Chapter 13: Tides of Temptation
The morning sun glistened over the turquoise waters as Auri stepped onto the balcony of her suite, inhaling the salty breeze. Her heart still ached from the confrontation with Dante last night—the fierce argument, the sharp kiss, and the fire in his eyes. She had to remind herself why she had come here in the first place.
This vacation is mine. I came to breathe, to feel free, not to chase some billionaire CEO and get tangled in his life with a fiancée.
Determined, she quickly dressed in a light sundress and headed to the marina. Today, she would immerse herself in the pleasures that had initially drawn her to the island: sun, sea, and freedom.
The boat rocked gently as she set sail, the wind whipping through her hair. She laughed, carefree, letting the sun kiss her skin, feeling the thrill of life without the weight of Dante's presence—or so she tried to convince herself.
Island hopping became her escape. She swam in hidden coves, snorkeled above coral reefs, and felt the ocean envelop her like a long-lost friend. Each dive into the crystalline water was an escape from the storm Dante had stirred in her heart.
Later, at the resort bar, she sipped a colorful cocktail, toes brushing against the sand beneath the open-air terrace. Music pulsed around her, yet her mind was quiet for the first time in days. She was untamed, alive, and enjoying herself.
Then Olivia appeared.
Auri blinked, taken aback by the softness in Olivia's eyes, the genuine smile that lit up her face. "Hey! I didn't expect to see you here," Olivia said, settling beside her without hesitation. "I love this spot. The drinks are amazing, right?"
Auri's mind raced. Is she… friendly? Olivia had always seemed distant, elegant, untouchable—but here she was, talking like they were friends.
"Yes… yes, the drinks are great," Auri replied, trying to sound casual. Her heartbeat quickened; this was not what she had expected.
Olivia laughed softly, gentle and unassuming. "I've seen you around the resort, and you seem… different from the others. You enjoy things your own way. I like that."
Auri blinked, caught off guard. Her usual defenses rose, but a small part of her softened. Olivia had no idea about her complicated connection with Dante. She didn't know the tension, the kisses, the argument—just an untamed woman enjoying her vacation.
She's… kind, sweet, and genuine, Auri thought. I didn't expect that from her at all.
"Olivia" made her name known to me "Auri" and I replied
As they talked, Dante arrived at the bar. Auri tensed, every muscle stiffening. Olivia, sensing the tension, smiled and waved. "Auri, this is Dante Moretti," she said brightly, almost shyly, introducing him as if Auri and Dante had never met.
Auri's chest tightened. She forced a neutral expression, letting a smile grace her lips as if she were meeting him for the first time. "Hello… nice to meet you," she said lightly, bowing her head politely.
Dante froze for a brief moment, his gaze locking on hers. There was no hiding the surprise—and the hunger—in his eyes. Auri could feel the unspoken tension radiating off him, but she refused to respond beyond the polite gestures she had rehearsed.
"Excuse me," she murmured after a moment, turning smoothly. She walked away, retreating toward her room, needing air, needing space to breathe.
Once inside her suite, she sank onto the balcony chair, letting out a shaky breath. Her pulse raced, and her thoughts spiraled. Why does he affect me like this? she wondered. I need to remind myself… this isn't my fight. I need to enjoy my vacation.
The knock on her door startled her.
"Auri," Dante's voice was soft, almost hesitant, carrying a calmness that contradicted the storm of emotions he always stirred in her.
She opened the door slightly, heart hammering. Dante stepped in, closing the space between them. His eyes softened as he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle, lingering kiss. Unlike the harsh, demanding kiss from before, this one was tender, almost soothing.
Auri closed her eyes, letting herself feel the calm wash over her. She felt her body relax in his arms, every tension and anxiety slipping away for a brief moment.
But reality returned like a cold wave. Auri pulled back, stepping away and taking a shaky breath. "I… I can't be here," she whispered. "I need to go back to my hometown. I need to… I need to live my life. And you… you should focus on Olivia."
Dante's gaze darkened slightly, not with anger, but with longing and frustration. "Auri… you don't need to go anywhere. I'm not asking you to fight her or me. I just… I can't ignore you, not now, not ever. You're not a distraction. You're…" He paused, searching for the words, "…you're everything I've wanted, even if it's complicated."
Auri's chest tightened, torn between the comfort she felt in his presence and the rationality she tried to hold onto. She looked at him, the heat in his gaze, the steady strength in his hands. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to imagine surrendering, to imagine staying—but then she remembered Olivia, the responsibilities, the tangled complications.
"I can't… Dante," she said finally, voice trembling but firm. "I can't be part of this… whatever this is. I need to be free. Untamed. Not tangled in your world with her."
Dante stepped closer, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Auri… you're not tied to anyone's world. Not Olivia's, not mine. You're your own—untamed, fierce, unstoppable. And I…" His voice softened, "I just… I can't stop thinking about you. And I won't ask you to stop."
Auri's breath caught. The words, the sincerity, the quiet intensity—all of it left her reeling. She wanted to argue, to resist, to claim her independence fiercely. Yet the softness of the kiss, the calm in his gaze, left her heart fluttering, body warm, mind conflicted.
She stepped back, letting out a slow, shaky breath. "I need… time. Space. My vacation…" Her words trailed off, but her meaning was clear. She needed herself before she could face him again.
Dante nodded, understanding but unwilling to leave. "Take your time. But remember… I'll be here. Waiting, untamed and patient, for you."
Auri watched him leave, heart pounding, mind swirling. She leaned against the balcony, staring out at the horizon. The waves lapped against the shore, serene and endless—a reminder that life, her life, was hers to enjoy.
Vacation, freedom, myself… she repeated silently. I can't let anyone—no man, no fiancée, no temptation—take that from me. Not yet.
But deep down, she knew the pull of Dante Moretti would not let her go so easily. The slow-burning fire between them had been reignited, and the tides of desire, frustration, and curiosity were far from settling.