He picked me up effortlessly, his strength surprising me as he carried me to the bed, first lying down himself before arranging me on top of him. The world shifted, and suddenly I was draped over his firm chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart beneath my cheek. His hands rested on my waist, the other tangled in my hair, his fingers gently stroking the strands in a soothing motion that made me want to purr like a contented cat.

"Rest for an hour, and then we'll have dinner," he murmured, his voice a low rumble against my ear.

I didn't sleep, and neither did he. We just stayed in each other's arms, wrapped in a silent, comfortable embrace that felt more intimate than any words we could have spoken. I memorized the scent of his skin, the texture of his hair beneath my fingers, the way his breathing would sometimes hitch when I moved slightly against him. Time seemed to stretch and bend in that quiet space, the world outside his bedroom fading away until there was only him and me and the gentle exploration of touch.

And then my stomach growled, breaking the peaceful quiet with an embarrassingly loud noise that echoed in the stillness of the room. I felt a wave of pure embarrassment wash over me, my cheeks heating even though he couldn't see my face pressed against his chest.

"Let's get you ready then," he said with a soft chuckle that vibrated through his chest and into mine.

He got up and helped me into my clothes, his fingers deliberately brushing against my skin with each button fastened, each piece of fabric adjusted. Even after everything, his touch still affected me so deeply, sending little sparks of electricity through my body wherever we made contact. He gave me a soft kiss before pulling on his own shirt, his movements unhurried as if we had all the time in the world.

He helped me get into the car, his hand a steady presence at the small of my back as he closed the door behind me. The drive was quiet, but not uncomfortable—filled with the soft hum of the engine and the unspoken anticipation that hung between us like electricity. When we finally arrived, I was completely shocked to see what he had prepared.

A beautiful beachside porch stretched before us, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. White roses were positioned everywhere, their petals seeming to shine against the dark blue water that stretched endlessly toward the horizon. There was a table set up in the middle, draped in white linen and lit by flickering candles that cast dancing shadows across the wooden floorboards—a perfect, romantic dinner setup that took my breath away.

As soon as I saw it, I threw my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his chest as overwhelming emotion washed over me.

"You like it?" he asked, his voice soft against my hair.

"I loved it," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

I pulled back slightly and squealed with pure joy before kissing him with all my heart, pouring every ounce of my feelings into that single gesture. He responded with the same tenderness, his lips moving against mine with a familiarity that felt like coming home, and the moonlight above us felt like a blessing, illuminating this perfect moment.

Then, he led me over to the small table. He pulled out the chair for me to sit, and I did as he sat opposite me, our hands finding each other across the table, our fingers intertwining naturally as if they had always belonged together.

The waiter came by, and we placed our orders, our voices soft in the intimate setting. Then, the soft sound of music filled the air—a gentle melody that seemed to rise from the waves themselves. I looked back and saw he had arranged a live band for us, just a trio of musicians positioned discreetly at the edge of the porch, their music perfect for the moment.

After a moment, he stood up and extended his hand toward me, his eyes shining with an emotion I was just beginning to understand.

"May I ask you for a dance, Miss Aahana?" he asked, his voice formal yet intimate.

"Yes, sir. I would love to," I replied, my heart fluttering as I placed my hand in his and allowed him to lead me onto the small dance area he'd created just for us.