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Mary and Maximus arrived at the beach. Maximus chose one of the lounge chairs provided by the hotel and sat down. Mary, eager to feel the sea, set her bag aside and began to remove her dress, excited to dive into the water.
This was only her second time seeing the ocean, and she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to immerse herself in it. Under her dress, she wore a modest two–piece swimsuit that, while not revealing, accentuated her well–proportioned curves. Maximus couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy as younger men nearby cast lingering glances at his wife.
“I’ll be back–I’m going in!” Mary exclaimed, heading eagerly toward the water.
“Wait, Mary, come here!” Maximus called out, noticing the group of young men starting to follow her.
She turned to look at him, confused, only to find him suddenly standing right behind her. Without warning, he pulled her close by the waist and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. Her cheeks flushed as she stood stunned, unable to do anything but accept the gesture.
“There, now you
you can go–be careful, okay?” Maximus said, flashing a rare, charming smile. “Okay,” Mary replied softly, attempting to hide her emotions.
The group of
young men got the message loud and clear and stayed away.
Mary, as if she were a child discovering the beach for the first time, ran to the shoreline and dipped her toes in the water. She was amazed to find it warm, and with newfound confidence, she ventured in until the water reached her waist. Though not an expert swimmer, she was certain she wouldn’t drown. Once fully submerged, she let herself dive under the surface. Maximus watched her from the shore, panic flashing across his face when she disappeared from sight. He got up, ready to run in after her, just as she emerged from the water. It was a sight to behold: her hair slicked back, her swimsuit clinging to her body, highlighting her natural beauty.
Her dramatic emergence caught the attention of a certain James McAdams, a 23–year–old vacationing with friends. His mission for the trip was clear: a summer fling. Spotting Mary, James swam closer to her, hoping to strike up a conversation.
Unaware of his intentions, Mary continued enjoying herself, diving under the waves. When she decided it was time to leave, she turned to head back to shore and was surprised to find Maximus waiting for her with a towel.
“So, how was it?” Maximus asked, his voice warm.
“Wow! It was incredible! I’ve never been able to go in the sea before,” she said, grinning ear to ear.
“What do you say we grab something to eat? I’m starving,” he replied, patting his stomach.
“Sure! I’m fine with that.”
As they walked toward the hotel, Maximus noticed Jardes lingering nearby, clearly intent on approaching Mary. Though he didn’t want to appear possessive, he subtly guided her away by focusing on their plans for food.
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Chapter 0183
Back at the lounge chairs, Mary rinsed off the salty water and dried herself before slipping her dress back on.
“Wouldn’t you be more comfortable changing first?” Maximus asked, noticing her damp clothes clinging to her.
“Oh, no, you’re hungry, and changing would take time. Let’s eat first,” she replied with a smile.
Resigned, Maximus began walking with her. As they passed a boutique, he spotted clothes that suited her style.
“Mary, let’s take a look inside,” he said, pointing to the shop.
“I’m fine–my dress is already starting to dry.”
“Come on. If you catch a cold, I’ll feel responsible,” he insisted.
Inside, the store’s high–end merchandise caught Mary off guard. She browsed but quickly noticed the hefty price tags and chose nothing.
“Let’s go,” she said, embarrassed.
“Why?”
“I can’t afford anything here, so it’s better if we leave.”
I
“Mary, I never said you were paying. Pick something you like and try it on.”
Reluctantly, she agreed. Maximus handed her a black dress with tiny floral details. She noticed it was exactly her size, which surprised her he had never bought her clothes before. The realization that he knew her body so well left her feeling both nervous and flustered.
While she tried on the dress, Maximus handed her a matching set of lingerie over the changing room
door.
“You’ll probably need this, too,” he said casually.
Mary examined the lingerie and felt her face flush–it was far more daring than anything she usually wore. Her usual undergarments were plain and functional, chosen for comfort, not seduction.
“Are you okay? How does it fit?” Maximus asked when she didn’t emerge.
Finally, she stepped out of the changing room. The dress fit her perfectly, highlighting her curves, while the lingerie discreetly enhanced her figure. Maximus found himself regretting the bold choice but couldn’t deny how stunning she looked.
“So? How do Hook?” she asked hesitantly.
“You look… beautiful,” he said, the words escaping before he could stop them.
Maximus paid for the items, and they continued on to lunch. As they walked, Maximus’s phone vibrated repeatedly, but he ignored it. He was too focused on the woman beside him, who now held his hand, a rare display of affection between them.
At the restaurant, the aroma of delicious food filled the air. Mary’s presence drew more than a few
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stares,
which only heightened Maximus’s jealousy. Unable to resist, he slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her neck, causing her skin to prickle with goosebumps.
Their lunch turned into dinner as conversation flowed effortlessly. They laughed and talked as if they had no worries, the temporary truce allowing them to enjoy each other’s company. Mary sipped several glasses of wine but remained composed, which intrigued Maximus.
“How do you have such a high tolerance for alcohol?” he asked, genuinely curious.
She nearly admitted that Peter had taught her how to enjoy wine, their nights sometimes stretching until dawn. Instead, she mentioned a friend back in Hesperia who had introduced her to wine.
[The present, Spain]
Maximus, snapped out of his daydream as the sound of an incoming call brought him back to reality.
that the caller was none other than Serenity, the gray–eyed woman who Looking at his phone, he had unexpectedly stirred so many memories.
