Page 33 of Hart of Redemption
When I focused on her once again, she was in a cobra pose.
“There are other parts of the body, like the knees,” she said. “A severe knee hit can cause intense pain, leading to temporary mobility to give me a chance to run.”
She knew more than I had presumed she would, and relief had me breathing a little more easily that she might be able to fend off attackers. However, knowing and doing were two different animals.
“Do you carry a gun, knife, any type of weapon?” I asked.
She stood to her full height. “Gun in one boot. Knife in the other.”
I raised my eyebrows, not expecting that she was armed to kill. “I’m glad to hear that, but is there a specific reason you’re armed?”
Grace had a concealed weapons permit and carried. It was essential she did after escaping a sex-trafficking ring. I wanted her armed to the hilt, if need be.
“Crazy world out there,” Joy said. “Living alone has its downside, if you know what I mean. Look, I’m sorry about drawing attention last night.”
“You’re not the first to be attacked, although it’s mostly drunk guys who get testy either with the female help or other customers.” I stepped on the mat. “If you’re warmed up, we’ll simulate an attack.”
She hesitated. “Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt your balls.”
As if my nuts heard her, I could almost feel the pain. “You let me worry about that.”
Grinning, she shrugged. “If you say so, I’ll show no mercy.”
I liked that she was bold and had the courage to take me down or at least to try.
“Ready?” I asked, standing behind her.
She rolled her eyes as she walked away.
In one stride, I had her by the arm. She spun around, her knee inches away from my groin. As I deflected her from my jewels, she threw an uppercut to the underside of my jaw.
Smiling, she danced on the balls of her feet, not showing any signs that she was in pain from that bone-on-bone hit.
I rubbed my jaw. “Nice.” Then I waved her toward me. “Show me what else you can do.”
She stepped toward me, left forearm in front of her, hand fisted while her right was ready to attack me. Then she rushed forward, her attention on my face, primed to throw punch after punch. Just when I thought she would ram her fist into my jaw again, she threw a snap kick, like an MMA fighter. The top of her foot connected with the side of my arm, feeling like a tap.
“Impressive.” I was beginning to feel much better about her abilities.
She pursed her lips. “Why are you just standing there?”
“I want to see what you’re made of, not hurt you. But try again. This time, I’ll engage.”
She lunged at me hard and fast, fists flying. We danced around each other, with me deflecting her jabs. I had every opportunity to tackle her and throw her over my shoulder, but I was enjoying this way more than I thought I would.
Until she did a sweep kick, knocking my feet out from under me. My back hit the mat, air whooshing out of my lungs.
Standing over me, she held out her hand. “Your feet weren’t planted. What gives? You were lost in space.”
Because I was thinking about kissing you again.
I inhaled deeply, managing to fill my lungs with air. “You’re better than I thought.” I accepted her offer, only to pull her down to the mat with me.
She giggled as she fell on top of me. Her vanilla scent filtered into my nostrils, seeping into my veins and down to my groin. I couldn’t stop my erection even if I had a gun to my head.
I rolled us so she was beneath me then pinned her hands over her head, searching her face. My gaze finally landed on her lips. I couldn’t kiss her. Not twice. A second time would lead to a third, then I wouldn’t stop.
Man, back away. Walk away. Get the hell out of there. You can’t fall for her. Look what happened the last time you let someone in. She died.
