“Come on, I know you have a tough streak in you,” he said and winked. “I can see that fire in your eyes.”
I wanted to tell him I didn’t. I really didn’t, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit his praise made me feel good. Too good.
“Okay.” I wouldn’t mind learning some moves to be able to deter anyone who harassed me. “I don’t want to accidentally hurt you though.” Like, oh, I don’t know, kick you in the balls. I grimaced as I saw myself flailing around and accidentally going for his family jewels.
His grin widened. “I think I can handle myself, but I want you to land a hit on me.” He moved closer to me, and when I didn't say anything, I thought I saw something soften on his face. “Okay, how about first we’ll start with some self-defense moves? The basics?”
I exhaled and nodded. I didn't actually think I could land a hit on Braxton, but I also wasn’t the type of person to want to try. I was “soft.”
“I want to see how strong you are, Amelia. I want to make sure you can handle yourself if… someone isn’t there to help you.” There was this thickening in his voice, as if maybe he’d meant to say something else. “I see it in your eyes. You got this.”
God, he was gorgeous. Pressing my thighs together, I reminded myself now was not the time or place to get aroused.
“Okay, so you turn around, and I want to see what you’ll do when I come up behind you.”
And bam, my mind went into the gutter. Very inappropriate things slammed into my brain, and I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
God, I was lost in this man. So lost, but I don’t want to be found.
“Let’s do this.” Well, I said the words. They were out in the open. No taking them back now.
He moved closer and put me in the position he wanted. I bit the inside of my lip at how good his touch felt. He ran his hands over my arms, and goosebumps popped out along my flesh. God, this is torture, but the best kind.
Braxton was just so close and smelled so good. God, he smells so sexy.
“Okay, so you’re going to pretend I’m about to attack.” His hands were on my hips, his voice low, his breath warm and minty and moving over the back of my neck.
I cleared my throat, but inside, I was shaking my head. How am I supposed to pretend he’s a bad guy if he makes me feel like this?
“You okay?” His voice sounded rough and scratchy.
I nodded. “I’m fine. I’m good.”
And then he let go of my hips, but I swore he lingered, sliding those big fingers down my hips before stepping fully back. I felt him move a few steps away, and I exhaled before looking over my shoulder at him. When I faced him, I wondered why he touched me when he’d end up stepping away.
Why am I even questioning this? Why do I care, when I want more of it?
6
Amelia
Braxton started circling me, and it seemed very predator-like, as if he was this sleek panther about to take me down—the weak, helpless prey.
The prey who wants to be captured.
Then he stopped behind me again, and I stayed still, using my hearing to gauge his moves. Because I wasn't looking at him, my auditory sense was more attuned, more precise. I heard him move before I felt him, but I was too slow.
I spun around and brought my hands up, but Braxton caught my wrists easily, used my momentum to spin me around again, and the air left me as my back met his big, wide, and hard chest.
“See? Now if I meant to do you harm, I have you subdued. There’s nothing you can do now to get out of my hold.”
I closed my eyes and tried to calm my breathing, my hard pulse, but that had me realizing Braxton was breathing hard too. I felt his heart racing against me. He let go and took a step back.
“Face me again.” Was his voice deeper than it was just moments before?
I did as he asked and prayed he couldn’t see how I reacted to his touch and presence.
“Let's try again, okay?” He started circling me once more, and I watched his movements, trying to anticipate when he’d attack. This time, I stood still when he wrapped his forearm around my upper chest, pulling me back against him, closer… so close.
“Grab my forearm, Amelia.”
I nodded, curling my fingers around his thick wrist, feeling the hard muscles tense under my touch.
“I’m bigger and stronger, but you’re going to use that against me.”
A shiver wracked me as I felt his voice and warm breath right by my ear.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admitted softly, breathlessly.
“That's okay. That's why I’m here. To teach you.”
His mouth was still by my ear, and God help me, I had to force myself not to moan.
“As you pull down on my wrist, I want you to twist your body to turn out of my grasp. Just go slow. Don’t focus on anything but doing that right now.”
I nodded again and tightened my hold on his thick wrist. I pulled down as I shifted on my feet and turned against him. I was very aware of my body sliding sensuously against his, and I swore I heard him hiss.
“Good,” he told me in a voice so damn thick it didn’t even sound human.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I said again.
“Don’t you worry about that. You’re here to learn to defend yourself. Make it count, Amelia.”
I blew out a slow breath and centered myself.
“Now slide your hands up and grab my shoulders, and at the same time, knee me.”
My breathing slowed. This is what I’m here to learn. Show him. I slid my hands up his chest and over his shoulders, watching as his gaze softened, his body becoming tighter. His eyes hooded, and for a second, I saw pure, raw desire reflected back in his gaze. I felt my heart beat faster and kept myself centered. Do this. I won’t hurt him, not really. And he told me not to worry. To learn. So learn.
I rose up on my toes, and I saw his eyes lower to my lips. I licked them slowly. Who was this woman I had suddenly become, this temptress? I curled my nails into his shoulders and felt him harden under my touch. Over and over again. For a second, my mind short-circuited as all I could think about was kissing him, just finally feeling what it would be like, especially with Braxton.
I got a little closer, my mouth just inches from his. “Braxton,” I whisper in a voice that didn’t sound like my own. It sounded needy and aroused.
“Amelia,” he said low, deep, and my heart jumped in my throat.
Focus. Focus. Focus.
I brought my knee up so fast it even surprised me. And made contact, although I lessened the blow as my mind cleared.
His eyes widened, a grunt left him, and he let go of me. I had the sudden feeling of not being pressed to him and losing my footing. I fell on my ass, the air leaving me hard. My focus was trained on him as he hunched over, his hands covering his crotch.
“I'm sorry,” I whispered, feeling horrible. God, had I hurt him that badly?
But when he lifted his head, he was grinning from ear-to-ear. “Goddamn, Amelia.”
My face heated in embarrassment.
“Proud as hell of you getting one over me.” He straightened and winced but then started moving, as if walking the pain off. “Always use what you can against someone attacking you.”