The lake stretched out before me, the expanse of crystal-clear water reflecting the azure sky. All around us was lush greenery and woods. The distant call of birds could be heard, and I instantly saw all of my guys, Bash and Marcel included, as teenagers, jumping into the water while they teased each other and enjoyed a swim on a hot day.
I shifted my gaze toward him, finding an abundance of love within his eyes. They were filled with a tender sincerity that he reserved only for me. Sebastian was on to something. If ever there was a soulmate, Ivan and I were one.
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” I breathed, my voice thick with emotion. Surrounded by such serenity, the sharp edges of his words dulled, though the weight of his remorse still lingered in his eyes.
“Me either,” he answered, staring deep into my eyes.
I flushed and patted the blanket beside me. His face erupted into a boyish grin, and he sat down and unpacked a picnic basket filled with sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of chilled wine.
“Oh, my favorite.” I clapped my hands together happily.
“I’ve learned. How about we go easy on it today. I wouldn’t want you to get drunk again. You know how I feel about that.”
“Does this mean what I think it means?” I waggled my eyebrows, remembering his declaration of not fucking drunk girls.
“We’ll see. Now hand me a glass.”
I dug around in the basket and passed it to him. Instead of taking it, he let his fingertips touch mine. The wineglass had been chilled as well and was cool against my fingertips. He expertly poured a generous amount of the sweet wine, the light burgundy color swirling around. As I inhaled, my mouth watered, and I closed my eyes.
I took a small sip, savoring it. “Aren’t you going to have any?”
“I’m good. Hungry?” he asked.
Before I could answer, he reached into the basket and brought out a strawberry. Holding it between his fingers, he leaned closer, our gazes locked. A mischievous half grin played on his full lips as he brought it to my mouth. I parted mine, allowing him to feed me. A burst of sweetness from the strawberry juice mingled with the wine on my tongue.
His fingers lingered against my lips for a moment, and I gasped as he traced them with the small bit still in his hand. “I thought we could talk, get to know each other deeper.”
“You want to talk?” I teased before adding, “I was hoping for maybe a game.”
“A game?”
“Yes, like strip poker. It’s too bad you don’t have your knife.” I pouted. “You could cut my clothes off me as I lost every hand. I stink at poker. Hint, hint.”
He reached down, tugged his sweatpants up his left leg, and pulled a blade. “You can’t give advice if you don’t take it yourself.”
He set the tray down with casual ease, then speared a raspberry on the tip of his knife and held it out. I leaned in, letting my tongue barely touch the underside of the fruit. A slow tease—one circle, then another—before drawing it from the blade with a soft pull.
Laughter spilled from him, low and rough, chasing the tension that clung between us.
As he leaned in closer, his lips grazed my ear, and he growled, “You’re dangerous, little love. And I’m here for it. I’ll go first. If I lost my memory, what is the first thing you’d do or tell me about us?”
I raised my eyebrows. “This sounds strangely serious.”
“It is. How you answer them will reveal how you feel about us as a couple. Bash calls them the Soulmate Seven.”
“Hmm, Sebastian’s Soulmate Seven, huh? I would present you with your two favorite things in the entire world.”
“Which are?” He stabbed a piece of mango and presented it to me.
I took the offering and then unfolded his fingers from the handle. I moved to a kneeling position and scooted closer to him. Taking the blade, I balanced it on my hands.
“I would say, ‘My beloved, may I present you with your right hand.’ I’d hold out the knife—well, not this one, since it’s not your favorite. But I would hold it out, like so.” I moved my hands up to give him his blade back. “Then I’d hold my shirt down so you could cut it from me and have access to my breasts, which I sometimes swear you love more than you love me.”
“You’re so bad.” He chuckled and leaned in to kiss my lips. He fed me another strawberry.
“My turn to answer. I’d have the dress you wore to the gala event shipped to us. I’d recreate that night.”
“The entire night? Hmm, that would involve Sarah on some level. I’m not sure I like that idea.”
