“It’s a great surprise!”

“This is only part of it,” he said, taking her hand and helping her onto the boat. “Wait until you see what else I have in store.”

Liz’s eyes lit up as she stared at the man before her. Damn, did he love her. And she could see reflected back in his eyes that the only thing he wanted in this moment was for her to be happy. He made her happy.

Once Hayden hopped on board, they were promptly greeted by the catamaran tour captain. All food and beverages were included and they were strictly ordered to enjoy themselves.

With drinks in hand, they found an open spot at the front of the catamaran just as they set sail. Their guide sailed them around the North Shore, which, unlike Honolulu, was mostly gorgeous natural habitat and known for bigger waves and isolated alcoves that had been featured in Hollywood films such as Blue Crush and the television show Lost. Liz stripped her tank off and let the rays sink into her skin. Hayden stretched out next to her and they spent the majority of the afternoon enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful natural seascape before them.

“And this is where we’re going to be stopping for a couple hours,” the captain announced.

He turned the boat into a small private lagoon obscured from the rest of the island by cliffs on one side. The water was crystal clear blue, and a white sandy beach was visible on the coast.

“This area is only for tour participants, so you shouldn’t be bothered by a constant stream of tourists. If you got the snorkeling package, see me after we dock and I’ll explain everything you need to know.”

The captain docked the boat and helped the passengers out, where they were immediately greeted by Hawaiian women in traditional grass skirts, bra tops, and multicolored leis. Liz moved to follow the rest of the partiers, but Hayden stopped her.

“I got us snorkeling gear. I wasn’t sure if you would be into it, but I read about some amazing caverns and even a small waterfall in the area. I’d love to check it out with you,” he said.

“I love snorkeling. You think there’s an actual waterfall nearby?” she asked excitedly.

“In fact, there is,” the captain said when he walked up to them. “I can give you two directions to get there. Just off of one of these cliffs. Beautiful sight. Just let me get you through the safety guidelines and you’ll be free to go.”

The captain instructed them on how to use the equipment, which was pretty self-explanatory, all things considered, and then explained where they could and couldn’t go.

“Have a good time,” he said with a wave as he walked back over to his seat. “I have to pick up the next tour. I’ll be back to get you all in a few hours!”

They grabbed their snorkeling equipment and exited the catamaran right before it set sail. After they found a place to leave their stuff, they headed back out into the warm water with their flippers and masks in place. Liz simply couldn’t get over how clear the water was and how much marine life was in the little lagoon. She had a mini panic attack thinking that she might see sharks, but Hayden just laughed at her and told her that he would protect her. Luckily, they didn’t see any.

Hayden gestured for Liz to follow him as they swam in the direction that the captain had instructed to see the waterfall. They rounded a corner into a small closed cavern. After overcoming a momentary panic from closed-in spaces, Liz followed Hayden at an easy pace through the cavern until it opened up to an even smaller lagoon with a waterfall. It was surrounded on three sides by the cliff and then one side had a flat area, which it looked like people over the years had used to rest.

They swam over there and Hayden helped Liz out of the water. She pulled off her flippers, tossed her mask to the side, and lay back in the most stunning natural environment she had ever encountered.

“Now, this is a surprise,” she murmured.

Her eyes drifted from the waterfall to her boyfriend standing shirtless over her. He ran his hand back through his wet hair. His biceps were defined as he held his arms over his head, and she could make out each line in his abdomen as the water ran down his body. His little tease from earlier came back to her in full force, and she felt her body warming just from looking at him.

“I thought you would like it,” Hayden said, sinking into the space next to her.

Liz nuzzled into his chest and slid her hand down the slick surface. “About you making it up to me,” she whispered huskily.

Hayden laughed deep in his throat. “Is that where your mind is?” His hand trailed the length of her body.

“Is that not where your mind is?”

“Oh, it is,” he said, rolling over on top of her and pinning her back against the ground.

As he pressed his body down against her, she felt him stiffen through the thin material of his swim trunks. His mouth crashed down on top of hers with none of the hesitancy that he usually exhibited. They were alone in their own world out here, and the exhilaration of being out in the open like this fueled their passion.

His fingers wound into her hair and she exposed her neck to his mouth. Her hands found the waistline of his swim trunks and it took every ounce of effort not to just rip them off. She gripped on to them for dear life as he ravaged her neck, down to her collarbones, and found the strap of her bikini.

“Hayden,” she groaned. “I want you.”

Not having any more willpower, Liz started tugging on his trunks and dragging them down his thighs. Hayden sat up and pulled them off as she easily stripped out of her bikini, baring herself before him.

“God, you’re gorgeous,” he said, leaning back over her.

Their lips met hungrily as he pushed himself forward inside of her. Her eyes fluttered closed and she groaned at the feel of him filling her. It had only been a day and it felt like forever. She felt insatiable; she couldn’t figure out why she had waited so long initially, and now that she had tasted him she couldn’t get enough. She wanted to explore every inch of his skin. She wanted him to trace every curve.

Her heart swelled as Hayden pulled back slowly and then lunged into her swiftly. She met his rhythm, always craving more, desiring more from him. And he gave it to her over and over again. She felt her body giving in to the intensity and elation of the moment.

She didn’t even think about the rocks digging into her back or the grass scratching up her arms and legs. What mattered was this feeling, this right here. Knowing that Hayden had done all of this for her, and that he was going to keep doing things like this for her. Knowing that they created their own memories, they had control of the future, not the past, and they were doing that together. Knowing that in love, the strongest emotion of all was the connections . . . in proving to someone day in and day out that this was what they deserved and accepting nothing less. That was what Hayden was giving to her.