runway. Through the windows, I could see a beach decorated with countless small lights, stretching like a galaxy along the coastline. The sight took my breath away.
"Ready?" Alex stood up, extending his hand to me with that crooked smile that made my knees weak.
My heart was still racing, but I nodded, placing my hand in his palm.
---
The moment I stepped out of the cabin, warm sea breeze caressed my face, carrying the faint scent of sea salt and tropical flowers. The temperature here was much warmer than Starport, as if we had truly flown to another season.
"Where is this?" I asked softly.
"My private island," Alex said.
The beach was carpeted in white, dotted with rose petals and candles on either side. In the distance, I could hear soft music and the sound of waves lapping against the shore.
"Alex, this is..." I couldn't find the right words.
"Walk with me?" He didn't let go of my hand.
---
We walked slowly along the beach, our feet sinking into the soft sand. Moonlight spilled across the ocean surface, shimmering like broken silver. This moment felt so unreal, as if I were dreaming.
"Grace," Alex suddenly stopped, turning to face me.
Just then, the first firework suddenly burst in the sky – golden light exploding in the darkness, cascading like a meteor shower.
I looked up in delight, watching firework after firework bloom overhead. Red, blue, silver, gold – each one more brilliant than the last.
"It's beautiful," I whispered, the fireworks' glow reflected in my eyes.
When I turned back to look at Alex, I found he wasn't watching the fireworks at all – he was watching me.
"Yes," he said, "very beautiful."
---
The final firework burst in the sky, forming a huge heart shape, its golden light slowly fading into the night.
In that moment, Alex's hand gently touched my cheek, drawing me toward him.
My heart was about to leap out of my chest. In the afterglow of the fireworks, on this dreamlike island, I nodded.
His lips softly covered mine, no longer the careful, tentative exploration from the plane. This kiss was deeper, more real, filled with a tenderness and longing I had never experienced.
My hands instinctively reached up to his shoulders, while his arms wrapped tightly around my waist, as if he wanted to merge me into his body.
When we separated, my breathing was rapid, my cheeks burning. Alex's forehead pressed against mine, and neither of us spoke – we just held each other quietly.
The sea breeze blew gently, and the sound of waves came from the distance. In this moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.
"Thank you," I finally spoke, my voice trembling slightly.
"Thank you for what?"
"Thank you for making me believe..." I paused, searching for the right words. "Believe that someone would treat me this way."
Alex's hand gently stroked my hair. "Grace, you deserve the best of everything in the world."