Chapter 30 - Mixed emotions

The look in her eyes was quite odd and it creeped me out.

"Cielo…" Ivy called their eyes locking as though communicating telepathically.

"Fine…just a kiss then," Cielo said, pointing at me and my eyes widened.

"...till she becomes breathless", a smirk playing on her face. I felt my heart race all of a sudden as he got up from his seat walking towards me.

"Stop…" Ivy said, standing up in front of me.

"What? It's just a kiss" Sly said.

"...which I've been craving since she walked in," he said, looking at me.

I swallowed, picturing his lips on mine and it wasn't the best image because I didn't like it.

"It's almost sunset, we have to go," Ivy said, taking my hand.

"What the…" I heard as we walked away.

Approaching the horse, Ivy ran her hands through her hair.

"I knew I shouldn't have brought you here. I'm sorry" Ivy said, her eyes apologizing a million times.

"It's all right… besides, I asked to tag along, so it's not your fault," I said, but she didn't seem convinced.

"I had a great time Ivy," I said reassuringly before she smiled a dry smile.

After our speedy ride back home, we managed to beat Damien's arrival back home. The sightseeing excursion had been enjoyable, but I couldn't shake off the discomfort of the dare to kiss me. I smiled, biting my lip as someone else crossed my mind. It would be better if it were him. I swiftly dismissed it, surprised by my intrusive thoughts. I knew it would never happen. It's not like I liked him in that way.

The following day arrived, bringing with it the anticipation of Damien's meeting with the unknown person. I planned to shadow him discreetly, ensuring I remained unnoticed. As I scoured the surroundings for any sign of Damien, I eventually spotted him in the training area, honing his combat skills by engaging with the metal adversaries. Initially content to observe from a distance, my attention was soon drawn to the intricate dragon tattoo adorning his broad back, compelling me to edge closer for a better view. His back faced me and although I had seen it before, I still stared with my mouth agape.

The tattoo's design, featuring intricate scales and vibrant details, seemed to pulse with a life of its own as Damien moved gracefully through his training session.

His swift movement and attacks only seemed to make his arms much more toned and…and alluring. I just couldn't take my eyes off no matter how hard I tried.

He looked so focused, and I could sense from the way he punched that he had something on his mind, or maybe that's just the way he trained, and there was just one word I could think of describing him with: buff.

As I stood entranced by what I could see, a myriad of thoughts flooded my mind.

Lost in contemplation, I failed to notice Damien's sudden change in tactics as he shifted from defensive manoeuvres to an aggressive assault. The swift, controlled movements spoke of a warrior's instinct honed through years of discipline and training. In that moment, I glimpsed a side of Damien that transcended mere physical strength. There's definitely something more to him than meets the eye.

The sound of something shifting loudly brought me back to reality as I instinctively moved my hands to catch the falling sculpture.

Balancing the statue properly, I lifted my head and my mind went blank when I spotted Damien right in front of me, his muscles glistening with sweat from his intense training session. It would have been better to stare from afar because right then, I felt breathless and in awe. His dedication to training was reflected not only in his perfectly chiselled physique but also in the focused intensity in his eyes as he loomed over me.

I tried to maintain my composure, focusing on his face rather than letting my gaze wander down his defined body. I knew he could read my thoughts so I tried to think of nothing.

My heart raced as I struggled to find the right words to break the awkward silence, feeling his piercing gaze locking onto mine. He didn't seem to want to break the awkward moment as he continued staring. I could see the determination in his eyes, a silent challenge that dared me to look away. He still wasn't saying anything. His eyes always looked intense, but right now, it was just…too much. He looked angry but I knew he wasn't. He's never actually been mad at me.

I looked down trying to ease the tension and heat rising up inside me.

**

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, as her thoughts scattered recklessly.

"What're you doing here? Damien asked, his face going intense again as he stared at the girl he had been avoiding for a while. He knew she always trailed behind him but he never stopped to confront her. Her presence around him only made him want to do things he didn't want to do.

"Uh…hi," she said.

"You know…for someone so… naive, you sure have a wild imagination,", He asked, his eyes looming over her timid appearance, which he found tempting.

She didn't say anything else, but her thoughts kept switching really wildly, and it felt like she was hiding something.

"Are you hiding something princess?" He asked, unable to tell.

"No…I have nothing to hide," she said pretty quickly, which only confirmed his suspicion.

He stepped closer and she stepped back.

He could simply just compel her to tell him like he usually does to people but he didn't want to.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" she suddenly said, trying to avoid his questions by keeping a straight face as she stared into his eyes. She couldn't have him finding out that she had gone out of the house and that she had planned to follow him that night.

"Avoiding you?" He asked, playing dumb.

"Yes…"

"And why do you think I'd avoid you?" he asked and she fell silent, not wanting to expose her recent activities of stalking.

"Have you been stalking me, princess?" He said, a playful smirk finding its way to his lips. He could hear the rise in her heartbeat as she moved back.

"W..why would I do that?" She stuttered.

He tilted his head to the side, watching her closely.

He enjoyed teasing her and he liked how she responded to it.

"I don't know, I should ask the stalker," he said, and Kelly fell silent, her gaze on her feet and ears red from embarrassment

He couldn't understand why, but her embarrassed look only attracted him further, and he moved his hands to touch her hair. Unable to stop himself, his right hand cupped her cheeks, his long fingers extending to the back of her head as he lifted her face up. His eyes focused on hers but he couldn't help but shift his gaze when she bit her lips.

"Why did you do that?" His voice sounded deep and hoarse as he swallowed hard.

He couldn't tell if she did that on purpose but then again, this little princess was just too naive to know what she just did.