Page 71 of The Wrong Fiancée

Dean looked down at me, his eyes softening in a way that made my heart beat a little faster. "Yeah, it does. And so do we.Keep things alive, I mean. Moments, connections. Even what we thought we'd lost."

He dropped his lips to mine, and I opened for him. His tongue swept inside my mouth. My hands dropped to his shoulder and then wrapped around his neck while he cupped my ass and lifted me so he could nestle his erection between my thighs. It was sexual, heated, butslow, so achingly languid.

He nibbled on my lips and traced my jawline. "I want you," he murmured.

We were, I thought happily, letting lust cloud our minds. This was healthy lust—there was nothing wrong with it, at least, I didn't think so.

He lifted his head and smiled cheekily at me. "Fuck, but you're potent, baby."

"Nuh-uh. It'syou."

He brushed his lips against mine, his eyes bright with arousal. "It'sus."

I stroked his cheek. "I like this," I conceded softly. "Being here with you. It feels...right.

Dean's gaze stayed with me. "I messed things up before. I know that. But I want to get it right this time."

The vulnerability in his voice, the way he was laying himself bare, caught me off guard. This wasn't the Dean who thought I was subpar because I cleaned hotel rooms; he was the one who made sure I had breakfast every day before I left for work. I'd seen both sides of him—the one he showedmeand the other I'd seen inadvertently.

People were neveronething but layered—he could be kind and gentle and an arrogant son of a bitch, all at the same time.

"I'm in no rush," he assured. "We're gonna do this slowly, yeah?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "Is that your way of saying I'm not going to get lucky anytime soon?"

He laughed then, and I knew I'd lightened the moment as I had meant to.

"Come on," I urged him, "I want to show you something."

The path narrowed further as we made our way deeper into the jungle, the sound of the world around us slowly fading until all that was left was the distant hum of nature and the soft crunch of the earth beneath our feet. Dean followed close behind, his breath steady, but I could feel his curiosity building with every step.

I smiled to myself. He had no idea what was waiting for him.

"Are we almost there?" Dean asked, his voice light, almost playful, after we'd walked for nearly fifteen minutes.

"Patience," I replied with a grin, brushing aside a low-hanging vine as I stepped over a moss-covered rock.

We hiked for another thirty minutes, leaving the main trail far behind us, cutting through a path only a handful of locals knew. It wasn't a place you'd find in a guidebook, and that's what made it special. When I first stumbled onto this piece of paradise in Kipu Ranch, I knew it wasmine. I'm sure everyone had their ownsecretplace on the island. But this wasmine, and I was sharing it with someone for the first time.

The sound of rushing water reached us before we could see it, a low rumble that grew louder with each step. Dean's pace quickened behind me, and I felt a small thrill run through me as I imagined the look on his face when he saw what lay ahead of us.

We rounded the last bend and laid eyes on Kipu Falls, shimmering in the late afternoon light.

The waterfall cascaded from a cliff about twenty feet above us, pouring into a crystal-clear pool below. The water sparkled as it splashed against the rocks, creating a fine mist that hung in the air like tiny diamonds. Around the pool, the jungle pressed in, wild and lush, the leaves and flowers vibrant against the dark rock. And the best part? We were completely alone.

Dean stepped beside me, his eyes widening as he took it all in. "Holy fuck," he breathed. "I’ve been to some beautiful places, but this…is something else."

I smiled, pride for my island swelling in my chest. "Welcome to Kipu Falls."

The waterfall wasn't large. It was intimate and…perfect. Thesound of the water rushing into the pool, the chirping of birds hidden somewhere in the trees, the scent of blooming plumeria carried on the breeze—it all made the world feel softer.

I slipped off my sneakers and dipped my toes into the pool. It was cool but not cold, just enough to refresh after our hike. I glanced back at Dean, who had dropped my backpack, which he insisted on carrying, next to him. He stood at the edge, his hands resting on his hips as he looked around, taking in every detail.

I slipped off my shorts and T-shirt, revealing the one-piece swimsuit underneath. Dean let out a low whistle.

"I came prepared." I grabbed my backpack and opened it, pulling out towels.

I had packed lunch for us. I set it all out on a large towel, smoothing out the edges, the sun warm against my skin.

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