His Unveiled Passion

Tessa and Marissa leaned against the railing near the side of the boat, enjoying the ocean breeze.

Marissa raised her wine glass and clinked it lightly against Tessa's, the sound reverberating clear and bright around them.

The salty breeze had messed up their hair by now.

Marissa swallowed another gulp of her red wine. She had drunk quite a bit tonight and was already slightly tipsy. Her face was flushed as she tapped Tessa's shoulder.

"Tessa, I'm really sorry about what happened during the day. Summer intentionally left a mark on the card before she dealt it to me. I truly had no idea what she was planning."

Tessa took a sip of her wine and smiled at her. "To be honest with you, I did suspect you for a brief moment. However, you've dispelled all my suspicions with your declaration earlier. I trust you."

"I knew it," Marissa said with a grin.

The birthday party had reached its end. Most of the guests had returned to their quarters for the night. Only the sounds of the crashing waves and howling winds remained.

"I wish for you and Stephen to stay together for a long, long time." Marissa tried to tame her hair that had been mussed up by the wind. "I really mean it," she added with a smile.

Tessa looked into Marissa's eyes. "I'm curious-you gave us separate rooms in the beginning because you didn't want us to

little self-deprecating when she explained,

to face the ocean, the wind blowing her hair past her shoulders to flutter in the air behind her. Her voice melded with the sounds of the

I separated the two of you because I was jealous. I didn't want

much he cares for you. You might not be aware, but Stephen didn't let Bruno off the hook even after he scooped him from the ocean. He had

know that," Tessa said,

he deserved. He brought

"The other thing that convinced me to let go of

type of game before, Marissa explained in a light tone. "There are plenty of women who are interested in him. He played a similar game during another friend's birthday party. They were playing

did he respond?"

laughing uncontrollably.

woman for the rest of the

him," Tessa

plucked up her courage and asked him for a kiss. But his murderous glare frightened her so much that she immediately

"Was he that scary?"

that way." Marissa's expression fell. "Do you know how I felt