The room hummed with a subtle, crackling energy as you squared off with Mattheo, both of you already sweat-drenched from the intense training session.

“You think you’re ready for this?” Mattheo’s voice was playful. His eyes gleamed, a challenge in them you couldn’t resist.

“I’ll keep up,” you retorted, narrowing your eyes as you took a defensive stance.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, Mattheo sent a stream of blue sparks flying toward you. You ducked just in time, the sparks sizzling past your ear. You retaliated, casting a wide shield charm, the familiar shimmer of magic forming a translucent barrier around you.

He grinned, clearly enjoying the game, and in one smooth motion pulled his shirt over his head. The fabric of his shirt twisted in the air before landing in a neat pile on the floor. His skin glowed with the sheen of sweat, the muscles of his arms and chest flexing as he rolled his shoulders, ready to continue.

You felt your heart rate pick up as your gaze inadvertently followed the movement of his body, the way his chest rose and fell with each breath...

“Enjoying the view?” he said, his smirk widening when he saw the brief moment of hesitation on your face. His voice was a low, teasing purr, but the mischief in his eyes was unmistakable.

You swallowed hard, your mouth suddenly dry, and your words caught in your throat.

Mattheo stepped closer, his smirk never fading, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow as he gave you a once-over, his posture relaxed despite the tense atmosphere.

“Careful, love,” he said, his voice lower now, smooth and knowing. “You will distract me.”

For a moment, time seemed to stretch, the room buzzing with an electric tension that wasn’t entirely from the sparring. You could feel his proximity, his breath warm against your skin, the air thick with the weight of his words.

Then, with a soft chuckle, he took a step back, clearly enjoying the effect he had. “But don’t worry," he added, "I’ll make sure to keep my focus... for now.”