Tides of Desire
Chapter 1: The Stranger on Velika
Nathan
• Age: 25
• Occupation: Russian Army Private (newly enlisted, shell-shocked but naive and hopeful)
• Personality: Gentle-hearted but physically imposing, inexperienced in love, full of conflicting feelings about war, duty, and what he really wants from life.
• Appearance: Tall (6’2”), broad shoulders, dark hair cropped short, pale skin, green-gray eyes, always in uniform or rugged outdoor gear.
Isla
• Age: 22
• Occupation: Fisher woman, runs her grandmother’s small shop
• Personality: Sharp-tongued, independent, guarded but
Secretly passionate, doesn’t trust easily — especially not soldiers.
• Appearance: Slender but curvy, long dark auburn hair often in a braid, stormy blue eyes, wears simple skirts and wool shawls.
Velika Island, Russian Far East — Rocky Shoreline at Dusk.
The chill air bit at Isla’s cheeks as she trudged down the rocky path with her fishing basket. Velika’s winds were unforgiving, but she’d learned to endure them — much like the solitude of island life.
She spotted a figure sitting by the water, his heavy military coat billowing slightly in the sea breeze. He didn’t belong here — that much was obvious.
Isla
(calling out) You’ll freeze if you stay like that.
Nathan
(startled, looking over his shoulder) Oh. Uh… hi. Didn’t hear you coming.
His accent was mainland, but his words were soft — almost shy. Isla took in his tall frame, his dog tags glinting against his chest as he stood.
Nathan
(nodding) Private Karpov.
Nathan
Nathan. They… sent me here for rest. Not sure I’m doing it right.
Isla
(arches brow) Sitting in the cold staring at the sea? Definitely not.
He chuckled faintly, but his gaze lingered on her — sharp and searching. Isla felt an unfamiliar heat rise to her skin under his stare.
Nathan
I didn’t think anyone lived here.
Isla
(dryly) We do. Some of us even enjoy it.
The corners of his lips tugged upward, and something passed between them — quiet, electric.
Nathan
(softly) Then I guess I’m lucky you found me.
Isla
(turns away, hiding her smile) Maybe. Or maybe you’re just lost.
As she walked away, she felt his eyes on her still — warm and heavy. Velika had never felt so alive.
Chapter 2: Storm Over Velika
Velika Island — Fisherwoman’s Cottage, Evening Thunderstorm.
The storm rolled in just after dusk. Thunder shook the little cottage as Isla secured the shutters, muttering under her breath about the unpredictable sea weather.
A knock at the door startled her. She opened it to find Nathan standing there, his uniform jacket soaked, water dripping from his dark hair.
Isla
(frowning) You’re going to catch pneumonia like that.
Nathan
(awkward grin) I… didn’t know where else to go. Everything else on the island seems… shut.
He looked sheepish, his tall frame filling the doorway as the wind howled behind him.
Isla
(sighs) Well, don’t just stand there. Get in.
He stepped inside, the warmth of the small hearth and the smell of dried herbs wrapping around him. She shut the door and turned to find him watching her — really watching her — his green-gray eyes dark and intense.
Nathan
You live here alone?
Isla
(removing her shawl) Just me and my grandmother. She’s sleeping.
She handed him a towel, and their fingers brushed. The jolt that ran through her made her catch her breath. He noticed — and his lips curved ever so slightly.
Isla
(arching a brow) Is that your way of charming a woman?
Nathan
(soft laugh) No. Just… you’re not afraid of me. Most people are.
Isla stepped closer, her stormy blue eyes locking on his. Something simmered in the air, louder than the thunder outside.
Isla
(whisper) Maybe I should be.
Nathan
(low, husky) Maybe you should.
The words hung between them, thick with unspoken need. His gaze dropped to her lips. Her heart raced as the storm raged outside — and something far more dangerous began brewing inside her.
Chapter 3: Heat in the Dark
Velika Island — Fisherwoman’s Cottage, Later That Night.
The storm refused to let up. Hours passed, and the little cottage creaked under the wind’s fury. Isla sat at the kitchen table, her tea long forgotten. Across from her, Nathan leaned against the wall, his damp uniform jacket hung near the hearth to dry.
She could feel his gaze even when she didn’t meet it.
Nathan
(low) You don’t talk much.
Isla
(shrugs) Nothing to say.
She risked a glance at him — and found his eyes already on her, dark and hungry.
Nathan
You keep looking at me like that… and I won’t be able to stop myself.
Isla
(quietly, after a pause) Then why are you still standing over there?
The sound of the storm was drowned by the pounding of her pulse as he pushed off the wall and crossed the room in two long strides.
He stopped in front of her chair, towering over her. His knuckles brushed her jawline, tilting her face up.
Nathan
(hoarse) You’re dangerous. Do you know that?
Isla
(breathless) And you’re naive.
That was all it took — his mouth crashed down on hers, hard and unyielding. The chair scraped back as he pulled her up, his hands gripping her hips, sliding lower, pressing her against the wall.
Her fingers dug into his shirt as the kiss deepened, his tongue tasting, claiming, teasing until she gasped his name against his lips.
Isla
(soft, almost a whimper) Nathan…
Nathan
(growls) Say it again.
He lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the narrow bed in the corner, his lips never leaving her skin.
The storm outside raged on — but nothing could match the storm he unleashed inside her.
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