“You sure are a fast learner,” I murmur, straightening as some of the tension in my chest finally eases. She’s getting there, and I can breathe a little easier knowing she might actually be able to protect herself.
Her eyes meet mine, softer now. “God, I still can’t believe it. I’ve never knocked someone over in my life.”
I arch a brow, rubbing the spot she hit. “Considering I can still feel the damn pain, I’d say you did more than just knock me over.”
She bites her lip, and just like that, all the control I’ve been holding onto snaps. My hands move before I can stop them and cup her flushed cheeks, my thumbs brushing against her warm skin. I lean in, close enough to feel her breath, my eyes glued to her lips, when she suddenly steps back, breaking the moment.
“Okay, let’s try it again before I lose my momentum,” she says, casually.
I let out a low grumble. “You sure are a mood killer.”
She raises a brow. “Well, youdowant me to learn how to protect myself, right? Can’t have distractions, unless you’ve changed your mind?”
I shake my head, exhaling roughly as I rein it all back in. “Not a damn chance. Let’s keep going.”
“Alright,” she says, brushing a damp strand of hair off her face. “What’s next?”
“Floor work.”
Her eyes narrow. “You want me on the floor? What exactly do you have in mind?”
I smirk. “Stop letting that beautiful brain wander to places we both can’t afford to go right now. This is about showing you what to do when a man tries to pin you down.”
Her expression shifts instantly. The playful spark fades and is replaced by a flicker of fear. Before she can second-guess it, I drop to one knee and tap the mat beside me.
“Trust me, by the end of this, you’ll be confident enough to take down any man, even one twice your size.”
She hesitates for a beat, then nods.
I guide her down onto her back, then move over her, assuming the attacker position while keeping every muscle locked and tightly restrained, careful not to let even an ounce of my weight press into her.
“Now listen closely,” I say, meeting her eyes. “Hook your right leg over my thigh. Drive your elbow into my neck. Then bridge your hips and twist hard, like your life depends on it.”
She nods slowly, and I continue to stay perfectly still above her, holding the position.
“Go,” I instruct.
She hooks her right leg over my thigh, just like I showed her. Her elbow pushes up against my neck, hesitant at first, but then she grits her teeth and drives harder.
“Good. Now bridge and twist.”
She breathes in, then explodes into motion. Her hips thrust up with surprising power as she twists her body and, in a flash, I’m off-balance and flipped onto my back with a solid thud.
I blink up at the ceiling, a flicker of pride running through me, but I don’t get the chance to move. She quickly scrambles up and straddles me, her knees braced on either side of my hips, breathless and flushed.
“I flipped you,” she says, as if unable to believe herself.
“Hell yes, you did.” I grin, my hands hovering just above her waist. “And now you’re just showing off.”
A slow, wicked grin tugs at her lips. “Well, it’s not every day I get to knock you on your back.”
I chuckle. “Careful, sweetheart. Straddling me like this, with that sexy mouth of yours… you’re playing with fire.”
She leans in, her lips grazing my ear before she nibbles lightly on my earlobe. My breathing stutters.
“Maybe I want to get burned,” she whispers.
And damn if that doesn’t hit harder than any knee or elbow ever could. All I want is to fist her hair and kiss the hell out of her.Focus, Sidharth.Stay in control.But hell, if fighting that need isn’t the biggest test of my willpower.
