Page 93 of Love on Tour
How about this Thursday?
I can do that one. I’ll share the contact information and meet you there around 6:30.
TY, Matt,she wrote.
You got it.
CHRISTINE MET MATT AT THEDOJANG,which she learned meant “training place for Korean martial arts.” He was in his white uniform with a brown belt tied around his waist and had no shoes on his bare feet. “Sexy,” she said under her breath.
“Huh?” Matt asked.
“Oh, um. Nothing. Just talking to myself. How did I not know you do this?”
“I keep it pretty private. We have some loaner uniforms, always washed and clean, that you can use tonight. I’ll help you get the belt tied once you change.”
“Okay.” She was nervous and took a deep breath before painting a smile on her face.
“It’ll be great,” Matt said.
“Uh-huh. You’ll get to see I have two left feet.”
“We all do at first. Anything you’re overly concerned about?” Matt asked.
“Kind of. I’m not really allowed to do any contact sports. I only have one kidney. And if I were to get kicked or punched in the other one, it could kill me.”
“Oh. Yeah, that is a concern. Were you born with only one? My aunt was.”
“No. I gave my left one to my cousin.”
“Damn. You’re a living organ donor?”
“I am.” Christine smiled. She didn’t share the information with many people because it was so personal. But she couldn’t hide her pride that she’d saved a life.
“You just keep getting more impressive. I’ll talk to Master Joe about putting together a program that focuses on you being able to defend yourself more than you being taught to spar.”
“Thank you, Matt.” Christine’s smile took over her whole face. God, she liked him. So much.
Christine stepped into the ladies’ room, changed into the uniform, and came back out. She held up the long belt. “What do I do with this?”
“I can show you or I can try to explain how to tie it,” Matt said.
“Might be better if you show me,” she said, relishing the thought of his hands on her.
Matt told her to turn around. When she did, he wrapped his arms around her, causing her to shiver.
“Are you cold?”
“Just a bit chilled after changing clothes,” she lied.
“It’ll warm up once we start working out.” He stood behind her, explaining how to tie the belt while doing it for her.
She wasn’t listening to a word. Instead, she focused on the way his hands moved from her front to her back as he wound the long belt around her before tying it in a square knot at her navel.
“There. You’re ready.”
Christine looked around the room and realized they weren’t alone. She’d been so focused on the physical contact with Matt that she hadn’t seen a dozen white and yellow belts come in. Their ages surprised her. She’d expected a bunch of teenagers and twentysomethings. But there were kids as young as seven and some adults with gray hair, clearly in their fifties and sixties. And the women outnumbered the men. Another surprise.
The instructor, a fifth-degree black belt named Master Joe, told them to line up and they instantly created three rows of four. Matt led Christine to the back of the room, and she took her place at the end of the last line. First, they all bowed in. Then they did a warm-up that was rather simple, with some twists and stretches.Christine wasn’t overly limber, but she didn’t struggle to do what she was told, either. She was the only new student, and when they broke up into groups, Joe asked Matt to work with her on the basics. When he explained how she should hold her fist to avoid breaking her fingers when she punched, he stood behind her and wrapped his right arm around her right side, closing his hand over her fist. She melted back into him. For a few seconds, neither of them moved. She forgot anyone else was in the room. His breath was near her ear, and she closed her eyes. Her hand unrolled and she interlocked her fingers with his.
