Page 74 of Steel Beauty

Her words carry a sincerity that stirs an unexpected ache deep inside me, leaving me momentarily unsure how to respond.

“You deserve the perfect wife, someone to be the perfect mother for all those beautiful little Samoan babies you’re going to have one day.”

The life she’s describing feels distant, like it belongs to a version of me I haven’t met yet. A version that hasn’t existed up till now.

It’s true—I want a wife and children someday. But right now, all I care about is what the next three months look like with her.

The thought of how quickly three months can slip away creeps in, tightening something deep in my chest. I shove my anxiety down before it can take hold of me.

Not now.

Not tonight.

She nestles against me, her warmth a quiet balm against the edges of my restless thoughts. For now, this moment with her is enough. I’ll let the future come when it’s ready.

I press a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the faint, familiar scent of her hair. With her curled against me, the stars stretching endlessly above, and the ocean rocking steadily beneath us, everything feels exactly as it should.

Even if it’s only temporary.

And for tonight, that’s enough.

Chapter17

Magnolia Steel

There’ssomething surreal about watching the sunrise out here, suspended between sky and sea. The colors ripple over the water, shifting from deep purple to a warm gold that stretches as far as I can see. I’ve watched plenty of sunrises, but somehow, this one feels different. This is one I’m always going to remember.

JC is next to me, his arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close as we lean against the yacht’s railing. The world is so incredibly quiet right now, just the sound of waves lapping against the yacht and the occasional call of a seabird somewhere out in the mist.

I sip my coffee, savoring the warmth as the cool morning wraps around us.

“Not a bad way to start the day.” His voice carries the lingering rasp of early morning.

His profile is softened by the first rays of sunlight. “Not bad at all. I could get used to this.”

He hums in agreement, and we stand there in silence, watching as the sun climbs higher, casting light across the water until everything glows. Sharing this moment with him feels special, a quiet kind of magic.

“What’s the plan for today?”

“We’ll stay on the yacht most of the day. Swimming, music…” He leans in a little closer, his words lowering to a softer, more intimate pitch. “Privacy.”

I grip the railing, the new day’s sun warming my skin as the breeze toys with my hair. “Ah, privacy.” I parrot his words, mirroring his playfulness.

“Lunch and dinner are already sorted, thanks to Chloe. And tonight, we’ll head into Newcastle for a surprise.”

“You really do love keeping me in suspense, don’t you?”

His eyes glint in the morning light. “Gotta keep you interested somehow.”

I lean closer, a playful smile on my lips. “No need to worry—you keep me more than interested.”

There’s something in the way he looks at me that sends a flutter straight to my chest.

By midmorning, the sun is high, its warmth spilling across the deck as I head below to change into my swimsuit. I pull on the red bikini I packed, adjusting the straps and smoothing the fabric before catching a quick glance at myself in the mirror.

I take in my reflection for a moment, noting the soft curves that attest to my love of good food and living life fully. I’m not the kind of girl who picks at salads or starves herself to fit some impossible standard. I eat, I enjoy, and it shows. These are things I’ve come to appreciate about myself. And JC seems to appreciate it too, judging by the way his hands linger when he touches me, like he can’t get enough.

He’s a big guy, broad and solid, and I can’t imagine him being with someone stick-thin or delicate. He’s never said it, but the way his gaze follows me, the way his grip tightens slightly when he pulls me close, tells me everything I need to know. He likes me the way I am. And that thought brings a smile to my lips.

---