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To them, Tahiti had always been a dare, a challenge to emotionally strip yourself down to the core, and verbalize for the other person. The word represented their initial struggle to connect, their tendencies to be closed-off.
Then, it became a plea. There were times when they needed to express their thoughts, but simply didn't have the will or motivation. The word became a way out, to force them to face their feelings and acknowledge their pain.
But today, Tahiti was simply a location.
Avery had gifted Jameson with a two-week long vacation to the island, and the two had began their vacation a week earlier. They'd spent the week alternating between sightseeing and lounging around. That day, they had gone to the beach, and returned covered in salt and sand, and their smiles full of joy.
The sky began to darken outside. Avery quickly finished washing her hair, and patted it with a towel until it was slightly damp. She put on a blue sundress and took Jameson's hand as they exited their room and went back to the beach.
The waves had died down significantly since the afternoon, and were gently lapping against the shore in dark blue swirls.
Avery turned around, eye-to-eye with Jameson, her eyes asking a question only he could answer. Jameson gave her a smirk - a true Hawthorne smirk - and wrapped an arm around her waist. She placed her other hand on his shoulder, and they began to dance.
Jameson was wearing a light linen polo, and Avery could feel the warmth of his arm underneath. He spun her around, and she moved closer to him, resting her head against his chest as they continued dancing.
It was just them, the waves and the stars. Avery wouldn't have traded it for anything.
She felt, rather than heard Jameson's laugh. She tilted her head, placing a kiss on his jaw. "What's so funny?"
"If you'd told me this time last year, we'd be in Tahiti dancing without a care in the world, I would've been the happiest man on earth."
This time last year, they were still tiptoeing around each other, afraid of making the wrong move, overjoyed when they made the right one. This time last year, Avery hadn't imagined she’d ever see this level of vulnerability from Jameson.
"And now?"
Jameson tilted his head slightly to look her in the eye. "I'm the happiest man on earth, Heiress. Honestly."
And she realized, he was telling the truth. His green eyes were sparkling, full of pure, innocent joy, and they lit up his entire face.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down until they were mere centimeters apart. "That makes two of us, Hawthorne."
Jameson smiled. "Heads or tails?"
Heads, I kiss you. Tails, you kiss me. Either way, it means something.
Avery smiled against his lips. "Dealer's choice." she whispered.
In an instant, his lips fell on hers, his hands tightening at her waist. Kissing Jameson felt like a new experience everytime. Avery could get high solely off his kisses; they were invigorating, full of love, and absolutely Jameson Hawthorne.
He kissed her long and soft, like he wanted to savor every second. Her hands made their way into his hair as she hooked her legs around his waist, their lips moving in tandem.
They pulled apart, mere centimeters away, still holding on to one another. The beach was silent, save for the gentle sound of the waves, and their panting breaths.
Jameson gently lowered her to the sand, but lifted her chin, tilting her head back so that she was looking directly into his eyes. “You’re beautiful, Heiress.”
The stars and moon provided the only light, but Jameson’s eyes could’ve lit up the entire beach.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, and she tucked herself in his side as they walked back to the hotel.