Page 83 of Prudence

Just like that, Derek whipped off his suit jacket and spread it out on the sand.

“Problem solved.” He motioned for me to sit down, and I lowered onto it, then felt his heat at my side as he wound his arm around my waist and pulled me close. I rested my head on his shoulder and exhaled a long, dreamy sigh as I gazed out at the waves gently crashing against the shore.

“Today was perfect,” I breathed. “Thank you for letting us get married here.”

“You know I fell in love with the place as soon as I saw it.” Derek traced his fingertips up and down my bare arm as his mouth lowered to my ear. “Just like I did with you.”

Pleasant shivers encapsulated me at his quietly uttered words. He’d told me a few times about how it was love at first sight, that he fell for me that day in the schoolyard when I’d whipped out my medical kit to tend his brother’s cut knee.

“You were too young to know what love was,” I told him indulgently.

“Infatuation, then?” Derek suggested as his arm tightened around me. “Whatever it was, I knew for certain that you were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen, and to this day, you still are.”

“Hey, we just tied the knot. You don’t need to sweet talk me. I’m pretty much a sure thing,” I said on a laugh, and he chuckled deeply, the vibration seeping through me where I rested my head on his shoulder.

“Is that so?” he replied huskily. “In that case, might I suggest we retire to our suite? Because I have some very detailed wedding night plans, and it’s always a good idea to make an early start.”

I smacked his chest lightly, looking out at the waves once again. “One more dance and then we can make that early start,” I told him, and Derek’s handsome features broke into a smile as he stood from the sand, dusted himself off then helped me to my feet.

And when he stretched his hand out to mine to start the walk back, I slid my fingers through his, our palms connecting in a feeling of wholeness. The sun on the horizon began to set, it’s golden glow on our backs as we walked away, ending the first day of the rest of our lives.

END.