Chapter Thirteen

TRINITY

I woke up early the next morning to golden sunlight pouring in through the open blinds, casting warm, dappled rays across the bed. Stephen was still fast asleep beside me, one strong arm slung protectively around my waist, his breathing slow and even. He looked so peaceful, so damn beautiful. I didn’t dare wake him.

Slipping gently from his embrace, I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, letting my lips linger just a second longer than necessary. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I quietly padded across the suite, sent off a quick message to Luke, then placed our breakfast order.

After tying my robe loosely around me, I stepped out onto the balcony. The moment I hit the sunlight, I closed my eyes and let the warm Caribbean air kiss my skin. The ocean breeze carried with it the scent of salt and hibiscus. I sighed contentedly, the tension from my life back home already melting into the air.

I didn’t hear him approach.

Stephen’s arms slid around my waist from behind, his bare chest pressing against my back, his breath warm at my neck. I instantly melted into him.

“Good morning, doll,” he murmured, voice still husky from sleep.

“Morning, baby,” I moaned, leaning back against him. “How did you sleep?”

“The best I have in a long time.” He kissed my shoulder, his lips dragging along my skin as he inhaled my scent. “Room service is inside.”

“Thanks, babe. Sorry if they woke you.” I chuckled softly. “I must’ve been off in my own little world. Didn’t hear a thing.”

His mouth curved into a grin against my neck. “Nothing exciting on your mind, I hope?”

“Actually…” I glanced at him over my shoulder, stroking his jaw with my fingertips. “I was thinking how amazing this all feels. Being here with you. Letting the sun warm me up... just being in this moment.”

Stephen tightened his hold, his lips brushing against my temple. “Plenty more sunshine where that came from, doll. But first... coffee?”

“Perfect,” I smiled, and he took my hand, leading us back inside.

We sipped our coffee, curled up together on the couch, the low hum of soft music playing in the background while we planned out our day. Stephen had arranged a private boat for us to explore the water, have lunch, and swim, and tonight, he wanted to introduce me to some of his acquaintances from past trips. He was excited—but I could tell he was watching me carefully, as if gauging how much to let me into his world.

After breakfast, I packed a small bag with sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes. I was bouncing with excitement, glowing as I pulled my sunglasses onto my head.

“You ready to go, Trinity?” Stephen called, standing by the door with our bags in hand.

“Ready when you are.”

We took a slow stroll down to the pier, hand in hand, enjoying the salty breeze and the glint of the Caribbean sun bouncing off the water. As we approached the sleek boat waiting for us, a small crew greeted us warmly. Stephen helped me aboard with ease, and within minutes, we were cutting across the open sea, the wind in our hair, laughter on our lips.

Once we’d anchored near a secluded stretch of turquoise water, I told Stephen I was heading below to get ready for a swim.

I slipped into my bikini in the cabin, then climbed the stairs back up to the deck—and promptly stopped in my tracks.

Sweet Jesus.

Stephen was lounging lazily on his side, bronzed skin glistening under the sun, every line of muscle carved in golden stone. The way his swim trunks sat low on his hips should’ve been illegal.

“Wow … now that’s a sight.”

He looked up, and the second his gaze landed on me, his jaw actually dropped. His eyes raked over me slowly, like he was trying to memorize every inch. The heat in his stare made my skin prickle.

A wicked smirk tugged at my lips as I reached down, teasingly pulling at the string of my bikini bottom. I poked my tongue out playfully. “See something you like?”

Stephen growled low in his chest, sitting up straighter. “Very much. Damn, I’m a lucky man. Come here, you.”

I walked—slowly—then dropped to my knees and crawled toward him across the sun-warmed deck.

“Fuck, baby!” he groaned. “You crawling to me like that? That’s a fantasy come true.”

When I reached him, he reached for me immediately, grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me down. Our lips crashed together—fiery, desperate, claiming. I moaned into his mouth as his hand gripped my ass possessively.

His lips were wet, slick with my gloss and our hunger, and I couldn’t stop staring at them when he finally pulled back.

“Come on, doll,” he said, voice a little hoarse. “I need to cool off after that.”

He took my hand and led me to the edge of the boat. “Jump together on three?”

I nodded, breathless.

“One... two—”

Before he could say three, I shoved him off the side of the boat with a laugh that echoed in the wind. The splash was glorious.

I was still giggling when Stephen resurfaced, slicking his hair back with one hand, eyes narrowed and gleaming with mischief.

“So... you want to play with me?”

The heat in his voice made my thighs clench. I barely had time to react before he grabbed the rope ladder and pulled himself back onto the deck with delicious, slow purpose. Dripping wet and shirtless, he stalked toward me.

I backed up, laughing nervously. “Okay, I’m sorry—it was too tempting!”

He said nothing, just kept walking, eyes locked on mine like a predator closing in on its prey.

“You don’t look sorry,” he murmured.

I felt the railing press against my lower back. Trapped.

“Together this time?” I tried, batting my lashes and stroking his chest. His smirk deepened.

“Indeed.”

And then—bam! He scooped me up over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

I squealed and kicked, but it only earned me a firm smack on the ass.

“Stephen!”

“Payback, doll.” He leapt off the edge with me still over his shoulder.

We hit the water with a splash, both coming up laughing like kids. I swam into his arms and wrapped myself around his neck, breathless and grinning. He brushed my wet hair from my face and kissed me like he couldn’t bear to go another second without it.

“This water is beautiful, Stephen,” I murmured, trailing my fingers across the glittering surface. “I can’t believe how warm it is.”

“Stunning, isn’t it?” His voice was low and smooth, like the ripples lapping at our skin. “This is one of my favourite places to come when I need time away. Even more special now that I get to share it with you.”

I reached up and ran my hand along the side of his face, savouring the feel of his rough stubble beneath my touch. The moment felt timeless, like we were suspended between sea and sky, drifting in a moment that belonged only to us.

Stephen slid his hands under my thighs, wrapping my legs around his waist. We floated like that for a while, gently bobbing in the water, the sun warming our skin, his arms strong around me. There was something deeply grounding in it—no noise, no world beyond us. Just the soft slosh of waves and the pulse of his heartbeat under my fingertips.

After our swim, we made our way back to the boat. I stretched out on the deck beside him, letting the sun dry my body and sink into every inch of my skin. The soft roll of the sea and the occasional squawk of distant birds lulled me into a peaceful haze.

I hadn’t realised how much I needed this.

Soon after, the crew brought out lunch—fresh fruit, delicate canapés, and a chilled mimosa. We fed each other strawberries and bites of mango, laughing between sips of our drinks. It was simple, sensual, and perfect. The kind of afternoon people dream about but rarely get to live.

By the time we made it back to the resort, the sun was dipping lower on the horizon, casting golden hues across the sand. Stephen suggested a swim in the resort pool before we headed to dinner—and let’s be honest, no woman in her right mind would say no to seeing this man, half-naked and wet again.

We perched on stools at the pool bar, cocktails in hand, sharing soft smiles and heated looks. It was all so effortless with him—so magnetic. I could feel myself slipping, fast, into something deeper.

After we made our way back to our room, Stephen suggested I shower to get ready for dinner. But I had something else in mind. I turned toward him, nibbling my bottom lip as one hand absentmindedly played with my hair, the other slowly undoing the tie on my bikini bottom.

“Wouldn’t you rather join me in the jacuzzi instead?” My voice was silk, a subtle invitation wrapped in fire.

Stephen froze for a second, eyes locked on mine, before he cleared his throat and adjusted his pants—not that it hid a damn thing. He stood, his gaze sharpening, predatory.

He didn’t say a word.

I stared him down as my hand drifted from my hair to my lips, biting my thumb teasingly while I held his gaze.

In one swift movement, he closed the distance and scooped me up like a doll, striding toward the bathroom with intent written all over him.

Once inside, he gently set me down on the vanity before turning to start the jacuzzi, filling it with hot, bubbling water. Then he came back to me, slid between my knees, and pulled me against him, chest to chest.

His hands gripped the sides of my hips as he leaned in, his breath hot against my cheek. One finger traced the string of my bikini bottom, hooking it with slow precision. He tugged—teasingly—first one side, then the other, until the fabric fell away completely.

My top was next, discarded with the same carelessness as he revealed me to him once more.

He stepped back only long enough to pull off his swim trunks. Then, with an effortless motion, he lifted me again and carried me over to the now-steaming jacuzzi.

We sank into the warmth, my back pressed to his chest, his arms coiled around me like a vice of comfort and protection. The water vibrated around us, bubbles tickling my skin, but all I could feel was Stephen—his hands, his breath, the steady thrum of his heart against my spine.

“This is heavenly,” I murmured, tilting my head toward him. “Thank you for all of this.”

Stephen pressed his lips to the spot just below my ear and whispered, “Trinity, I could stay here forever with you in my arms.”

A soft, involuntary moan escaped me as I closed my eyes, melting into the feeling of him wrapped around me.

“I feel so safe when I’m with you,” I admitted. “Like nothing else in the world matters.”

He tightened his grip, nuzzling his face into my neck. His voice was gravel-soft when he spoke next.

“I’m crazy about you, baby. I hope you know that.”

I turned slightly in his arms, shifting just enough to catch his intense gaze. The sincerity in his eyes made my heart stutter.

“I feel the same,” I whispered.

Stephen’s expression changed—just slightly—but it was there. That flicker of something deeper, something powerful brewing behind those green eyes.

“You will be my Queen one day,” he said softly, but there was nothing unsure in his voice. It wasn’t a hope. It was a vow.

My breath caught in my throat.

And in the hush that followed, wrapped in the heat of the water and the strength of his arms, I believed him.

Every word.