Page 18 of Wicked Oath
“Why does this matter?”
“Because anyone who’s in my life should know how to fight. And since we’re engaged, you’re important to me, Olivia. Does that count as a good enough reason?”
I lean back into his arms. When I thought he was just a stranger at the club, I resisted him. But now that he’ll be my husband, I’m allowing myself to take liberties and get closer to him. “Then show me,” I whisper.
He growls deep in his throat, which just makes me hotter. James trails his fingers down to my hands and lifts them, making them into fists. “This is how you want your hands to be if you ever throw a punch successfully. And this …” He nudges my feet wider apart. “Is how you want to stand to keep your weight stable if you ever need to defend yourself.”
“Why would I need to do that?”
“You really have been sheltered your entire life. Once you enter my world, Olivia, who knows what dangers could take place.”
It’s like a pot of ice-cold water was just poured over me. I step away and spin around to face him. “What do you mean by dangers?” My grandma’s words come back to me.
“I just mean that being a mafia wife is different from being a mafia daughter. When you’re at my side, you’ll be expected to be seen at events. Supporting me here in the ring. You won’t be invisible any longer. And that can put you in danger in case anyone thinks to come after me through you.”
“But why would anyone do that?”
He shrugs. “Because this world is cruel. And I wish to keep you safe.”
I think over his words, and James sounds sincere. Maybe I’m a naïve fool, but I can’t help but be drawn to him. I walk back to him. “You do?”
“I do.” He touches my waist, gently playing with the edges of my skirt. “Now, shall we continue?”
I let out a deep exhale. “Ok.”
James turns me back around and puts me into the correct fighting stance. I feel a little silly doing this in my dress, but how James looks at me makes all my insecurities disappear. He comes to face me and raises his fists again. “All right. Try to hit me again.”
I lunge forward and aim my fist toward his stomach, but he stops me. I then aim for his chest, and he stops me again. With a huff, I use the last of my energy and run right into him. James grabs me around the waist, and together, we fall to the ground.
I land on top of him, but James isn’t so lucky. He grunts as his back hits the floor. “Are you ok?”
He nods. “You just took me by surprise, I’ll admit. I wasn’t expecting you to charge at me like that.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It’s a great thing. Not many people can surprise me.” He keeps his hands on my waist. Our legs are tangled together, and our faces are so close to touching.
James’s eyes darken as he looks up at me. “Now, tell me. Are you still the good girl I remember?”
“I’m always good.”
“Then prove it.” He leans up and captures my lips in a passionate kiss. I gasp and go still for a second before melting into it. James growls as I grip his face, kissing him back with a frenzy I didn’t know I possessed. What this man has done to me is insane.
He grips my waist tighter before trailing one hand down to my thigh. I don’t pull away even as he rubs my thigh, moving his hand upward to the bottom of my dress. He pauses for a moment before lifting my dress higher.
“Still the good girl?” he asks against my lips.
I know I should pull away. If I were truly good, I’d swat his hand away and stand up. I’d call out for Garret and go back home.
But I don’t want to do any of that.
The way James makes me feel is like an all-consuming passion I want to explore. I want to keep kissing him.
I just smile and press my lips harder to his. James returns in kind and deepens the kiss. His fingers draw circles into the skin of my thigh, and I move my leg higher up his leg.
In an instant, James rolls me onto my back. I gasp, looking up at him. The intensity in his eyes scares me a little, but still, I don’t make him stop.
“Have you ever been kissed before me?”
