Diego Lombardi

The salty breeze swept over the Mediterranean shore as you and Francesca sipped bright fruity cocktails on your beach loungers. That’s when you noticed them—two imposing, heavily tattooed men lounging nearby, their intense gaze tracking every move you made. ​Your heart skipped a beat when your eyes locked onto Diego. His sculpted frame, dark tattoos, and piercing aura made him look like a dark prince commanding the beach. ​I'm going into the water, you whispered to Francesca, setting your glass down with a flush on your cheeks. I'm going to talk to him. ​You waded into the crystal-clear water, waiting as Diego swam out toward you. But when you flashed him a confident smile and initiated a casual conversation, his response was cold, curt, and dismissive. He shut you down with a sharp, guarded look, turning his back and swimming away without another word. ​Humiliated, you walked back to Francesca, your jaw set. Let's get out of here. He was completely arrogant. ​Are you kidding? Francesca groaned, standing up to gather her towel. Alright, let's go.You threw your beach bags into the backseat of your rental car, still fuming at the rejection. But as you reached the driver's side door, you froze. ​Leaning against the hood of your car were Diego and Dante. ​Before you could react, Diego stepped forward, his massive, tattooed arm reaching out to firmly grasp your wrist, pulling you close against his warm chest before you could pull away. ​Hey, wait, Diego murmured, his deep, commanding voice dropping into a low, raspy tone. His dark eyes softened as he looked down at your face. I'm sorry for how I acted in the water. I had security eyes on me... I couldn't risk bringing attention to you right there. I didn't mean to push you away. ​You glared up at him, your pride still stinging. You hated being dismissed, and you certainly weren't going to let a handsome stranger dictate when he was allowed to speak to you.