Forever His

Chapter 40: Sunset

Shahmeer's POV

I sit on the lounge chair, waiting for My Wife to get ready. I had changed into a white button up and black trousers. I hear the tapping of shoes on the stairs and turn, only to be left in awe. 

She stepped out in a white dress that caught the light like it was made for this place. Simple but elegant, flowing around her as she moved, the fabric clinging just enough to hint at her shape without revealing too much. Her sandals made a sound on the stone, her steps soft and unhurried, like she was still taking in every corner of the villa.

For a moment, I just watched her, caught off guard by how naturally she seemed to fit here, like she belonged in this world of quiet luxury. The dress made her look... almost ethereal, something out of place but somehow perfectly so, her dark hair and those rich brown eyes standing out even more against the white. She looked up and saw me watching, giving a small, uncertain smile, and I realized I was staring. I stand up. She spins and her hair hits my chest. Can't say I hate it.

"So pretty." I say under my breath.

"Sorry?"

"So shitty. Now come on before it gets dark." Her small smile instantly fades and she starts walking behind me.

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The beach stretched out in front of us, waves lapping up in a gentle rhythm, the late afternoon light casting a soft glow over everything. She moved ahead of me, her bare feet sinking into the sand, the hem of her white dress just skimming the tops of her ankles. She looked like she belonged here—an image of calm, beauty, and ease I couldn't quite bring myself to match. I kept my distance, shoving my hands into the pockets of my trousers, telling myself I was just here for a quiet moment by the water.

But with her here, nothing about it felt quiet. I watched as she wandered to the shoreline, her feet meeting the water with a little gasp that turned into a laugh. I didn't even realize I was staring until she looked back at me, a playful spark in her eyes.

"Are you planning to just stand there and watch, or will you actually join me?" She tilted her head, and her eyes met mine, challenging.

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my tone as even as I could. "Watching is enough. The last thing I need is getting sand everywhere." I brushed at my shoulder as if to emphasize it, trying to ignore the way her expression turned mildly annoyed. "Some of us appreciate keeping things clean, you know."

Her mouth opened slightly, disbelief crossing her face before she let out a huff. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Before I had a chance to respond, she bent down and scooped up a handful of water, flinging it directly at me. The splash hit me square in the chest, soaking the front of my shirt and catching me completely off guard.

I gave her a hard look, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Did you really just do that?"

Her laugh was pure satisfaction, her eyes alight with defiance. "Maybe next time don't be such a—" Before she could finish, I reached out, stepping into the water and grabbing her by the wrist, pulling her close.

Her laughter faded as I drew her against me, the sound replaced by silence and that wide-eyed look that made it clear she hadn't expected this. Her hands rested on my chest now, her fingers pressing lightly against my wet shirt, her gaze flicking up to meet mine. I could feel her pulse quicken under my touch, could see her searching my face like she was trying to read something in it. I'd pulled her closer in the heat of the moment, but now, with her standing here in my arms, the proximity was... distracting.