Thud!
"V…" Athena's voice caught in her throat, her eyes wide with surprise.
Vladimir's action caused her to fall on top of him. She felt the warmth of his body beneath her, his strong arms wrapping around her securely.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she found herself face-to-face with Vladimir, their breaths mingling in the sudden closeness.
Vladimir's penetrating gaze locked onto hers, a mix of longing and something deeper reflected in his eyes.
"Athena," he murmured, his voice low and steady. "I know I don't have the right to feel this way. But I couldn't help it."
Athena's mind raced, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from his.
'Why does he look so sad? What made him upset?' she mused to herself.
As Vladimir continued holding her in place while his intense gaze was fixed on her, she felt an electric charge in the air– a magnetic pull between them that she couldn't deny.
