I watch as her bare legs walk away; she wears only an oversized t-shirt, and it takes everything in me not to kiss her. It's been four years since I've seen her, and every moment without her has felt like an eternity. We've always played the game of cat and mouse, but now I can't help but wonder if it's finally time to catch her.

She's beautiful—the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. Her smile lights up the room, and her laughter is contagious. But there's something about her that draws me in deeper—something dangerous lurking just beneath the surface. It's as if she's hiding secrets that could unravel everything.

A dark desire stirs within me, fueled by the intensity of our shared past. I know crossing that line would be risky, but the allure of a forbidden passion consumes my thoughts. In the shadows of this twisted romance, I can't help but wonder if giving in to temptation will lead to our ultimate demise or create a bond that defies all odds.

She's going to be hard to get to. She's not that quiet little girl anymore. She's strong and determined. As if she won't let anything break her.

As I take a sip of my coffee, my mind wanders back to the night at the beach. Her body pressing against mine as we danced, felt right. Or when I placed her on top of the hood of my car and my fingers traced patterns on her thigh, sending shivers down her spine.

I can have any girl I want; hell, I can call Sonya, and she will be here at the drop of a hat. But there's something about the way Luca responds to my touch that keeps me coming back for more.

I want her; I want her to be mine and only mine. Playing around with her may be the only way to get to her.

"Morning, Cruz." I hear my father say, shaking me out of my thoughts.

"Morning," I nod, taking a seat at the kitchen island.

My mind still filled with thoughts of Luca, I absentmindedly reach for another cup of coffee, the warmth seeping into my hands. My father's knowing gaze falls upon me, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You've got it bad, don't you?" he chuckles, taking a sip from his own mug. I look up at him, a mixture of frustration and longing evident in my eyes. "It's different with her, Dad," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've never felt this way before." He studies me for a moment before responding, his expression softening.

"Cruz, you have undoubtedly tormented that poor girl her whole life. I know it was just fun to you, but to her, it was a living hell." He stops, searching my face, before he continues.

"She's grown up. She's not that same timid little girl anymore. Maybe if you stopped your playboy ways, she may see you in a different light."

"But tormenting her is so much fun." I respond with a smirk.

Our conversation is cut short when my mother and Lilianna walk in. My father presses his lips together when my mother asks what we are talking about. He doesn't say anything, and he won't until I'm ready to let everyone else know how I feel.

I place my cup in the sink and quietly excuse myself from the room. As I walk past the front door, the bell rings. I stop and answer. Standing in front of me is Sonya. I invite her in, taking her hand and leading her up to my room. I need to get my mind off Luca, and she's the perfect distraction.

We head to my room, and I see Luca's bedroom door propped open. I can just see her in her mirror, her eyes set on mine before they dart to Sonya. She turns around, anger in her eyes, as she slams her door shut.

I close my bedroom door, and Sonya lays back on the bed. "Come here." She says with seduction. I crawl up her body, my lips moving to her neck. Her hands run up my back, flipping her over until she is on top of me. She tugs at my shorts, her hands sliding down to my waist. But my body doesn't respond. "What's gotten into you?" Sonya questions me, her eyes searching mine.

I look away, unable to meet her gaze. I can't bring myself to tell her the truth. The only girl I want to touch is the girl in the room next to mine.

"Seriously Cruz?" She gets off me and grabs her purse. "Call me when you get your shit together."

I lay back and inhale deeply, feeling a mixture of relief and regret. With one hand behind my head and the other placed on my stomach, I look up at the ceiling.

🗡

As I lay there, I can't help but think about how much trouble I'm in. Being labelled as the bad boy has always intrigued me, but now it's starting to cost me the people I care about. Sonya deserves someone better than me, someone who can give her what she needs. But my heart belongs to someone else, someone who is forbidden.

I can't help but replay the events of last night in my mind—the way her eyes met mine across the yard, the electricity that surged between us. It's a dangerous game we're playing, one that could destroy everything. But every time I see her, I can't resist the pull—the magnetic force that draws me closer to her. And now, as I grow more distant from Sonya, I'm left torn between the fun I've known and the love I've always yearned for.

My phone rings, and I look at the screen.

"Hello?"

"Yo, are you ready for tomorrow?" Miguel asks.

"Yeah, man. I need to get drunk and forget about everything for a while," I respond.

But deep down, I know that drowning my sorrows in alcohol won't solve anything. It's just a temporary escape, a Band-Aid over a festering wound. As much as I crave the numbness, I also crave a resolution, a way to untangle the mess of emotions that has consumed me. Tomorrow's escapade with Miguel will provide a brief reprieve, but it won't erase the turmoil that has taken root within me.

I hear the water splash from the pool outside and walk over to my terrace. Leaning against the railing, I observe Luca in the water. Her body exposed, her bikini covering only her most intimate parts. She emerges from the pool, her hand pushing back her wet hair. She looks up, and I can't help but lick my lips.

The sun glistens on her bronzed skin, accentuating the curves of her body. I can feel the intensity of her gaze as she locks eyes with me, and a surge of desire courses through my veins. The air between us crackles with an undeniable tension, and I find myself yearning to close the distance, to taste the forbidden fruit that is within my reach.

I back away and retrieve into my room. I grab my phone and text Sonya.

Meet me here before the party at Miguel's. I promise I'll make it worth your while.

I sent the message, and hope for a response. My phone buzzes, and I read the text.

Okay ;)

I need to keep Luca out of my head. But she makes it impossible. Her presence is intoxicating. I know she told me to stay away from her, that I'm just some dangerous illusion. But her actions speak an entirely different language than her words. A language filled with desire and pleas—she just hasn't figured out how to translate it yet.

I guess for now all I can do is continue to push her buttons, hoping she finally breaks and gives into the temptation her body craves from me. But deep down, I know that Luca is not just a conquest to be won. There is something about her that draws me in, something beyond her physical allure.

It's the way she challenges me—the way she sees through my facade. I can't deny the pull she has on me, and I can't ignore the growing connection between us. Maybe, just maybe, if I can prove to her that I'm more than just a player, she might let me in. And if she does, I'll show her a love unlike anything she's ever known.

But it won't be easy. I have a reputation to overcome, a trail of broken hearts that I've left in my wake. I'm fucked up. I know that trust is not something that can be earned overnight, especially when you've spent years perfecting the art of seduction.

As I hear her voice just outside my door, I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. I'm going to make her fall in love with every single fucked up part of me. I want her to see me at my most corrupt. I want her to see and explore the true darkness of my soul.