Page 98 of Crossing Lines

Waves lapping against the shore lull me into a state of tranquility as I step onto the expansive deck of the housewe’re staying at.A gentle breeze carries the salty scent of the sea,and the sun shimmers on the water in a mesmerizing dance.

“This is gorgeous,” I say as Evren hands me a glass of champagne. “What city are we in?” All I know is that we were about an hour’s drive from the factory area in Izmir.

“Çesme. It’s a famous vacation area because of the sandy beach and turquoise waters. I used to come here to escape the hustle and bustle of Istanbul.”

“Is this one of your homes?”

He nods and I take in the modern masterpiece behind us. It’s all sleek lines and floor-to-ceiling windows designed to maximize the breathtaking views.Inside,the interior is just as luxurious as the exterior.High-end furnishings, appliances,and a state-of-the-art entertainment system are what I glimpsed when we did a quick walkthrough before changing into our bathing suits. Apparently, the housekeeper isn’t finished preparing everything, so with drinks in hand, we were basically told to wait by the pool.

But even if the inside is gorgeous, for me, it’s the outdoor living space that truly steals the show.A private infinity pool seems to blend seamlessly with the sea,creating the illusion of endless water.Comfortable lounge chairs and a shaded dining area provide the perfect spot to relax and enjoy this slice of paradise.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask, as he stares out into the water.

“Just that I can’t remember the last time I came here.The last few years before I moved to the US were so busy, I was working nonstop.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Well, I guess my question is more why and when did you become a workaholic?”

“I…” He opens and closes his mouth a few times before he settles on, “I don’t know. It probably started long before I truly realized. I had this unspoken pressure to do well in life so that I could support the family. My parents didn’t graduate from university, and when I became the first one to do so, the pressure increased. Then my grandparents got sick, and we needed extra money to help make the last of their years easier by getting a nurse to come to the apartment to help them. Anything I made went back to the family. If a cousin needed extra money, I was the one people came to. If a friend of a friend needed help, it was on me.”

I frown, moving closer, so close our shoulders touch. “That sounds an awful lot like people were using you and abusing your kindness.”

“Partially, yes, but it’s also part of my culture to help out. It took me too long to implement boundaries with everyone asking for more. But over the years, the pressure somehow morphed into me being terrified to fail since so many people were relying on me.”

“And that fear never stopped, did it?”

He glances at me. “I don’t know. When I’m with you,I feel like I’m the person I used to be before work and providing for my family became my entire focus.”

A gentle breeze ruffles his dark hair,and he’s staring at me like I’m the only thing holding his world together. His chest rises and falls with everything he doesn’t say, all of it reflected in the weight of his gaze.

There’s a raw intensity to him, like we’re standing on the edge of something, one breath away from free fall. My heart pounds in my chest as realization hits like a soft, inevitable wave. When I’m around him, it’s like the weight I carry slips away the second he’s near me. He makes me happy, in the kind of way that sneaks up on you slowly, until you can’t remember what life felt like without it.

I love him.

I’ve been falling in love with him for a long time, during every interaction we’ve had, piece by piece.It’s the way he looks at me,like I’m the only person in the world.The way he supports my dreams and encourages me to be myself.The way he always shows up,no matter what. I’ve never had that, and I never expected to find that kind of love with him. And for the first time, I’m not afraid to admit that.

I turn to face him fully. The sunlight bathes his face in a soft glow,highlighting the strong lines of his jaw and the gentle curve of his lips.

“I…” I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. Taking a deep breath, I say, “I…”

“I love you, Nina Martin.”

I laugh and swat at his arm. “And I love you too, Evren Kaya, even if you just took away my grand moment.”

He chuckles and then claims my mouth like a promise he’s been aching to make. His hands wind into my hair and he deepens the kiss, our tongues dancing in a rhythm only we know. I lift up onto my tippy-toes, needing more contact between us. It’s not enough, not nearly enough.

“I need you,” I say.

“Me, too.” He lifts me into his arms, my legs going around his waist. “We need to take this inside to avoid any prying eyes.”

He somehow manages to walk us into the house only for the housekeeper to say something in Turkish. Evren responds, walks us back outside, and gives me a pained look.

“She still needs a few more minutes,” he says.

I groan.

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