Read with BonusRead with Bonus

8

Zeus

The wind played with her red hair, and I found myself caught in the simple act of watching her. There was something about Eleonor that demanded my full attention, something that made it impossible to look away.

As we sat at the table under the bushes, her teasing remark about the choice of the amusement park made me chuckle. ""I brought you here because it's fun, not because it's expected. And a cabin? Maybe that's for another time,"" I said with a wink, enjoying the easy back and forth between us.

She laughed, and it was a sound that seemed to fit perfectly with the atmosphere of the park—joyful and carefree. ""Why so rough?"" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. ""I never brought a girl here before you, Eleonor. I want to know the real you, not just the surface. You're not just some spoiled little girl to me,"" I said earnestly, wanting her to understand my genuine interest.

""What do I show?"" she pressed, always eager to challenge.

""You seem so sweet and innocent, but I know there's more. When I first saw you, lost in the corridor, I thought you were this delicate thing. That's why I teased you. But you're not that at all, you're a lioness,"" I admitted, watching her reaction closely.

Her smile then was something pure and beautiful, and I couldn't help but catalogue every detail of her—her smile, her laugh, her eyes. I was talking about one thing and ended up describing everything about her. Damn, I liked this girl a lot.

And that kiss... it threw me off. I was used to being in control, but with Eleonor, all my usual composure went out the window. That kiss bound me to her, enchanted me, and made me want everything with her.

She noticed my smile and mirrored it. ""I'm just a grouch with people who annoy me,"" she said, and I could hear the laughter hidden in her voice. ""I manage a bookstore in the mornings, study English literature in the afternoons. Sometimes it's the other way around, but yeah, my life is pretty routine. Work, study, and a close friendship with my best friend Madeline. I'm a homebody, Mr. Boxer.""

Her voice, even when she tried to sound tough, was soft and melodious. It wasn't meant for harshness, and that endeared her to me even more.

""So, you love books, work in a bookstore, read, study literature... Ever thought about writing?"" I asked, curious about her thoughts on creating rather than just consuming stories.

She shook her head with a broad smile. ""No, I don't write. I've never found the right inspiration, the perfect moment, or plot. For now, I'm happy living through the stories of others.""

I wanted her to find that inspiration, maybe even be that inspiration for her. ""Why don't you write? You'd craft amazing argument scenes,"" I teased, hoping to see that smile again.

Her laughter was a sound I realized I was starting to live for. ""I just haven't felt it yet, the urge to write. Maybe one day,"" she said, and I nodded, still fixated on her.

""Your turn,"" she prompted. ""Tell me about yourself.""

""I'm 25,"" I began, watching her reaction closely.

""I thought you were older,"" she said, surprise coloring her tone.

I couldn't help but smile at that. ""No, I'm young, Eleonor. Just finished my business studies a few months back. And yeah, the boxing thing, you know about that,"" I added, my gaze never leaving her face, wanting to see all her reactions, to memorize them. ""But there's more to me than that, just as there's more to you than books and being a homebody. I guess we'll have to keep talking to figure it all out.""" """Business, yeah,"" I nodded, feeling a mix of pride and irritation. ""Did you really think I couldn't hit the books as well as the punching bag? I'm not just some stereotype, Eleonor.""

Her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. ""I didn't mean it like that, Ever. I just didn't expect it. It's impressive, that's all. And yes, the idea of a businessman who can handle himself in the ring is... intriguing.""

Her compliment warmed me, but I couldn't resist pushing a bit further. ""So, if I were just a boxer, without a degree, that wouldn't be enough for you?"" Her expression tightened, and I almost laughed at the familiar flare of her temper.

She shot back, ""Are you trying to annoy me on purpose?""

I couldn't resist closing the distance between us, moving to sit beside her. ""What did you call me?"" I murmured, my face inches from hers, feeling the heat of her breath.

""An idiot,"" she repeated, and before she could react further, I kissed her. It was a clash of frustration and something more, a spark that seemed to light up every time we touched.

""Don't challenge me, Eleonor,"" I whispered after pulling away slightly, her green eyes locking onto mine.

""Why do you fight, Ever?"" she asked softly, a shift from the heat of our previous interaction. Her fingers brushed through my hair, a gentle contrast to the fire we'd just shared.

I hesitated, not used to opening up about the deeper reasons. ""It's freedom,"" I started, trying to keep it simple. ""In the ring, all the anger, the frustration—it just flows out. It's how I win.""

Her touch on my cheek was soft, searching. ""What's behind that anger, Ever? What are you fighting?""

I pulled back slightly, my walls coming up. ""I don't want to get into it right now, Eleonor. Maybe another time.""

She nodded, her eyes still full of that concern that seemed so genuine. ""Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?""

I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the question. ""The gym's closed down. I've lost my outlet, my place to clear my head. Just... be there for me, okay?""

Her next question caught me off guard. ""Am I just a distraction to you, Ever?""

I shook my head, more fiercely than I intended. ""No, you're not just a distraction. Remember when you said my name means strength, but you thought I needed comfort? Well, I think I need that comfort from someone like you. You've done something no one else has—you've talked to me, really talked. You've made me smile, made me feel... human. I've got a heart, despite what people might think. I'm not the most romantic guy, but I can make someone fall for me. And I want that someone to be you.""

She smiled, that beautiful, disarming smile. ""Just be yourself, Ever. That's all I want. The boxer who called me 'babe'.""

Her words had a way of sealing the moment, but I was the one to seal it with a kiss. I smiled against her lips, knowing that I wanted more of these moments, more of her, just as she was."

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter