# Chapter 3 - The Room Wasn't Hers

The room was quiet, golden-lit, and too warm.

Lia stood frozen in the doorway, the cool metal of the handle still pressed to her fingers. Her eyes locked on the man standing at the foot of the bed — tall, bare-chested, water dripping from his hair and trailing slowly down his sculpted abdomen.

He smiled.

And the smile wasn’t shy. It was sharp and lazy, like a flame flickering low.

“You came,” he said, voice smooth and amused.

“I… what?”

“Room 3,” he said, reaching for a towel and rubbing the back of his neck. “Pink napkin.”

Lia blinked. “I thought… that was a gift. From the resort.”

“Depends on how you see it,” he said. “In some places, it’s a signal. A yes.”

She stared at him. “Wait. This… this isn’t the room my friends booked for me?”

He gave a half-shrug, completely unbothered. “Doesn’t look like it.”

Her cheeks flamed. “Then I should go. I’m sorry—this is a mistake.”

She turned to leave, embarrassed and dizzy with confusion. But his voice, soft and low, stopped her.

“Wait.”

She paused without looking back.

“I can let you go,” he said, stepping toward her, slowly. “But not for free.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder. “What does that mean?”

He was close now, just a breath away. The scent of the ocean clung to his skin, along with something darker, warmer. His deep blue eyes were unreadable.

“One kiss,” he said, as if asking for a favor. “And I’ll open the door myself.”

Lia’s lips parted in disbelief. “You’re kidding.”

He smirked. “Am I?”

She couldn’t read him. Was this a game? Was he serious? Why wasn’t her brain working?

Her thoughts spiraled, panic, pride, humiliation, and something hot in her stomach. He was waiting. And she didn’t want to be laughed at again, like she was some clueless little girl.

Before she could stop herself, **she leaned in and kissed him.**

It was quick, awkward. A soft, shaky brush of her lips on his.

Alessio’s eyes widened, just for a moment. Surprise flickered across his face, followed by something gentler… then darker.

She was inexperienced. *New.*

He saw it — felt it — and his expression shifted.

Then, with sudden care, he stepped in and kissed her back.

This time, it was different. Slow. Confident. He guided the kiss, coaxing rather than claiming. One hand rose to cradle the back of her head, the other gently brushing her waist. Her knees weakened under the warmth of his mouth.

> *What am I doing?*

> Her body moved before her mind could stop it.

And then… it was over.

He pulled away, a quiet smile on his lips.

Lia’s cheeks were burning. Her breath came fast. She couldn’t meet his eyes.

“C–Can I go now?” she whispered.

He opened the door. “Yeah,” he said lightly. “You’re free.”

She stepped out quickly, trying to erase the moment from her memory — or maybe hold on to it, just for a second longer.

But before the door closed, his voice followed her:

“Oh, and by the way…” His tone was playful now, teasing. “I was just joking. Didn’t think you’d actually kiss me.”

The door clicked shut with finality.

Lia stood in the hallway, stunned.