Page 65 of Fighting Jacob

Only once her blouse is done up does normal function return to my brain. “What are you talking about? What forty-five seconds?”

I tempted to tell the guard he can screw his five-minute warning when Lola says, “From what I’ve seen, you’re over and done with in forty-five seconds.”

My brow cocks. “You sure as hell know I last longer than forty-five seconds.”

With a giggle, she slaps my chest. “I didn’t mean in the bedroom.”

My ego is loving the stroke she’s giving it nearly as much as I enjoyed her stroking my cock, but my deflated chest sinks when she murmurs, “I meant in the boxing ring.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Lola

Jacob raises pads to his face before stepping closer to me. “Come on, stop being a girl; put some effort in.”

“You weren’t complaining about me being a girl last night.”

His chuckle stops bouncing around the gym we’re working out in when I throw a right hook into the protective pad sheltering his jaw. Ever since we rekindled our “friendship” weeks ago, he relentlessly nagged me to join him for a session at his favorite gym. He made out it was for a bit of fun, but I know the real reason he brought me here. He wants to teach me how to defend myself in case I have a run-in with Callum again.

His motives are sweet, but I wish he could have picked a location that didn’t make my stomach revolt when we entered. I’ve smelled some funky things in my time, but nothing compares to the stench that hit me when we burst through Hank’s Gym’s doors. Jacob swears I’ll get used to it. I’m not so sure. Some things are unforgettable.

Take Jacob’s face when I let slip I knew he was fighting in an illegal circuit as an example. He was panicked out of his mind that I was mad. He had no reason to be worried. He might be the size of a truck, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Not once since Callum revealed Jacob’s secret have I been concerned about my safety. In all honesty, his video turned me on. From the day we met, I was adamant Jacob was too nice for me, so finding out he isn’t as squeaky clean as his boy-next-door looks convey add an additional thrill to our relationship.

From the videos I’ve watched on YouTube, it doesn’t take a genius to realize Jacob isn’t arrogant like his competitors, but there’s an edge of confidence not even grainy footage could take away. Fighting might seem brutal to some, but Jacob loves it, so that’s all that matters.

“If I agree to the bi-weekly training sessions you’re suggesting, will you let me watch you fight this weekend?” My words are breathless. I had no clue how demanding boxing is until now. I won’t need to go running for a month.

Jacob pulls the pads off his hands before handing me a half-empty bottle of water. “I don’t know, Lola. I reaped the benefits after you watched me on YouTube, but knowing you’re all hot and bothered in the stands watching me live might be too much of a distraction.”

I don’t know whether to kiss the spunk out of him or punch it. I go for the latter when he friskily winks. He’s loving my response.

I’m about to back up my hit with a kiss when a mannish voice outside of the ring stops me. “Looks like you went and got yourself a weak spot?”

When I swing my eyes to the voice, I’m met with a middle-aged African American man with a bright, beaming smile. He’s peering at Jacob with a mischievous glint in his eyes, forcing him to admit, “You could say that.”

After Jacob pulls apart the ropes to assist him into the ring, he heads my way to offer up an introduction. “Hello, pretty lady, I’m Hank.”

“Lola. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Hank.”

When I accept the hand Hank is holding out, instead of shaking it, he uses it to twirl me around. Most women would be peeved by his avid assessment of my body. I'm not most women. Furthermore, his gaze isn't intrusive. It's more inquisitive than anything.

“Definitely a weak spot.” He gives Jacob a look as if he’s pleased for him, and perhaps a little worried, before returning his focus to me. “Has my boy taught you anything, or has he just been fooling around in my ring?”

My lips curl high. “Fooling around. This is Jacob we’re talking about.”

Jacob’s laughter picks up when Hank grumbles, “True,” with a roll of his eyes. “Can I give her some pointers?”

After taking in my wide eyes and sweat-dotted forehead, Jacob nods. “Be my guest.”

“First, your stance is all wrong. You need to spread your legs wider.” Hank kicks my running shoes until he’s satisfied I’m standing correctly. “Your feet should match the width of your shoulders, but you need a heel-toe stance.”

He lifts my hands until they’re right up close to my cheeks. “The most important rule when fighting is to protect your face. We don’t want this pretty little face getting any marks on it, so keep your arms up high, and your elbows tucked in.”

A squeak pops from my lips when he cozies up to me from behind. He’s close enough I can feel his raging heart, but not close enough I feel uncomfortable. “Elbows in; chin down.” After making his arms extensions of my limbs, he displays what he means with actions instead of words. He brings my elbows in close to my body before lowering my chin nearly to my breasts.

“Good girl. Now step closer to Jacob.” When Jacob holds out his palms, Hank uses my fisted hands to strike them. “Left, right, left, right.” He's puppeteering my movements, but it allows me to see how my stance was wrong when sparring with Jacob earlier.

My hands flop to my chest when Hank releases them from his grip. “Hands up; protect your face.” His shouts mimic ones I heard while watching Jacob’s fights on YouTube. “Elbows in and get on your toes. You don’t want clumpy feet like Jacob.”

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