Page 92 of Tempting the Player
Instead, he gets up and walks over to the workbench that runs along the back wall, then comes over to the front of the mat. “Stand up.”
“Change your mind on yoga?”
“Ever thrown a punch at someone?”
I drop my gaze to the black material in his hands. “No, but it seems like you Holland brothers spend an awful lot of time hitting things.”
His brows dance as a playful smirk stretches across his face. “Wanna punch me? It feels great. The third best way I know to blow off a little steam.”
Intrigued, I pull myself to my feet. “Third best way? Are the other two less hardcore? Because I’m not sure I have it in me to hit you.”
“Hendrick will kill me if I take you out on my bike or get you naked, so third best will have to do.” He winks. “And I said throw a punch. I’m not going to let you hit me.”
I let his comment about getting me naked go. I don’t really think he has any interest in me. I think he likes to rile up his brother by flirting, but something tells me I’m not Knox Holland’s type at all.
“Okay.” A little bit of excitement shoots through me, replacing some of the anxiousness. “What do I do?”
I don’t know how much time passes as Knox wraps my hands, explaining as he does, then shows me a few sparring moves. I’m sweaty and my arms feel heavy. I’m tired but also filled with energy. It feels good to try to punch at Knox, even if he blocks each one easily.
“That’s right. You’re not really trying to take me down, but you want my balance off when you throw the punch.” Knox doles out the praise as I attempt a footsweep followed by a darting cross. “That was good. Try it again.”
I do, summoning all my strength. He grins. “There’s some fire. Again.”
Before I can obey, Hendrick’s voice cuts through the garage. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”
Knox is slow to let his gaze flick from me to his brother. His expression is harder with his brother than it is with me. I guess it isn’t surprising that he knows how to turn on the charm for the ladies, even those he isn’t planning on getting naked, but it seems like these two are always ready to trade verbal punches.
“Flynn has a late start day at school. I took the morning off.” Knox steps away from me and places both hands on his hips. “I thought your girl could stand to learn a few basic self-defense moves.”
In the back of my mind, I knew that’s why Knox was teaching me, but hearing it out loud makes me want to go back inside and hide for another week or two.
I turn away from Knox, letting my tired arms fall to my sides. When I do, Hendrick’s attention shifts from his brother to me, dipping down over my sports bra and shorts. He’s seen me much more naked, but his stare is slow and curious like he doesn’t want to let the opportunity pass him by.
Without taking his eyes off me, he says, “Knox, can you give us a few minutes?”
“Sure. I need to shower and get ready anyway.” He grabs his discarded shirt off the floor on his way inside. He turns to meet my gaze before stepping inside, wearing that cocky Knox smirk. “Nice job, Hollywood. You’ve got a pretty good right hook. Don’t be afraid to use it.”
Once the door closes behind Knox, Hendrick closes the distance between us. His eyes are dark, and I can’t read his expression. Is he mad that I was out here with Knox or about to kiss me? I really hope it’s the second.
He reaches for my hand and lifts it to inspect the black material wrapped around my wrist and fingers. “Is it too tight?”
“No. It feels okay.”
His thumb glides over the top of my bound hand before he drops it and moves into position in front of me like Knox had. “Show me what you learned?”
At first, I feel more self-conscious with Hendrick than I had his brother, but he praises me in the same way. He also gives me minor corrections here and there, but always with a gentle voice.
It isn’t long before he steps back, obviously satisfied with what he’s seen. “Knox is a pretty good teacher.” The words sound like they’re painful for him to admit. “And he’s right. It’s not a terrible idea for you to learn how to defend yourself.”
My stomach slowly fills with dread again. “I don’t know if I could hit someone for real.”
“And I hope you never need to.” Hendrick steps closer and cups my face. “My job is to prevent that, but I would feel better knowing that if I fail, you can pick up my slack.”
I doubt the man has slacked at anything in his life.
“But let me teach you instead of Knox.” He takes my hand again and starts to slowly unravel the wrap from my right hand, then he does the same for the left. When he’s done, he brings my hand up to ghost a kiss over my red knuckles.
“Why?”
