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Securing my fishing rod to the holder, I placed my hands over his and said, “I love you too, Bullseye.”

My lips crushed to his, and he responded with passion. He angled the kiss, deepening it and thrusting his tongue into my mouth. I’d missed this intimacy the past few weeks. Though we lived together, chaos and stress had reigned supreme in our house. But right now, love was the only thing within us, around us.

So much joy radiated from me, and I wanted to hear him say those words again.

I broke the kiss and beamed. “Say it again.”

“I love you, Vivian.” The words came out slow and meaningful.

I loved how he said the words with my nickname and my real name. “I’ve been waiting to hear you say that.”

“Now you can hear it every day because you’re not leaving my side. Just so you know, I’ve never said it to any woman.” He nudged me onto my back, looking down at me.

Could my heart expand anymore?

“What are you thinking?”

He cupped the side of my face with his hand. “That you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and you’re all mine.”

“Come here, my love.” I yanked him down for a kiss.

His hand slipped under my T-shirt and cupped my breast over my bra. “I want you,” he whispered.

“Bed,” I gasped. “Now.”

He smiled, got up, and offered me a hand, pulling me flush against him. “You need to tell me everything from now on.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’m used to doing things my way—by myself. I never had to tell anyone anything, and it slipped my mind that day.”

“But things have changed now.” He touched my face with tenderness. “That’s how relationships work, Vivian.”

I nodded, understanding that relationships required compromise and communication. “Goes both ways, okay? I also want to know what’s going on with you.”

“That’s a given, Tulip.”

“Sounds like this is going to be a long-term relationship.”

Confusion flickered in his eyes. “Was there any doubt?”

I told him about my hesitation and suspicion based on his past relationships, which I read about online.

“Don’t believe the media. They twist things and make you believe the president is a three-headed alien in disguise.”

I laughed. “I know. But the gossip made me wonder, you know? I didn’t want to get hurt.”

“I’m never going to hurt you, not intentionally. If I have unintentionally, I want to know. Okay?”

I smiled, loving the warmth blossoming in my heart. “I guess I can tell the girls that A Kiss is Not Enoughmission is complete.”

“What’s that about?”

“A James Bond-inspired mission the girls and I created to see if our significant other passes the test.” I kissed his forehead. “This is my version of The World is Not Enough.” I kissed his nose. “But mine is more meaningful to us. You’ve wanted me from the beginning. After one kiss, one duel, and one date, I thought you’d be satisfied and move on.” I dropped a kiss on his cheek, then the other. “But you didn’t go anywhere. And one kiss isn’t enough for me either.” I plopped a sloppy kiss on his lips, making him grin like an adorable idiot.

“I love that mission. The mission for today is Tulipussy, my version of Octopussy.”

A laugh burst out of me. I was surprised there were no ripples on the water because I imagined the fish probably blinked at the sexy statement.

He lifted me, tossing me over his shoulder.