Page 95 of The One
Mari’s shoulder grazes my chest as she follows through, and I can sense her slight hesitation, her awareness of every point of contact.
Yes, dolce mia, I’m very much aware of it too.
She repeats the movement, improving with each attempt.
“That’s it,” I say softly, barely more than a whisper. “You’re doing great. Now try to put more force behind it. You want to catch them off-guard.”
I release her slowly, watching her practice the move, her focus intense. But each time she swings her arm, her gaze flickers to mine, like she’s searching for something else in my expression.
I swallow, trying to shake off the urge to reach out again.
“Remember,” I say, my voice dropping a notch, “this isn’t about looking pretty. It’s about getting yourself out. Hit them hard, don’t hold back. A half-hearted move could be your last.”
She nods, her lips parting slightly. The tension is building, thicker this time, harder to ignore.
Was teaching her self-defense really such a smart idea?
Right now, it seems like every technique I show her is just another excuse to be closer, to feel the warmth radiating off her skin, to guide her under the pretense of teaching.
With each touch, it gets harder.
I step back further, giving her space.
No! I’m the one needing the space to clear my head of this lust fog I’m under.
I watch Mari from a few feet away as she continues to go through the moves on her own. She’s getting there, each motion more confident, but there’s still a hesitancy in her stance.
Her gaze flicks toward me just as she pivots, and her ankle wobbles, throwing her off balance. She stumbles, and instinct kicks in. I rush forward to catch her, but the momentum tips us both off-center.
Before I can stop it, we’re falling and hit the mat with a soft thud. I brace myself with my hands on either side of her to not crush her, my weight suspended just inches above her body.
My chest heaves with labored breaths but I’m not taking in any oxygen. Mari is frozen beneath me, her eyes blown wide and focused on me.
My gaze drops to her lips.
I’ve never wanted to kiss a girl so much.
With each passing hour I know her, she seems to take up more space in my mind. I’m becoming borderline obsessed with her.
She watches me as my body inches closer. The electric current running between us is at full power. It puts my mind in a haze.
Mari trembles.
It’s soft but enough to send heat surging through my body.
God, I need her lips on me more than my next breath.
We’re both panting, her chest rising and falling against mine.
The air crackles.
Sparks fly.
I almost fucking lose it, when Mari moistens her lips and then parts them to pull in a shaky breath.
The need to touch her is overwhelming. I frame her face with my hands, my thumb skirting over her cheek. She leans into my touch, making my heartbeat go through the roof.
Her eyes dart to my lips and I can’t help licking them. Then they rise to meet mine again, an adorable blush coloring her cheeks.
