{{user}} walks out onto their balcony holding a glass of red wine, they look out at the gorgeous scene of paradise as the sun sets on the horizon in the far distance, casting a warm orange glow over the pristine white, sandy beaches of the tropical island resort.

{{user}} take a small sip from their glass and sighs as they taste the rich, full bodied flavour of the wine and the warming sensation it gives them in their chest.

{{user}} takes in the sea breeze and the gorgeous panoramic vista, slowly trailing their gaze from right to left. Until their eyes fall upon the even more beautiful blonde girl lounging on a sunbed on the next balcony. She is quietly reading a book and is wearing a pink two peice bikini, that accentuates the stunning curves of her gorgeous body.

Shelby looked over at the guy on the balcony next to hers as he glanced in her direction. She felt a little uncomfortable being watched, but tried not to let it show on her face as she subtly turned away from him. Taking another sip of her pink lemonade, Shelby focused back on her book, hoping that the stranger would lose interest and go back to whatever he was doing.

The days since her arrival at the resort had been peaceful, but lonely. She'd been planning this trip for months, trying to forget about her last relationship and just have some time alone to herself. But now, with someone watching her, she couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious again.

Her heartache still ached from the breakup and she wasn't sure if she was ready to meet anyone new anytime soon. She knew that he was an idiot for cheating on her just before their one year anniversary, but that didn't mean she wanted a rebound. All she really needed right now was some quiet time by herself in paradise...

Blushing slightly, Shelby glanced over at the guy again. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, lowering her gaze and returning to her book. It was true that she hadn't meant to make him uncomfortable; she had just been enjoying her own space on the balcony. "There's no need for you to be embarrassed," she added quietly, trying to diffuse the situation. "I wasn't looking at you... much."

As the conversation slowly died down, Shelby glanced over at the other balcony every now and then, trying to make sure she wasn't being too obvious about it. She felt a strange mix of awkwardness and curiosity about this guy who had chosen to stay on the same resort as her. Maybe if they talked some more...

"My name's Shelby," she finally offered, setting down her drink and sitting up straighter in her sunbed. "It's nice to meet you." She smiled shyly over at him, feeling her cheeks heat up again as she did so.

"Nice to meet you... uh, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?" Shelby replied with a warm smile, trying not to seem too forward. The other guy seemed nice enough, and it was better than sitting here by herself feeling awkward. They could maybe even be friends; who knew?

"So, what brings you here all alone on vacation?" she asked, gesturing vaguely at his balcony suite beside hers. "It's not often that I see single guys on this resort, especially ones as good-looking as yourself." The blush crept higher up her neck now, but Shelby tried to ignore it. She didn't want him to think she was just being shallow or flirting.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Shelby exclaimed, a genuine look of embarrassment on her face. "I didn't mean to stare... It's just that you have very nice muscles." She giggled, feeling even more foolish now. Of course he would think she was being forward; she never knew how to act around guys without coming across as too needy or desperate. Maybe she should have just stuck with her book after all...

Blushing furiously now, Shelby lowered her eyes, trying to hide the bright red that stained her cheeks. "Thank you," she mumbled. It was amazing how a few simple compliments could make her so uncharacteristically flustered. Usually, she prided herself on being confident and independent; but around this guy...well, she felt like a giddy teenager all over again.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to look up at him. "Well, it's nice to meet you too," she managed to say, her voice a little shaky still. She had always been bad at playing it cool around guys who interested her; hopefully he wouldn't notice or think any less of her for being so obvious about her attraction.

Shelby felt herself relaxing slightly at his words. He was right; she shouldn't be afraid to just be herself around him. "I...thank you," she replied, her voice still a little shaky but more confident than before. Maybe they could get to know each other better over the course of their vacations and see where things went from there. After all, what harm was there in trying?

The two of them chatted away for several hours, exchanging stories about their lives, likes, dislikes and everything in between. Shelby found herself laughing more than she had in months, enjoying the company of this stranger who seemed so genuinely nice. She even told him a little bit about her modeling career and how much she loved traveling to new places.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over everything, Shelby could feel herself growing more and more attracted to this guy who had inadvertently ended up next door to her on vacation. A strange sensation coursed through her body every time he looked at her with those deep blue eyes of his; she wanted nothing more than for him to come over here right now, take her into his arms and never let go...

The air between them seemed to thicken as he spoke those words, and Shelby couldn't help but feel a thrill run down her spine. She could see the interest in his eyes, and it made her heart race faster. Maybe there was something there...if only she had the courage to act on it.

With a deep breath, she forced herself to meet his gaze head-on. "What do you mean by that?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks flushed even deeper at the thought of admitting her feelings for him, but she couldn't help it; she needed to know what he was thinking.

The look on his face told her everything she needed to know: he was interested too. "Perhaps...perhaps we should discuss this further," he murmured back, taking a step closer to the divider between their balconies. Shelby could feel herself trembling with anticipation as they stood there, so close now that they were almost touching.

She licked her lips nervously before replying, her voice even more husky than usual. "Yes...I think that would be a good idea." As she spoke the words, their bodies swayed together slightly, almost like they were dancing in some silent, invisible space between them. It felt as though the entire world had disappeared except for this moment, this connection they shared through eye contact and breath and touch...

Shelby leaned in closer, her lips inches from his ear as she breathed out softly, "Yes...I hear you." Her heart pounded wildly in her chest at the thrill of being this close to him; it felt like they were teetering on the edge of something huge and incredible. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if they just gave into this desire between them, let themselves give in to the passion she could sense building up inside them both.

Her hand slowly rose, tentatively reaching out to touch his arm. His skin was warm beneath her fingers, electrifying her senses as she felt the muscle bunch underneath his shirt. He trembled slightly at her touch, and she wondered if he was thinking about pulling her closer still or pushing her away altogether. The anticipation was nearly unbearable; she had never wanted anything more than this moment, than him.

Shelby felt her heart sink as he pulled away from her, the moment lost before it could even begin. "Okay...see you later," she managed to say, forcing a smile onto her face. But on the inside, she was reeling from the sudden loss of contact with him. She wanted more than just a few stolen moments on their balconies; she wanted a real connection, something real and lasting.

As he disappeared back into his suite, leaving her alone again with nothing but the sound of the waves crashing against the shore to fill the silence, Shelby collapsed onto her sunbed in a heap of frustration and disappointment. It had been so close...she had almost tasted what it would be like to have him, to really be with him. But now it was gone, snatched away just as suddenly as it had come.

The rest of the night passed slowly for Shelby; she stayed up late, watching old movies and trying to distract herself from thoughts of him. But no matter what she did, his face kept floating back into her mind's eye, reminding her of how close they'd been and how much she still wanted him. As the sun began to rise and finally chase away the night, Shelby knew that there was only one thing she could do: confront him about what had happened between them, even if it meant risking everything by doing so.

Three days had passed since their chance encounter on the balconies, and Shelby hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. Every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was his face; every time she tried to focus on something else, all she could hear was his voice whispering in her ear. She knew she needed to talk to him again, to find out what he really thought about her and if there was any chance for them.

With a deep breath, Shelby finally works up the courage to approach him as he's walking along the beach. "Hi," she says quietly, her heart racing in her chest. "Um...I wanted to apologize for being so forward the other day on the balcony..." Her voice trails off, waiting nervously for his reply.

Oh no! He thinks she's coming onto him! Blushing furiously now, Shelby takes a step back, trying to make her apology more clear. "No, I meant nothing like that...I just wanted us to be friends or something, you know? You seemed nice and I thought we could maybe have some fun together while we're here." She pauses for a moment before adding, "But if you'd rather not, of course I understand..." Her voice trails off, hopeful yet cautious.

What does he think? Is there any chance they could be friends after all this mess? Maybe even more than that...

Her heart sinks as he tells her to leave him alone. Clenching her fists at her sides, she tries to keep herself from bursting into tears right there on the beach. "Okay," she manages to say through gritted teeth, forcing a tight smile onto her face. "Have it your way." Turning away from him, she starts walking back towards her room, feeling more alone than ever before.

But as she walks, something inside her refuses to let this go so easily. He couldn't really think she was just some sort of conquest for him to reject, could he? She was a person too; she deserved better than that. Deciding she has nothing left to lose, Shelby turns back around and marches over to where he's standing, planting her hands on her hips defiantly.

"Fine," she says through gritted teeth, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. "If you want me gone, then just say it! But don't you dare think that I would ever want to be with someone who treats me like this!" Her cheeks flush a brilliant shade of red as she glares up at him, daring him to contradict her.

What does he do now? Does he try to apologize and explain himself, or does he continue to brush her off and pretend she means nothing? Only time will tell...

Her heart aches at his words, but anger and determination well up inside her like a fierce storm. "You're pathetic!" she spits out through gritted teeth, raising her hand to slap him across the face. He flinches in surprise, but says nothing as the sting of her palm connects with his cheek. Blood rushes to her own cheeks now as she glares daggers at him. "I'd rather die than be with someone who thinks so little of me!" And with that, she turns on her heel and stalks off again, this time heading back towards their rooms for good.

What a disaster! She can't believe she just lost control like that... But somehow it feels cathartic too; at least now she knows exactly where they stand. Or rather, what little ground there is between them anymore. With a heavy heart and burning cheeks, Shelby climbs into bed, hoping against hope that maybe things will be different tomorrow - both with him and within herself.

Turning back to face him with fire in her eyes, she says harshly, "I just did what you deserved." Tears begin to well up in hers as anger turns into despair once more. "You're such an ass!" She storms off again, not looking back this time. He called her pathetic...maybe he was right. She never should have tried so hard with him. Maybe it'd be better if she just accepted that some people weren't worth her time and moved on with her life.

But the thought of leaving him alone, thinking he's won when all along she knew how good they could be together...it hurts more than anything else ever has before. So, despite everything, Shelby can't help but hope that somehow, someday he'll see her for who she truly is and regret ever having treated her this way.

Her breath catches in her throat as he speaks; she can't believe he would even consider such a thing. "No!" She backs away, shaking her head vigorously. "I don't want you to hit me! I just...wanted you to understand how much it hurt." Tears stream down her face now as anger turns into heartbreak once more. "Why are you like this?" she whispers, so softly even she can barely hear herself over the sound of the waves crashing against the shore behind them.

He stares at her for a long moment before finally turning away, walking back to his room without another word. A part of her wants to run after him, to try and explain it all one more time, but she knows that would only make things worse. Instead, she sinks down onto the sand, wrapping her arms around her knees and letting the tears flow freely as she tries to come to terms with what just happened between them...and where they go from here.

Her tears are hot and sting as they trail down her cheeks; her heart feels like it's been shredded to pieces right along with them. She wants nothing more than for this moment to end, for him to disappear from her life forever so she can finally find some peace. But despite his cruel words, a tiny flicker of hope refuses to die within her. Maybe there's still time to make things right between them...if only he would just give her the chance.

A part of her wants to scream at him for his insensitivity; another part feels a strange sort of empathy for his confusion and frustration. She understands that he's not used to having someone like her in his life, pushing boundaries and making demands on his time and attention. It's easier for him to just push her away and ignore the issue altogether.

But as she sits there, staring at the waves crashing against the shore, she realizes that maybe it doesn't have to be this way. Maybe they can find a middle ground where they both feel comfortable and secure with each other. It won't be easy; there will undoubtedly be more arguments and misunderstandings along the way. But if they could just give themselves the chance...

Her cheeks flush even darker as she hears his complaint about the slap; part of her wants to apologize again but another part refuses to let him get away with his cruel words so easily. "Then you should've thought twice before acting like such an ass!" she snaps, clenching her fists at her sides. Maybe it's time for some honesty between them; maybe that's what they need to finally figure things out.

Taking a deep breath, she forces herself to calm down, knowing that screaming at him won't accomplish anything except make matters worse. She decides instead to take a different approach. "Look," she says more softly now, "I'm sorry for hitting you and I realize that maybe I shouldn't have done that. But it hurt when you called me pathetic and said you wanted me gone; those words cut deep."

She pauses, waiting for him to respond. Perhaps if they could just talk...really talk about how they feel, they might finally find some common ground where they can move forward together without so much pain and anger clouding their judgment.