Page 59 of Starcrossed Colorado

I came toward her. Emma dodged out of my way, adopting an easy fighting stance. Nice. Her form lacked refinement, but she was confident and quick.

Mischief glinted in her eyes.

She feinted, but I didn’t fall for it. Instead, I lunged. Took her to the mats to see what she would do.

Emma’s pupils dilated. Her lips parted.

Then she wrapped her legs around my waist to put me in the guard position, the proper defensive move. Her body wriggled against mine.Nngh. She tried to get me in a chokehold, but she didn’t quite close it.

“Like this,” I said, changing her arm position slightly, which drew us even closer. Our bodies pressed together. We were sparring, but this was also averyintimate position.

Lavender and vanilla flooded my senses. My cock twitched with interest.

She released me, and I got up, holding my hand out to help her stand. Phew, I needed a cold shower right about now. This woman was dangerous.

Honestly, I didn’t know how much of this was practice. How much was foreplay. I knew what Iwantedit to be, but I couldn’t tell yet if Emma was really on board.

“Go again?” I asked.

She nodded.

This time, I let Emma take me to the mat. She straddled my torso. I hugged her tight around the middle and flipped her. Not too rough. When she was on her back, she tried the same chokehold. My head was tucked close against her, enough that her pulse thrummed straight into my skin.

“That’s it,” I said. “You’ve got it.”

We were both breathing hard. She loosened her grip enough that I could look down at her.

Two stormy blue eyes gazed up at me.

Fuck, I wanted her.

I’d been teaching defensive moves all afternoon, but really, I was at war with myself. If I kissed her, there was no going back. No matter how she reacted.

Emma glanced away.

We both got up and went to grab our water bottles. My mind was a buzz of conflicting thoughts. I was teetering right on the edge.

No. I had to play it safe.

“We should stop while we’re ahead,” I said. I studied her expression for disappointment, for any kind of hint she was feeling what I was, but she just shrugged.

“Good idea. Thanks for the lesson. My turn next time.”

“You’re going to teach me music? I’m warning you now, that’s hopeless.”

“Won’t know until you try. I’m a good teacher.”

“I’d rather sit and listen to you play.”

“Play what?”

“How about the piano?” I nodded at the keyboard in the corner. It had a protective cover, and I’d had to be strict with the jiu-jitsu kids to stay away from it.

“Do you meannow?”

“Yeah,” I decided suddenly. “Why not?”

We had a few until Callum would bring Maisie home from uncle time. Now that Emma had mentioned it, I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend these minutes.

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