In that intense moment, I impulsively pressed the trigger, expecting a powerful reaction.
"Holy.. What"
"The"
"Hell?"
However, all I heard was a small clicking sound.
"The first cartridge was empty to prepare your instincts." Aston, with a mocking tone, assured me, I was taken aback and about to express my frustration.
"Huh, Are you kidding me? I almost melted with fright! How dare you make.."
He unforseeingly collided his face with mine almost hugging me from behind and consequently shutting me up. A slight moan escaped me as I held my breath. I squeezed my eyes, feeling all embarrassed.
Aston audibly hummed, seemingly enjoying the unexpected turn of events.
"So, you are ready now" Aston said, elongating the word 'are' with a serious tone. I gulped, first for feeling trapped by him in this eerie cold warehouse, then with a pistol in my innocent hands, now his body and all these dotting words as if he had fallen for me. The urge to kick him right in balls from behind grew, but his strong, muscular presence comported a strange sanctuary in this extremely cold warehouse as if my back was sprung with warmness. I decided to take it easy on him. My courage grew, and I was inexplicably ready to pull the trigger again.
// BANG //
The sound reverberated through the air as my bullet struck the mannequin, sending a surge of thrill through my nerves. It flew with lightning speed, hitting the left corner of the mannequin's stomach.
Aston hummed again, and I let out a deep exhale.
"Not bad, Emma!" he praised.
"Did you enjoy the rush of adrenaline it gave?" Aston asked.
I sighed.
"I... I don't know. It was both exhilarating and intense. It felt like I was soaring through the air with the bullet."
"Then fly again," Aston suggested, as if it were child's play for him.
"Straight" Aston's voice, filled with authority and seduction, echoed behind me as he stood closely. He took control of my soulless arms, aligning them straight once again.
"This," he directed towards the gun then tracing his fingers beneath my elbow, sending a cold sensation through my skin. I couldn't help but sigh. His touch continued, his thumb brushing over my shoulders with a gentle rhythm, each contact filled with an overwhelming sense of pleasure. He slowly moved up to my neck, causing chills to cascade through me in waves. Then, his fingers reached my face, grazing the corners of my ears, igniting an incoherent scream within me. Finally, he stopped, his touch lingering just beside my eyes.
"And these" he spoke, his voice filled with purpose, "should be aligned evenly, directly over the target. Aim the belly!"
Nervously, I bit my lip, afraid of missing the target. But Aston's hand grabbed mine, his index finger guiding me over the trigger. I was relieved not to be drawing the bullet alone.
"The right mannequin!" I exclaimed, my nerves getting the best of me.
"Yes, shoot!" Aston encouraged, his voice filled with anticipation.
The loud bang reverberated through the air, signifying almost a successful shot.
"Wow, almost in the middle, Aston!" I exclaimed proudly.
"Yeah, al-most" he responded, his tone dripping with a hint of condescension.
"My aim just got better, don't judge. I can surely do better than this. You're supposed to be a supportive trainer, not a nuisance" I retorted, feeling a surge of frustration.
I could hear a soft chuckle escape Aston's lips, despite wearing his supposedly soundproof headphones.
"I can hear it, Aston. Your obnoxious laugh manages to seep through, making it even more obnoxious" I said, not holding back my annoyance.
He stood beside me, his gaze locking with mine, causing my heart to race.
"Then show me how much better you can do. The last mannequin is all yours! But your target is the forehead now" Aston declared. So, this was his plan all along by ours and all mine to challenge my skills. I focused solely on aiming perfectly at the target, determined not to be ridiculed. Unbeknownst to me, in the intensity of the moment, I bit my lower lip so hard that it began to throb with pain.
I positioned myself straight towards the shooting lane, stood tall and confident, feeling the piercing gaze of his icy eyes upon me. Despite someone meddling in my affairs, I always perform at my best. But his presence, his intense stare, unsettled my composure as I watched my target, that foamed mannequin amidst the other two.
With a loud bang, I was startled to see the bullet strike right between the mannequin's forehead. I turned to Aston, my eyes filled with surprise. His eyebrows were slightly raised, as if his expectations had taken a sudden turn.
"You are fortunate," Aston remarked.
"I am!" I exclaimed, my spirits soaring high.
"Let me finish my statement," Aston interjected. I eagerly waited for his words.
"You are fortunate that you've met a professional trainer!" Aston declared.
"You mean a professionally deviant trainer!" I replied, raising my voice.
"I never teased you, Emma" Aston said lightly, his lips slightly parted and his eyebrows raised soberly, emphasizing his sincerity.
I couldn't help but smile smugly for it was all him who had been touchy and flirtatious.
"You" I pointed my finger directly at his chest, taking a confident step closer. The space between us began to shrink.
"Think so!" I said while my left eyebrow raised high and he instinctively took a step back. Undeterred, I continued to walk towards him until he found himself backed against the solid concrete wall.
Inch by inch, he brought his head closer.
"Are you telling me that you were tempted?" His voice a mere whisper, carrying a sharp hiss, sending shivers down my spine while his hot breath danced across my lips, making it difficult to catch my breath. Our hands were tantalizingly close, almost brushing against each other.
Our eyes remained fixed on each other when I slowly removed his gloves, they fell to the floor, lifeless.
Delicately, I traced my fingertips along the contours of his palm. Each mount on his palm became a tiny world to explore, a secret waiting to be uncovered. I couldn't help but be captivated by the softness of his skin beneath my fingertips. With each touch, I felt a deeper connection forming between us, our eyes mirroring a shared longing and desire which couldn't be expressed. Time seemed to stand still as I continued to trace the lines and contours of his hand until I lingered around his elbows. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with a mix of emotions.
Aston clenched his jaw and tilted his head slightly upwards, exhaling deeply which hinted at the desire building within him.
My hand, which had been holding his arm, now slid up to his neck while the other still gripping his arm, I could feel the weight of his gaze screaming for more. His sharp eyebrows laid straight intensely, while his heavy breathing remained concealed but not his chest pulsing.
In that moment, I couldn't resist the temptation to lean in closer, I tiptoed and came near his ear, my finger gliding over his throat as I whispered,
"Now we are even."
But before I could fully process the weight of those words, Aston surprised me. Suddenly, he pulled me closer by my waist, my mass crashing onto him, causing our bodies to collide with a jolt. In that split second, I felt the rush of vulnerability and stimulation. The unexpected collision brought us even closer, I could feel the rise and fall of his chest against mine, our breaths mingling in the space between us left us both yearning for more.
My eyes couldn't leave his dark eyes depicting tension, desire and something more promising igniting a spark of intangible connection.
It was in this moment that I realized how powerful a touch can be, how it can bridge the gap between two hearts and create a bond that words alone cannot express.
I wanted it to last for a little longer but maybe I was denying the fact that I didn't want it to wind up and just then, we heard a whirring sound, the doors swung open, shattering the fragile bubble we had created. Mischievous Sara, stood there, her eyes widening in surprise. I could see the gears turning in her head, realizing that she had interrupted us at the wrong time. Yes, you did.
"I'm sorry," she said, her words rushed and slightly panicked.
"I came to ask if you need anything, sir." Her voice laced with embarassement.
I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and amusement at the timing of it all. It was as if fate had conspired to keep us apart in that moment which for the first time I didn't want to end.