Ethan's POV

Devious Samantha had tricked me again.

But this time, I was thankful

In front of me, Skylar stood in a black bikini. The shirt that she sported over it, didn't hide anything underneath. Those perfect curves and her beautiful body had made me hot all over. I was behaving like a teenage boy.

Then again, Skylar looked like one of those models from a magazine. I couldn't help it.

Get your head straight, Ethan.

This marriage is nothing but a deal, just a business deal.Something I was forced into, just like the business.I couldn't allow feelings to get involved in this and make it more complicated than it already is.

I didn't consider myself a man to settle down but I had no wish to get in yet another fight with Dad. I don't want to be responsible for mom's unhappiness, it's not like I had someone else in my life either. I agreed to marry her, just for the company's sake and this marriage will never be anything more than that.

I cleared my throat and looked straight ahead at all the couples doing their activities. I thought I could spend my last day peacefully and here I am.

Looking at Skylar I could tell she was also tricked into it as she stood there with a loss of words.I had the uncontrollable urge to hold her close and not let anyone else see her. Keep her to myself, admire her all by myself.

"Now if both of you are done ogling each other, we should go ahead and get up in there." Sam chirped with a confident smirk.

Skylar blushed and I instantly looked away. She blushed a lot, I don't know if she realised that. It was cute though.

"Sam, what is this? You said that we were gonna do something fun together, you didn't mention anything about couple's retreat!"Skylar said in a hurried whisper.

"We are gonna have fun," Sam takes a dramatic pause, "but as couples!".

"Now what are we waiting for, let's get to the drink shack." and she ran off to James.

Skylar was staring at me I could feel it, as if waiting to see what I would do next. I simply looked at her. She looked around once, bit her lip and together we went to the same place Samantha ran off to.

Upon reaching there , we were told to make our favourite drinks for each other and we weren't allowed to look. I simply went on ahead and made a scotch on the rocks because nothing beats a finely aged scotch whiskey. It was time to exchange our drinks and to my surprise Skylar made the exact same thing.Scotch on the rocks.

I looked at her and saw her sipping the liquid calmly.Well, I never would've pegged her as a woman who liked scotch then again I don't really know her at all. Not that I wanted to.

After an hour or so Sam's energy finally died down and we sat on the loungers.

"You guys should go on ahead and enjoy the scuba diving, this is their last shift." James suggested.

Before I could refuse, Skylar's eyes lit up and she breathed out "Yes,". She looked like a child whenever she got excited, just like that day at the cliff.

She looked at Sam and asked "Why don't you guys join us?"

Great, at least ask your own husband first.

Samantha and James shared a look and smiled at each other. What's with them?

"Well , we can't go because..." James started "We are Pregnant!" Samantha finished excitedly.

Oh, wow.

"Oh my god congratulations!"Skylar was surprised and hugged Sam tightly.I guess they've grown closer in the few days they've known each other.

"Congrats, man!" I clapped James on the back.I was genuinely happy for them, I've known these two since college.They loved each other unconditionally and stood by whenever things got rough.They deserved this.

"Well, now go on or they'll close up." Sam nudged Skylar.

"Are you sure?" she said shyly.

Sam nodded insistently. Skylar started walking towards the scuba diving place , James gave me a look so I started following her.Soon we were in our gear with our tanks attached. The instructor briefed us on everything."I insist it is better if you hold hands with your partner." She finished off and then we followed her to the diving spot.

Skylar seemed super excited. We, of course didn't hold hands and jumped after the coach. The underwater world was mesmerizing , I had gone scuba diving before but wasn't a fan, however, the beauty I saw right now was unearthly. Schools of fishes swam by and colourful coral reefs were scattered around. Skylar was pointing at something but I couldn't see it as I moved towards her, a big current caused me to lose my equilibrium.I felt like drowning as if I had no control over my body. Before I could signal the instructor for help, a hand grabbed mine and helped me regain my control. It was Skylar, she gestured me if I was okay and I showed her a thumbs up.

She didn't let go of my hand till the end of the dive and weirdly enough I didn't want her to.

We didn't really talk after scuba diving--not that we usually do. She's the one who initiates conversations and I simply answer in a yes or no. it's not like I don't want to talk to her, I just don't know what to say to her. We were in an awkward situation as it is. An arranged marriage like we were in the 1800s.

Since it was our last night here James and Samantha insisted on hosting dinner at their place tonight, we couldn't really refuse. I just finished getting ready with a white dress shirt and my pinstriped pants. As I bent down to get my watch I saw Skylar's reflection in the mirror. She had straightened her luscious brown locks and was wearing a dark blue dress which accentuated her figure.She was definitely a beauty to behold. Too bad she couldn't be mine.

"Ready?" I asked acting as if I didn't notice her.

"Uh, yeah,I just can't find my bracelet. It had sapphires around it and I remember I put it somewhere here."

I looked around and saw it was entangled in my watch. Great.

"Uh, it's here." I dangled my hand at an eye level. She gave a nervous chuckle and came towards me. Turns out in the wake of removing it, I made it worse.

"Stay still." She said, very focused. I could see her dark green eyes, unlike our wedding day they weren't filled with apprehension rather they seemed like a calm forest. I've always liked her eyes.

"Hey, are you still here?" I realised I was staring at her.I cleared my throat, I must've looked like a fool.

"Yeah, let's go."

We got in the car and I drove out in the windy weather, it was already dark. I loved driving, something about it just calmed me.Maybe the control or maybe just the thrill of it. I couldn't put my finger on it but I enjoyed it.

Whenever we drove, we always fell in a comfortable silence rather than an awkward one.

We reached their mansion , a beautiful white house with overlooking glass walls. James had inherited the business from his father, but he was solely responsible to get it where it is today.He worked hard.

No one but only he and Liam know that I never really wanted to be a part of Dad's business.I wanted to start my own architectural firm and gain experience but when Liam backed out to be a photographer, Dad practically forced it on me.I didn't have a choice. It wasn't his fault either, Grandpa had worked hard to make Carter Inc. what it is today, someone had to carry it on.

I dismissed all the thoughts once we ringed the bell.Samantha welcomed us both in with a very tight hug.

Dinner was already on the table and we enjoyed it.Afterwards, Skylar and I helped cleaning up and then I joined James in the living room for a drink. Skylar and Sam went in the other room.

"So how is it going?" I looked back at James as he asked me.

"How is what going?"

"You know, you and Skylar. I mean I can tell you guys surely love each other. The way you you keep looking at her and she keeps blushing." He smiles before adding, "But something just doesn't sit right. I mean there is a weird tension in the room when you two are together, something uncomfortable."

"What? You're fretting over nothing. Everything is fine between us." I stated in a dismissive tone.

"Whatever you say, Ethan." Something told me he still wasn't convinced.

Skylar's POV

"Thank you so much for the dinner, Sam. You're a great cook." I say while admiring her house.

"Oh please, it was a pleasure having you two. Plus half of the food was made by James."

We were in the recreational room. It was beautiful--decorated with antique furniture, a 60 inch plasma along with a large sound system overlooking the pool.

"You have a beautiful house." I said and it dawned on me that Ethan and I have to live under one roof from now on , a place I've never even seen before.

"Thank you, I love interior designing but I actually majored in hospitality."

"That explains a lot."I chuckled with her.

"So what are your plans for the baby?" I asked her.

"Well, first I really really hope it's a girl." She smiled.

"I hope it is."I whispered.

"Have you thought of any names?"

"Not really, Jamie and I found out just a day before yesterday.We are still digesting the fact that we will have an actual baby and be a family."

"Well I hope I get to meet them."I added.

"Yeah and maybe in a year or two, you and Ethan can introduce us to your baby." She winks at me.

I just smiled realising this may never become a reality.

We left soon after with promises of meeting again soon.

We drove back to the resort.Our flight is at 7:15 AM tomorrow and I was proud of myself for already have packed.

We reached and I went straight to bed.

"Don't you have to pack?" Ethan asked.

"Oh I'm done already, do you need some help?"

"No.I just have to put in a few things."

"Alright then, goodnight." I say before clicking the lamp off at my side.

I had a peaceful sleep that night.