Chapter 51: A picture of you

On the yacht, Caroline felt nauseated the whole time until she finally decided to lie down on Andrew’s insistence. By the time she woke up, an hour had already passed. The seasickness had faded completely, and she finally stepped out of the cabin into the fresh sea air.

Her gaze landed on Andrew, who was standing near the deck railing. Sensing her presence immediately, he turned around and watched her walk toward him.

"Feeling better?" he asked softly.

"Yes. My headache is completely gone after sleeping for an hour," Caroline replied.

"I wanted to head back to shore, but you refused," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist as she reached his side.

"Because you put so much effort into bringing me here," Caroline reasoned, looking out at the endless expanse before them. "Besides, I really wanted to enjoy this scenery. The ocean is truly vast."

She glanced toward the northern horizon, where jagged cliffs rose dramatically against the skyline. The water beneath them was a mesmerizing blue—just as beautiful as the stories always described.

"Then come. I’ve set up a table upstairs," Andrew said, gesturing toward the deck above. "There’s food and drinks waiting for us. Also... have you ever been in the water?"

"I can swim, but if you’re thinking about getting into the open ocean, it’s a big no," Caroline replied hastily, shaking her head. "I’m scared. It’s just too vast."

"I’ll be right there in the water with you," Andrew reassured her, resting a comforting hand on the small of her back as they climbed the spiral staircase. "You need to experience it at least once."

Her eyes widened when they reached the upper deck, taking in the sight of the resort staff putting the finishing touches on an elegant outdoor setup. They walked over to a table sheltered under a large umbrella and took their seats, the cool sea breeze rushing over them.

Caroline had her hair tied up in a neat loose style, but small strands kept breaking free, swaying gently with the salty sea breeze.

"Caroline, let me take a picture of you," Andrew said, lifting the camera hanging from a strap around his neck.

She grew self-conscious for a second, straightening her back, but Andrew gave her a soft smile and coaxed her to relax before he took some of her pictures.

"How do I look?" she asked, leaning forward over the table to peek at the camera screen.

"For that, you’ll have to wait," Andrew replied with a soft chuckle.

He stood up and walked behind her chair. Bending down to her level, he raised the camera to take a picture of them together. His warm cheek brushed against hers, making her turn her head to look at him.

Before pulling away, he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss against her cheek. Her breath hitched at the unexpected warmth, a familiar flutter rising in her chest. Trying to regain her composure, Caroline reached for her champagne glass and took a quick sip of the sparkling drink.

She winced slightly at the bitter fizz of the alcohol and quickly reached for a vegetable cutlet from the plate in front of her. Finding the flavor surprisingly delicious, she immediately bit into another piece.

Andrew smiled warmly, unable to stop himself from capturing a few candid shots of her with his camera. He caught the relaxed expressions on her face, making a mental note to frame these exact photos for their private quarters back at the estate.

’She looks beautiful even while eating,’ he thought, his chest warming with affection.

"Here, you should try one. They’re so crispy," Caroline said, picking up a fresh cutlet and bringing it straight to his lips.

Andrew opened his mouth and took a slow bite. As he chewed, he nodded in approval and let her eat the remaining half, admiring the bright glow that had finally returned to her face.

~~~~~

By the time the sun neared the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the water, they were back at the private beach house.

"That was so much fun," Caroline remarked happily, stepping into their bedroom first. Releasing the clip from her hair, she let the soft waves tumble down over her shoulders. She turned to face him and added, "I’ll shower first."

"Let’s shower together," Andrew suggested smoothly.

"What?" Caroline’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Andrew chuckled, letting her off the hook. "Go ahead first," he said with a warm smile, taking a seat on the armchair near the bed.

Caroline gathered her clothes from the wardrobe and slipped into the bathroom. Closing the door, she stood before the mirror for a moment, staring at her reflection as her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.

Taking a soft breath, she turned, unlocked the door, and peeked back outside. "Andrew... you can come in."

He lifted his gaze from his phone, genuinely caught off guard. He stared at her without blinking for a second.

"Are you serious?" he asked softly.

"Hmm." Caroline nodded, a gentle blush warming her cheeks as she held his gaze.

Andrew set his phone on the bedside table and stood up without taking his eyes off her. Unbuttoning his shirt, he walked toward the bathroom as she pulled the door wide open.

Shrugging off his shirt, he tossed it effortlessly into the laundry basket in the corner. He stepped inside and closed the door behind them, instantly trapping them in the intimate space. His long fingers reached up, finding the soft fabric ties of her dress at the nape of her neck.

"I—I can do it," Caroline stammered, her voice barely a whisper above the sound of her racing heart.

"Let me," Andrew murmured softly, pressing his warm lips against the top of her head as his fingers worked at the knot.

As he gently lowered the dress, her strapless bra came into view, hugging her curves perfectly.

Before Andrew could take in the sight, Caroline reached up, one hand resting firmly on his broad shoulder while her other slid into his silver hair, gently pulling him down. Her heart pounded as she took the initiative, pressing her lips against his in a deep, fiery kiss.