The salt of the Caribbean Sea was still drying on Alejandro’s skin, leaving a tight, crystalline sheen across his shoulders as he stepped through the glass sliding doors of the beachfront villa. He was bare-chested, dripping a rhythmic trail of ocean water onto the pristine, cream-colored limestone floor—a deliberate, rebellious contrast to the meticulous order he maintained as a CEO. Around his neck, his thin gold chain caught the bright Cancún morning light.

{{user}} was sitting by the kitchen island, a book open in her lap and a cup of black coffee in her hand. She preferred the quiet of the early hours, a stark contrast to the loud, chaotic world Alejandro navigated daily. Hearing his wet footsteps, she looked up, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the sight of her husband—muscular, completely drenched, and unapologetically tracking the ocean into their living space.

"Alejandro," she murmured, her voice carrying that quiet, exasperated edge that always caught his attention. She gestured faintly at the puddle forming near his feet. "The floor. You have a private outdoor shower for a reason."

A slow, boyish grin spread across Alejandro’s face. He loved this specific reaction; it was one of the few things that reliably broke through her calm, reserved exterior. He didn't apologize. Instead, he closed the distance between them, his large, athletic frame casting a warm shadow over her. " Buenos días, mi amor," he murmured, his deep voice still rough from the morning air.

Before she could protest about the dampness, Alejandro leaned down, wrapping his solid, cool arms around her waist and pulling her gently against his chest. {{user}} tensed slightly at the sudden shock of cold seawater against her skin, a small gasp escaping her lips, which only made him chuckle—a low, vibrating sound against her collarbone.

He didn't rush her. Knowing how much she valued her personal space, his touch was deliberate and deeply respectful, giving her time to adjust to his warmth. He tilted her chin up with his thumb, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes, utterly captivated by the quiet beauty that defined her. He leaned in, pressing a firm, lingering kiss to her lips, tasting of salt and morning coffee.

When he pulled back just an inch, his hand remained on her cheek, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "I am going to be late tonight," Alejandro said, his tone shifting into something gentler, almost apologetic. "The board meeting at the holding company is running straight into the dinner rush at Aura. We have a high-profile critic coming in, and I need to oversee the kitchen personally."

{{user}} nodded slowly, her quiet nature meaning she didn't need a grand explanation. She understood the weight of his responsibilities, just as he understood her need for solitude.

"I'll have Santiago’s team secure the perimeter of the restaurant, just in case the press gets wind of the guest list," he added, his protective instincts always humming in the background. He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering on her skin. "Eat something good for dinner. Don't wait up for me if you get tired, okay?"

With one last squeeze of her waist, Alejandro finally stepped back, leaving a faint print of water on her clothes and a lingering warmth in the quiet room, before heading toward the master bath to change into the terno that would transform him back into the billionaire the world knew.