Grayson steps out and stands behind me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, his warmth enveloping me and adding to the serenity of the moment.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“Yeah, it’s a pretty kick-ass view, isn’t it?”

“Very kick-ass,” I agree with a giggle that trails off on a moan when his lips find the side of my throat. “There’s a hot tub, too,” he says between kisses.

“Oh yeah? Guess it’s a good thing I brought my suit then, huh?” He nips at my skin, giving a gentle bite before soothing it with his tongue.

“Damn good thing.” He growls.

When I tilt my head to offer more of my exposed skin, I spot a boat parked at a dock down below. “Is that yours?” I ask, hope flaring inside of me.

“What?” he mumbles, not bothering to look up at where I’m pointing, continuing his delicious assault.

Lord, the man’s mouth is deadly to my body.

“The boat,” I say with a smile.

He finally looks up. “Yep. I was supposed to pick it up from Jim but he must have decided to bring it up here for me when Vilma came.”

I spin around to face him as excitement sparks inside of me. “We get to use it?”

“Yeah. I thought I would take you fishing tomorrow.”

“Oh my God, we get to go fishing?”

He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “If you want to.”

Now it’s my turn to look at him like he’s crazy. “Yes, of course I want to. I’ve never been fishing before.” Squealing, I clap my hands excitedly and launch myself at him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

He catches me with a grunted chuckle, holding me at eye level. “It’s just fishin’, baby, not Disneyland.”

I shake my head, my gleaming smile still in place. “I don’t care, it’s just as exciting to me.” Leaning in, I brush my lips along his, trying to keep things light.

With a groan he presses his lips to mine, and gives me a hard but brief kiss. Too brief. “Come on, let’s eat before it gets too late.” Dropping me to my feet, he grabs my hand and pulls me back inside behind him. My eyes linger on the big bed as we pass, and I decide tonight I’m going to eat my supper faster than I’ve ever eaten a meal before.

*

We went with something quick and easy considering how late it was already, opting for spaghetti and a tossed salad. With all the excitement I didn’t think I was that hungry, but as soon as we sat down outside, on the back deck I realized I was famished and devoured every last bite.

Our conversation has remained light with Grayson sharing stories of him and his father and the memories they’ve shared here. We haven’t spoken about what we left back home all day, which is perfect. I know I’ll have to face it again eventually, but not here, not this weekend, and for that I’m grateful.

Sitting here, with a glass of wine in hand and Grayson with his beer, we enjoy the serenity of our surroundings, watching the sun dip below the water.

“It sounds like you have a lot of amazing memories of your father. You’re very lucky,” I tell him softly, thinking about my parents.

Grayson leans in closer, sincere interest flickering in his eyes. “How old were you when your parents passed away?”

“Six.”

“Do you remember much about them?”

Sadness grips my heart. “No, not really. Some things I think I remember, but it’s hard to know if it’s a memory or something I just conjured up because Pap and Grams talked about them so much. Like, I remember my mother’s smile. It was so warm and comforting that I felt it deep down in my soul.” I shake my head. “I know that sounds weird but it’s how I remember it.”

“It doesn’t sound weird at all. It sounds exactly like yours.”

Warmth explodes through me at his kind words. I bite my lip to suppress my smile, but it’s no use.

“What about your dad? What do you remember about him?” he asks.

I think about the question, visions of my parents coming to life inside my mind, so vivid and real. “When I think of my dad, I remember the way he loved my mother. The way he would look at her without her even knowing. How affectionate he was with her. I can remember him wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, whispering something in her ear that made her smile so big I couldn’t help but smile with her. Whenever I think about them, it always leaves me feeling warm inside. I know they loved each other very much, and they’re somewhere up in heaven, together.” The peaceful memory offers me comfort, but deep down I know I will always carry a sense of loss. I will always long for the time I didn’t get with them.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get more time with them, Liv.”

I exhale a long sigh. “Me, too. But Pap and Grams talked so much about them I almost feel like they are a part of me, ya know? Growing up, Pap would tell me stories for hours about them—how they met, how they fell in love, and how, from the moment I was born, I became the center of their world. He especially loves to share memories of my mother from when she was a little girl.” I smile, remembering one memory in particular he loves to share. “My mother’s name was Mae but Pap would always call her Daisy Mae, and it would drive her crazy because she said it was an old lady’s name. Of course that never stopped Pap though.”

“Of course not,” Grayson replies with a grin.

“He tells me all the time that I’m just like her.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second. She sounds incredible, just like you.”

Heat floods my body as he gazes back at me, a soft smile tugging the corners of his mouth. A breeze kicks up, sending goose bumps to ripple across my skin.

“You cold?” he asks.

I shrug. “A little but I’m okay. Actually, I’m more than okay. I love it out here,” I add softly.

“How about we hit the hot tub?”

I smile. “Yeah, that would be perfect.”

We clear the table, bringing the dishes inside, then part ways to change. I head upstairs to put my swimsuit on—a new black bikini I bought with Tania and haven’t worn yet. I’ve never been more thankful she talked me into purchasing this. Otherwise, I would be wearing my usual, dull one piece with Grayson right now.

Standing in front of the mirror I assess myself, and feel my stomach bottom out. The bathing suit is sexy yet classy, which is exactly how I felt when I tried it on in the dressing room, but now it’s a different story. As I look at my reflection in the mirror, taking in the faded green and yellow bruises that still mark my body, I begin to feel less confident. Most of them have healed but quite a few remain, marking the tops of my thighs and chest. They glare back at me, taunting me, reminding me of a tragedy I don’t remember but that irrevocably changed my life.

The ugly creature that is self-doubt begins to worm its way inside of me, and I hate it. With a shaking hand I reach for my cell phone on the counter, and call the only person I can think of who can help me through this. I take a seat on the side of the bathtub, my knee bouncing excessively as I wait for her to pick up.

She answers on the third ring. “Why the hell are you callin’ me right now when you are away with a sexy man, in a cabin out in the middle of nowhere, all alone?”

Tania’s greeting has me smiling, easing a little of the heaviness in my chest. “Hello to you, too,” I respond back then clear my throat, my smile slipping. “We’re about to go in the hot tub.”

There’s a giant pause. “Again. Why the hell are you calling me?”

I laugh nervously, my panic seeping through the cracks in my confidence. “God, I don’t know. I just need you right now, Tania,” I say, my voice unsteady.

She finally understands the seriousness of the situation. “All right. I’m here. Talk to me, what’s wrong?”

I take a moment, trying to find the words to express how I’m feeling. “Everything has been great, all of it. But I came into the bathroom to change into the black bikini we bought and—”

“Yes! Oh, girl, he’s gonna shit when he sees you in that.”