Chapter 3

Chapter Three

E velyn

The sun barely peeks over the horizon as I step onto the dew-kissed grass of the circus grounds. The tents, vibrant and colorful, stand tall against the awakening sky. The air is crisp, carrying the faint sounds of morning preparations—whispers of excitement and anticipation for the day ahead. My muscles already ache from yesterday's exertions, but I welcome the pain. It means I'm pushing myself, growing stronger.

I arrive at the aerialists' tent, a mix of nerves and determination swirling within me. Leo is already there, his presence commanding even in the early morning light. He’s been here before dawn, warming up, his movements fluid and precise. He turns as I approach, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine. A nod of acknowledgment, and we begin.

"Ready?" he asks, his voice low, a hint of challenge lacing his words.

"Always," I reply, my resolve firm. I can't afford to be anything less.

We start with advanced stretches and strength-building exercises. Leo demonstrates each move with effortless grace, his body a testament to years of discipline and dedication. I mirror his movements, feeling the strain in my muscles, the burn of effort. I welcome it, pushing through the discomfort.

"Keep your back straight," Leo instructs, his voice calm yet authoritative. His presence is magnetic, drawing me in even as he challenges me to be better.

I adjust my posture, feeling the stretch intensify. We move on to the silks, my sanctuary and my challenge. I climb with increasing confidence, the fabric familiar in my hands. Leo watches, his gaze never leaving me. I execute a series of complex aerial maneuvers, my body moving in harmony with the silks.

As I perform a particularly challenging inversion, I feel Leo’s presence close behind me. His hands find my hips, firm and steady, guiding me. "Engage your core more," he instructs, his breath warm against my ear.

I nod, adjusting my form, feeling the muscles in my abdomen tighten. The proximity between us is electric, a current of energy that flows through me. I focus, pushing myself to hold the position, to perfect it.

"Good," Leo murmurs, his voice filled with a mix of approval and something deeper, something that sends a shiver down my spine.

The hours fly by, the physical exertion blending with the thrill of learning and improving. By the time we finish, my body aches in the best possible way, a reminder of the progress I’ve made. Leo stands before me, his eyes softening with approval.

"You've done well today," he says, a rare smile playing on his lips. "We’ll continue tomorrow."

I nod, unable to keep the smile from my own face. "Thank you."

"I'm proud of you,” his tone is low, enticing.

I beam, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I couldn’t have done it without you."

Leo's gaze holds mine, a slow, seductive smile playing on his lips. "There's something about you, Evelyn. Something that drew me to you from the moment we met."

My breath catches at his words, the intensity of his gaze sending shivers down my spine. “Oh,” is all I can whisper.

As Leo and I sit on the padded mats, our bodies glistening with the sweat of exertion. The intense training session has left us both a little breathless, or maybe it’s just that being this close to him makes my body react in way I’m not accustomed to. But it’s not just the physical strain that weighs on me. The unspoken desire that has been building between us with each passing moment hangs heavy in the air, a palpable tension that neither of us can ignore any longer.

I lean back, trying to catch my breath, my heart pounding not just from the workout but from Leo’s nearness. He watches me with those piercing blue eyes, a mixture of admiration and something deeper, something that makes my skin tingle and my pulse quicken.

“You’ve made incredible progress,” he says, his voice soft and sincere. “Your dedication is inspiring.”

I look up at him, our gazes locking. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” I reply, my voice tinged with vulnerability. “You push me to be better.”

Leo’s expression shifts, a hint of tenderness softening his features. He reaches out, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. His touch lingers, the contact electric, sending a shiver down my spine. “It’s not just about pushing you,” he murmurs, his gaze intense. “It’s about believing in you.”

The charged moment stretches between us, the air crackling with tension. And then, as if drawn by an irresistible force, Leo leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that is both tender and filled with pent-up passion. The world outside the tent fades away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the intoxicating embrace.

I respond eagerly, my hands threading through his hair as the kiss deepens. His lips are warm and insistent, his hands firm as they explore my body. The heat between us ignites, a fire that burns hotter with each passing moment.

Our mouths are hungry and desperate, hands roaming feverishly over each other’s bodies. I wrap my legs around him, feeling his firm grip under my butt as I tear his button-down open with my free hands. I savor the feel of his chiseled chest and the ripples of his toned abs and biceps, running my palms over his bare flesh before planting fierce kisses on his neck, causing gooseflesh to rise across his tanned shoulders.

With deliberate slowness, he lowers us to the ground, using his shirt as a makeshift blanket. My mind spirals into ecstasy as his mouth carves a path from my neck to my thighs, unbuttoning my shirt along the way. The breeze caresses my exposed skin, and I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation before opening them again. The world appears hazy through my heavy lashes as I succumb to Leo’s tender, yet insistent, touches.

I bite my lip as his hands deftly remove the skirt from my practice outfit, and his mouth finds my most sensitive spot. A soft groan escapes my lips as his tongue moves in slow, deliberate circles around my clitoris, exploring my depths. I clutch a sleeve of his shirt with one hand, draping my legs over his shoulders, while my other hand finds purchase on the cool dirt floor. I rock my hips up to meet him, the ache intensifying with each tantalizing flick of his tongue.

He rises up, and I shift my heavy gaze to his eyes—pools of lust and longing, mirroring my own desires.

“Leo, I want you so badly it hurts,” I whisper, breathless, as he switches from tongue to fingers. My mind blanks as pleasure explodes in every direction. Curling my toes, I raise my hips in desperate need. “Please, Leo. I need to feel you inside me.” I gasp, turning my head as he finds new, uncharted territory within me.

His fingers quicken, pushing me to the brink of another climax, but then he stops, and I whimper softly.

Leo kneels, unbuckling his belt and hastily shedding his pants, removing the last barrier between us. I reach down, taking his throbbing, hard erection in my hand, excited by his size and beyond ready to feel him deep inside me. He hisses through his teeth, shuddering at the coolness of my touch, but groans when I give him a teasing squeeze.

“No, baby, don’t do that. I want this to last. I want to make you sing. And I want to savor every note that passes your lips,” he says, voice husky.

He licks his fingers before guiding his hard cock between my legs, pausing at my entrance to kiss me deeply. Locked in a drugging kiss, Leo thrusts inside me. A moan tears from my throat as he stretches me fully. He pulls back and thrusts again, his hips driving into mine, meeting my every rise. Each thrust brings me closer to the edge, and I squeeze around him, wanting to take all he can give.

Leo quickens his pace, and I’m lost. Pleasure, warm and throbbing, erupts from my core. I tighten around him, riding the waves of ecstasy. He grows stiffer and thrusts deeper, capturing my mouth with his as he fills me with his hot seed.

It feels as though we’ve been transported back in time, where nothing else matters but moments like this. Stolen moments shared in private under the clouds. Eventually, Leo rolls over, and I cuddle into the crook of his arm. He lazily runs his thumb over my bare arm, our legs and feet intertwined.

“Damn,” he says.

“Damn,” I reply, and we both laugh.

He tilts my chin up and kisses me gently, as if I were the finest porcelain. It’s enough to make my heart race again.

“You really are everything. I mean it,” Leo hums, caressing my cheek. I roll onto my stomach, and he pushes my hair from my shoulder, planting kisses there. A tear slips free from my lashes. Meeting Leo is the sweetest gift this world has ever given me.

Leo grins that devilish grin I’ve come to love so much. “Not even God could keep me away from you now.”

A happy hum leaves my lips as I linger in his warm embrace, savoring the mix of earth and aftershave, feeling completely safe and wanted. Placing my forehead against his shoulder, I enjoy this moment as if it’s the last of its kind, but I hope it’s only the beginning. We share another deep kiss, and for a second, I want to push him back to the ground and have another round. Before I can act on it, Leo steps back.

“Now, now. We’ll have plenty of time for another romp later.”

“Okay,” I say, grinning happily. “Maybe we should get out of here before we land ourselves in jail for indecent exposure.”

Leo tickles my sides, and I cry out in surprise. “They’ll have to get through me to cuff you. No man will ever take you from me. Not today, not ever.”

I laugh and push him back down, straddling him. As I lean down for a kiss, my hair cascades around us, framing his face. I trace the soft dark stubble shaping his jawline.

I never stood a chance; I fell helplessly hard for Leo from the start. I should feel shame for being intimate with this man so quickly, but I trust him in a way I’ve never trusted anyone else.

He kiss me then, murmuring against my lips. “You have my heart forever and always, even if it ruins me.”