Page 24

T hings were truly better than Zack had ever expected they could be.

He’d been here for three weeks now, and while his reason for being at the resort was done after the first week and he’d finished with the mainframe, provided Saul with the information he needed to get his life back, as well as making the system updates that covered his tracks, things with Dani had gone from good to better.

It was early days, but Zack had no intention of leaving the island until everything between them was settled once and for all.

He had a cabana here. It was one of the perks of being an investor. Anything needing his attention could be managed remotely. And if it couldn’t - tough! There was no way he was jeopardizing everything he’d worked so hard for with Dani. Not when they were finally making real progress.

Each day brought new discoveries - both in and out of the bedroom. Zack found himself constantly in awe of Dani's strength and resilience. The way she was slowly opening up to him again, allowing herself to be vulnerable, trusting him with her body and her heart. It was intoxicating.

Their scenes together had grown more intense, more intimate. Last night, Zack had bound Dani in a star harness, the white rope a striking contrast against her tanned skin. He'd taken his time, savoring every gasp and shiver as he'd methodically spanked her until she was trembling and begging.

Afterwards, as they lay tangled together, Dani had whispered "I'm starting to believe in us again." Those simple words had filled Zack with a fierce determination. He would do whatever it took to prove himself worthy of her trust.

This morning, he'd woken early, padding out onto the cabana's private deck to watch the sunrise.

The gentle lapping of waves against the shore soothed him as he pondered their future.

He knew there were still hurdles ahead, but for the first time in years, Zack felt truly hopeful.

He turned as he heard soft footsteps behind him.

Dani emerged from the bedroom, wrapped in a silky robe, her hair tousled from sleep. She stayed with him most nights now. Padding over in her bare feet, she joined him at the railing, leaning into his side.

"Good morning," she murmured, stifling a yawn. "You're up early."

Zack slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Just thinking."

"Mmm. Dangerous pastime." There was a teasing lilt to her voice. “What were you thinking about?”

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "About us. About the future."

Dani tensed slightly but didn't pull away. Progress, Zack thought.

"And what conclusions have you drawn, Mr. Strategist?" she asked lightly.

Zack turned to face her fully, cupping her face in his hands. "That I'm exactly where I need to be. That we have all the time in the world to figure this out. And that I'm not going anywhere until we do."

Emotion flickered in Dani's eyes. She swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. "You really mean that, don't you?"

"Every word," Zack affirmed, his thumb caressing her cheek. "I know it’s taken a while for you to see it, Dani. But I swear to you, I'm in this for the long haul."

She nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I believe you. And that scares me a little."

"I know, sweetheart. We'll take it one day at a time." He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Now, how about some breakfast? I could whip up those blueberry pancakes you love."

Dani's eyes lit up. "Mmm, tempting. But I have a better idea." Her hands slid down his chest, fingers toying with the waistband of his shorts. "How about we work up an appetite first?"

Heat flared in Zack's eyes. "I like the way you think, Ms. Moreno."

With a playful growl, he scooped her up, relishing her surprised squeal as he carried her back inside. Dani's laughter turned to a gasp as Zack tossed her onto the bed, her robe falling open to reveal tantalizing glimpses of smooth, tanned skin.

"Now then," Zack purred, his voice dropping to that low, commanding tone that never failed to make Dani shiver. "I think someone's feeling a bit sassy this morning. Perhaps we need a reminder of who's in charge?"

Dani's breath hitched, her eyes darkening with desire. "Maybe I am," she challenged, a coy smile playing on her lips. "What are you going to do about it?"

Zack raised an eyebrow. “Seems like someone’s asking for a spanking,” he growled with a mock frown. In truth, he wouldn’t trade what they had here for the world. He was overjoyed Dani was becoming so comfortable with him.

Everything was heading in the right direction.

They emerged an hour later, disheveled and sated, and finally ate a late breakfast. “Urgh! I shouldn't have had that last pancake,” Dani groaned. “I’ve got a lunch date with the girls later and I’m already stuffed.”

Zack waggled his eyebrows. “I don’t think cock counts, babe.”

Dani giggled and swatted at him. “Lordy, you are incorrigible!”

He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. He wanted this with her forever. This fun, this laughter, this easy banter. The physical side of their relationship - as amazing as it was - was almost secondary. And in truth, they’d never had a problem there.

But sex was just sex. Even when it was fantastic, it didn’t have to mean anything. And often in the lifestyle circle they chose to embrace, it didn’t.

Zack knew that the foundation they needed to lay was trust. Absolute faith in each other—the kind of deep, unshakeable trust that could weather any storm life might throw their way.

He believed without it, they would remain adrift, always second-guessing what the other truly felt or wanted.

But little by little, day by day, they were getting there, slowly but surely.

He saw the changes in Dani, how she was opening up to him, offering glimpses of the woman she used to be with him, and the woman she was becoming again.

He felt the shift within himself, too, the growing certainty that he could trust her not to walk away from him like the last time.

Zack knew reclaiming the closeness they once had would take time and patience.

But from where he stood, everything was on the right track.

Sure, he couldn’t erase the past, but he could see a future. One worth all they’d been through.

Everything was pretty damn close to perfect.