Page 31 of Embrace

Suvi shook her head. “No I’m not, Blaze. You see the guide right there, and we’re not even at the back of the group.”

“Man, if we get pulled out into a current or get attacked by a shark, my spirit gon’ haunt you for eternity.”

“Oh brother!” She tossed her hands into the air. “Can you live a little? Dang.”

“I’ve lived a lot and would love to see tomorrow, soplease.”

“I should push your ass in the water.”

“I can swim. Can you?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. We both knew the answer was no.

“I can swim to save my life, actually.”

“Let’s not put ourselves in that situation,” I joked.

“You’re right.”

We shared a laugh as we rowed closer to the guide.

The man explained different facts about the creatures found in this part of the sea. He shared facts about nearby landmarks and what ancient ruins were found in certain areas of the foliage on the island.

To be completely honest, I hadn’t heard much of anything he’d said because my attention had been on Suvi. The sun shone on Suvi in the perfect way. Every time she’d turn her head and I’d get a glimpse of her side profile, my heart would pound harder against my chest.

My wife.

When the adventure ended, we returned our kayaks and opted to take a stroll on the beach. We locked our fingers together as we tread through the sand. Neither of us wanted to feel the sand between our toes, so we wore water shoes. The waves crashed against the mesh material of the shoes as we left footprints in our wake.

“Hey, B.”

I looked down at Suvi who stopped walking to look up at me.

“Hmm?”

“These last three days have been magical. I’m glad you signed up for the Arranged Hearts service. I can’t imagine how different my experience would have been with someone else.”

I chuckled. “I’m not even gon’ lie. I might not have let you marry anybody else.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “Oh? You would have objected?”

“Fa sho. You might have been mad as hell, but it would have forced me to come to terms with something I probably have known all the time.”

“What’s that?”

“That you’re my soulmate. All of our relationships have failed because they couldn’t live up to what we needed them to be for us. No other woman has ever made me feel complete like you do. Even as my best friend, I wanted to share everything with you. Now, as my wife, I couldn’t imagine spending a moment away from you.”

Her bottom lip trembled as she processed my words. She cupped my face and pulled me down for a passionate kiss. Our lips touched, and our souls hugged.

“I love you,” she murmured against my lips.

We’d exchanged those three words before, but it felt different now. It felt concrete, sure, and unwavering. Not only did I love this woman, but I was in love with her. The realization made me cover her mouth with mine. My tongue eagerly explored her mouth. She locked her hands around my neck and pulled me closer, as if it were possible. The kiss took my breath away, but I allowed my lungs to beg for oxygen before I broke the embrace to catch some air.

“Wow…” Suvi whispered.

“I love you,” I stated.

She smiled before she wiped the corners of my lips. “I got a little lip gloss on you.”

“I don’t give a damn about no lip gloss.”

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