Jiselle's POV:

Italy.

I was actually in Italy.

Even after waking up this morning and seeing the colorful cliffs of Positano outside our bedroom window, part of me still couldn't believe it.

Liam and I had arrived yesterday after what felt like the longest flight of my life, but the exhaustion had disappeared the second I'd seen Positano for the first time.

Pictures didn't do this place justice.

Nothing could.

Colorful buildings seemed to climb directly up the mountainside, stacked one above another between patches of green. Boats dotted the unbelievably blue water below, and everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful enough to belong on a postcard.

I'd wanted to visit Italy for years.

Somehow, Liam had made it happen.

And apparently, simply bringing me to Positano hadn't been extravagant enough for him.

Because he'd rented us a yacht.

A freaking yacht.

I'd spent at least ten minutes yesterday asking him if he'd lost his mind.

His response?

"Probably."

Now, I was stretched out across one of the cushioned loungers at the back of the yacht, wearing my swimsuit and soaking up the Italian sun.

The coastline stretched behind me while the boat gently rocked beneath the warm afternoon breeze. Music played quietly from somewhere inside, blending with the soft sounds of the water hitting the side of the yacht.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this relaxed.

My phone was still in my hand after ending a call with Sara.

Apparently, I'd missed quite the birthday celebration.

I placed my phone beside me and closed my eyes.

A shadow suddenly blocked the sun.

I frowned.

"Excuse me."

Nothing.

I opened one eye.

And immediately forgot what I was about to say.

Liam stood beside my chair wearing nothing but swim trunks and black sunglasses.

Well...

That was rude.

His tattoos immediately caught my attention, scattered across his arms and torso, and my eyes shamelessly traveled down his body.

His chest.

His stomach.

His abs.

Jesus.

I slowly looked back up.

A smirk appeared on his face.

"Enjoying yourself?"

"Very much."

"I meant Italy."

"Oh."

His smirk widened.

"That too."

He laughed before handing me a cold glass of water.

"Drink."

I sat up and accepted it.

"Thank you."

He dropped onto the lounger beside mine.

"So, how's Sara?"

I took a sip.

"She's good. Although apparently her parents decided to surprise her for her birthday."

"That's nice."

"While Harry was there."

Liam paused.

"Oh."

"Exactly."

I laughed.

"Apparently, her father didn't even know she was dating Harry."

"Even better."

"And he doesn't like him."

Liam lowered his sunglasses slightly.

"Sounds like a fantastic birthday."

I laughed and reached over to smack his stomach.

My hand connected directly with his abs.

I immediately paused.

Liam looked down at my hand.

Then back at me.

I slowly removed it.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Something wrong?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"Completely."

He smiled.

I hated that smile.

Actually, that was a lie.

I loved that smile.

"You were staring at me earlier too," he said.

"I was not."

"Jiselle."

"I was looking at your sunglasses."

"My sunglasses are up here."

He pointed toward his face.

"Exactly where I was looking."

"Right."

He leaned closer.

I tried to maintain my innocent expression.

It became significantly harder when his face was only inches from mine.

"You know," he murmured, "you're a terrible liar."

"And you're incredibly full of yourself."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

His fingers brushed lightly along my thigh.

My breath caught.

"Because I think you like looking at me."

I stared at him through narrowed eyes.

"Maybe a little."

"A little?"

"Don't push your luck."

He laughed softly.

Then he leaned in and kissed me.

It wasn't rushed.

His lips moved slowly against mine while one of his hands rested against my waist. I reached up and slipped my fingers into the hair at the back of his head, pulling him slightly closer.

For a moment, there was nothing except the warmth of his skin, the taste of his lips, and the Mediterranean breeze moving around us.

When he finally pulled away, I was smiling.

"You know what?" I whispered.

"What?"

"I think Italy looks good on you."

He grinned.

"I think you look good in Italy."

"That was terrible."

"You liked it."

I kissed him again.

"Maybe."

***

A few hours later, I discovered that relaxing on a yacht apparently wasn't exciting enough for Liam.

Because I was standing on top of a cliff.

A very high cliff.

Looking down at the Mediterranean Sea.

I slowly backed away from the edge.

"No."

Liam laughed.

"Come on."

"No."

"You haven't even looked properly."

"I looked enough."

The water beneath us was an incredible shade of blue, almost too beautiful to be real.

Unfortunately, it was also very, very far down.

I turned toward Liam.

"You said we were going exploring."

"We are."

"You conveniently forgot to mention the part where exploring involved jumping off cliffs!"

"I didn't forget."

"You purposely didn't tell me?"

"Correct."

I stared at him.

"You're insane."

"Probably."

"Absolutely not."

He walked toward the edge.

I immediately grabbed his arm.

"Liam!"

He laughed.

"What?"

"Don't stand that close!"

"I'm fine."

"You're going to fall."

"That's sort of the idea."

"No, the idea is to jump. Falling is different."

He turned toward me.

"Come with me."

"No."

"Jiselle."

"Liam."

He reached for my hand.

I reluctantly let him take it.

"Trust me."

"I trust you."

"Then jump with me."

"I trust you. I don't trust gravity."

He laughed.

"I'm serious!"

He gently pulled me closer to the edge.

The second I looked down, I stepped backward.

"Nope."

"You're thinking too much."

"Thinking is generally what keeps people alive."

"We checked the water. It's safe."

"It's still ridiculously high!"

Liam stepped closer and placed his hands on my waist.

My eyes narrowed.

"Don't you dare."

"What?"

"I know that look."

"What look?"

"That look you're giving me right now."

"I'm not doing anything."

"If you throw me off this cliff, Liam Payne, I swear—"

He suddenly bent down.

I screamed.

"Liam!"

He lifted me over his shoulder.

"Liam Payne!"

He burst out laughing.

"PUT ME DOWN!"

"All right!"

He immediately stepped away from the edge and lowered me back onto my feet.

The second my feet touched the ground, I slapped his chest.

"You asshole!"

He was laughing so hard he could barely defend himself.

"You should've seen your face."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

"I do right now."

I crossed my arms and glared at him.

He stepped closer.

"I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

"I'm a little sorry."

"Go jump by yourself."

"Fine."

He kissed my cheek.

"I'll see you down there."

I grabbed his arm.

"Wait."

He turned.

I looked toward the cliff.

Then at him.

Then toward the water again.

Every reasonable part of my brain told me absolutely not.

But another part of me knew I'd regret coming all the way to Italy, standing here with Liam, and letting fear make the decision for me.

"You're sure it's safe?"

His teasing expression disappeared.

"Completely. But you don't have to do it."

I looked down again.

My stomach flipped.

"If I die, I'm haunting you."

He smiled.

"Fair."

I took his hand.

"Don't let go."

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

We walked toward the edge together.

My heart started pounding.

"Oh my God."

Liam squeezed my hand.

"Don't look down."

"That's terrible advice!"

"Look at me."

I did.

His sunglasses were gone now, and his brown eyes were fixed completely on mine.

"Ready?"

"No."

He smiled.

"Three."

"Liam—"

"Two."

"Oh my God."

"One."

We jumped.

I screamed the entire way down.

For a split second, it felt like we were flying.

Then—

Splash!

Cold water surrounded me.

I kicked toward the surface as fast as I could.

The second my head broke through the water, I gasped for air.

"Oh my God!"

I pushed my wet hair away from my face.

"Liam?"

Nothing.

I turned around.

"Liam?"

Still nothing.

My smile disappeared.

"Liam!"

He suddenly surfaced behind me.

I screamed.

"You asshole!"

He burst out laughing.

I immediately splashed water into his face.

"I hate you!"

"You did it!"

"You scared the hell out of me!"

"But you did it!"

I stopped.

He was right.

I looked back toward the cliff.

My eyes widened.

"I jumped off that?"

"You jumped off that."

A laugh escaped me.

"Oh my God."

The fear suddenly transformed into adrenaline.

"I actually did it!"

Liam grinned.

"I told you."

I splashed him again.

"Don't ruin the moment."

He laughed.

I swam toward him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

His hands naturally found my waist beneath the water.

For a moment, I simply looked at him.

His wet hair fell messily across his forehead. Drops of water clung to his eyelashes and ran down his cheeks.

"You know something?"

"What?"

"You're a terrible influence on me."

"I prefer adventurous."

"I prefer annoying."

He smiled.

"But..."

I moved closer.

"Thank you for making me do things I'd normally be too scared to do."

His expression softened.

"I'll always push you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Within reason."

"Good correction."

"But I'll never make you do something you genuinely don't want to do."

Something about the way he said it made my chest warm.

I brushed the wet hair away from his forehead.

"I know."

Then I kissed him.

His arms tightened around my waist as my lips met his.

The kiss started sweetly, but somewhere between my fingers sliding into his wet hair and his body pulling mine closer, it deepened.

When we finally separated, we were both slightly breathless.

"Don't ever throw me off a cliff," I whispered.

"Never."

"Good."

I kissed him once more.

"But I'd jump with you again."

His smile returned.

"Tomorrow?"

"Don't push it."

***

By nightfall, Positano had somehow become even more beautiful.

The colorful buildings along the cliffside glowed beneath thousands of tiny lights, reflecting against the dark water surrounding us.

Dinner had been served on the upper deck of the yacht.

Just the two of us.

Candles flickered across the table while soft music played in the background. We'd eaten pasta, shared a bottle of wine, and spent nearly two hours talking about absolutely everything and nothing.

No phones.

No work.

No responsibilities.

Just us.

Eventually, Liam disappeared inside while I remained outside.

I leaned against the railing, looking toward Positano.

I didn't want this weekend to end.

Then the first firework exploded across the sky.

My eyes widened.

Another followed.

Then another.

Gold and red lights scattered across the darkness, illuminating the water beneath them.

I smiled.

"Wow."

The door behind me opened.

I didn't turn around.

I knew exactly who it was.

A few seconds later, Liam's arms slipped around my waist from behind.

I immediately relaxed against him.

His chest pressed against my back as he rested his chin near my shoulder.

For several moments, neither of us spoke.

We simply watched.

Another firework exploded overhead.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

"I've seen better."

I frowned.

"Oh, really?"

"Mm-hmm."

I turned my head slightly.

"And where exactly was that?"

"Not where."

He paused.

"But who."

My eyes narrowed.

I turned around in his arms.

"Excuse me?"

His lips twitched.

"Who are you referring to?"

He laughed.

"You."

My glare disappeared.

"Me?"

"You."

His hands remained around my waist.

"You're a much better view."

Heat rushed into my cheeks.

"That is so corny."

"I know."

"Painfully corny."

"Probably."

I smiled.

"But I mean every word."

Another firework illuminated his face.

I looked at him for a moment.

Really looked at him.

I'd spent so much of the weekend overwhelmed by Italy that I hadn't stopped to think about the person who had brought me here.

He'd remembered a dream I'd mentioned in passing.

He'd planned everything.

Cleared my schedule.

Booked the flights.

Found this yacht.

And somehow, despite everything we'd done, my favorite moments weren't the expensive ones.

They were this.

His arms around me.

His hand reaching for mine before we jumped.

Laughing together in the water.

Talking over dinner.

The way he looked at me when nobody else was around.

I rested my hands against his chest.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Anything."

"This is probably the best weekend I've ever had."

His expression softened.

"Yeah?"

I nodded.

"And not because we're in Italy."

"No?"

"No."

I slid my arms around his neck.

"It's because I'm here with you."

For once, Liam didn't immediately make a joke.

He simply stared at me.

Then his hand moved up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

"I'm glad it's you too," he said quietly.

My heart fluttered.

"What does that mean?"

He smiled slightly.

"It means I've traveled a lot. I've seen a lot of beautiful places."

His thumb gently brushed my cheek.

"But lately, whenever something good happens, you're the person I want standing beside me."

My breath caught.

That was better than his cheesy line.

Much better.

"Liam..."

"I know we joke around constantly, but I'm serious."

His forehead rested against mine.

"I don't care where we are, Jiselle. Italy, London, sitting at home doing absolutely nothing..."

His voice softened.

"I just like being with you."

I smiled.

"You're really trying to make me fall for you tonight, aren't you?"

His eyes stayed on mine.

"Maybe I already have."

My heart stopped for half a second.

Before I could decide exactly what he meant, another firework exploded overhead.

But neither of us looked.

I leaned forward and kissed him.

Slowly.

His hand slid around my waist, drawing me closer as my fingers curled gently against the back of his neck.

The fireworks continued above us, but I'd stopped paying attention.

When our lips separated, I stayed close enough that my nose brushed his.

"I think I'm in trouble," I whispered.

"Why?"

"Because I'm starting to really like you, Mr. Payne."

He smiled.

"Starting?"

I laughed softly.

"Don't ruin it."

"Sorry."

He kissed me again.

This time, there was nothing playful about it.

His lips moved against mine slowly and deeply, and I felt his hand travel along my back as he held me against him.

I pulled away just enough to catch my breath.

"Bedroom."

His eyebrows rose.

"Was that a question?"

"No."

A grin appeared on his face.

"Good."

I laughed as he suddenly bent down and swept me into his arms.

"Liam!"

My arms immediately wrapped around his neck.

"What?"

"I can walk."

"I know."

"Then why are you carrying me?"

"Because I can."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop smiling.

He carried me toward the doors leading inside.

Before we disappeared below deck, I looked over his shoulder one last time.

Another firework burst across the Italian sky.

Beautiful.

But for once, Liam's ridiculous line didn't seem quite so corny.

Because when I turned back and found him already looking at me, I understood exactly what he'd meant.

Positano was breathtaking.

This entire weekend had been a dream.

But somewhere between the cliffs, the Mediterranean, and fireworks over the Italian coast, I realized something that scared me more than jumping off that cliff ever had.

I wasn't just falling in love with Italy.

I was falling for Liam.

And this time, I wasn't sure I wanted anyone to catch me.