The following morning, Ethan, true to form, woke late and sat down for brunch just as Jackson appeared across from her, dressed in his swim trunks.

Ethan's gaze lingered on his chest and collarbone for a moment before casually looking away. "What's up?"

"Finished all my practice tests," Jackson replied, leaning forward to snatch a piece of freshly baked baguette from her plate. "Join me at the water park this afternoon."

He took Ethan's used butter knife, spread garlic butter on his bread, and took a bite. The ease with which he made himself at home prompted Ethan to say, "You know, if you’re hungry, you can order something. This is my portion."

"I did order,” Jackson replied, helping himself to her fruit. “But they said it’d take another half hour to get here. I’m starving, so I’ll make it up to you later."

Since he'd phrased it that way, Ethan felt it would be petty to refuse. She pushed her plate a bit toward the center of the table, willing to share. "Where did you want to go?"

In this coastal city, there were myriad water parks both near and far. 

"Just the one at the hotel next door." Jackson had clearly thought it through. "Our hotel offers a discount for entry."

"You look for discounts?" Ethan asked, amused.

"Wasting money without reason isn’t my style," Jackson chuckled, obviously joking. Primarily, he did not wish to waste their time together traveling too far.

The hotel next door, a seven-star establishment, boasted both an aquarium and a water park. It was a short journey from where they stayed.

At that moment, Jackson's order arrived. 

He kept his word and handed Ethan a fork, pushing small cuts of salmon and steak towards her.

"Eat up."

His tone was nonchalant, but Ethan had been on a two-meals-a-day regimen lately, and having just finished her own meal, she was full. However, it wasn’t every day that young master Jackson showed goodwill, so she forced herself to eat a couple more bites.

She was pleasantly surprised as she tasted the meat. 

“This is exquisite,” she said, savoring the tender beef that practically melted in her mouth. “What did you order? I didn’t see this on the menu.”

The hotel’s menu spanned an entire book. Ethan had been choosing each meal randomly, opting for the cheapest item on whatever page she flipped to in this upscale hotel. Even the cheapest was usually upwards of 300 per head, which was more than enough for her, who grew up conscientiously regarding costs, even though she used Thomas’s card. 

“Apparently, it’s a daily special," Jackson said casually. "Didn’t you see it at the front?”

Oh. The front page items were hard to forget.

The package was 2988 RMB per person.

Ethan, trying to push through another few bites, set her fork down and announced, "I’ll go get ready."

Brushing her teeth, Ethan put on her swimsuit, a water-resistant sun coat, applied high-SPF waterproof sunscreen, and packed a parasol and sunglasses.

Upon her return, Jackson was already dressed. He opted for a pair of gray and white gradient beach shorts and a lightweight sun-resistant long-sleeve shirt.

"Did you put on sunscreen?" Ethan asked, with the sun’s relentless tropical glare in mind. Unlike their usual swims early in the morning or late in the evening, venturing out at midday meant exposure that could ruin his good looks.

Jackson responded with an indescribable glance.

Ethan touted her sunscreen product. "Here, try mine—it’s a huge bottle and great for both face and body."

Ethan had inquired about taking a vacation after obtaining their marriage certificate, and Thomas had said she could once the moving was complete. So, with her characteristic diligence, she'd moved quickly, packing and clearing out her things to save money.

She’d embarked on a big shopping spree—with the card Thomas provided, a savings card, as the additional credit card was still being processed. The store clerk had highly recommended this sunblock’s efficacy; therefore, its price was also quite impressive.

Ethan opened the cap, and when Jackson didn’t make a move, she simply squeezed a dollop onto her hand, intending to spread it on his face.

Jackson shifted slightly but didn’t shy away.

She was surprised to find he let her reach for his face—she had half-expected him to bat her hand away.

His eyes closed, head inclined with palpable trust, resembling a pet eagerly awaiting a gentle stroke from its owner.

Beneath her fingertips, his skin was smooth, elastic, and Ethan hesitated only a moment before applying the sunscreen.

Up close, Jackson’s youthful beauty became more pronounced—wild, unkempt eyebrows more attractive than those manicured into shape, long eyelashes to be envied. His high, straight nose cast a slight shadow on the opposite cheek. His lips were a healthy red hue, thin with a hint of sharpness, his jawline clean and defined.

His features were a harmonious balance of depth and elegance, accented by a rebellious edge. A widow’s peak was visible beneath slightly tousled, longer hair.

Here was an unadultered handsome young man, offering no resistance to her touch, and Ethan found her heart picking up its pace.

His breathing was gentle, a ticklish feather brushing against her hands.

Ethan focused on clearing her mind to avoid any errant thoughts, unaware of Jackson’s hand resting on his knee, clenching slightly.

Unlike initiating himself, being touched gave him a different feeling. He felt her soft fingers caress his face, her scent lingering, conjuring private memories from that night.

Carefully, Jackson controlled his breathing to keep the moment undisturbed by anything but their proximity.

Finished with his face, Ethan handed Jackson the sunscreen. "Do your body now."

Jackson, though slightly disheartened, was undeterred and began unzipping his outerwear.

"Hey, Ethan," he casually threw the jacket onto the couch before standing, exposing the breadth of his back. "Mind getting my back?"

His physique, a masterpiece of muscular symmetry, stood like a wall before her, blocking out the sunlight.

Ethan remained in his shadow, feeling an inexplainable heated flush sweeping over her. 

Pristine skin, glistening under the indoor lighting, was a pane inviting touch. Strength and power radiated from him.

"What’s taking you so long?" Jackson's impatience was lightly veiled in jest.

Watching his fully exposed back, she became conscious of a sudden dryness in her mouth, saliva pooling as she swallowed.

Jackson: "Come on, give me a good rub."

Ethan: "It's difficult to say no..."