Elise finally understood what William meant by 'fun' on the third day of their vacation.

He scooped her out of bed before dawn, while she was still deep in sleep.

Carrying her gently, he brought her to a luxurious yacht already waiting, and they set sail into the open ocean.

When she finally blinked awake, they were surrounded by nothing but water, the yacht rocking softly on the gentle swells.

"Here," William said, descending from the deck. "Let me put some sunscreen on you."

"It's fine," Elise murmured, snuggling deeper into the plush beach chair. "I'm staying right here... Oh!"

She pursed her lips as William firmly held her in place. His long, skilled fingers began applying sunscreen to her back, spreading the lotion in slow, deliberate circles.

He covered every inch meticulously. She'd doubt anyone who claimed he didn't have OCD.

She considered protesting a few times, but resistance was clearly pointless. Better to save her energy and just relax into his touch.

"Should I do the front too?" William offered, a playful glint in his eyes.

"No!" she snapped, snatching the tube from him to handle that part herself.

William chuckled softly, pulling out another tube for himself.

Once he noticed Elise was finished, he turned to her. "Ms. Scott? Would you return the favor and help me with mine?"

Elise sighed but took the tube, applying the sunscreen with brisk, efficient strokes.

Her movements gradually slowed as she noticed his skin. It was a healthy, sun-kissed wheat color, neither too pale nor overly tanned.

Like his chest, the muscles of his back were sharply defined. She could feel the firmness of his skin and the powerful contours beneath her fingers.

"How does it feel?" William asked, as if reading her thoughts.

His sudden question startled her, making her heart skip a beat.

She merely hummed noncommittally. "Hmm."

Despite her lack of verbal response, he added, "Yours too."

Elise rolled her eyes. She hadn't asked for his opinion, and he'd offered it unsolicited.

Finally, they were both properly protected from the sun. William looked at her expectantly. "Do you know how to ride a jet ski?"

"No," Elise replied honestly.

"Really?" he asked, his tone laced with healthy skepticism after her previous 'average swimmer' deception.

"No, I really don't," she insisted. "This is my first time at the ocean since I became an adult."

William did a double take, then gave her a sympathetic pat on the head. "I'll bring you out more often from now on."

Elise sighed inwardly. She wasn't sure she wanted more of these exhilarating experiences. They were dangerously addictive.

Eventually, she found herself clinging to William on a jet ski, whooping with pure joy as they sliced through the crystal-clear water.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so free, so unburdened. Her life had been nothing but weighty responsibilities for far too long.

Later...

"Want to try surfing?"

"No."

"I can teach you."

After that...

"Want to try scuba diving?"

"No."

"It's alright. I'll be right beside you the whole time."

And when they emerged from the underwater world...

"Would you like-"

"No! Absolutely not!"

"A drink?" William finished, holding out a chilled bottle of vitamin water.

Elise pursed her lips, a pang of guilt hitting her for misjudging his intentions.

That was when he casually added, "Anyway, we're skydiving from a helicopter tomorrow." Elise stared at him, wondering why she'd ever felt guilty in the first place.