Page 8 of The Third Girl

CHAPTER 4

MATT

“Okay, ladies, we’re continuing to talk about escaping choke holds. Who’d like to play our victim today? Warning—you might end up rolling around on the mat with this guy.” Jackson jerks his thumb at me, then scans the group as a few hands shoot into the air, including Skylar’s. I’d acknowledged her when she came in, but we haven’t spoken since she texted me earlier in the week about nannying.

And of course, Jackson chooses her. “Shorty with the red hair. I want to make sure everyone sees that these tricks are usable for even the most petite women. Come on up.”

Okay. Valid reasoning. “I guess that makes me your attacker.” As Skylar steps forward onto the mat with me, I do my best to smile. She returns it, then with a tilt of her head, she studies me for a brief moment. No sign of hesitation in what we’re about to do.

Jackson is all business, oblivious to the fact that I’m supposed to talk to this girl about sleeping in my home on a regular basis to care for my kid. And now I’m going to put my hands on her like I’m trying to choke the life out of her. That’s only slightly awkward. I blow out a careful breath, wondering what she’s thinking.

“Okay,” Jackson says, “we’ll do a quick rundown to refresh your memory. Remember, a lot of this has to do with finding a way to exploit some sort of weakness in your attacker.” Jackson chuckles, eyeing me, for the ladies’ benefit, I’m sure. “Not that Matt’s weak, simply that there are some things you can do to put yourself at an advantage, which is important when dealing with someone who is bigger and stronger than you are.” He gestures for me to begin.

I wave Skylar closer, scanning the group as I say, “Let’s take a look at a front choke hold.” My gaze shifts to the pretty redhead. She’s all in pink today, dark leggings and a lighter coordinating top, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail that swishes every time she turns her head. Now that she’s standing right in front of me, the smattering of freckles on her face is obvious. I shake myself, unsure why I’m noticing all these details. In a lower voice, just for her, I murmur, “Remember what to do?”

Her green eyes flash with amusement. “Of course.” She steps closer, directly into my personal space.

I don’t think there’s a shy bone in her body. Trying to get into the right frame of mind for this, I grasp her neck lightly with both hands, then glance to Jackson, who will talk the class through the demo.

Jackson points at her. “So, Skylar’s going to tighten her neck and draw it back— kinda like you’re making a double chin—then bend quickly to break the hold he has on her neck and duck under his arm.”

I meet her eyes steadily. “Holding a little tighter now. Whenever you’re ready.”

She does exactly what Jackson said she would, freeing herself of my hold. I nod. “Good job.”

From somewhere in the crowd, one of the women asks, “Can you show us in slow motion?”

We assume the position again, working through it slowly, as requested, while Jackson talks the class through it. “See how she’s bending low before dodging his arm? One of the most common mistakes would be not to bow low enough to get under their arm and have your head hit their wrist.”

I gesture that we should go again, and this time Skylar makes a point of showing them what Jackson is talking about. “That. Don’t do that. You want all the power going straight down to defeat their weakest part, the thumbs.” She breaks right on through, no problem, and whirls away from me again.

She gives me a small smile as she returns to my side.

Jackson barrels on. “Okay, the second one we learned was the choke hold from behind with the attacker’s arm looped around the victim’s neck.” He waits a second while we assume the position. She’s so short I have to stoop some, and still I feel like I’m half curled around her small body.

“What’s your natural instinct, Skylar?” My voice comes out rough, close to her ear.

“Probably to pull down on your arm.” My elbow is hooked under her chin, so she puts her hands up, grasping my forearm and bicep to demonstrate, but I tighten my hold and show them how I’m going to pull her back.

I grit out, “I’ve still got you.” I look out at the group. “An assailant could drag you anywhere like this. Unless, of course, you know what to do to get away.”

My brain is not doing a great job at processing this entire scenario. Up until now… I can’t remember the last time I had a woman in my arms. Beyond hugging a female family member, this is the most physical I’ve been with a woman in, well, a year. Jackson was the one who showed them all these moves last week. Fuck if it’s not doing wicked things to my ability to concentrate—mostly because it feels like something I shouldn’t be doing.Fuck.It’s a training exercise. That’s all.

Jackson nods. “Remember, it’s not that you can’t pull down on the arm, but you’re also going to step forward with the leg opposite the arm that’s got you, twist your body toward the arm, down and away, with your back leg stepping between your bodies, then push away.” We show them the move twice. She must have been paying attention in the last class because she performs the skill flawlessly.

I beckon Skylar back to me again. “Don’t forget, if you twist the other way”—I nudge her in the direction I want her to go—“the choke tightens.” She makes a funny choking noise that makes the entire class titter with laughter. “You want to twist so that you’re backing out toward the opening. Unravel the choke.” This time she turns and is able to get away.

I release a hard exhale, propping my hands on my hips. I know what’s next. I’m about to get into a couple of interesting positions with this girl. Looking at her, I assume she has no clue what’s coming.

Skylar smiles and listens attentively to Jackson as his voice booms, “Are we ready for the next two choke hold escapes?” The class eagerly nods, but I only half listen as he begins to discuss what to do should an attacker get you on the ground.

Before we move back to the center of the mat, I whisper low, “Are you okay with this?”

She nods, appearing outwardly calm. The only thing that betrays her is the way her entire face has turned pink, but I can’t quite tell what’s in her head because she’s giving me a goofy smile. “I wouldn’t have volunteered if I wasn’t. Areyouokay with it?”

My brows shoot up to my hairline.Sassy.“I’m good, thanks.” I swallow, wondering if my discomfort is somehow showing. Am I the one having an issue?

She pivots away from me just as Jackson asks, “Skylar, can we get you on your back on the mat, please?”

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