Chapter 2 THE ISLAND ESCAPE

SERA

The low rumble of Jared's private jet was oddly soothing, like a soft purr against the velvet hush of the sky.

I tucked my legs beneath me on the wide leather seat, half-listening as Jared's mother described her vision for the wedding ceremony, something grand, dripping with crystal chandeliers and fresh roses flown in from Holland.

Jared's father chuckled, making a joke about the wedding bill needing its own trust fund, and everyone laughed. Even I forced out a polite laugh, though it felt brittle at the edges.

In truth, I loved being around them.

Jared's family had welcomed me with open arms, treating me like one of their own from the very beginning. It was everything I could have wanted.

So why did I feel like I couldn't breathe?

I stared out the window at the endless stretch of blue sky.

"You alright, honey?"

I turned to find my mom watching me closely from her seat nearby, her brow furrowed. She looked beautiful and relaxed in her linen slacks and soft pink blouse, a book resting forgotten in her lap.

"Yeah, of course," I said quickly, forcing a smile.

She didn't look convinced.

"You seem... a little off. Cold feet?"

God, if only it were that simple.

How could I tell her the truth?

That my fiancé, my sweet, handsome, utterly perfect fiancé couldn't make me cum to save his life?

"I'm just tired, Mom," I lied smoothly, smoothing my hand over my knee. "Jet lag, and stress. You know how it is."

"Of course," Her face softened immediately. "You've been under so much pressure lately, with the wedding and work. You're doing amazing, sweetheart."

I smiled gratefully at her, even as guilt gnawed at my chest.

After a few more reassurances, she returned to her book, and I quietly excused myself, moving to a quieter corner of the cabin.

I slid into an empty seat by one of the large oval windows and pressed my forehead lightly to the cool glass.

Maybe my mom was right. Maybe it was just the pressure. Maybe once the wedding was behind us, once Jared and I were officially husband and wife, everything would click into place.

Lost in thought, I didn't hear Jared approach until I felt the soft brush of his fingers along my arm.

"Hey," he said gently, his voice low so as not to disturb the others. "You okay, baby?"

I turned to look at him. His hair was slightly tousled, and there was a boyish sweetness to his smile that made my heart pinch.

God, he was perfect.

And he loved me.

"Yeah," I nodded, letting my lips curve up into a real smile this time. "Just needed a minute to breathe."

He slid into the seat beside me without hesitation, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into him. I tucked my head against his chest, breathing in the familiar, clean scent of his cologne.

"You've been doing so much," he murmured into my hair. "I just want you to relax and enjoy this trip, okay? You deserve it."

I swallowed hard. How could I complain?

How could I even think about anything else when he was so good to me?

"Thank you for planning all of this," I smiled against his chest. "It means a lot."

"I'd do anything for you." He kissed the top of my head.

A lump formed in my throat, and I pushed it down quickly, squeezing his hand. I could fix this. We could fix this. I just had to focus on everything he was instead of what he wasn't.

"We'll have fun," I said brightly, pulling back to look at him. "Maybe even find some ways to... reconnect."

His eyes lit up with that familiar warmth, and relief flooded his features.

"Speaking of reconnecting," he said after a beat, his tone more careful now, "I asked my brother to join us."

I blinked.

"Your brother?"

"Knox," Jared clarified, his voice a little tighter. "We haven't exactly been close, but... I don't know. I thought maybe this could be a new start."

I nodded slowly, sensing there was more to the story but knowing better than to push. Jared rarely talked about Knox, and when he did, there was always a wall that came up behind his words.

"That's nice," I said, offering another smile. "Family's important."

He seemed relieved at my easy acceptance.

Before he could say more, the pilot's voice crackled through the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be beginning our descent shortly. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts."

The cabin buzzed with movement as everyone gathered their things. Jared kissed me again, a quick, tender press of lips against my forehead, before standing to help his mom with her bag.

I stayed seated by the window a moment longer, staring out at the island slowly coming into view below us.

Turquoise waters. Golden sands. Palm trees waving lazily in the breeze.

A dream.

This trip was going to be everything we needed.

I was sure of it.

The wind hit me the moment I stepped off the jet.

A soft, salty breeze lifted my hair, carrying the scent of the ocean and fresh island blooms. A sleek black convoy of luxury SUVs was already waiting on the tarmac, drivers standing at attention in crisp uniforms.

Beyond them, a concierge team dressed in polished white linen stood beside silver trays of champagne flutes, ready to welcome us.

Jared's hand slid around mine the moment we touched ground, threading our fingers together before leaning down to press a soft kiss to my temple.

We were escorted with the kind of seamless efficiency only obscene amounts of money could buy. Fuck it, someone placed a chilled glass of champagne into my free hand before I could even ask.

Jared held me close to his side, his palm pressed possessively against the small of my back as we moved toward the convoy.

I sipped the champagne, feeling the bubbles tickle my throat as I smiled and made small talk with his parents and my mum.

The drive to the villa was short but stunning, winding coastal roads, lush tropical forests, glimpses of the glittering blue sea between the trees.

And then we pulled up to the property.

It wasn't a villa. It was a private fucking paradise.

White stone walls soared high above manicured gardens, the house sprawling out in elegant, modern lines. Balconies jutted out toward the ocean.

A stone path led directly to a private stretch of white-sand beach where the waves lazily kissed the shore.

"This place is unreal," I breathed.

Jared smiled, tightening his hold on my waist.

"Only the best for you, baby."

Inside, the house was even more breathtaking, cool marble floors, vaulted ceilings, and wide-open spaces filled with sunlight. Glass walls slid away to reveal a massive infinity pool that seemed to spill right into the ocean.

Each family member claimed their private wing. Jared's parents took the east wing. My mom took the west. Jared led me to a stunning suite in the center, complete with a private plunge pool and a balcony facing the sea.

Only one wing remained empty, a slightly more secluded one near the back, with a private entrance.

"For Knox," Jared said casually as he placed our bags on the bed. "If he shows up."

I raised a brow. "You're not sure?"

"We're... complicated," He shrugged, smiling a little sadly. "But I figured it was time to try."

I didn't press. It wasn't my place.

Besides, I was too eager to explore.

"Go on," Jared said, noticing the excitement dancing in my eyes. He grinned and tugged me close for a quick kiss. "Take a look around. I'll unpack our things."

I didn't argue.

I slipped off my shoes and padded barefoot across the cool floors, exploring the house's twists and turns. Everything was luxurious yet relaxed, the kind of wealth that didn't need to shout about itself.

Eventually, I found myself drawn to the large balcony overlooking the ocean.

I stepped out into the golden late-afternoon sun. The breeze tangled my hair around my face as I leaned against the railing, breathing in the salt and flowers, feeling the tension begin to bleed from my shoulders.

Finally... peace. I sighed, shaking the stress off my shoulders with a little wiggle.

For the first time in what felt like days, I allowed myself to close my eyes and just be.

"Beautiful view," a voice rumbled behind me, deep and masculine and rough in a way that scraped deliciously over my skin.

I whirled around, a gasp catching in my throat.

Standing in the doorway... was a man.

Not Jared.