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6

ELEONOR.

"Shall we go? It's late for you to be out of the house,"" he said after our kiss ended—a kiss that had left me wanting more. His lips, so different from what his rugged exterior had promised, were soft, sweet, and warm.

""And especially with a boxer,"" I teased, trying to reignite the playful banter that had sparked between us before. He gave me a mischievous look, tilted his head, and smiled.

""With this boxer, you're safer than in your own house, you know?"" His words drew me in, and I couldn't resist the urge to explore the man behind the fighter. My hand reached out, brushing against his well-groomed blond beard, then running through the strands of his hair that always seemed to fall perfectly around his face. Underneath my touch, he was the image of an Adonis, yet his furrowed brow hinted at a complexity that was both intimidating and intriguing.

As I caressed his face, he closed his eyes, and I took in the sight of his long blond lashes and the gentle curve of his nose. His breath hitched, and I heard him swallow, as if he was trying to contain something within him.

""What are you doing?"" he asked, his eyes still closed.

""I'm analyzing you,"" I replied, pulling my hand back. He opened his eyes and looked at me, a hint of vulnerability in his gaze.

""I liked that analysis,"" he said as he stood and turned around in the room, a restlessness in his movements.

""Can we meet tomorrow? We can exchange numbers and stay in touch,"" he proposed quickly, almost too quickly.

I smiled inwardly. Was he nervous?

""What's wrong, Zeus? You seem strange,"" I couldn't help but tease, my smile reflecting my genuine fondness for this boxer I had only met three days ago.

The question of what I felt for him lingered in my mind. I liked sensitive, delicate, gentle, respectful guys, and Ever... he was all strength and intensity. He hadn't shown me a sensitive side, yet he had a pull on me that I couldn't deny. He kissed me with a possessiveness that I hadn't resisted, and that was unusual for me. Did I have a thing for ""bad boys"" now?

""You know I'm not like this, I... I want us to get to know each other and..."" he stammered, breaking through my thoughts.

""You want us to get to know each other, but you've already stolen two kisses from me? And no, I don't know what you mean by 'like this.' What do you mean by 'like this'?"" I pressed him, wanting to understand the man who was unraveling me.

He crossed his arms, his gaze intense, and licked his lips before answering. ""I'm not the kind of guy who tries to win over a girl or get close to her in any way other than sexually. I wasn't interested in having contact with anyone or getting to know anyone. I just fuck and bye. But you, Eleonor, you caught my attention in a strange way,"" his voice was heavy with sincerity.

""What happened to me? Don't you want sex?"" I blurted out, my curiosity getting the better of me.

He ran his hands through his beard, opened his mouth as if to say something, then paused, shaking his head. It was clear that with me, he was searching for something more, something that perhaps neither of us fully understood yet." "He approached me again, his hands framing my thighs, and the heat from his body seemed to radiate, searing my skin without a single touch. It was a new sensation for me, intense and unsettling. And amidst the heat, a wave of nausea threatened, perhaps from nerves, or maybe because my heart was racing in a way I couldn't control.

""You came in with your imposing attitude, challenging me without knowing who I was, disrespecting me, looking at me with your wide green eyes as if threatening me with them while your hair moved in rhythm with your gestures and body movements. You showed no fear towards me, you didn't surrender at my feet, you didn't drool over me, and you didn't offer yourself to me. However, from a distance, you seemed like a good girl, which made me want to tease you to get your attention one way or another because I was sure you didn't want anything to do with me or go to the club for me."" He was cunning, very cunning.

""The first thing is, you're the one who's imposing, arrogant, and egocentric, not to mention rough and... annoying. I don't have to surrender to you. I will never feed your ego. It seems that you were very quick, you caught my attention one way or another, but does that happen with everyone? Or do you use that tactic to have sex too?""

""When I want to satisfy myself, I simply go to a bar and that's it, I don't go around seeking attention from anyone for pleasure. What happened with you was different because, as I said, I saw you so... confident, entering a place like The Lair, determined, fearless, and of course..."" he paused, searching for the right words.

He cleared his throat.

""Beautiful, you're very beautiful,"" he finally said, and I felt a blush creep over my cheeks. I lowered my head, turned it, maybe even bit my lip, but I couldn't suppress a smile.

""Thank you, Ever.""

""You don't have to thank me. We can go out if you don't mind and get to know each other. Maybe I can serve as a distraction while Michael is in prison,"" he suggested, his tone serious.

""What do I tell my boyfriend?"" I said, watching his expression change, a mixture of confusion and annoyance flashing across his face. Before he could respond, I burst into laughter and gave him a quick peck on the lips. I slipped out of his hold and stepped back, my laughter still echoing in the room.

""It was just a little joke, shall we go now?"" My smile was wide, teasing.

""It's my fault for messing with such a girl,"" he said, retrieving his car keys from his pocket.

""Yes, that's true. It's a shame that a girl like me has a boxer like you in such tight spots,"" I said, watching as he bit his lip, a sign that my words had an effect. ""Tight spots like a tough, feared, and respected guy like Zeus liking this simple little girl nowadays. Funny, isn't it?""

I left him speechless with that, and we got into his car. He drove me home, and the silence during the ride was comfortable, filled with a sense of familiarity that belied the short time we'd known each other. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a desire to know more about him. I knew I didn't want anything to do with boxing, and I wasn't interested in him for my brother's sake, but my thoughts kept spiraling. Was I considering the possibility of a relationship with him? Was I creating a fantasy in my head based on a few kisses?

I shook off the negative thoughts. I was tired of living life based on what others might say. It was time to enjoy my youth and maybe, just maybe, take a chance on something—or someone—unexpected.

""Why are you thinking of changing your lifestyle now, Eleonor? Why now, when Ever enters your life? Have you already fallen for him with just two kisses and a peck?"" The questions swirled in my mind.

""Thank you for tonight, Ever. I needed that calmness you managed to bring into me. It meant a lot,"" I said, handing him my phone number.

""You don't have to thank me. I hope we can stay in touch. I'll be reaching out to check on you. Remember that Michael needs you to be strong,"" he said, his dark eyes holding mine.

""I know. See, I wasn't mistaken about the meaning of your name, was I? Thank you for the strength of the night. I've been very comfortable and undoubtedly feeling better,"" I replied, stepping out of the car and into the night, feeling a strange mix of strength and vulnerability. Ever had become an unexpected pillar, and I couldn't help but wonder where this connection would lead us." """You haven't been mistaken, babe, not at all. See you tomorrow,"" his response left me riddled with doubts.

""Until tomorrow,"" I bid him farewell.

We weren't at a point where goodbyes necessitated a kiss, yet I found myself yearning for one. Despite this, I exited his car and hastened into my house, casting a lingering glance as he drove away.

A tumult of emotions threatened to overwhelm me.

""How was he? Did you see him?"" my mother inquired from the kitchen, her red eyes brimming with tears, a cup of tea trembling in her grasp.

My father was seated in the armchair by the window, his gaze fixed on the house's entrance.

""He'll be fine, Mom. He's resilient. If he could withstand your rejections, a week in jail will be less painful,"" I retorted before turning to head upstairs. My father's voice stopped me.

""Who brought you, Eleonor?"" There was an edge to his tone.

""An Uber. You did take my car keys, didn't you?""

""A BMW for an Uber?"" he questioned, skeptical.

""Yes, Dad, a BMW can be an Uber,"" I replied, hastening up the stairs to evade further interrogation.

Reaching my room, my phone buzzed. A foolish grin spread across my face as I read his message.

""Have a good night, Eleonor.""

""You too, Ever.""

I suppressed a giddy squeal. ""A kiss would have been nice, babe.""

""You should have stolen it from me,"" I flirted back.

I was indeed ready to be chased. After all, without risk, there is neither victory nor defeat, and I was prepared for either outcome.

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