Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Blame Me for Being Too Greedy Last Night
The next day.
The sunlight was exceptionally gentle, and the surface of the sea was shimmering with fine flecks of gold.
Adrian Lancaster woke up early and turned to his side, gazing at Wren Sutton for a long while.
She was fast asleep, her breathing light and even, her eyelashes casting a small shadow in the morning light.
He rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, calling the butler and quietly arranging the day’s itinerary.
After hanging up, Adrian Lancaster turned, his gaze naturally falling upon the bed.
Just then, Wren Sutton rolled over, one of her hands coming to rest gently outside the thin velvet quilt.
On her slender hand, the pink diamond ring rested quietly at the base of her ring finger. In the faint morning light, it refracted an incredibly soft, hazy halo, as if veiled in honey-colored gauze.
He watched in silence, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously as the smile in his eyes slowly settled and deepened.
Wren Sutton slept until she woke naturally, her consciousness slowly returning.
A familiar, gentle voice sounded beside her ear. "Darling, did you sleep well?"
She let out a groggy "mhm," still heavy with sleep, and subconsciously snuggled closer to the source of warmth.
"What time is it now?"
Adrian Lancaster reached for the handmade leather alarm clock on the nightstand and held it before her eyes.
The hands pointed to eleven-thirty.
"It’s half past eleven, sleepyhead."
Wren Sutton blinked. A few seconds later, her foggy mind cleared in an instant as she remembered the promise they had made before going to sleep.
"Ah!" she cried out softly, jolting upright as the silky comforter slipped from her shoulders.
"The sunrise. We were supposed to watch the sunrise over the sea together."
She ran her hands through her tousled hair in frustration and turned to the smiling man, her voice filled with a mixture of confusion and self-reproach.
"Didn’t we set an alarm? How did I not hear a thing? Is the clock broken?"
Adrian Lancaster reached out, tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear, and let his fingertips gently caress her delicate cheek.
"The alarm went off. I’m the one who turned it off."
He admitted it freely, his tone soft.
"You were sleeping so soundly, your face nestled against me, your breathing so light and soft. How could I bear to wake you? Missing one sunrise is nothing. Your sleep is what’s most important."
Instead of feeling comforted, Wren grew even more frustrated. Her head drooped, and her thick hair fell like a curtain, obscuring half her face. Her voice came out muffled.
"It’s my fault for sleeping so soundly. We made a promise..."
"How could it be your fault?" Adrian Lancaster chuckled. With a long arm, he swept her into his embrace, quilt and all, holding her tight and gently nuzzling his chin against the crown of her head.
"If anyone is to blame, it should be me. Blame me for being so insatiable last night, so greedy. I took you again and again and didn’t let you sleep until the middle of the night. It’s my fault for wearing you out, my darling."
Wren was speechless.
The heated memories of the previous night flooded her mind.
The dim, intimate lighting, their intertwined bodies, the dense flurry of kisses, their scorching skin, and Adrian’s words of love, whispered in her ear again and again.
Wren’s face flushed crimson, the blush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears and down her neck until she looked like a ripe, steaming tomato.
Flustered and annoyed, she lifted her glistening eyes to glare at him, her lips parting but no words coming out.
Adrian adored this look of hers—the bashfulness, the feigned anger, and the hint of unconscious reliance that came from being utterly spoiled.
His heart completely melted, as if steeped in spring water—warm, tender, and swelling with affection.
Adrian tightened his arms, his deep voice laced with amusement and a deliberate, coaxing tone.
"Honey, I was wrong. I deserve to be punished. Punished severely."
Wren stirred in his arms and mumbled, "Punished how?"
"By punishing me..." Adrian drew out his words, his chest vibrating slightly.
"By punishing me to dress you, carry you to wash up, squeeze the toothpaste for you, and hand you your towel."
"Then, punish me by choosing which long dress you’ll wear today, tying the silk ribbon at your back, and putting on your matching sandals. Also..."
His lips brushed against Wren’s flushed ear, his warm breath a seductive caress. "Punish me by making me meticulously apply your sunscreen, inch by inch, guaranteeing my baby gets to feel the sea breeze today, but not a single ray of sun."
"And finally, punish me by feeding you breakfast—oh, wait, I mean lunch. What would you like to eat? I’ll have the butler bring it in."
Adrian listed this string of "punishments" with such affectionate confidence. It wasn’t a punishment at all; it was just a roundabout way of doting on her and being intimate.
As Wren listened, the last vestiges of her frustration and shyness vanished, replaced by a sweetness so overwhelming it felt like it would spill over.
She finally couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a little laugh in Adrian’s arms. Looking up, her eyes sparkled with a mixture of sweet exasperation.
"What kind of punishment is that? You’re clearly just finding a loophole."
"With you, I’m always allowed to find loopholes," Adrian said with a smile. He leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose, then swept her up into his arms and carried her steadily toward the bathroom.
Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting bright stripes of light across the polished floor.
...
After lunch, Adrian Lancaster took Wren Sutton from the villa to the docks.
The island air was crisp, carrying the unique scent of vegetation and the ocean.
The pier extended into the turquoise water, flanked by several yachts of varying sizes.
The most striking of them all was a sleek, pearl-white yacht: the Syward.
It rested quietly on the water’s surface like an elegant swan.
A cool, damp sea breeze carrying a hint of salt washed over them.
The captain and several sailors in crisp uniforms were already waiting by the gangway. They nodded respectfully upon seeing the couple.
"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster, good afternoon. Everything is ready."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work." Adrian Lancaster nodded slightly, his expression composed.
He didn’t rush to board. First, he took the tablet from the captain and quickly swiped through the screen, carefully reviewing the preset navigation route, the sea conditions report, and the various safety protocols.
Sunlight fell on his focused profile, tracing its sharp lines. In that moment, he seemed less like a passenger and more like the ship’s commander—calm and dependable.
After confirming everything was in order, he handed the tablet back and let his arm circle naturally around Wren’s waist.
"Watch your step," he murmured, his other hand hovering protectively at her back as he guided her onto the teak gangplank connecting the yacht to the dock.
As they stepped onto the deck, the view opened up dramatically.
The expansive foredeck was laid with smooth, warm teak that glowed with a honey-like sheen in the sunlight.
The central area was furnished with a set of modern, off-white, curved sofas and plush cushions.
On the coffee table, fine beads of condensation clung to a chilled bottle of champagne resting beside two sparkling crystal glasses.
Farther forward, a sunbathing pad stretched out.
The pure white pad created a striking and pleasant contrast with the blue of the sea.
Everything was in perfect order, so pristine it seemed untouched by the outside world.
"Do you like it?" Adrian approached from behind, wrapping his arms fully around Wren’s waist and resting his chin lightly on the crown of her soft hair. His voice held a faint, hopeful tremor.
"This yacht is called the Syward. When I bought it last year, I knew I had to bring you aboard to see it."
Wren relaxed, leaning back into his firm, warm embrace. She felt the sea breeze playfully rustling her hair and the hem of her dress, bringing with it an unrestrained sense of freedom.
She hummed softly in agreement, her gaze sweeping over the elegant name engraved on the ship’s hull as warmth spread through her heart.
"I love it."
With a low, steady rumble like a waking beast’s breath, the engine came to life.
The Syward pulled away from the dock, its departure slow and smooth. The bow elegantly cut through the mirror-like, emerald surface of the sea, heading toward the endless azure expanse.
Adrian Lancaster took Wren’s hand to give her a tour. The lower deck’s layout was exquisite, featuring fully equipped guest cabins, a compact yet state-of-the-art open kitchen, and a spotless crew lounge.
He made a point of showing her the master stateroom.
Pushing open the heavy, solid wood door revealed a breathtaking ocean view.
A massive, curved window took up nearly the entire wall, like a natural, dynamic picture frame, capturing the ever-changing, multi-hued blue of the ocean and bringing it inside.
Sunlight, refracting through the clear water, cast swaying, dreamlike patches of light onto the cabin’s teak floor and snow-white bedding.
"If you ever want to spend the night at sea, we can come here."
Adrian stood amidst the dazzling light and shadows. He turned to Wren, his gaze deep. "I imagine it would be quite an experience."
Wren nodded, her heart fluttering as she pictured it.
By the time they returned to the sun-drenched main deck, the yacht had sailed into a much more open expanse of sea.
Here, the water’s color was layered.
Nearby, it was a transparent, light green, like the finest jade.
A little farther out, it was a brilliant peacock blue.
And at the horizon, it deepened into a profound ultramarine.
The water near the yacht was so clear you could see to the bottom, even catching the dance of light and shadow beneath the surface.
Adrian signaled the captain to reduce their speed until they were barely moving, almost drifting.
Then, he had a sailor bring over the snorkeling gear they had prepared.
Two new sets of masks, snorkels, and fins.
"Want to give it a try?" He picked up one set, his eyes showing both encouragement and his own eagerness.
"This patch of water is very calm, and there are lots of interesting things to see down there. I’ll be right beside you, holding your hand. You don’t have to be afraid."
Wren loved the ocean, but she was afraid to dive beneath its surface. A knot of fear tightened in her chest.
Adrian sensed her hesitation. Instead of pressuring her, he simply and efficiently put on his own gear, adjusting the straps of his mask.
Then he gave her a reassuring smile before turning and diving smoothly from the stern into the water.
The water only came up to his chest.
He didn’t swim far, resurfacing just a few meters from the swimming platform. He lifted off his mask, water droplets tracing the sharp lines of his face.
He waved enthusiastically to Wren on the yacht, his face alight with a pure, boyish excitement. The water seemed to make his voice sound especially clear and bright.
"Honey, come on down! There are colorful coral reefs and a huge school of silver fish down here. They’re like a moving mirror, circling right beside me."
Adrian’s joy was so infectious it chased away most of Wren’s anxiety.
Spurred on by his encouraging gaze, she began to put on her own gear.
Adrian swam back to the edge of the platform and held out his arms.
"Don’t be afraid. Come down slowly, I’ve got you."
Wren copied Adrian, carefully sitting on the edge of the platform with her back to the sea. Then, with his guidance and support, she slowly slid into the water.
The sensation of being instantly enveloped in seawater was unfamiliar. A slight chill touched her skin, but she quickly grew used to it.
Even stronger was the feeling of weightlessness from the buoyancy and the steady support of Adrian’s arm around her.
"Relax. Breathe through the tube. Nice and slow," Adrian’s voice said, low and steady, right beside her.
Wren took a deep breath and put her face in the water.
A brand-new world appeared before her eyes—utterly silent, yet bursting with life.
The world’s noise was instantly silenced, leaving only the amplified sound of her own breathing through the snorkel and the gentle pulse of the current.
Sunlight pierced through several meters of water, refracting into countless shimmering golden columns, like sacred, serene rays of light pouring from a cathedral dome.
These pillars of light illuminated the underwater forest below.
Corals of every shape and size created a fantastical landscape. Some resembled giant, blooming brain corals with deep convolutions.
Others looked like swaying antlers with distinct branches.
Still others resembled meticulously arranged honeycombs, orderly and marvelous.
Vivid yellows, delicate peach-pinks, mysterious purples, and vibrant greens wove together like a rich, colorful oil painting.
Schools of tropical fish in neon coats darted about, their scales shimmering with metallic and fluorescent sheens.
They showed no fear of the two colossal intruders, instead gathering curiously. Their round eyes sized up the newcomers, and a few daring ones even nibbled gently at their arms or masks, creating a faint tickling sensation.
An orange-and-white clownfish peeked out from among the soft tentacles of a sea anemone before shyly darting back in.
Farther off on the sandy floor, a starfish with an ornate pattern on its back moved slowly, leaving a faint trail in its wake.
Adrian stayed right beside Wren, holding her hand with one of his and occasionally using the other to point things out.
He tapped the back of her hand, guiding her gaze toward a cluster of coral that bloomed like a purple flame.
He then motioned for her to look down at a flounder flawlessly camouflaged in the sand, almost invisible.
In this silent, underwater world, they communicated through glances and subtle gestures, sharing in the delight of each new discovery. A wonderful, unspoken intimacy flowed between them.
After what felt like an eternity, they both surfaced.
Wren took off her slightly fogged mask and let out a long breath, her chest heaving with excitement.
The seawater had soaked the hair around her forehead; a few strands clung to her flushed cheeks and smooth skin as droplets fell from her eyelashes.
But her eyes were astonishingly bright, as if they had captured all the starlight and color from the world below, sparkling with pure wonder and joy.
"Honey, did you see? That lobster hiding behind the rock, and the patch of blue staghorn coral..." she began sharing eagerly, her voice still buzzing with excitement.
A sailor had already helped Adrian back onto the platform. He immediately turned, extended a strong hand, and pulled her steadily back aboard.
The moment she was on board, he wrapped her from head to toe in a large, fluffy towel he had ready, enveloping her like a precious, fragile treasure. He gently dried the water from her hair and cheeks.
Next, a glass of warm water was placed in her hands.
"Have some water. Are you cold?" Adrian brushed a few damp strands of hair from Wren’s forehead. The pad of his thumb caressed her cool cheek as his gaze scanned her face, searching for any hint of discomfort.
Wren cradled the warm glass and took a small sip. She shook her head, her face flushed with a healthy, post-exertion glow, the light in her eyes still brilliant.
"I’m not cold. The water was really warm."
She smiled at him. "Honey, thank you for bringing me here."
Seeing her expression—still a little dazed but utterly radiant from the experience—made Adrian’s heart melt.
He smiled too, his expression exceptionally bright in the sunlight.
He leaned in and pressed a gentle, precious kiss on her smooth forehead, which still carried the faint, salty scent of the sea.
"This is just the beginning."
Adrian’s voice was low and sure.
"From now on, whenever you want, we can go. We can see deeper, bluer oceans, watch the migrating schools of fish, and explore every underwater world you wish to see."
