A Beautiful Date

Meliza's POV

"You don't have to do this, Ethan. It's too much," I said, my voice trailing off as we left the lobby. He had just paid for our accommodation, and now he was holding my hand without saying a word. We walked in silence toward the room.

"I want you to be comfortable," he said softly, opening the door for me. I stepped inside, and my breath caught. The room was stunning. A large, inviting bed took center stage, tempting me to relax in its softness. The bathroom was a sanctuary—complete with a bathtub, plush towels, and all the essentials, from toothpaste to lotion.

A vanity table beside the window offered a perfect view of the tranquil blue water beyond. It was more than I had expected.

I hesitated. "I didn't even pack extra clothes. I didn't know we were coming to the beach, and I know it's expensive..."

Ethan smiled gently. "Ruby packed your things. I'm guessing you didn't notice some of your clothes were missing. The bathing suit is new, though. I picked it out for you. I hope you like it."

I felt my cheeks heat as I glanced at the neatly folded swimsuit. "Wow, thank you," I said, my words soft with surprise. I didn't know much about Ethan's life, but I couldn't help hoping he wasn't stretching himself too thin for me.

When I slid open the glass door to the balcony, the crisp scent of saltwater hit me immediately. I paused, taking in the fresh air, and realized our room was just a few steps away from the shore.

Below, I saw couples strolling hand in hand along the soft, pristine sand stretching out toward the resort's far end. The aquamarine water sparkled under the sun, and my heart leaped at the thought of immediately diving into the water.

I wanted to tell Ethan how happy I was, but words felt inadequate. The beach's vast openness gave me a rare sense of peace and freedom. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore was like a soothing melody, washing away any lingering tension. It calmed my mind, filling me with a quiet, refreshing joy.

He ordered room service, and as the server set down the seafood platter and a perfectly seasoned steak, my stomach rumbled with anticipation. The meal was complete with a side of roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and onions, but the surprise didn't end there. A bottle of wine sat chilling in a bucket of ice.

I couldn't help myself. "Ethan, I know how much you earn working at Adriana's farm. Spending like this... it's not a good idea. You'll have nothing left after payday," I said, my voice laced with concern. I glanced sideways at him, trying to gauge his reaction as the waiter left.

Ethan's grin widened, unaffected by the cost. "Relax, Iza. I planned this all out. I've got it covered," he said, his confidence reassuring.

"Now, let's eat before our food gets cold," Ethan said, pulling out a rattan chair for me.

I mumbled a quiet thanks and sat down, feeling the warmth of the day linger as he settled across from me. We ate, savoring the delectable meal while the rhythmic pounding of the waves against the shore acted as a soothing backdrop. The sound felt like a lullaby, making me feel an overwhelming sense of happiness.

"You better change into your swimsuit so we can hit the water while it's still early," Ethan said after we'd finished eating.

"I can't wait to swim and enjoy the rest of the day with you," he added with a smile that made my heart flutter.

Ethan stayed out on the balcony, giving me privacy to change. When I stepped into the room, I gasped. The red two-piece bikini he'd bought for me was laid out neatly. It was daring—far more revealing than anything I'd ever worn—but I didn't have much of a choice since I couldn't swim in just my panties and bra.

As I slipped into it, I couldn't help but smile. The fit was perfect, hugging my frame like it had been tailored just for me. Still, I felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over me. My cleavage and curves were on full display. Yet, something about this bikini, the way it fits so flawlessly, made me feel a little more confident, even if I was still cautious about showing so much skin.

"Wow! You look amazing!" Ethan said, his voice smooth as he slid his sunglasses off, setting them on the table with a casual flick of his wrist. He turned to me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that caught my breath in my throat.

"Thanks," I murmured, heat rising to my cheeks, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from his bare chest. He must've discarded his shirt when I walked in, but now I couldn't seem to focus on anything else.

Ethan stood in beach shorts, his muscular frame gleaming under the soft light. His six-pack abs and broad shoulders were so defined that they almost seemed sculpted. I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling too warm. I quickly looked away, fighting the dry sensation in my throat before he caught me staring.

It was impossible to ignore the way my heart fluttered. No wonder every girl at the farm had been mesmerized by him—Ethan was undeniably smoking hot.

"Do you want me to put the sunscreen on you?" Ethan asked, his voice low and smooth. I immediately shook my head a bit too quickly, hoping my reaction wasn't too obvious.

There was no way I could let Ethan touch me, not with how my heart was racing. Things would get complicated, and I wasn't ready for that kind of mess. I could already feel the heat rising in my cheeks as the thought of his hands on my skin lingered.

"Okay," he said with a small smile, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

"You should apply it now before we hit the water. I don't want you to ruin that perfectly smooth skin because of me." He handed me the sunscreen, his fingers brushing mine for a fleeting moment.

"Thanks," I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper, and he turned away, giving me the space I needed.

"You can't reach your back, Iza," he said after a moment as he slowly turned around, his tone teasing. "You've got to admit, you need my help."

I shot him a pointed look, crossing my arms. "You could've just bought me rashguards," I countered, trying to play it cool.

He chuckled, his smile widening. "And miss the best view?" His words hit me like a spark, sending an unexpected rush of warmth through me. I didn't know how to respond, so I just stood there, trying to steady my breath.

He came closer and snatched the sunscreen bottle from my hand; I didn't even protest. Something about the way he did it made my heart race, and I felt a strange sense of anticipation build between us.

His fingers brushed against mine, and the simple touch felt like a spark. I couldn't stop myself from feeling giddy, even though I knew I probably should.

Ethan draped the beach towel over the lounger and motioned for me to lie down. As I settled in, the warmth of the sun and soft sand felt comforting. He sat beside me, and his hands gently applied lotion to my back, his touch electric, sending a shiver down my spine.

I glanced out at the vast horizon, the water shifting from turquoise to deep blue, the sunlight reflecting like scattered diamonds. The open sky and salty air made everything feel timeless and perfect, leaving me feeling light and free.

As Ethan spoke, his intelligence and wit captivated me. He was brilliant, his stories laced with humor and insight.

"Are you ready?" he asked, and I nodded. Since he didn't mention his family, I shared that I only had my mom and sister.

"Yes," I answered, my voice steady. When he took my hand, I wanted to pull away, but the warmth of his touch made me hold on, and I walked with him on the softest sand I'd ever felt.

Swimming in the ocean with Ethan felt like pure freedom. A cool wave crashed over me, refreshing and exhilarating. I felt weightless, my worries fading with the tide, and a surge of joy washed over me as I dove beneath the surface, the salty water enveloping me.

The ocean felt alive, the waves playfully lifting us in an endless rhythm. We laughed with each dive and splash, moving effortlessly with the current. The sun sparkled on the water, and every moment felt like a celebration of freedom and joy.

We swam under the sun, losing track of time, and by the end, my body ached from the fun. Ethan truly made my day.

We should eat dinner before hitting the road. I'm sorry if you felt obligated to spend your day off with me," Ethan said as we headed back to our room.

"Are you kidding me? Don't apologize, Ethan. I had so much fun today, and it's all thanks to you. I haven't had this kind of fun in a long time," I replied with a smile. His face relaxed, and I could see the relief wash over him.

I was surprised by how much food he ordered at dinner—everything was my favorite. By the time we finished, I could barely move. But guilt tugged at me, knowing how hard he had been working on the farm to save money for his dream of starting his own business. Spending so much on me felt like too much, yet it showed how thoughtful he was.

When he asked if I was ready to head back to the farmhouse, a wave of emptiness washed over me; I hadn't expected to feel this way, but spending the day with Ethan made me realize just how much goodness there was in him. Being around him felt so wonderful, yet the reality I had to face was undeniable: I needed to reject him.

I was grateful he hadn't asked me to be his girlfriend yet because I wasn't sure I could find the strength to say no, even though I already knew what my answer had to be.