𝑀𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝒻𝒾𝒶 𝐻𝓊𝓈𝒷𝒶𝓃𝒹

11 - CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

ASTRID'S POV:

"Astrid", I locked eyes with him, his emerald gaze holding a hint of mystery that both intrigued and unnerved me. This was new to me. I had no idea what he was about to say next.

"Astrid, are you sure you're ready to fight me?" His voice was smooth yet laced with challenge.

I couldn't help but scoff at his question. "Positive." I retorted, refusing to back down. He was good at two things, pushing my buttons and being a fucking asshole. He chuckled, his voice echoing throughout the gym. "Tch, you better not be cursing me out in your head, Astrid." My lips curled into a half smile, half smirk as I met his gaze head on. "Well, you catch on quick."

His growl sent a shiver down my spine as he ran his fingers through his fluffy hair.

"Interesting," he mused.

"You're the only person who could even dream about talking to me like this." Stepping onto the mat, I kept my eyes averted, not wanting to show any sign of weakness. "Was that supposed to be a compliment?" I poked at his chest.

"I've told you before, I'm not scared of you. So you better get used to it...your highness."

"Damn," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice turning husky while he traced his fingers along my jaw,

"Don't... turn me on like that."

My cheeks flushed at his words, his proximity sending my heart racing. "W-What? Damon... stop teasing me!" I stammered, trying hard to regain my composure.

"Why? It's hilarious, how you get flustered so easily," he remarked as if he's been studying me all along, a hint of amusement in his tone.

My resolve hardened. "I want to know..." he took a step closer to me, his lips only inches away from mine, "what kind of expression you'll have when I pin you to the ground and win." I took a step back giving myself more room. "That's too bad, I guess you'll never know."

Removing my jewelry from my body, I whispered his name, still keeping a safe distance.

"Damon." I paused,

"Since I'm the only one here who can call you that... I'll use it when I beat you."

Veins bulged in his forehead, but I could see through his dangerous facade.

He secretly loved it when I pissed him off.

"Feisty, aren't you?" he commented, attempting to deflect my teasing. Ignoring his remark, I continued, "You know, your arrogance is sort of exotic." He chuckled, running a hand through his hair already knowing the answer to his own question. "In a good way or a bad way?"

"Don't ask dumb questions," I retorted, cracking my knuckles and pulling my hair into a ponytail.

"When has arrogance ever been good?" His response caught me off guard, despite my blank stare. "You know, when it's on me."

The aching unfamiliar warmth in his voice sets my head spinning. I take a deep breath, still feeling a sudden wild urge to dig my fingers in his hair, to drag him in so I can taste his lips.

"Are you sure you don't want to give up now?" I teased, flexing my biceps. "Oh? Give up?" Damon chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine. "But where's the fun in that?" he replied, a smirk playing on his lips. "I like a challenge." "Good." I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his cocky attitude. "I've dealt with worse than you, trust me." His gaze darkened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "Is that so? Well, let's see how you handle me then."