Page 4 of Restored

I swallow my frustration and focus my eyes back on his warm brown ones. I step closer to him getting a whiff of his freshly showered skin. I whip my hand out, and it brushes the hilt before he smacks it away.

“Better, but you need to use your body, fake like you are going to go one way, then move in the opposite direction. Distract and confuse.”

I bend my knees, resetting my focus back on him. I step to the left and try to jerk to the right but end up tripping over my own feet and grabbing for Maddox, hooking my arm around his neck before we both fall to a heap on the floor.

Maddox lands on top of me. “Really?” He smiles into my neck.

“Sorry, I really thought I had that one.”

Maddox huffs a laugh as he props himself up. His face hovers above mine and I realize every other part of me is intimately pressed up against him. His muscled thigh rests between mine and every time I inhale my chest brushes his.

He must notice as well because his smile fades, and his eyes drift down, snagging on my mouth. I bite my bottom lip nervously.

“Don’t do that, Lay.” He groans in a soft whisper.

My body heats with his tortured request. “Do what?” I release my bottom lip, and my breath catches as he leans in further. My mind spins, and I know, without a doubt, he is about to kiss me.

I can’t let this happen. I have spent our friendship watching him charm his way from woman to woman and swore to myself I would never fall victim to his seduction.

Just as his full lips brush mine, I grasp the handle of his dagger and give it a firm yank.

“Got it,” I squeak. Maddox’s brows furrow as he pulls back. I half-heartedly brush the tip against his neck, drawing his attention. “You’ve been effectively disarmed,” I croak out, trying to bring some tension-breaking humor into my voice.

“I knew you had it in you.” He pushes up. I can see disappointment and possibly confusion pass over his face. I follow suit, rising on weak knees. He rubs the back of his neck, and I stand awkwardly, gripping the dagger.

I’m dumbfounded, attempting to figure out what the hell just happened. Maddox was my best friend. I’d never allowed myself to go there because he was all I had here and losing him wasn’t an option for me.

“Um, okay.” He clears his throat. “Now that you have the dagger, what are you going to do with it? I assume stabbing someone goes against the whole healer thing. The most effective move you could make would be to slam the hilt into the attacker’s temple. You’ve got to be quick and precise, but if you do it correctly, you can successfully knock them unconscious.”

“Show me.” I’m eager to avoid talking about what just almost happened.

He stalks closer and stops a foot from me. I hold my breath as he gingerly grabs my wrist and tilts it back, so the blade now faces me hilt out.

“Grip the hilt harder,” he commands, and my knuckles turn white with effort. “Now, you want to aim here. He guides my hand to his temple and presses the hilt there. The hit must be fast, and more importantly, it must be hard. Try the movement a few times.” He drops my wrist, and I give the dagger a squeeze before swinging in an up motion and stopping right before his temple.

“Nice, again.”

I repeat the motion a few times, getting more confident with each swing. On my fifth attempt, my movements getsloppy. I’m so tired from the day I miscalculate and accidentally strike him.

“Shit, Layla.” He grabs his head, and the dagger clatters to the ground as I lower it before him.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Let me see it.” I grab for him and am already reaching for my depleted power when he stops me.

“Don’t even think about using your powers on me. You have nothing left in your reserve; I can feel it.”

“Maddox, I have enough, just let me?—”

“I’m fine.” He straightens, and I push up off the floor, standing on my tiptoes to get a better look at the hit.

“It’s already bruising.” I brush the tender skin and feel a whisper of my power pull from deep in my belly.

“Good, I don’t mind bruising, it gives me more sympathy and attention from the women around me.” His eyes are soft as they sweep over me, watching as I fuss over him.

I have no doubt that is true and he is not lacking in that area. I snort, grabbing a few pieces of ice from the bucket the wine sits in and wrapping them in a cloth. “Lay down.” I grab the two filled glasses of ruby liquid. “I’m assuming training is over, and I can drink now?” I hand him the glass from where he now lays on my bed.

“I thought you didn’t want any?” He smiles into his wine and downs half the glass in one gulp.

“I lied.” I sit on the bed and pat my lap. He moves his head to lay there, and I place the ice over his bruised temple.He winces. “You’re really playing this up.” I grin as I brush a few stray brunette strands off his forehead.

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