No..please don't stop

"Eve... Eve... Eve..."

The voice echoed softly, growing louder with each call. Liora turned around, her heart quickening as she tried to find the source of the voice.

Before she could figure out who or where she was, an arm wrapped around her neck, firm yet gentle, causing her to gasp in surprise. Her eyes widened as she looked up into a mirror before her. They were standing in a jewellery shop, surrounded by shimmering displays of gold and gemstones. And the man behind her smiled serenely at her. His gaze appeared gentle and warm as he looked her through the reflection, making Liora focus on her image. Confusion engulfed her.

It was her reflection, but not her body. The woman in the mirror looked like her but wasn't her. It felt like staring at a version of herself she had never known.

"I found this pendant," the man spoke, his voice deep and soothing, making Liroa focus on his reflection, which looked like he was the happiest man in the world. "I read that it brings good luck."

Liora's eyes shifted to the beautiful sapphire four-clover pendant hanging from her neck. It was set in delicate white gold. Her fingers instinctively touched the cold pendant, feeling its smooth, intricate design. It was mesmerizing like a tiny universe hanging from her neck. A deep smile appeared on her lips and her eyes instantly flickered back to the man.

His eyes locked on her with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. His eyes were deep, dark, and mysterious, yet filled with so much affection, it felt almost overwhelming.

The way he looked at her was as if she was his entire world, his purpose, his everything. There was love—raw, unfiltered love—shining in his gaze.

"Jackson, it's beautiful, but... don't you think it's expensive?" The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. Her eyes widened in shock. How did she know his name? Why did her voice sound so sure? It was as if someone else was speaking through her, pulling the strings, guiding her movements.

Jackson's smile widened, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face as he leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her skin. "I saved up to buy you something meaningful, to show you how much I love you."

Liora's heart fluttered, 'he loves me?' her pulse quickening. The way he uttered those beautiful words sounded sincere and tender, causing thousands of butterflies to dance in her stomach all at once. She looked at him through the mirror's reflection, his eyes shimmering with emotion as he stood close.

His hands rested gently on her shoulders, turning her to face him directly. Liora's breath hitched as she took in his features—sharp jawline, perfectly tousled hair, and those piercing deep grey eyes that held galaxies within them. He was handsome in a breathtaking way, and his presence was overwhelming. He looked familiar.

"My Eve deserves the best," he whispered, his lips curving into a gentle smile. He leaned in, his lips brushing softly against her forehead in a delicate, lingering kiss. Her heart skipped another beat, her cheeks flushing with warmth. She felt herself blush, an involuntary reaction to his affection.

"Thank you for coming into my life, Jackson. Thank you for bringing light into my dark world. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." Eve reciprocated. Her voice trembled as if her words carried the weight of her very soul. Yet, as they flowed from Eve's lips, confusion clouded Liora's mind. Why did it feel so right? Why did this stranger's presence spark a fire within her and cast aside all her doubts? Why does his presence make her feel safe? Who is this Jackson? She had this urge to know him more deeply.

Her arms moved on their own, sliding up his shoulders, fingers curling around his neck as she pulled him closer. 'What am I doing?' Liora screamed in her mind.

The heat radiating from his body enveloped her, his warmth seeping into her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Her chest pressed against his, her heartbeat racing wildly, echoing the chaos in her mind. But her body refused to let go, craving the closeness, the safety of his embrace.

'We are in the shop.' Liora tried to tell the body of Eve. 'People must be watching. This is so embarrassing.'

Jackson's eyes darkened and his gaze dropped to her tender, rosy, full lips as his fingers traced her spine, leaving a trail of tingling heat in their wake. His touch was both gentle and possessive. His hands pressed her against him as if he feared she would vanish. His breath was warm on her face, his lips dangerously close, a whisper away.

"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words," he murmured, his voice rough and heavy with emotion. His lips brushed against hers, feather-light, teasing, sending a shockwave of desire rippled through her body. All the resistance Liroa felt before vanished, replaced with raw desire.

Liora's breath hitched, her eyes fluttering shut as her body responded to his closeness. Her fingers turned into a fist as she grabbed his dark, thick hair, her nails grazing his scalp, and her body arched towards him, seeking more of his touch. Her lips parted, a soft sigh escaping as his mouth captured hers in a kiss that was slow and deep, igniting a fire that burned away all reason to behave in a shop.

His lips were soft and demanding, moving against hers with a hunger that mirrored her own. A low moan escaped her lips, causing his hands to tighten her waist, pulling her impossibly closer, her body moulding to his. Liora did not care who saw them, who enjoyed watching them. She wanted to live this moment in his arms, in his desire...her desire. She felt his heartbeat against her chest, intense and rapid, matching the wild rhythm of her own. But as Jackson's lips moved to her neck, his breath hot against her skin, her thoughts scattered, replaced by a wave of raw, uncontainable emotion.

She couldn't think. She couldn't breathe. She could only feel... and fall deeper into his arms.

Jackson gradually pulled himself from Eve, causing Liora to scowl. 'No… please don't stop…' She wanted more.

They were both attempting to regain their breath and then he whispered quietly so only she could hear.

"Eve... thank you for saving me from myself. For giving me a reason to breathe... to live. I was nothing before you. You didn't just enter my life. But you...yes you shattered my walls and rebuilt me from the ruins. You are my beginning and my end. Without you... I'm just a ghost. Thank you for...accepting me."

His voice trembled slightly, raw emotion breaking through his calm demeanour. It was a vulnerability she had never witnessed before. Her heart raced as his words wrapped around her like a warm and tender blanket keeping her warm in harsh winter.

His fingers traced slowly and deliberately the path from her waist, gliding along the curve of her hip before making their way up her arm, leaving a trail of tingling warmth behind. Liora shivered, her skin reacting to his touch as though it recognized him, craved him. When his fingers located hers, they intertwined effortlessly, as though they were destined to connect, making her heart skip a beat and a soft gasp escaping her lips as his grip tightened just enough to root her at the moment.

His touch was gentle yet possessive, an unspoken promise of protection and devotion. There was reverence in the way his thumb caressed the back of her hand like he was holding something precious, something he never wanted to let go of.

Slowly, he brought her hand to his lips. His movements were languid, unhurried as if he were savouring every moment they shared. His eyes never left hers, filled with emotions she could barely grasp—desire, love, longing, and more primal.

When his lips brushed her knuckles, it felt like a feather-light caress sent a shiver spiralling up her arm, igniting a fire that raced through her veins, setting every nerve alight. Her heart stuttered, her breath caught in her throat as his mouth lingered on her skin, warm and soft, moving slowly, reverently, like a whispered prayer.

He pressed his lips against her knuckles again, this time firmer, more deliberate, his eyes darkening as he watched her reaction. Liora's lips parted, her pulse quickening as she felt herself being drawn into his gravity, unable to pull away even if she wanted to. A soft, almost inaudible sigh escaped her, her body swaying towards him, seeking his warmth, his touch, his everything.

His eyes burned into hers, his pupils dilated, his breathing uneven. His voice was a rough whisper, low and intense, vibrating through her. "I could worship you forever, and it still wouldn't be enough."

'Oh lord, he should stop talking.' Liora was getting drunk on his words. Who needs alcohol when his words, his deep voice, enchanting eyes, and kissable lips can do all the magic!

Her heart raced, the intensity of his words overwhelming her. She felt herself melting, her resolve crumbling under his gaze. She was completely his, lost in his touch, his voice, his very being.

And when his lips found her knuckles once more, lingering, caressing, it felt like a promise he could never say it in words but would always show. A promise that no matter what happened, she would always be his, just as he was hers.

"Let me take care of you, my princess."

Her lips parted instinctively, her body reacting on its own. Her heart raced as his eyes flickered to her lips once more. His gaze was filled with longing. She felt herself leaning in. Her lips yearned for his lips.

But then, her heart stopped.

Jackson's face has a resemblance to 'Oh No...No..Nova!'

Liora woke up with a jolt, her body shooting upright in bed. Her heart was pounding, her breaths coming in short, rapid gasps. The sunlight streamed from her window. She pressed her trembling fingers to her lips, still feeling the ghostly warmth of his touch.

Her eyes darted around her room, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her racing heart. It was just a dream. Just a dream...

But why did it feel so real? Why did she want more of his lips? And why... why did Jackson look like Nova? 'What the heaven?'

Liora buried her face in her hands, her mind swirling with confusion. She could still feel his arms around her, his lips on her skin, his whispered words echoing in her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the memory to fade. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't forget the way he looked at her, the way he held her, the way his lips traced her skin. It was as if he was a part of her soul, someone she had known for an eternity.

"What if Nova is right? Perhaps....I am....un.....unconsciously... craving him...no I mean desiring..No...um...admiring him?"

'Oh god! No!'