Kade didn’t look away from me as we made our way across the deck, his gaze seeming to drink me in. I kept an eye on the deck, which rolled a bit with the waves. I didn’t want to end up falling on my ass, but Kade’s presence at my side was strong and steady. I glanced up at him every few steps, feeling a little shy at the adoration in his eyes.

We drew to a halt in front of Captain Hugh, who was waiting with an indulgent smile on his face. Kade took my bouquet from me and gave it to Jennifer to hold as he clasped my hands in his.

Kade’s eyes captivated me and I barely heard Hugh begin the ceremony. The bottom of the sun had just hit the ocean’s edge and the burnished golden rays bathed us in a warm glow. The cry of a seagull resonated through the baritone rumble of Hugh’s voice, the pulse of the waves a steady undercurrent.

The breeze gently tousled Kade’s hair, as if touched by loving fingers. His hands were warm and reassuring as they covered mine, his thumbs tenderly brushing my knuckles.

“I have,” Kade said, answering a question I hadn’t heard. I glanced questioningly at Hugh then back at Kade. “He asked if we had written our own vows,” he said. “I have.”

I was surprised. This was unexpected. But then again, when had Kade ever done what I’d expected?

“From the moment I saw you, I was lost,” Kade began, moving a little closer to me. “You hold my heart and my soul. I promise to be with you, to be your friend and your lover. I’ll be your strength when you’re weak, your comfort when you’re sad. You are the best part of me, and the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I will love you, for always.”

His beloved face was a blur, tears welling and spilling down my cheeks. Reaching into his breast pocket, Kade took out the white linen square and softly brushed my tears. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to my cheek.

I blinked rapidly, taking the handkerchief and quickly dabbing my eyes. I replayed his words through my mind, memorizing them and the cadence of his voice as he’d spoken the vows so I would always remember this moment.

I looked at him, the love shining in his eyes, and I spoke from the heart.

“Kade,” I said, my voice thick with tears, “I looked in your eyes and saw my perfect match. You’re every good thing I’ve ever dreamed my husband would be. I never knew who and what I could be, until I met you. You see the very heart of me. It beats only for you, and always will.”

Kade’s eyes were very bright, the blue so clear it seemed I’d get lost in their depths.

“I’m going to need that pocket square back,” he deadpanned, drawing a little laugh from me. The slow smile on his face was entrancing.

“The ring,” Hugh said, handing it to Kade. “Repeat after me.”

Taking my left hand, Kade slipped off my engagement ring to slide a platinum band with more diamonds embedded in it onto my finger, then replaced the engagement ring, repeating “With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.”

Hugh handed me a thick plain platinum band. My hands shook as I took Kade’s left hand in mine. Everything blurred again as I pushed the band over his knuckle and into place. I wished I could stop time, freeze this moment for just a little while longer.

“With this ring, I thee wed, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you,” I vowed, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Kade cupped my face in his hands, leaning down to kiss me. His lips were soft as they moved over mine. His tongue was a gentle brush before he lifted his head. Distantly, I heard the crew applauding, then Kade had wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me in his arm. I twined my arms around his neck, holding on as he swung me around in a dizzying circle. He laughed and I kissed the joy from his lips.

No longer was I Kathleen Turner. I was Kathleen Dennon.

Our kiss deepened and Kade let me slide down until my feet touched the deck once again. He pulled back and I abruptly realized the crew had melted away and that the music playing had changed.

“Hope you don’t mind that I picked the first dance,” Kade said. “It seemed fitting.”

The strains of a song I recognized washed over me. It was “Kiss Me.”

“I wouldn’t have pegged you for an Ed Sheeran fan,” I teased. My hands moved to his shoulders as Kade began to slowly turn me in time to the melody.

“I’m not usually,” he said, “but heard this, and thought of you. When I missed you, I’d listen to it, and dream.”

I had no words, but we didn’t need any.

And we danced.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Kade took me to a hotel on Oahu for our wedding night. At least it was supposed to be a hotel, even though it seemed like another part of the fairy tale to me. We ended up being shown to our own little bungalow right on the beach. The bedroom had an entire wall that could be opened to the outdoors, giving us a spectacular view of the ocean.

“I can’t believe this,” I said, staring at the waves glistening in the moonlight.

“Can’t believe what?” Kade murmured. He stood behind me, his arms sliding around my waist as his lips brushed the skin of my shoulder.

I still wore my wedding gown. When we’d arrived, there had been a private candlelit dinner arranged for Kade and me, and I’d had lobster for the first time ever.

“Can’t believe we’re here, in this place,” I said, then turned in his arms. “Can’t believe we’re married.”

“Believe it,” Kade said, and I felt a tug on the tie at the back of my dress. “You’re mine.”

The tie fell loose and the straps drooped. A shrug of my shoulders, and the white chiffon was lying in a puddle at my feet. All I wore now was my jewelry and my blue stilettos.

“I believe this is what you requested,” I teased, reminding him of when he’d told me: The next time I see you wearing those shoes, they’ll be the only thing you’re wearing.

Kade was silent, his gaze slowly traveling down my body and back up. He was still dressed, though he’d discarded his jacket and rolled back the cuffs of his sleeves.

“I wish you could see yourself,” he said, his voice low and rough. “The moonlight makes your skin shine and your hair and eyes turn silver. Like a mermaid. My mermaid.”

He reached out a hand, trailing his fingers up my stomach to my breast, barely brushing a nipple, then up to my collarbone, and finally lightly clasping my neck.

The waves crashed and pounded on the shore, but I could barely hear them over the beating of my heart. Even though we’d made love many times, this was different. This would be the first time I’d make love with . . . my husband.

I reached up, slipping the buttons of his shirt free, then tugged the shirt from his pants and pushed it over his shoulders and down his arms. There was a soft rustle as the cotton dropped to the floor to join my dress.

Kade kissed me, taking his time to tease my lips before slipping his tongue inside to tangle with mine. He tasted of the champagne we’d drunk with dessert. My hands rested on the warm skin of his chest, the firm planes underneath my fingers reminding me of his strength. I could feel the hard length of him pressing against my stomach and an answering ache bloomed between my legs.

It was a matter of a few quick tugs for me to undo his pants. I pulled back slightly, moving my lips to his chest. His skin was soft beneath my tongue and I could feel the beat of his heart under my fingertips. My tongue grazed his nipple and I heard his sharp intake of breath.

I lowered the zipper of his pants, pushing them down as I dropped to my knees. I wanted to show him how much I loved him, pay homage to his amazing body.

His erection stood proud and long, jutting out from his body. Glancing up, I saw Kade avidly watching me. I held his gaze as I slowly licked him from root to tip, swirling my tongue around the head before taking him in my mouth.