ELI
I woke up to the scent of vanilla waffles and strawberry syrup.
Sunlight filtered through the heavy silk curtains, soft and golden. I blinked, disoriented for a moment… until I saw Damir seated on the edge of the bed, a tray in his hands, and that gentle smile on his face.
"Good morning, baby," he said, voice low, warm.
I rubbed my eyes, still a little hazy. "What time is it?"
"Late enough that I had time to plan a surprise," he replied, setting the tray on my lap. "Eat first. I want to show you something."
I didn't ask questions. I trusted him. So I ate…at least, what I could. I was still healing, still tender, especially around my shoulder. But it felt better. I felt better. Safer.
Because he was there.
After breakfast, Damir helped me dress nothing tight, just a fluffy oversized shirt (his, of course) and loose shorts. He kissed my temple before guiding me outside, one arm always resting gently around my waist.
"I had something built for you," he said quietly as we walked past the gardens. "You've been cooped up too long. Thought it was time you had your own kind of magic."
I frowned, tilting my head. "What kind of ma…."
Then I saw it.
And stopped breathing.
Right there, behind the west garden….an entire amusement park. Small, but impossibly beautiful. All pastel colors and glowing lights. There were popcorn stands with gold trim, little food carts with cotton candy spinning on glass wheels, fountains spraying soft mist with rainbow lights. A mini Ferris wheel sparkled in the sun, and just behind it, a water slide curved into a glittering blue pool.
My heart stopped. Then stuttered. Then started running.
"You…." I turned to him, eyes wide. "You built this for me?"
He nodded. "For us. But mostly for you. I wanted you to have somewhere safe… something sweet."
My throat burned. I couldn't speak.
So I did the only thing I could.
I launched into his arms.
He laughed…genuine, loud, surprised and caught me easily. I pressed my face into his neck, hugging him tight.
"You're insane," I whispered.
"Maybe," he murmured, kissing my cheek. "But I'd do anything to see you smile again."
I pulled back just enough to look at him… then kissed him.
Hard.
It wasn't a sweet kiss. It wasn't slow or unsure.
It was thank you and I love you and I want you all wrapped in one.
He froze for a second. Then melted into it. His hands cradled my waist, pulling me closer. My fingers curled around the collar of his shirt as I moaned softly against his mouth.
Every second I spent in his arms made me fall deeper.
Every damn time he looked at me like I was made of gold, I just…
I couldn't take it.
We barely made it five steps through the park before I stopped him again, tugged him down by the shirt and kissed him again…deeper this time. My tongue brushed his, my lips moving urgently as if I hadn't already kissed him three times in five minutes.
"I can't stop," I gasped against his mouth. "I'm sorry, I….Damir…"
"Don't stop," he growled softly, nipping my bottom lip. "Kiss me again."
And I did.
Over and over.
By the churro cart. Near the carousel. In front of the popcorn stand, where he bent down to whisper that he hired a popcorn chef just to make my favorite caramel flavor.
I laughed.
Then kissed him again.
By the time we got to the Ferris wheel, I was flushed, giggling, clinging to his hand like a kid.
"This is too much," I whispered, looking around, my heart full. "You're going to spoil me into oblivion."
"Good," he said. "I want to spoil you past oblivion."
I kissed him one more time. This time softer. Slower. My fingers brushed his jaw, my eyes fluttering closed.
"I'm so in love with you," I whispered into his mouth.
His breath hitched.
Then he cupped my cheek and kissed me back.
And this time when I moaned, I didn't hold back.
Because this was love.
And I was so deep in it.