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“I get that. Sorry I asked. I didn't mean any disrespect.” He said as he racked the weight and extended his hand to shake hers again, his eyes gazing into hers as if he was soaking in the beauty that he was beholding.
Anna studied him for a moment, then accepted the handshake. His grip was firm, respectful. There's an energy between them, an electric current that she hasn't felt in a long time. She could see the genuine nature in his eyes, and it put her at ease.
"No disrespect taken, Conrad," she said, her voice softening slightly. "You asked a question a lot of people think about, but few have the courage to ask. In my line of work, you learn to read people quickly. You're not one to beat around the bush, are you?”
“Not usually.” He said with a chuckle. “I've never found much use for fear in my life.” He held Anna's hand for a little longer, seeming to be enjoying it but let it go, not wanting to cause an awkward moment with this stunning woman he had just met. “I guess with you being a cop, you haven't found much use for fear either.”
Anna nodded once, appreciating his directness. "Fear has its place, I suppose. It keeps you alive. But you learn to channel it, to use it as fuel rather than let it paralyze you. It's about control of yourself, of the situation." She let the last word hang in the air for a moment, her eyes locked onto his. "So, what is it that you do, Conrad? Something that requires that level of strength and discipline, I imagine.”
“You could say that.” Conrad said with a playful chuckle. As he started bench pressing an unbelievable amount of weight, he said, “I don't really have a need to work. I am able to get whatever I need without needing a job.” Conrad looked into middle distance, seeming to be visualizing something in his mind. “What I do requires a lot of discipline though. That's for sure, which is why I work out so much too.”
Anna's eyes widened fractionally as she watched him bench press what she estimates to be nearly twice her own maximum. She's seen a lot of strong men in her time, but Conrad's strength seemed to exist in another league entirely. She watched him complete his set and rack the weight before speaking again.
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"Discipline is everything," she agreed, watching him with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "But you don't strike me as the type to be idle. If you don't need the money, then you do it because you love it. Because you're driven by something.”
“You bet I love it!” He exclaimed. “And you can surely say that I am driven, but I must say, I am unsure what the future holds for me.” He sat up on the bench, head slumped staring at the floor. His playful demeanor replaced by something more serious. Something deep inside of himself. “I'm just not sure how to do it. How do I do it?” His voice trailed off.
Anna's demeanor shifted instantly from observation to concern. She unfolded her arms and took a step closer, her voice softening. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just hold on a second." She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, the contact solid and grounding. "What's going on? Something just changed. You want to talk about it? You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on those massive shoulders of yours, and I know something about that." She sat on the bench next to him, her presence commanding yet comforting.
Anna's touch was like a shot of electricity piercing through Conrad. Her muscular hands touching him softly created a contrast that lifted his soul. He picked his head up, that perfect smile returning to his face as he chuckled. “Well my last name is Atlas, so I guess having the world on my shoulders is fitting. Hahaha” He laughed, his deep voice like thunder bellowing out of him.
Anna chuckled along with him, appreciating the dark humor in the moment. "Atlas, huh? That explains a lot. And it's a hell of a name to live up to." Her eyes sparkled with genuine amusement. "You know, there's a reason they say that the strongest people are the ones who carry their burdens without complaint. You're carrying something, aren't you? Something you feel you can't share with anyone else." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a more intimate register. "You can talk to me, Atlas. I've got broad shoulders too, and I've been known to carry a thing or two in my time.”
Conrad's eyes glowed at the sound of Anna's words. “What a wise thing to say, and very kind.” He said, with a truly genuine tone. Proceeding to do muscle ups with ease, he said. “I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a police officer has good powers of perception. Haha. I believe you and you seem like a very strong and confident woman. Easy on the eyes too, I must say. But this is a burden I have to carry on my own.” He said as he finished his set and landed on the ground with surprising grace.
