Elena squeezed Marcus’s hand as they walked down the softly lit path toward the private beach. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep oranges and purples. Torches flickered along the sand, and gentle music mixed with the sound of waves.
“Are you nervous?” Marcus asked quietly.
“A little,” Elena admitted, adjusting the thin white sundress that clung to her curves. “But excited too. I keep thinking about what Julien said last night. About taking small steps.”
Marcus nodded, though his stomach was in knots. He loved seeing her like this, all glowing, alive but the idea of other men looking at her, touching her, made his chest tight with a confusing mix of jealousy and arousal.
When they reached the beach, the atmosphere felt electric but relaxed. About thirty
