Page 46 of Edge of Desperation

“Of fucking course,” I mutter.

Aurora runs over and gives him a high-five. “Badass, Carver.”

Carver puffs out his chest. “Only the cool kids understand.”

“Alright, Aurora. It’s your turn.” She returns to her spot by my side, and I point to his crotch. “Kick him right there.”

She doesn’t even hesitate. Squaring her shoulders, she steps back on her right foot and kicks Ted so hard that I swearIfeel it.

The eyes light up and groans filter throughout the yard.

Aurora dances around, stopping suddenly when she realizes we’re all watching her. “That felt good.”

I chuckle. “I never want to be on the receiving end of that kick. You have power in those legs.”

Her cheeks flush with embarrassment, and she moves to kick Ted again. I show her all the pressure points on the body where we placed the lights. My guys and I take turns giving input on proper stances and how to produce the most power behind a hit or kick.

We stay for most of the day, only stopping long enough to have some lunch. The longer we’re here, the more comfortable she appears to be in our presence. Unfortunately, I can’t stop the gnawing feeling in the back of my mind that something’s about to happen. What? I don’t know. But I’ve never ignored a feeling before, and I’m not about to start.

One thing’s for sure, nothing will fucking touch Aurora again.

CHAPTER 16

AURORA

“Kick his ass!”Willow shouts.

I throw my fist toward Jaxson’s face, which he deflects before charging me. I roll onto my back, kicking my legs up and hitting him directly in the gut. He flies over my head, landing on his back. I spring back onto my feet before he recovers and piledrive my elbow into his gut, knocking the wind out of him.

“Time out, killer,” Hudson calls, rushing onto the mat.

In the past few weeks, I've learned many strategic moves from Jaxson. He’s a fantastic teacher and the one who volunteered to teach me hand-to-hand combat techniques. One time, he clipped my cheek, bruising the left side of my face, and swore he was done. It took a lot of begging and pleading, and Hudson convincing him nothing was broken, but eventually, he caved and resumed my training after the bruise faded.

Today is the first time I’ve put Jaxson on his ass. I’m usually the one limping out and taking an Epsom salt bath to relieve my sore muscles. A small part of me hopes this time it’s him that needs help.

Jaxson bounds to his feet and smirks in my direction. “It’ll take a lot more than that to keep me down, Parks.”

Oh yeah, and now he’s calling me Parks.

“Is that why Hudson had to run to the rescue?” I taunt.

Jaxson scowls. “Dammit, Hudson! You’re ruining my street cred!”

Hudson holds his hands up. “Sorry, sorry.”

Willow comes down from the stands to hand me a water bottle. Even with my long hair in a ponytail, I’m drenched from our sparring session. I’m comfortable wearing my hair up around the guys and Willow, but around anyone else, I still wear it down since it could lead to a million questions I refuse to answer. Swiping the sweat off my forehead, I uncap the straw and take a long pull of the ice-cold water.

“Damn girl,” Willow says. “You got moves.”

Carver saunters over and drapes his arm around her. “I taught her everything she knows.”

Willow steps out of his hold to stand by me, batting her lashes at him. “Think you can teach me too, stud?”

“Well… uh… Yeah, sure,” he stammers, rubbing the back of his neck. “I-I-I can do that.”

Willow and I both look at each other before breaking out into hysterics.

“I think you broke him,” I whisper yell to her.

---