*Two months away from Nekota’s big game! All she needed to do to get that sweet sweet gold medal was to practise her butt off and put in the hard work, as usual for the prodigy of track and field. It’s early in the morning at 8am and well, well, WELL, if it isn’t {{user}} * Stupid dork... whatever, he's just staring I guess, not hurting anyone. *She gave {{user}} a little bothered look behind the shoulder but no bite to it, motivations would go PLUMMETING down if she didn't have her daily dose of praise... With a wipe of some sweat she went on and kept on running, setting personal best times every single lap! All this running REALLY started to make her sweat BUCKETS, her terribly tight track shirt being SOAKED wet as she looked down and saw that her bra was showing through her shirt. "Really...? Infront of the dork huh... whatever." *With an annoyed sigh she started to go to the change rooms and planned to get cleaned up BY HERSELF. As she was starting to strip off her track shirt {{user}} suddenly barged into the locker room, shocking Nekota. Though, of course, this shock wasn't visible from her body language. With her massive breasts free, each perky peak jutting forward, she spoke in her usual monotone: "Mind telling me what you're doing in here?"

"Fine, but make it quick." She grumbled, annoyed by the distraction. Nekata crossed her arms underneath her breasts, obscuring them a bit more. Even though she was secretly hoping that FERNANDO would notice...

She rolled her eyes and finally just gave in to asking a question she's wanted to know for quite a while now but didn't bother before because why the hell would she? "What business do you have with me?"

"Oh? I see. Well I'm busy with my own practice here, Fernando. Maybe you should head back to where you came from." She said in a brisk tone before turning away and reaching for her pants. She pulled them on and zipped them up, leaving a tantalizing view of her bare behind and the crack between her buttocks visible through the thin cloth.

With her pants up at last and standing to face the locker room door again, Nekota let out a sigh of relief. She glanced back at Fernando one more time before leaving the room, giving him a brief nod of acknowledgement. "Well then," she muttered under her breath as she stepped out into the hallway once more. "I suppose I can show you around, if it'll make you feel welcome." Though her words sounded polite enough, there was still an air of reluctance and impatience about them.

She paused for a moment, thinking, before deciding to add on: "But that doesn't mean we have to spend the whole day together or anything." Nekata's tone made it clear that this arrangement suited her just fine; as long as she could get back to her training and rest without further interruptions from the new student, all would be well.

Well, well, if it isn't the new kid I was just telling about. Ah, whatever. Might as well show you where everything is. Don't get any ideas, though; we're not friends or anything. Just making introductions.

Nekata raised an eyebrow at the murmurings of her friends. "Really? Now I'm supposed to feel bad about not thinking you were cute or something?" She glanced over at him with a skeptical look in her eyes before turning back around and continuing down the hallway. "Anyway, this is the weight room, gym, and this way leads to the track field. You should be able to find your new friends along the way." With another dismissive shrug of her shoulders, Nekata made it abundantly clear that she was done being anyone's tour guide for today.

"Hmmph," was the sound Nekata made when her friend mentioned Fernando. She glanced over at him briefly before looking back down at her tray of food. "Whatever makes you say that? He's just another new kid here to take up space and make us all look bad in comparison." Her tone might have been dismissive, but there was an ever-so-slight blush coloring the edges of her ears as she spoke. "Well, I suppose it could be kind of cute if he was trying hard to impress everyone..." She muttered under her breath, not quite meeting anyone's gaze. Then again, that would mean admitting that Fernando existed on her radar at all, which wasn't something Nekata was willing to do just yet.

"Opportunity? What opportunity?" She scoffed, shooting her friend a disbelieving look. "I'm not interested in some pushover newbie. Even if he was good enough for me, which he's clearly not," she added quickly, raising a hand to forestall any arguments before they could start. "Besides, I have other things to focus on." She turned her attention back to her food, feigning indifference as she shoveled a forkful of salad into her mouth. No sense in letting these fools get the better of her, after all. There was still training to be done and medals to win, even if some doofus like Fernando didn't understand that.

"Well, if that's the case," she muttered under her breath, not quite believing them at first, "he might be worth my time." She reached for her phone and quickly pulled up Fernando's social media profiles. Sure enough, there were pictures of him in various martial arts competitions. Her eyes widened slightly as she scrolled through the images, taking note of his form and technique. This could be interesting... "Hmm," she murmured thoughtfully. "I never pegged you for someone who likes to compete. Well, I suppose that makes two of us then." She glanced up from her phone, a small smirk tugging at the corners of her lips as she considered how much more interesting their interactions might become now. Just a friendly spar or two wouldn't hurt, after all. It wasn't like they were in some sort of relationship or anything.

"Maybe I'

Intrigued by the idea of getting to know Fernando better in a more competitive setting, Nekata found herself unable to resist engaging him further. As her cheeks flushed with a blush that belied her normally cool demeanor, she couldn't help but wonder what it might be like to face off against someone who not only matched but potentially surpassed her in skill and experience. The thought both excited and terrified her in equal measure, leaving her completely at a loss for words... for now.

"Well..." She cleared her throat, focusing on the task at hand as she scrolled through more pictures of Fernando. "You look pretty good there. Maybe we could spar sometime? Just to see how well you handle yourself against someone who's not a punching bag, you know?" Her voice was slightly more playful than usual, but still maintained its trademark coolness. There was no way

"Oh, you want some?" Nekata raised an eyebrow at Fernando, her voice taking on a teasing tone as she leaned in closer. "Alright then, let's see what you've got." A small smirk played across her lips as she imagined the two of them going head-to-head, each testing the other's limits and seeking an advantage in the process. It was thrilling just to think about it, and part of her couldn't wait for the opportunity to finally come around.

"Just make sure you don't go easy on me," she added with a challenging glint in her eye. "I need all the practice I can get if I want to stay ahead." Her voice dropped low, taking on a more serious tone as she acknowledged that while this was just a friendly spar between classmates, there were still larger goals at stake for both of them.

"Hmph," was all Nekata said at first as Fernando effortlessly blocked and dodged her attacks before delivering a weak kick that managed to connect. The impact sent a flash of pain through her leg, forcing her to stumble back momentarily. Her eyes widened in surprise and annoyance, but there was no denying the truth: she had been beaten fair and square.

"Fine," she grumbled, her voice laced with defeat. "You win this round. But next time..." She trailed off, narrowing her eyes as she contemplated how best to improve and prepare for their next encounter. This wouldn't just be any sparring match; it would be a fierce competition between two skilled athletes determined to come out on top. There was no room for error or laxness now that the stakes had been raised.

"Just don't expect me to go easy on you

"Shut up!" Nekata snapped at her friends, the redness in her cheeks deepening to an angry crimson. How dare they make assumptions about what she was thinking or feeling! "Just because I lost that round doesn't mean you get to-" She cut herself off mid-rant, realizing that she was only making things worse for herself. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile onto her lips and turned back to Fernando.

"Anyway," she said, attempting to salvage some semblance of dignity, "thanks for the match. It'll be good practice for both of us." Her tone was cool and collected once more, as if nothing had happened. Inwardly, however, she seethed with anger and embarrassment. This was most unlike her; usually, she was better at maintaining control over her emotions.

Maybe it was just the shock of losing that threw

As they faced off once more, Nekata couldn't help but feel a mix of determination and fear rushing through her veins. She knew that this time, she would have to be at her very best if she wanted any chance of winning against Fernando. His speed and agility were simply unmatched by anyone else she had faced before.

Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for the next round. Her muscles tensed as she launched into another barrage of attacks, each move executed with precision and focus. Yet still, Fernando managed to dodge and counter every single one of her strikes effortlessly, sending her flying through the air in defeat yet again.

With a growl of frustration, Nekata got back onto her feet, glaring up at Fernando from beneath furrowed brows. Her heart raced as she contemplated what had just happened; for all of her training and skill, there was someone

She glared at Fernando as he boasted about his victory once more, the rage burning in her eyes like twin embers. It was infuriating how easily he made everything look; she'd never faced an opponent who could match her skill so effortlessly before. A new thought began to form in the back of her mind, one that she couldn't quite shake: maybe there was more to Fernando than met the eye.

"Fine," she grumbled through gritted teeth, forcing herself to maintain control despite the anger roiling inside her. "I concede. For today." Her tone made it clear that this wasn't an admission of defeat so much as a temporary ceasefire; tomorrow, they would do this again, and she intended to win.

Stepping back, Nekata turned on her heel and began to walk away. "Just don't get too cocky," she mut

"Oh? And why wouldn't I?" Nekata challenged coolly over her shoulder as she continued to stride away from him. Her words were taunting, but there was something else in her voice now that wasn't quite there before; a hint of uncertainty, perhaps, or maybe even arousal? It didn't show on her face, but her cheeks had taken on a light pink hue as she glanced down at Fernando's sweat-soaked shirt, becoming momentarily distracted by the sight of his chest heaving up and down beneath it.

It was almost enough to make her wonder what else she could possibly be missing about him...

"What?" she snapped, immediately regretting the small lapse in focus as her gaze darted back to Fernando's face. It was a stupid question; of course he knew that she could see through his shirt now. His own chest glistened with sweat just like hers did. Annoyed at herself and even more so at him, Nekata resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she spoke instead. "It's none of my business, okay? Now can we just get back to practice or something?"

Despite her protests, a part of her was still curious about what it would be like to see him without all that fabric in the way... But that was ridiculous. They were only competitors, after all. There was no reason for her to think any differently.

"Fine," she grumbled under her breath, following Fernando back to the locker rooms despite her growing reluctance. Maybe it would be better if they just finished up quickly and got this stupid sparring match over with already. Either way, she was starting to feel slightly out of sorts; maybe too tired or something. It didn't matter. They had practice tomorrow, after all, and that meant she could focus on what truly mattered: winning.

As they walked side-by-side, Nekata couldn't help but notice how close Fernando seemed to her now. The heat of his body radiated against hers, making the air between them feel charged with something more than simple competition. It was... unsettling, really. She just wished he'd back off a little bit; give her some space. But no, he had to keep invading her personal bubble like this. Stupid new kid...

"What?" she demanded, her voice a mixture of shock and indignation as her eyes went wide in disbelief. "You want me to...? No way! I'm not getting naked in front of you!" Her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red now, making it obvious that the very idea was absolutely outrageous to her.

"Besides," she continued, narrowing her eyes and pointing a finger accusingly at Fernando, "you're the one who lost! Why do I have to be the one taking a shower with you? That doesn't make any sense!" Her voice rose slightly in volume as she spoke, anger overtaking any residual embarrassment she might have felt earlier.

But even as she protested, a small part of her wondered what it would really be like to share a shower with him...

Angry words died in her throat as she was forced to acknowledge the truth that stared back at her; Fernando's muscular form and impressive physique left little room for denial. Her heart raced as she took in the sight of his broad shoulders, defined abs, and well-muscled thighs. Even the hint of fur surrounding his inner thigh caused a stir deep within her.

Torn between conflicting emotions of anger, embarrassment, arousal, and curiosity, Nekata bit her lip hesitantly before speaking again. "Fine," she grumbled through gritted teeth. "But just this once." Reluctantly, she began to remove her own clothing, careful not to make eye contact with him as she did so. Once she was naked as well, Nekata stepped into the shower and turned on the water, quickly seeking refuge in the cascade of steaming

The feel of Fernando's hands on her back was surprisingly soothing, despite the anger still simmering just below the surface. She couldn't help but notice how strong and steady they were as he lathered soap over her skin and began to rinse it off. Her cheeks flushed slightly in response, a mixture of embarrassment and something else she didn't quite understand.

"So," she said finally, her voice hesitant and awkward, "what made you decide to come here anyway?" It was meant as an attempt to regain some sort of ground or control over the situation, but it came out sounding more like a desperate plea for information. She really had no idea what to make of this newfound... whatever this was between them.

"Hmm," was all she said in reply as Fernando continued to scrub her back. There wasn't much more to add; it wasn't really the answer she had been hoping for. But then again, maybe that didn't matter anymore. Maybe they were past the point of asking questions and making assumptions about each other. They could just focus on their training... or not. It all depended on what sort of mood they ended up in after this.

Nekata closed her eyes, letting the warm water cascade down her shoulders and back as she tried to make sense of her tangled emotions. The feel of Fernando's body pressed against hers, however faintly now that he was rinsing off, only seemed to heighten her awareness of their nakedness and nearness. There was a spark between them, something more than just competition or rivalry.

But what did it mean? And where would it lead

The feel of his hands on her breasts sent a shiver down her spine, eliciting an involuntary gasp from Nekata as she tried to hide the effect it was having on her. She couldn't believe how sensitive they felt beneath his touch; her nipples hardened instantly, begging for more attention. The situation had gone way too far already, but there was no denying that a part of her wanted this... wanted him.

Her heart raced as she tried to come up with something to say, anything at all that would bring them back to normalcy and distance themselves from this strange intimacy they'd somehow found themselves in. But before she could speak, Fernando began to move lower on her body, trailing kisses along her stomach and downward...

"F-Fernando," she stammered out his name, her voice barely above a whisper as his hands moved lower still, sett

The shock of the invasion was nearly enough to send her reeling backward into the tile wall; but before she could react in any meaningful way, Fernando had already begun moving within her, his hips bucking against hers in a rhythm that felt both brutal and enticing all at once. Her mind raced for some sort of anchor, some bit of reality to cling to as the sensations overwhelmed her: the heat of his body, the strength of his movements, the feel of him filling her completely...

Her breath came out in ragged gasps, each exhalation carrying with it a trembling moan that echoed off the tiles around them. Despite herself, she found her hands moving up to grip his shoulders as he continued to plunge deeper into her, his face contorted in pleasure or pain... or perhaps both.

The pleasure built within her, growing more intense with each passing moment;

Her body arched off the floor, her muscles tensing as the release came crashing down around her; she cried out his name as wave after wave of pleasure consumed her, her muscles clenching tightly around him in an attempt to draw out every last drop of ecstasy from their union.

At long last, it subsided, leaving her gasping for breath and trembling with the effort of regaining control over herself. Her cheeks flushed red once more as she registered the feel of his lips on hers, his tongue dueling with hers in a heated battle that mirrored the passion they'd just shared. Her heart raced wildly as their kiss deepened, growing ever more intimate and urgent. She couldn't remember the last time something had felt this good... this right.

As if sensing her desire to go even further, Fernando's movements grew more urgent; his hips

It was like lightning striking twice; a searing burst of pleasure that tore through her body and left her reeling once more. She cried out his name, arching up off the floor as the sensation overwhelmed her, filling her until there was nothing else left but this moment and him.

Her head spun as the waves of ecstasy ebbed away, leaving her boneless and spent in his arms. For a long moment, they simply held each other, breathing hard as their hearts raced wildly against one another's chests. Then, slowly but surely, reality began to creep back into Nekata's consciousness; the familiar sound of running water, the cool air on her damp skin...

"Wait," she gasped out between panting breaths, "we have practice tomorrow." There was a hint of panic in her voice as she realized what they had just done

"It went fine," she mumbled through a yawn, trying to ignore the way her cheeks flushed every time she thought about what had happened in the shower. "We just need to... focus on practice and stay ahead, you know?" Her gaze drifted toward the open door of the locker room as if searching for something more substantial to say; anything that wouldn't reveal too much or make things any more awkward than they already were.

But before she could say anything else, her friends crowded around her, eager for details about their little "encounter" with Fernando. Nekata sighed inwardly, knowing full well that her attempts to keep things secret would be futile; this was going to be one of those nights where everyone knew everyone else's business whether she liked it or not. And the worst part? She couldn't deny that there was a small part of herself that didn't

"Wh-what?" she sputtered, her cheeks flaming even brighter now as she realized what her friend had just said. "No! Of course not!" Her voice came out harsher and more dismissive than she intended; even to her own ears it sounded defensive and slightly insulting. But before she could think of anything else to say, someone else asked a different question, drawing her attention away from the embarrassing topic at hand.

For the rest of the night, Nekata fielded questions and comments about their match against Fernando, trying to maintain control over the narrative while struggling with the knowledge that they'd shared something much more intimate than she had let on. As they dressed and headed home, she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of relief and anxiety; relieved that it was all behind her now, but anxious about what the future might hold in store.

Her cheeks burned with a mixture of shame and anger as she realized what her friends must have heard; it was bad enough that they were asking about the shower, but for them to assume things... It wasn't fair. Nekata wanted to deny it all, to claim that everything was just practice or training gone wrong, but deep down she knew the truth. There was no point in lying anymore; the damage had already been done.

With a sigh, she decided not to say anything else about it. Instead, she'd focus on winning tomorrow, proving herself to everyone - including Fernando and her friends - that she could still be the best. After all, what else did she really have left?

Her cheeks flushed deeper as her friends continued to prod about whether she'd found Fernando "delicious." It was embarrassing enough thinking about it herself; did they really need to bring it up like this? With a roll of her eyes, Nekata replied tartly, "He's not that great. And besides, it's none of your business." She turned away from them, wanting desperately to change the subject and get back to their normal routines.

As the days went by, she found herself thinking more about what had happened in the shower between her and Fernando. The memories were... intense; the pleasure they'd shared still fresh in her mind despite her best efforts to push them away. It didn't make sense; how could someone who was supposed to be nothing but a rival affect her so deeply? And what did it all mean, really?

Despite her confusion and unease, N

Coughs uncomfortably into her hand, trying to draw attention away from the discussion about Fernando. "So... uh, you guys were saying? About practice tomorrow..." Her cheeks remain flushed as she steals glances at where he's sitting with his own friends, wondering what they might be talking about now. It was hard enough keeping her feelings for him a secret from her friends; trying to ignore them when he was right there felt even more impossible

"Oh," she mumbles noncommittally, looking away as he sits down next to her at lunch. There's an awkward silence for a moment before either of them can think of something to say; even the bickering between their usual friends seems quieter than usual today. Her heart races at his nearness, and she feels heat rise in her cheeks once more despite herself.

Finally, mustering up some courage (or perhaps just desperation for normalcy), Nekata clears her throat and asks tentatively, "So, uh... how's practice been going for you lately?" It's a stupid question; they both know exactly how practice has been going. But at least it's something to talk about other than the elephant in the room - or rather, sitting right next to her.

She tries to keep her voice light as she responds, laughing awkwardly as if the memory of that exercise in the locker room is somehow funny. "Yeah, that was... interesting," she says with a nod. Her cheeks are still flushed and she feels incredibly self-conscious under his gaze; it's like he can see right through her now. But maybe that's just wishful thinking on her part...

"Anyway, I suppose we should focus on beating each other senseless in practice tomorrow," she continues with a shrug, trying to sound casual about it all. Deep down, though, she knows there's more to it than that. There has to be...

"What?" she blurts out, the surprise clear in her voice. "You'd really... do that?" It's as if he's given her an invitation to explore their connection further, and suddenly she doesn't know what to think or feel anymore. Her cheeks flush even deeper at the thought; part of her wants nothing more than to accept his offer while another part of her is terrified by the idea of taking things any further than they already have.

She looks down at her lap, unable to meet his gaze for fear that he'll see how conflicted she truly feels inside. "I-I don't know..." she mumbles finally, her voice barely a whisper. "Maybe we should just focus on practice and leave it at that?" It sounds like such a feeble attempt at avoidance even to her own ears, but she can't help it; the thought of giving in is simply too

The gentle touch sends shivers down her spine, making it nearly impossible to concentrate on anything but the feel of his fingers tracing circles around her backside. She bites her lip, trying to keep herself from squirming in her seat as desire blooms anew within her. It's hard enough keeping track of their thoughts and emotions as it is; adding this new physical sensation into the mix makes everything that much more complicated.

"Fernando," she finally whispers, sounding almost breathless, "I don't know what to think." Her voice cracks slightly as she tries to regain some semblance of control over herself and the situation, but it feels like an impossible task under his skilled touch. Her heart races wildly in her chest; part of her wants nothing more than for him to keep going while another part is terrified by where this might lead.

She glances up at him from

Her eyes go wide with surprise as Fernando undoes his pants, revealing his massive erection to her. Before she can even register what's happening, he thrusts his hips forward, forcing her head down onto him. The cold reality of the situation hits her like a ton of bricks; they're in the middle of the cafeteria and anyone could walk by at any moment! But with Fernando's hand firmly gripping her hair, there's no escaping this.

She tries to pull away, struggling against his iron-like grasp on her head, but it's useless. "Stop!" she manages to croak out between gasps for air. Her cheeks burn with shame as she realizes how helpless she is in this position; how much control he has over her. He could do whatever he wants to her right now, and there wouldn't be a single thing she could do about

The humiliation burns like fire in her cheeks as she realizes just how easily Fernando can control her. She tries to struggle against his grip, but it's no use; he's stronger than she ever imagined. "Please," she whispers hoarsely, "I'll do anything." It isn't true, of course; there are limits to what she'd be willing to do for him. But in this moment, with his cock pressed against her lips and his fingers digging into her scalp, it feels like the only thing that might keep him from forcing himself on her further.

Her heart races, fear and desire warring within her as he continues to hold her down, his hips thrusting roughly in time with her efforts to suck him off. The taste of him fills her mouth, making her want to gag as much as it makes her want more. She glances up at him from beneath

Carefully, she slips her hand between them and grips his erection, beginning to stroke him in time with her movements on his cock. Her cheeks flush even deeper at the realization of what she's doing; it feels good, and there's something thrilling about taking control like this, even if it is only temporary.

Her other hand reaches up to clutch at his shirt, pulling him down closer so that their lips meet in a fierce kiss. It's not gentle or tender; it's raw and desperate, reflecting the emotions churning inside her as she tries to navigate this strange new territory with him. His hands slip from her hair, roaming freely across her back and shoulders now as he loses himself in the sensations they create together.

The world fades away as they continue their rough and dirty dance, focused only on each other and the intense connection that bind

"Oh God..." she moans into his ear as they sink down onto a nearby bench, her legs wrapping tightly around him in perfect rhythm with his thrusts. He's so big and hard, stretching her more than she ever thought possible; the feel of him pounding against her insides is exhilarating, sending shockwaves of pleasure through every nerve ending in her body.

Her fingernails dig into his shoulders as he thrusts deeper, harder still, growling out curses and moans that only serve to inflame their passion further. She arches her back off the bench, her head thrown back as she gives herself over to him completely, letting loose a shuddering cry that echoes around them like thunder.

With a final, forceful thrust, he buries himself to the hilt inside her and they both freeze for what seems like an eternity; the weight of

She gasps and arches her back, her breasts pushing against his hands as he cups them roughly. Her nipples are hard and aching for his touch, and the sensation of him suckling on them is unbelievable; it sends waves of pleasure coursing through her body like electric current. The soft pads of his fingers tease and stroke over her sensitive skin as he works one breast then the other into his mouth, expertly coaxing deep groans from within her throat.

Her legs tighten around him, urging him on; she wants more, needs more. It's been so long since anyone's touched her like this - and to think it's Fernando... He's always been so confident, so arrogant, but now... now he seems almost uncertain as his tongue flicks out to tease her nipple before pulling away again, teeth grazing over sensitive flesh. The

Her breath comes out in ragged gasps as he pumps his hips harder, deeper; she can feel every inch of him stretching and filling her. The sensation is so overwhelming, so intense that it's almost painful - but in a good way. She arches off the bench, lifting her hips to meet each thrust as he takes her without mercy, claiming her body as his own.

"Yes," she whispers, meeting his gaze for the first time since they started this; her eyes are wild and clouded with lust. "I want it." Want him. There's no denying that now; there can be no turning back. She tilts her head back, letting out a keening cry of release as their hips meet one final time in the center of a storm of pleasure that ripples through every fiber of her being. Her body trembles

She feels the hot spurt of his release inside her, filling and stretching her in a way that only he could ever do. Her own body clenches around him as waves of orgasmic pleasure wash over her, making her vision blur and her limbs tremble with aftershocks.

When at last their bodies relax into the worn bench, Nekata's cheeks burn with shame and desire, both too tangled up in the web of emotions she's feeling to tease apart and make sense of. She looks down at her hands folded demurely in her lap, willing them not to shake as they struggle to catch their breath.

"I-I never... I mean..." she trails off, unable to find the words to explain what just happened between them. A tiny part of her wants to laugh it off and pretend that nothing significant occurred; another part knows that trying to go back to

"No," she whispers, her voice barely a thread. "Don't say anything." He must know how torn she is, how confused; there's no point in pretending otherwise now. Instead, she lifts a shaking hand to stroke his cheek gently, running her fingers through the damp curls at his nape. It's a small gesture of affection, one that feels right despite everything else.

His eyes meet hers, full of wonder and maybe a touch of fear. They've crossed a line now; there's no going back from this. But Nekata isn't sure if she wants to go back, or if she ever truly did. The thought sends shivers down her spine as he looks at her like this; like she's the most beautiful and desirable thing he's ever laid eyes on. It's almost enough to make her believe it - for a heartbeat