That seemed to catch her attention, and she frowned. “I know how to protect her.”
“Not with any stamina you won’t.”
She looked uncomfortable as I watched her nostrils flare. She crossed her arms. “You’re a real asshole, you know that.”
I couldn’t help but smirk. “I’m going to take it you’ll agree to more training.”
“Only because you put a lovely vision of our daughter getting kidnapped into my head. Thanks for that. I’ll have nightmares now.”
I knew it was wrong, but it worked. If protecting Ilsa was the motivation I needed to use, I’d use it.
“We start tomorrow.”
She scowled. “Are you shitting me? I’m going to be sore as fuck. Can’t you let me adjust?”
“Exactly. You have to keep training, don’t let your muscles rest.”
“I hate you,” she snipped.
I walked closer, inhaling her scent. She stiffened at the closeness. “That’s okay. I’ll live with that for now.”
I had Jade doing personal training with me starting the next day. Jade bitched and grumbled at each session but continued to come. Each day we worked on something new, and each day I watched her slowly improve.
I had Jade punching a bag while I held it. She was panting, but her punches were hard. I could feel them vibrating down my arm with the power she was putting behind it. I couldn’t help but smirk, impressed by how much she was already improving.
Her arms fell as she sighed. “Thirty… I’m done.”
I shook my head. “Not quite.” I tossed the bag aside and stepped in front of her. “Now do it again.”
Her eyebrows went up. “Punch at you?”
I nodded. “You can’t say you haven’t been dreaming about it.”
She cackled. “Oh, I’ve been dreaming of doing much more than punching you.” I thought she was going to argue, but instead, Jade swung. I stepped out of the way as she took a step forward, throwing her left arm. I caught it and grabbed her elbow, yanking her toward me.
Jade twirled and threw her right elbow back, aiming for my face. I caught her arm, elbow, and yanked her back against me. She panted, and I could feel her body against mine.
A shiver rolled over my body at the close contact, and I found myself wanting more. Watching her grow had stirred something in me.
We tumbled back, and Jade landed on me, but she fought. Her left arm hooked me in the side, and I caught it just a second too late. I could see happiness sparkle in her eyes as I grabbed both of her arms and pulled them up.
“I hit you,” she said with happiness.
“You did because you’re improving.”
She smiled, proud of herself, and I stared at her lips. I remembered how they felt against my mouth all those years ago. We were both eager, both seeming in a hurry to do it. As much as she claimed I wanted it, I knew she did too.
But things were different now. We weren’t kids anymore.
Chapter 10 - Jade
Brandon stared at my lips, and I could feel my entire body heating. His hands were warm against my skin, and I felt a flush roll over my cheeks. I took a breath in, feeling my body respond to him.
Brandon’s eyes snapped up to my eyes, and I could see something stirring in them. They had the same look they had all those years ago before everything fell apart. But I knew better now. I couldn’t give in to something that clearly was just physical.
“Alright, well, I think we are past our time.”
Brandon’s hands dropped, and he swallowed, seeming to pull himself together. He nodded. “Right.”
