My bell rings as soon as I turn off my blow-dryer.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I realize how much effort I put into looking good by wearing a feminine light blue dress and applying some light makeup.

Damn it.

The bell rings again, interrupting my thoughts of changing clothes and my phone chooses this moment to ring. Kayla.

I take a deep breath and head to the living room.

Shooting her a text saying Tyler is here in my place; I promise to call her tomorrow.

"I'm coming," I shout and a second later I'm opening the door for him.

"You have zero security here, babe," he says the moment he sees me.

He's wearing light-washed jeans paired with a white T-shirt and my breath catches at the endearment and worry in his tone. He's so devastatingly handsome. Or maybe I'm too silly and easily enamored by his deep brown eyes. Whatever it is, it distracts me enough not to anticipate his hand capturing my waist and pulling me to him in a soft kiss.

"Tyler..." I press my hand to his chest, pulling away from his touch.

"Are you okay?" He searches my eyes and I take a step back so he can get in.

"Sure." I clear my throat, locking the door deliberately slow.

"How long have you lived here?" He looks around, studying the place. "Anyone could barge in. There's no doorman, cameras, or...

"Tyler." I take a deep breath and he frowns, studying me.

"What's wrong?" He stops in front of me, his hands cupping my face.

The brush of his callused fingers against my skin sends a tingle of awareness racing through my body, and I can't help the small smile that leaves my lips.

Forever a prince charming. Always trying to save the damsel in distress.

There's no denying he's one of the good guys out there. One that is way too good-looking. I only wish I was able to keep him. But he belongs to the world. And I'm just a bartender trying to make ends meet while raising her little brother.

"Babe?" he whispers, his thumb caressing my cheek.

"Have you seen the news?" I say, making him frown even deeper.

"I've been at the gym all day..."

"Those paparazzi from yesterday... Our picture is all over the gossip sites. They're saying... They're saying I'm a home wrecker," I say, not hiding how bitter the word tastes on my lips.

"What?" He tilts his head to the side, his eyes searching mine. "That makes no sense."

"Let me get my phone." I detangle myself from his hold and get my phone from the coffee table, opening the link Kayla sent me. "Here"

His eyes widen as he reads whatever it is they're saying about us, and I don't miss the way his jaw ticks when his gaze meets mine again. "This is fucked up. I'm calling my PA so we can defuse this shit."

"Tyler..." I whisper when his eyes go back to my phone.

"They're just trying to make money out of it," he keeps saying. "I have a pretty big fight coming up soon, as I told you, so they're just trying to stir the pot. I'll take care of it." He gives me my phone back, his posture and tone tense with frustration.

"Maybe we should just take a break, you know?" I cringe the moment the words are out of my mouth.

His chest expands on a breath. "What?"

"I think... Maybe it's for the best if we... if we break things off. You're freaking Tyler McGregor, and I'm..." I close my eyes for a second, the words dying on my lips when I see his brows raising.

"You breaking up with me?" he asks, his hands on his hips. He's looking at me with a mix of disbelief and frustration. If I didn't know him a bit better by now, I'd find his posture quite intimidating. But there's nothing threatening about him. He's just... hurt? Is that it?

"We're not even together..." I shrug, looking away when his mouth falls open. "Besides, it would never work, Tyler," I whisper, wrapping my arms around myself as I walk to the window by the door. I hate the emotion reflected in his eyes, so I go the cowardly route and turn my back to him.

He says nothing for a long time, but I can feel his eyes on me. It's hard to think straight when he's so close and even harder when he looks at me like he cares; like he wants me and I'm breaking his heart. But I have to be strong. I have to protect my own heart.

It has just started raining, and the dark blue shade of clouds matches my mood. Holding myself tighter, I bite my lower lips as millions of raindrops tap fast on my window. Lightning bolts start dancing in the sky and a thundering roar reverberates through me.

God, I hate heavy rains and how scared it has always made me feel.

I hate the fact that as much as I want Tyler, my mind keeps telling me I'm just setting myself up for heartbreak.

"Andie..." he whispers, his voice laced with emotion. I feel him come up behind me, his palms pressing flat to the glass on either side of my shoulder.

"We've just met..." I try when he steps close enough to surround me, to cage me in. His arms slide around me, palms flat against my stomach. He smells amazing and I can't help but breathe his scent in. It's intoxicating. Just like him.

"Tyler..." I murmur, hating how my body betrays me and I soften to his touch.

His head comes down so his lips are at my neck. For a second, he also just breathes me in, making me shiver with anticipation. But then he whispers softly in my ear. "Look at me and tell me you don't want me. Look at me in the eyes and tell me to go away."

"Whatever this is between us, it would never work," I say, biting my lower lip when he presses a kiss against the sensitive spot where my neck and shoulder meet.

"Hmmm..." He brushes his lips against my shoulder. "Says who?"

"You just saw what they're saying about me. You come from money. You're a freaking out-of-this-world famous fighter. And you..." The words die on my lips when he turns me around, holding my waist as he pushes my back against the window.

He curves over me, his forearm propped against the window to bring him closer as he studies me. Then one of his hands holds my waist while the other slides to my hips, flexing on the skin under my dress. "Why are you fighting this? Why do you keep pushing me away?"

Closing my eyes at the intensity of his gaze, I murmur lamely, "We're so different..."

Groaning, he presses his full body against mine and I'm instantly aware of every hot, hard inch of him. My skin breaks into goosebumps, my body already responding to his touch. He's looking at me like he can't get enough of me, and I need to look away. Too weak already to resist him.

"No." He cups my jaw. "Look at me. Tell me to stop. Tell me to go home and leave you the hell alone."

"Tyler, you..." I lick my now dried lips.

"Tell me." He brushes his nose to mine, our lips almost touching. "Look into my eyes and tell me I'm making up all these feelings in my heart. That this connection doesn't exist."

"I..."

"Tell me I'm crazy and that you want nothing to do with me." He caresses my jaw, his eyes full of emotion. "But do it looking into my eyes."

The sound of a thunderbolt breaking outside startles me, and I can't hold the tears I was bravely holding back inside. "I'm scared." I let out a sob, my arms circling his waist, my head finding his chest.

"Shh..." He holds me tightly, his muscular arms enveloping me. "I got you, babe. I won't let anyone or anything mess with you."

"This is crazy, Tyler. I... I'm used to a simple life. This is... How they're spreading rumors about us..." I pull away to look at him, and his eyes soften.

"I promise I'll take care of it." He presses a kiss on my forehead, and the sweet gesture is enough to bring fresh tears to my eyes. I'm not used to people taking care of me. I've been doing things on my own for so long that I don't even know how to let someone take care of things for me.

"I still think-"

He kisses me.

Hard.

A sudden rush of desire runs to me, and my body softens. He's kissing me with everything he has and the demand exuding from him reveals to me he's not used to giving up so easily. To back down without a fight.

And damn him for making me fall for him. Because one moment I'm sure the best for me is to let him go, and in the other, I feel my resistance melting away and the turmoil inside my head calm.

God, what is this man doing to me? Why does everything else seem to disappear when he has his lips on mine?

_____

A/N: Are you falling for him too? *sighs*

Thank you so much for your support, guys! You're the best!

XOXO

Celeste