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C aitria couldn’t sleep. Lucien’s words kept echoing in her mind: Love should terrify us a little. It means we have something precious to lose.

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, she walked the familiar path to the cove. She needed to think, and the sea had always been her best confidante.

The morning air was crisp, carrying the tang of salt and possibilities.

She shed her clothes and dove into the waves, letting the shock of cold water clear her mind.

As she swam, memories of Alexander flooded through her—his laugh when they’d delivered the puppies, the tenderness in his eyes when he’d proposed, the way he saw her , not her station.

What was she really afraid of? Not society’s scorn. She’d faced that before and survived. Not his mother’s disapproval. The duchess had shown glimpses of warming to her. No, she was afraid of wanting something so much, it could break her heart if she didn’t get it.

But wasn’t that exactly the way love was supposed to be?

She floated on her back, watching seabirds wheel overhead, and suddenly laughed out loud. She’d been so busy protecting herself from potential pain that she’d nearly missed the chance for joy.

“Something amusing you?”

Her heart leaped at the familiar voice. Alexander stood at the water’s edge, already stripped to his breeches. The rising sun gilded his hair gold, and her breath caught at the sight of him.

“Just laughing at myself,” she admitted. “For being such a fool.”

He removed his clothes and waded into the water, moving toward her with the grace of a predator. “Oh? And what foolish thoughts have brought you to my cove so early?”

“Your cove?” She raised an eyebrow, treading water. “I thought we’d established that the sea belongs to no one.”

“Ah, but you belong here.” He was close enough now that she could see the hope warring with caution in his eyes. “With me.”

Instead of backing away as she had before, Caitria moved closer. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. About being myself.” She took a deep breath. “The thing is, myself is just a girl from Ireland who loves swimming in the sea and helping animals and…and you.”

His eyes blazed. “Say that again.”

“I love you,” she whispered. “God help me, but I do. And I’m tired of being afraid of that.”

He reached for her, pulling her against him. The heat of his skin contrasted deliciously with the cool water. “Does this mean…”

“Yes.” She wound her arms around his neck. “If you still want an Irish farmer’s daughter for a duchess, you have her.”

“Want you?” He laughed, the sound full of joy. “Caitria, a stór, I’ve never wanted anything more.”

His kiss tasted of salt and sunshine and promises, and this time she didn’t pull away.

Alexander’s eyes darkened as they drifted over her, and his hands tightened on her thighs. His gaze was penetrating, and her entire body was on fire.

The contrast of cool water against her heated skin, the sun baking overhead, intensified the entire experience.

She’d never been with a man. But his need for her didn’t frighten her. It excited her.

When she nodded, he took her mouth in a kiss as scorching as the sun above them.

“My Caitria. My Irish goddess.”

She moaned with relief as he slid one hand down her back and then lower still. Her body squirmed in anticipation. Caitria rose from the water to hug him, pressing naked skin to naked skin. He was hard and ready against her.

His mouth still on hers, Alexander lifted her slightly and held her tight as she slid in glorious slowness down the full length of him. She moaned deep into his mouth and moved to take all of him deep within her.

She couldn’t hold still, the urge to move driving her to lift and lower, until his hands gripped her hips, holding her fast, the strength of his hands preventing any movement on her part.

The harsh sound of his breathing showed his unsteady state.

“Don’t move.” His voice strained, he drew his mouth from hers just enough to speak. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you—a mermaid in the sea. I won’t last. But I promise to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

Her heart bloomed at the word “loving.” Now she was sure this marriage could work.

She was about to tell him she loved his promises when he suddenly released his iron grip on her hips and finally lost his self-control.

He surged within her, deeper still, and her eyes drifted shut because it was no longer possible to think.

She didn’t want to think, she simply wanted to feel.

Feel Alexander—the man she’d promised her life to.

He was hot steel, sensuous with delight, and maddeningly addictive. He was her man.

The only man she’d ever been with.

The only man she wanted to be with.

She could feel him deep within her, and the sight of his control slipping was a powerful aphrodisiac.

In his hungry state, his taut features were magnetic.

She couldn’t look away. His eyes allowed her to clearly see the love he held for her.

They were filled with wild and turbulent longing, and she kissed him hungrily, her tongue seeking his.

“Caitria—God….” he cried against her mouth. “I love you…”

She closed her eyes and savored his words, surrendering to the electric sensations shooting through her body at his experienced touch.

But she could feel the tension thrumming through his body, too.

He was close to his release, and Caitria was determined to be right there with him when he finally tipped them both over into paradise.

She felt him hard and unyielding inside her.

He gave a low growl and pulled her closer until they became one.

Their coupling became frantic. She couldn’t breathe or think. She was aware of nothing except his body, moving within her, moving with her…

With a deep groan, Alexander drove into her one last time, and lost control, his whole being shaking with the force of his release. His passion-filled cries sent her headlong into her own release, caught in an explosion of ecstasy, their mutual pleasure sending her into orbit.

She gripped his neck, fighting the pull back to reality. His heavy breathing was a sign of his still turbulent emotions. Caitria dropped her head against his shoulder, and let the sound of the water sloshing around them calm her racing heart.

Nothing had ever felt so right.

*

One Month Later

“You’re fidgeting,” Courtney said, adjusting Caitria’s simple white gown one last time.

“I can’t help it. What if I trip? Or say something wrong? Or…”

“Or the sky falls?” Courtney laughed. “You’re marrying a man who loves you exactly as you are. Everything else is unimportant.”

Only their closest friends and family filled the small chapel at Summerton House.

Alexander had insisted on a private ceremony, knowing she’d be more comfortable away from society’s prying eyes.

Even his mother had approved, though whether from genuine acceptance or relief at avoiding gossip, Caitria wasn’t sure.

But when she walked down the aisle on Lucien’s arm and saw Alexander waiting for her, none of that mattered. He looked at her as if she were the only person in the world, and her heart nearly burst with love for him.

The ceremony passed in a blur, and before she knew it, Alexander was kissing her as the vicar pronounced them man and wife. As they turned to face their guests, she caught sight of the dowager duchess dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

Later, at the wedding breakfast, her new mother-in-law approached her. “That was a lovely ceremony,” the dowager duchess said, her voice softer than Caitria had ever heard it. “And you make a beautiful bride.” She hesitated, then added, “Welcome to the family… my dear.”

Caitria’s eyes filled with tears at the simple acceptance in those words. She would work hard to make Alexander’s mother proud of her.

*

Two Days Later

The sun had barely risen when Alexander led her down to their cove. “I thought we might start our own tradition,” he said, already shrugging out of his clothes.

Caitria laughed, quickly following suit. “Swimming at dawn? Whatever will society say about a duke and duchess who swim in the sea?”

“They’ll say we’re scandalous,” he replied, pulling her into his arms. “Mad.” He kissed her neck. “Completely unconventional.”

“And are we?” she asked, tilting her head to give him better access.

“God, I hope so.” He grinned against her skin. “Ready?”

Hand in hand, they ran into the waves, their laughter echoing off the cliffs. As they swam together in the crystal-clear water, Caitria knew she’d made the right choice. Love wasn’t about fitting into someone else’s world—it was about creating their own.

And they would fill their time with early morning swims, sweet kisses that tasted of salt, and the freedom to be exactly who they were meant to be.

The End