The moon is in full view as I pull up to the beach, and the crowd goes wild, jumping, dancing, and drinking as the music plays. I can feel the energy in the air as I step out of the car, ready to join the festivities. A car honks as they pull up beside me, and Lexi steps out, Miguel not too long after her. "We brought someone with us." Lexi is all excited; her piercing blue eyes shine in the moonlight.

I turn my head to see Luca step out of the backseat. I look her up and down. She wears army print low-rise cargos with a black long sleeve crop top. She looks fierce and sexy. Lexi grabs her hand, and they rush down to where everyone is dancing. They join the crowd, ready to let loose and have a great time. I grab a beer and watch her body move.

She hasn't been here for a mere few hours, and I'm already picturing all the things I want to do to her. Her confidence is magnetic, drawing me in closer with each sway of her hips. The way she effortlessly commands the attention of everyone around her only intensifies my desire. As the night goes on, I can't help but imagine the electrifying chemistry we could share under the moonlit sky.

I lean against the hood of my Jeep and light a cigarette. The cool night air fills my lungs as I take a long drag, the smoke swirling around me like a cloak of mystery. I watch her from a distance, the dim light casting shadows on her face, highlighting her features in a tantalizing way. My mind races with fantasies of our bodies entwined, our desires igniting like a wildfire.

I was lost in the depths of my thoughts when Miguel nudges my arm and starts to laugh. "Sonya will claw your eyes out if you don't stop staring at that girl." I chuckle and glance at Sonya, who seems completely oblivious to what I'm doing as she dances with all the other guys around.

"She has no say in what I do. She's not my girlfriend. I can look at whoever I want."

"And fuck whoever you want." Miguel adds, and I grin.

🗡

As the night goes on, I decide to walk up to Luca. Dancando Lambada by Kaoma comes on, and I grab her waist. My eyes lock on hers. "Have you lost your Brazilian touch?" I tease her. Luca smirks and replies, "I guess you'll have to find out." I pull her closer, and I can feel the music in her bones as she moves, dancing to the sexy song. My hand rubs up and down her back, igniting a fire within her that matches the intensity of the music. We continue dancing, our bodies pressed tightly together, the rhythm of the music pulsating through us.

The world fades away as we become lost in the moment, our movements fluid and synchronized. The air is charged with electricity, and I can feel the chemistry between us growing stronger with each passing second. Luca's laughter fills the space, a melodic sound that only adds to the allure of the night. Our connection deepens, transcending the boundaries of a simple dance. It's as if we are speaking a language only we can understand, our bodies communicating a desire that words could never capture.

"You're definitely not the little girl I remember." I say as the music begins to change.

"No, I'm not." She whispers. She smiles and winks. It has only been less than twenty-four hours since she arrived, and I am already eager to make her mine. As sinister thoughts begin to creep in, a dark desire takes hold of me. Her words sent a shiver down my spine. Her face breaks into a wicked smile as she walks away, leaving me craving for more.

Since she arrived, I have been captivated by her presence. I yearn to embrace every inch of her exquisite body and delve deep into the depths of her captivating soul. I want to uncover the enigmatic secrets she conceals deep within her being. And yet, a part of me longs to torment her the way I did when we were kids.

The memories of that time come flooding back. Every time we went to Toronto to visit, she would run and hide when she saw me. I would chase after her, determined to catch her and bring her out of hiding. She would cry, and I would laugh. But deep down, we both knew it was just a game. I hope she knew it was just a game.

There were times when I would walk into the room she was in, and she would either be crying, nervous, and shy, or she wouldn't speak. It's how I came up with the nickname Bambi.

I finally make my way back to Miguel, who looks at me and smiles. "Damn, that girl can dance." He says, "I've never seen someone who can move with you like that." I watch from a distance as my worst enemy, – Diego– walks toward her. She smiles as they talk, but I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Diego and I have our own issues, and if Luca gets involved with him, Lilliana will kill me. He moves closer to her, his lips touching hers. Fire fuels within me, igniting a burning rage deep inside my heart. I storm toward them and pull her away.

"What the fuck, Cruz!" She yells as I drag her to the Jeep. I don't even respond; I just keep my grip tight on her arm. I let her go as she stands in front of the car. My heart is pounding in my chest. She crosses her arms. "I haven't even been in Brazil for twenty-four hours, and you're already trying to control everything I do." I take a deep breath, attempting to calm myself as she raises her voice.

"I don't want you near that guy. He's trouble." I reply, my voice filled with frustration.

"But I can make my own decisions." She replies, determined to assert her independence.

"I don't want you kissing any of these guys here, understood?" My eyes narrow at her, emphasizing the seriousness of my statement.

"Oh, sure, because clearly you're the expert on who I should and shouldn't kiss. Thank you so much for protecting me from all these dangerous guys. I wouldn't want to make my own decisions or anything. Your concern is truly overwhelming." She rolls her eyes.

Something inside of me burns as I picture her luscious lips against someone else's. I gently guide her towards the sleek hood of my car, tenderly supporting her waist as I lift her, allowing her to gracefully perch on top. Her eyes eagerly meet mine, a mix of curiosity and anticipation filling the air.

I lean in close, my voice a whisper, brimming with longing. "You think I'm trying to control you?" My fingers delicately tracing intricate patterns on her thigh. "No, baby. This is my world, and you play by my rules." A mischievous smile dances on my lips as I watch her reaction. She tilts her head slightly, a captivating blend of defiance and curiosity dancing in her mesmerizing eyes. My grip tightens around her waist, pulling her even closer to me.

The heat between us intensifies, and the air thick with anticipation. I can feel her heart racing against my chest, matching the rhythm of my own. I lean in closer, my lips just inches away from hers.

The gentle brush of my breath against her skin sends shivers down her spine. "But," she whispers, her voice barely audible, "what if I don't want to take part in your little game?" I feel my heartbeat quicken as her words linger in the air, a mix of uncertainty and desire intertwined. A slight smile appears on my face, accompanied by a subtle glimmer of determination in my eyes. I loosen my hold on her waist, giving her the option to step back if she wishes. Tension fills the air, and the unspoken question hangs in the silence between us.

With a gentle touch, I lift her chin, meeting her gaze with unwavering intensity. "Then," I reply, my voice laced with a mixture of longing and anger, "we will both have to live with the consequences. But I have a feeling you want to play."

"What makes you say that?" She asks with a sly smile.

"Because you haven't told me to stop yet." My hands tracing circles on her inner thighs, indicating that she's enjoying it.

Her eyes flicker with a mix of surprise and defiance, as if she hadn't expected such a response. I can see the conflict in her expression—the battle between what she wants and what she knows is right. The air grows still, the silence thickening around us as we stand locked in this moment of truth. Every fibre of my being wants to pull her closer, to erase the distance between us, and to give in to the magnetic pull that has always drawn us together.

But there is something holding me back—a nagging voice reminding me of the risks, the potential heartache that lie ahead, but then she speaks. "Stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of your way." She says as she jumps off the hood of my Jeep. I watch as she walks away. This girl isn't the one I remember. She's outspoken, defiant, and determined to forge her own path.

As I stand there, watching her retreating figure, a mix of curiosity and concern washes over me. The girl I once knew was cautious, always hesitant to take risks or challenge the status quo. But now, she radiates an air of confidence and fearlessness that is both intriguing and unsettling.

I can't help but question what events have transpired in her life to shape her into this new version of herself. Has she encountered hardships that forced her to toughen up? Has she met influential individuals who have sparked a fire within her? Or perhaps, there is a hidden catalyst—a significant event that triggered a profound transformation.

Either way, I don't like this. She's one person I won't be able to control. It's going to be a challenge; it won't be as easy to torment her like when we were children, and I can feel the anger inside me building as she walks away. The thought of her becoming someone I can't manipulate or dominate gnaws at me, fueling my anger even further.