Della adjusted her swimsuit in front of the mirror. Her fingers hesitated over the simple yet elegant straps, her nerves tangled with excitement.
Today was meant to be an adventure, and Hunter had been so insistent. *Snorkeling…* She smoothed down the light cotton cover-up she wore over her swimsuit, its soft fabric brushing against her legs, and exhaled.
When she stepped out of the room, she found Hunter waiting in the living room, dressed casually in a white linen shirt and navy swim shorts. His attire somehow made him appear even more effortlessly handsome.
"Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied with a smile.
The boat rocked gently as they made their way out to the snorkeling site, the aquamarine water flashing under the sun. Hunter helped her adjust the mask over her face, his fingers grazing her cheek briefly.
"You'll love this," he murmured. The ocean padded endlessly around them, a mosaic of blues and greens that sparkled under the bright sky. Hunter, standing beside her, looked effortlessly composed as he adjusted the straps of his snorkel mask.
"You look nervous," he said, his tone teasing but gentle.
Della laughed nervously, glancing at the fins on her feet. "Maybe a little. I've never done this before."
"It's easier than it looks," he assured her. "Once you're in the water, you'll forget about everything else. Trust me."
Trusting him was exactly what she was trying to avoid. Yet here she was, standing at the edge of an adventure she'd never have dared on her own.
Hunter glanced at her. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
He smiled, and before she could second-guess herself, he jumped into the water. Della hesitated only a moment before following, the cool water embracing her as she plunged beneath the surface.
The moment Della submerged, she was awestruck. Below her was a vibrant world teeming with life. Coral reefs stretched like underwater forests, their colours flamboyant and hallucinatory. Schools of fish darted around her, flashing like liquid rainbows in the sunlight.
Hunter swam ahead, his movements smooth. He turned to check on her, giving her a thumbs-up when their eyes met through their masks. She nodded back, her initial nerves melting into awe and exhilaration.
He gestured for her to follow, pointing out a sea turtle gliding gracefully through the water. Della swam closer, mesmerized by its poised movements. The turtle seemed entirely unbothered by their presence, its flippers cutting through the water with ease.
Hunter reached out, gently tapping her shoulder to guide her attention to another marvel—a school of tiny, silver fish forming a swirling, synchronized dance. She couldn't help but smile, the wonder of it all filling her with a rare kind of joy.
After a while, they surfaced together, the sun warming their faces as they pulled their masks off. Della pushed her wet hair out of her eyes, laughing breathlessly.
"That was incredible," she said, her voice alive with excitement.
"I told you," Hunter replied effortlessly. "There's nothing like it."
She looked at him, water dripping from his dark hair, his eyes sharp and striking even in the bright daylight.
When they climbed back onto the boat, Della's muscles ached pleasantly from the exertion. She wrapped herself in a towel, her skin tingling from the saltwater and sun.
Hunter handed her a bottle of water, his own towel slung over his shoulder. "You did well out there."
"Thanks," she said, taking a sip. "I might even do it again someday."
His laugh was low and warm. "I'll hold you to that."
As the boat sped back to shore, Della leaned against the railing, watching the coastline grow closer. She felt lighter than she had in days, as if the ocean had washed away some of her worries. But as her gaze drifted to Hunter, she knew that the burden of her secret was impossible to shake.
After returning to the shore, Hunter suggested a walk along the beach. The sun warmed their backs as they strolled. The tide had pulled back, revealing an array of shells scattered across the sand.
"Look at this one," Hunter said, holding up a perfectly spiralled shell.
"It's beautiful," Della replied, her fingers brushing against his as she took it.
They continued, gathering shells of all shapes and colours, their hands occasionally brushing as they reached for the same one. By the time they returned to the house, they had a small collection, which Hunter placed in a glass jar.
"This is our first keepsake," he said, placing the jar on the mantel.
Della smiled.
Later that afternoon, Hunter handed her a notebook and pen. "I thought we could write something for the future. Wishes, memories, anything you'd like to keep."
Della hesitated, then nodded, the idea tugging at her heart. They sat together on the porch.
When they finished, Hunter sealed their notes in a small container. "Now we just need the perfect spot."
They walked a short distance down the beach, finally choosing a spot near the dunes. Hunter dug the hole while Della held the capsule.
As they buried it together, he looked at her, his gaze sauntering. "Maybe one day we'll come back and dig this up."
"Maybe," she said softly, her heart squeezing at the thought.
As the sun began to set, Hunter prepared refreshing tropical drinks. Della sipped hers, the mix of flavours a delightful.
"I have one more surprise for the day," Hunter said, his voice filled with mischief.
"Another one?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
A short while later, she found herself astride a beautiful chestnut horse, the reins firm in her hands as Hunter rode beside her.
The horses moved at a steady pace, their hooves sinking into the soft sand as the ocean waves lapped at the shore.
"Have you ridden before?" he asked, his voice cutting through the rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves.
"A few times," Della admitted, gripping the reins a little tighter. "But nothing like this. It's… breathtaking."
He smiled, the kind of smile that sent a ripple of warmth through her chest. "It's one of my favourite things to do."
She nodded, her gaze drifting toward the horizon, where the sun dipped lower.
Hunter slowed his horse and gestured toward a rocky outcrop ahead. "Let's stop there for a moment."
They dismounted, the horses grazing contentedly nearby as they walked to the edge of the rocks. The view was stunning, the endless ocean sparkling under the fading sunlight.
"This place is magical," Della murmured, her arms wrapped around herself as the breeze tousled her hair.
Hunter stood beside her, his presence solid and reassuring.
She turned to him, her eyes meeting his.
Before she could say anything, he gestured toward the horses. "We should head back. Dinner's waiting."
By the time they returned to the beach house, the sky was a deep indigo, scattered with stars. The horses were led away by a stable hand, leaving Della and Hunter to make their way inside.
The dining table had been set on the patio overlooking the sea. The butler had prepared a spread of grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and a basket of fresh bread.
Della slipped into her seat. Hunter poured them both glasses of chilled white wine, the bottle catching the light as he moved.
The first sip was crisp and refreshing.
As they finished their meal, Hunter leaned back in his chair, looking utterly relaxed. "I've arranged something for tomorrow," he said casually.
"Oh?"
"we would explore nearby coastal towns, seafood markets, and beachside restaurants for a taste of the local culture. I think you'll enjoy it."
Her stomach fluttered at the thought. "You're spoiling me."
He smirked. "Perhaps."
She didn't know how to respond, so she simply smiled and sipped her wine.