Touch and Tension

That night, as Stella entered the academy, the sound of rhythmic thuds filled the air, pulling her attention toward the gym area. There, she spotted Simon pummeling a punching bag with a fierce intensity that made her heart race. Sweat glistened on his skin, and the sight was undeniably captivating.

"You're late," he said, casually striding over, his tone calm but his gaze sharp. Today, he was shirtless, showcasing the hard-earned muscles that seemed to ripple beneath his skin with every movement.

Stella swallowed hard, her breath hitching slightly as her eyes involuntarily roamed over his physique. "I had some things to do," she managed to reply, trying to sound nonchalant despite the sudden flutter in her chest.

Simon's expression shifted to one of playful mischief as he wiped his brow with a towel, the fabric absorbing the moisture from his skin. "Remove your hoodie. We're going to try some hot stuff today, and the weather's too warm for all that fabric," he commanded, his voice low and enticing.

Feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, Stella hesitated for just a moment before pulling off her hoodie, revealing a black sports bra that clung to her curves. She had opted for gym shorts today, feeling a surge of confidence mixed with nervousness as Simon's eyes zeroed in on her.

She caught the way his gaze lingered, a flicker of something primal dancing in his expression. The tension between them crackled in the air, igniting an unspoken challenge as they prepared for their workout.

Simon moved with confident fluidity, demonstrating each technique with precision as Stella watched intently, her pulse quickening. His body glistened with sweat, each muscle defined and taut, and as he broke down the basics of footwork, stance, and the mechanics of each punch, the air around them seemed to crackle with tension.

"Keep your feet shoulder-width apart," he instructed, his voice low and steady as he demonstrated a jab. "This gives you balance and power. Now you try."

Stella mimicked his stance, her heart racing as she concentrated. With Simon's encouraging nods and playful smirks, she felt a surge of determination. She threw her first jab, and to her surprise, it landed solidly against the bag. The impact reverberated, sending a thrill through her.

"Good! Now follow it with a cross," he urged, stepping closer to guide her stance. His presence was electric, and she felt the heat radiating from his body as he positioned her hands, their fingers brushing together for just a moment too long. Stella's breath caught in her throat, but she pushed the distraction aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As they progressed through the combinations, Simon praised her progress, his voice a sultry mixture of admiration and challenge. "You're picking this up quickly," he remarked, his gaze smoldering with intensity. "You've got a natural talent for it."

Encouraged, Stella felt a rush of pride, but the intimacy of their training sent shivers down her spine. She threw another punch, following his lead, feeling the connection between her fist and the bag exhilaratingly potent.

"Now let's try some defensive moves," Simon suggested, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Stella's spine. He stepped in closer, his body almost brushing against hers as he demonstrated how to block and dodge. "You need to anticipate your opponent's moves. Keep your eyes sharp."

Stella felt a rush of heat radiating from him, enveloping her in a heady mix of adrenaline and attraction. She nodded, eager to soak up his every word, but as Simon guided her through the movements, the atmosphere grew thick with an unspoken tension. His presence was magnetic, drawing her in despite her best efforts to maintain focus.

"Shift your weight like this," he instructed, leaning in to adjust her posture. His hands found her waist, fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary, sending a jolt of warmth coursing through her body. The contact was electric, igniting a fire within her that she hadn't anticipated.

As they moved, Simon's breath brushed against her ear, making it hard for her to concentrate on anything but the intoxicating heat that seemed to pulse between them. "That's it," he encouraged, his voice low. "Just like that. Feel the rhythm."

Stella's heart raced, and she couldn't tell if it was from the workout or the closeness of Simon's body. She followed his lead, mimicking his movements, but the proximity left her breathless. Each time he adjusted her stance, she felt the roughness of his palms against her skin, and her body responded with an urgency she hadn't known before.

"Good," he murmured, his lips brushing against her hair as he leaned over to help her refine her technique. The whisper of his breath sent a shiver through her, and she fought to keep her mind from wandering into dangerous territory.

Stella could feel his gaze boring into her, assessing her every move, and it was almost unbearable. "Keep your chin up," he instructed, tilting her face toward his with a gentle pressure. His fingers lingered just a second longer than necessary, and she met his gaze, the intensity of his dark eyes locking onto hers. The world around them faded, leaving only the two of them in this charged moment.

"You're doing great," Simon said, his tone shifting to something deeper, more intimate. The heat of his body against hers, the closeness of their faces, made her pulse race even faster. "Now, let's see how well you can react."

He stepped back slightly. "Come at me, and I'll show you how to block." His challenge hung in the air, and Stella could feel the thrill of competition mixed with something far more potent.

Taking a deep breath, she launched toward him, throwing a jab. Simon dodged effortlessly, his body moving with an ease that both frustrated and fascinated her. He countered with a feint, and she barely had time to react as he closed the distance between them once more, catching her wrist in a firm grip.

" Bad," he said, his voice a gravelly whisper as he leaned in closer. The heat radiating off his skin enveloped her, intoxicating and alluring. The world around them fell away, leaving only the two of them tangled in the dance of movement and desire.

Stella's heart raced as she felt the strength in his hold, and for a brief moment, she forgot all about the training. All she could think about was the way his thumb brushed against her skin, the warmth of his breath mingling with hers, and the undeniable chemistry that crackled between them.

"Again," he urged, the intensity of his gaze locking onto hers as he released her wrist. She felt a rush of adrenaline, a mix of excitement and daring as she lunged toward him once more, their bodies colliding with an electrifying impact.

This time, she managed to land a solid jab against his shoulder, and the moment was filled with a victorious thrill. But before she could celebrate, he closed the distance between them again, his expression shifting to one of playful challenge.

"Not bad at all, Stels," he said, his lips curving into that infuriatingly charming smirk that both drove her mad and left her breathless. "But let's see if you can handle a little heat."

With a sudden motion, Simon guided her into a more aggressive sparring position, their bodies pressed together as he demonstrated how to counterattack. The closeness of their bodies ignited a fire in her, a heady mix of exertion and desire that left her breathless.

Her breath hitched as his fingers trailed down her arm, his touch light but deliberate. It felt less like a correction and more like an exploration. The air between them crackled with something unspoken, and Stella found herself leaning slightly toward him, her body responding to the pull of his presence without her permission.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world outside the academy faded. There was no training, no sparring—just the two of them, their bodies inches apart, the space between them charged with unspoken desire. Every breath felt like a challenge, every touch like a dare.

But before things could spiral further, Stella shook herself from the daze. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind screaming for her to regain control.

"I have to leave," she said, her voice unsteady as she stepped back, creating much-needed distance between them. Her body was still buzzing from the tension, her skin tingling from his touch, and it took all her willpower to resist the pull she felt toward him.

Simon's eyes darkened as she backed away, a smirk playing on his lips. "It hasn't even been an hour," he replied, his voice teasing but with a hint of frustration. He wasn't used to being denied.

"There's no one in the house," Stella stammered, her mind racing for an excuse to escape the suffocating tension between them. "So I have to go."

Simon's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He stepped closer again, towering over her. "Are you inviting me to your house, Stels?" His voice was low, almost a growl, as if he could sense her panic.

"When did I even say that?" Stella blurted, her voice a mix of panic and confusion as she pushed against his chest. The contact sent another shockwave through her body, but she quickly recoiled, turning on her heel and bolting for the door.

Simon watched her go, amusement flickering in his eyes. She was like a little lamb—always guarded, always running—but the predator in him enjoyed the chase. As she disappeared from sight, Simon's smirk faded into something more dangerous. His eyes flashed red for a moment, the hunger rising within him.

He could almost taste her blood, sweet and tempting, but he clenched his fists, forcing the urge down. There would be time for that later. For now, the game between them had only just begun, and Simon Winchester wasn't one to lose.

Not when the prize was something—someone—as irresistible as Stella.