Page 56 of Mine to Ruin

I look over at Kian; he’s absolutely ferocious in his beauty and his swift and precise movements, completely in his element.

We watch in silence as Kian’s fists hit their mark every time. His opponent tries to duck but fails.

“Even though he knows you’re here, he’s still focused,” Dirk said, sounding impressed.

“How? He hasn’t even glanced my way.” Only that small lift of the corner of his lips reveals he knows I’m here.

“His muscles aren’t tense anymore.” He sighs. “I wish you would have come earlier in his life. He would have become the greatest champion this world had ever seen, more than a legend. But no, he doesn’t want titles, nor fame, just…”

“To be in control,” I say and let a heavy exhale out. “I don’t know if you’re right... I wish I could help...”

“You wouldn’t be here otherwise. He never allows anyone to watch him train. Don’t doubt yourself. Doubts have killed more opportunities than failure ever will.”

“Why did he stop fighting?”

“Did he?” Sadness stretches the lines in the corners of his eyes.

“I mean professionally?”

“It became too easy for him to win. He ruled the ring. He was too good at it. But no one knows with him. He’s like Fort Knox. No one gets in or out without his permission.”

Dirk seems to be an open book, so I seize the chance to learn more about Kian.

“Why this need for control?”

“You are quite curious, aren’t you?”

I push aside the slight embarrassment of being called out, my need to find out more overruling everything else. “I just want to know him better, to understand him.”

My eyes find Kian as he lands a punch, dropping his opponent on his back.

“Afraid?” Dirk asks.

“Never of him.” But for him, yes.

“Then you found your answer.”

I wonder if I did, but when Kian’s eyes lock on mine, I forget everything around me. He rips off the hand wraps, and he cocks his head expectantly. I duck between the ropes of the ring and jump into his arms. He catches me midair and twirls me around, making me giggle.

“Everyone out,” he says and puts me down. He grabs a towel and dries himself.

I take his towel and do his back. It’s intimate, despite the setting, desire pushing me to find ways to be closer. Sweat gone, he looks like a monument of strength, all defined muscles.

I push a strand of his glistening hair behind his ear.

A hint of amusement curls up his lips. “So, found out something interesting about me?”

“You mean I can’t simply and innocently see my boyfriend in all his fighting glory?” I ask, feigning innocence.

He chuckles and sends me an incredulous stare.

“Trying to deflect, Miss Detective?”

I wave the obvious answer off, raise on my toes, and brush my nose against his.

“You seemed in your element.”

“Don’t I usually?” he asks, a smirk plastered on his face.

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