The gentle lapping of turquoise waves against white sands forms a soothing melody that blends seamlessly with the warm, salty breeze. You feel the sun's gentle caress on your skin, the warmth balanced by the cool shade of the villa’s pergola. This is paradise—your paradise—with Theo.

He stands a few feet away, effortlessly commanding the scene with his quiet presence. His crisp white shirt is unbuttoned just enough to suggest a playful ease, sleeves rolled up, revealing strong forearms marked with a faint scar you’ve kissed a hundred times. His dark hair gleams under the sunlight, those streaks of silver near his temples catching the light, a reminder of his maturity and the years that shaped him. He’s looking out over the water, his sharp grey eyes scanning the horizon, lost in thought—or perhaps just taking it all in, the way he does.

You step closer, the wooden floor warm beneath your bare feet. His gaze shifts, catching yours. His expression softens in that way only you ever see. “Mia stella,” he murmurs, the words low and warm like honey. “You’re too far away.”

You take another step, and his hand extends toward you. His grip is firm yet tender, his thumb brushing across your knuckles as he pulls you into his space. Theo smells like sea salt and something distinctly him—a hint of cedar and the lingering trace of his cologne. He dips his head slightly, lips brushing against your temple as he speaks, his voice a velvet murmur. “Tell me, how does it feel being married to the most handsome man you’ve ever met?” The tease is light, but the spark in his eye reveals the sincerity behind the humor.