Kate's POV:

The beach, with its secluded beauty, felt like a hidden paradise untouched by the chaos of the outside world. The golden sand shimmered under the sun's warm embrace, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore was both calming and invigorating. Yet, my heart was heavy with unease. I wasn't used to this kind of luxury, this kind of isolation.

Everyone else was splashing in the water, their laughter echoing across the shore. Meanwhile, I stood on the edge of the beach, wrapped in a large towel, my toes barely brushing the wet sand. It wasn't that I didn't want to join them—I just couldn't bring myself to step out of my comfort zone. My insecurities clung to me like a second skin.

Michen, ever the friendly instigator, waded out of the water toward me. His broad grin was impossible to resist. "Kate, are you seriously going to stand there all day?" he teased, shaking water droplets in my direction.

"I like it here," I lied, tugging the towel tighter around myself.

"Come on," he said, reaching for my arm. "You're missing out."

I took a cautious step back. "I'm fine, Michen, really."

But Michen wasn't one to take no for an answer. Before I could protest further, he scooped me up with surprising ease and carried me toward the water. "Michen, put me down!" I screamed, half-laughing, half-panicking. My towel slipped from my grasp, leaving me in just the two-piece I'd reluctantly put on earlier.

Michen tossed me into the cool waves, and I resurfaced sputtering. "You're going to regret that!" I yelled, splashing water at him with all the force I could muster.

Steven joined in, laughing as he added to the splashes, and soon, it turned into an all-out water fight. For a brief moment, I forgot about my insecurities and just let myself laugh and play along. The water was refreshing, the sun was bright, and I felt like a kid again.

But then I noticed Lucio, sitting farther up on the shore, his piercing green eyes locked onto me. His gaze was unreadable, but there was a tension there that made my stomach twist. Was he angry? Annoyed? Or something else entirely? I turned away quickly, pretending not to notice.

Back on the beach, I wrapped myself in the towel again, hoping to shield myself from both the cool breeze and Lucio's gaze. Emily, who had been lounging on the sand like she owned it, decided to wade into the water. She strutted confidently, her two-piece leaving little to the imagination. When she emerged, her top had slipped slightly, revealing more than I cared to see.

Steven groaned, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I'm going to the beach house," he muttered, storming off.

"Is he okay?" I asked Michen quietly.

"He's fine," Michen said with a sigh. "Steven and Emily... let's just say they've got history. He's not a fan of her tactics."

Tactics. That was a polite way of putting it.

The day wore on, and we decided to head back to the beach house for some games. Steven was still brooding, but he managed to cheer up when we pulled out the cards.

"Alright, Kate," Steven said with a mischievous grin. "This is how we do it: no truths, just dares. You lose, you draw a card, and you do whatever it says. No backing out."

"No backing out?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes. "That sounds dangerous."

"That's the point," Michen said with a wink.

We started the game, and I quickly realized that luck was not on my side. The first dare fell to Steven, who had to kiss Emily. He groaned dramatically before leaning in, and she practically draped herself over him, making the rest of us groan in disgust.

"Get it over with," Michen muttered. "I'm losing my appetite."

When the timer finally ended, I was up. My dare? To sit on Lucio's lap for two minutes. My heart sank.

"I... I can't do that," I stammered.

"Rules are rules," Steven said, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

Lucio, who had been silently observing, raised an eyebrow. "Let's get this over with," he said flatly, sitting back in his chair.

With my heart pounding in my ears, I approached him, feeling every pair of eyes on me. I perched awkwardly on his lap, avoiding eye contact at all costs. His body was warm and firm beneath me, and I hated how aware I was of every inch of him.

"Relax, Kate," Lucio said quietly, his voice low and even.

I glanced up at him, and for a moment, our eyes met. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us. His gaze softened, and I felt a strange flutter in my chest. Then Steven broke the spell.

"Two minutes are up!" he announced. I practically leaped off Lucio's lap, my face burning as I retreated to my spot.

Later, after the game ended, I decided to escape to the beach house for some quiet. I stood on the balcony, staring out at the dark waves. The night was cool, and the stars were bright, but my thoughts were a whirlwind. What was I doing here? Why did Lucio have this effect on me?

A knock on the door startled me, and I turned to see Lucio standing there.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

I hesitated but nodded.

He stepped inside, his presence filling the room. "About earlier," he began, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't," I said quickly, though my cheeks betrayed me with their warmth.

He studied me for a moment, then stepped closer. "You've been quiet today. Is something bothering you?"

I hesitated, torn between brushing him off and telling the truth. Finally, I sighed. "It's just... I'm not used to this. Any of it. The luxury, the games, the... attention."

Lucio's expression softened. "You don't have to get used to it," he said. "But you also don't have to hide who you are."

I looked up at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. For once, the hard edges of his persona seemed to melt away, revealing a man who was just as uncertain as I was.

"Thanks," I whispered.

He nodded, then turned to leave. But before he stepped out, he glanced back. "And Kate? You handled yourself well today. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

As he closed the door behind him, I felt a small smile tug at my lips. Maybe, just maybe, I could find my place here after all.

As Lucio left the room, I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door. My heart was racing, and I couldn't shake the weight of his words. It was rare to hear Lucio offer a compliment, let alone one that felt so genuine. I had spent so much time feeling like an outsider among these people, but in that moment, I felt a strange sense of belonging.

I pulled the blanket around my shoulders and went back to the balcony. The ocean stretched out endlessly, the waves glowing faintly under the moonlight. The cool night breeze brushed against my skin, calming the unease that had settled in my chest. But my peace was short-lived as the sound of voices drifted up from below.

Leaning over the railing, I saw Steven and Michen by the bonfire, their silhouettes dancing against the flickering flames. They were laughing, their voices carrying an ease I envied. Emily sat off to the side, scrolling through her phone and occasionally rolling her eyes at the boys' antics. Lucio, however, was nowhere in sight.

I sighed, debating whether to join them or stay hidden in the comfort of my solitude. Before I could decide, Michen looked up and waved me down.

"Kate! Don't make me come up there and carry you down again!" he called out, grinning.

I shook my head, unable to suppress a smile. "Fine, I'm coming," I yelled back, wrapping the blanket around me like a cape and heading downstairs.

When I reached the bonfire, Steven offered me a seat between him and Michen. I plopped down, grateful for the warmth of the fire.

"Where's Lucio?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Probably brooding somewhere," Steven said, chuckling. "You know how he is. He's like a cat—comes and goes as he pleases."

"More like a grumpy lion," Michen added. "Always watching but rarely getting involved unless he has to."

Emily scoffed, finally looking up from her phone. "You mean unless it involves Kate," she muttered under her breath.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my cheeks heating up.

Emily shrugged, her tone dismissive. "Just saying, he's been different since you got here."

Steven and Michen exchanged amused glances, but I refused to rise to Emily's bait. Instead, I focused on the fire, watching the embers float into the night sky.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics—old stories, inside jokes, and the kind of banter that made me feel like I was part of a family, even if only temporarily. It was comforting, but my mind kept drifting back to Lucio. Where was he, and why did his absence bother me so much?

As the bonfire started to die down, I excused myself and headed back to the beach house. The quiet of the night enveloped me, but my thoughts were loud and relentless. I decided to make some tea to settle my nerves, wandering into the kitchen and finding the ingredients I needed.

The soft sound of footsteps behind me made me turn. Lucio stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, his voice low.

"Not really," I admitted, stirring the tea. "What about you?"

"I never sleep much," he said simply, stepping into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter, his presence filling the small space. "Did the bonfire bore you that quickly?"

I chuckled softly. "No, it was nice. I just needed some quiet."

He nodded, studying me with those piercing green eyes. "You looked like you were having fun earlier. It's... different seeing you like that."

"Like what?" I asked, curious.

"Relaxed. Happy." His gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. "You should let yourself feel that more often."

His words caught me off guard, and I found myself unsure how to respond. Lucio wasn't someone who often shared his thoughts, let alone anything that could be considered personal.

"Thanks," I said quietly, offering him a small smile.

He reached for the tea I'd just finished making, taking the mug from my hands. "Goodnight, Kate," he said, his voice almost gentle as he walked out of the kitchen.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the empty doorway. Lucio was an enigma, a man who wore his power like armor but occasionally let his humanity peek through the cracks. And against all logic, I found myself wanting to understand him more.

With a deep breath, I headed back to my room, the warmth of the tea lingering on my hands and the memory of Lucio's words echoing in my mind. The night stretched on, and as sleep finally claimed me, I dreamed of emerald eyes and a beach that felt like home.