Page 81 of Chasing Sunsets

She looks peaceful. Her hair is a mess, tangled from sleep, from my hands in it last night. Her lips are parted, still swollen from my kiss.

Fuck, I love her. And I told her so last night.

It wasn’t planned; it wasn’t something I’d expected to say. But when she was cuddled next to me, I couldn’t hold back. It felt as if the words had been pressing against my ribs for days, weeks, or even longer than I’d realized.

And now, they’re out in the world.

I exhale quietly, rubbing a hand over my jaw before standing. I find my trunks, pull them on, then reach for my shirt. The space is small, but it feels even smaller now, like it’s closing in around me. Not in a bad way. In a way that makes me realize how much I don’t want to leave.

How much I want this—her—all of it.

I grab my shoes, not bothering to put them on yet, and move to the door. But before I go, I hesitate.

One more moment.

I step back to the bed, crouching beside it, beside her. She’s still lost in sleep, her breathing slow, steady. I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her skin is warm beneath my fingers.

I lean in, pressing my lips to her temple, then lower, to the corner of her mouth. She sighs, the faintest sound escaping her, but she doesn’t wake.

I hover there for a second, my lips close, and whisper, “I love you.”

The words slip out softer this time, but they feel the same. Right.

And as I pull back and quietly let myself out into the dark, I realize …

I’ve never said those words to a woman before.

Not like this.

Not said them and meant them.

Anson

The dock smells like salt and fish, as we finish up our work. It’s been a long day—three charters, two decent hauls, and one group of tourists who had no business being on a boat, but tipped well enough to make up for it.

Sebastian and Parker work beside me, rinsing down the deck, seawater and fish guts washing into the scuppers. The routine is automatic—we’ve done it a hundred times over. Normally, I’d be bullshitting with them, cracking jokes, keeping pace.

But today, I’m quiet.

And they’ve noticed.

Sebastian cuts me a look as he coils a rope, his dark brows pulling together. “All right, I gotta ask—what the hell is up with you today?”

Parker stops hosing down the rail and props himself against it, smirking. “Yeah, man. You’ve been weird all day. Distracted. It’s like your body’s here, but your brain’s off in another dimension.”

I keep my eyes on the deck, scrubbing harder than necessary. “Nothin’.”

Sebastian snorts. “Bullshit.”

I sigh, knowing there’s no getting out of this. I should’ve known they’d be able to tell something was up and drag it out of me.

Parker tosses the hose down and crosses his arms. “Spill it.”

I rake a hand through my hair, glancing at both of them before exhaling. “All right. Fine.” I lean against the rail, staring out at the horizon. “Yesterday, after we went paddleboarding, I took Tabby by the new house. Showed it to her.”

Sebastian and Parker share a look, unspoken words passing between them before they both turn back to me.

Parker nods slowly. “Okay. And?”

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