Page 36 of Tainted Tempos

Mckenna kisses me again and I lose myself in the moment. My hands trace her body, careful not to go beneath her swimsuit. But even though I’m aware of the boundaries, I drown in her. In everything she offers.

Hot mouths, gentle caresses, knowing smirks, and glinting eyes. Mckenna and I make out like teenagers. It’s a little bit innocent, a little bit needy, and fuck, does it turn me on. It’s probably the best foreplay of my life but I don’t push her for more. I want her to choose our pace, and I’ll slow down or speed up as necessary.

When Mckenna finally pulls away, she’s panting and her eyes are wild. She smiles at me, and I love the happiness she exudes. “You make me feel alive.”

That could be the greatest compliment I’ve ever received.

I reach for her hand and hold her fingers lightly. “And you make me feel like I’m home.”

My wife grins and I press one final peck to her lips.

“Come on.” I give her a little tug. “Let’s get lost on our adventure.”

We spend hours exploring the area. Bubbling waterfalls, secret coves, and sweeping views.

We picnic with our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the top of a hill, with the stretch of sea and sky surrounding us, beckoning us to love harder.

I look at Mckenna and accept that I’ve already fallen. Hard. Completely and totally.

I am so in love with my wife that I don’t want this moment to end.

And I’m terrified of what will happen when we leave this slice of paradise and return to Boston. To our uncertain future. To the shadow cast by Branson Burton.

After a day spent reveling in Mckenna, we return to our hotel. We’re met with a swarm of paparazzi outside. Cameras flash, our names are called, and I swear softly.

I glance at Mckenna, waiting for her to shut down and curl into herself.

Instead, my beauty grips my hand harder and straightens her shoulders.

“Are you sure? We can try to slip around back?” I murmur.

Mckenna shakes her head. “I’m sure, Mav. You’re my husband and this is part of your—ourlives.”

My life comes with an invasion of privacy that most people would despise. I suck in a breath as the truth underlining her words hits me. This is our new norm and she’s not shirking from it the way she should. Instead, she’s meeting it, our reality, head on.

Still, I want to keep this as painless as possible. “Please, just let us enjoy our honeymoon,” I say, keeping my voice easy and light with the paparazzi.

“Just one photo, Mav. Give us one!” a paparazzo bellows.

Mckenna beams next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. “We can give them one shot, can’t we, Mav?” she teases.

A paparazzo laughs as he snaps a photo.

I smirk and wrap an arm around Mckenna’s shoulders. I hold her close and watch as she grins at the camera. But I never take my eyes off her.

Flash. Flash. Flash.

“Good to see you, Mckenna! Your fans miss you!” a man calls out.

“I miss them!” My wife grins. “But I’ve been enjoying this time with my husband.”

“How’s your honeymoon?” another asks.

“Amazing. Have you gone on a hike yet? This place is gorgeous,” Mckenna answers, her voice easy.

“Is there a baby on the way yet?” a third inquires.

The group laughs.

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