Penelope exchanged a glance with Odette, who still looked half-horrified but Penelope could see a part of her growing excited.
“I’ll box if you do,” Odette challenged Penelope.
“Oh, I’ll do it,” Penelope replied archly. “Though don’t expect me to be any good at it.”
“I suspect you’ll surprise us all,” Alexander laughed, his arm tightening around her waist.
A few months later, everything had changed.
“You’re not going easy on me today, are you?” Penelope said as she circled the ring with her husband. They were having another one of their sparring sessions, which they tried to do a few times a week.
At first, it had been extremely intimidating for Penelope. But with the help of the instructor, and her husband, she had made remarkable progress in a short time.
It turned out that her small frame was ideal for agility, and she could dodge a punch like it was nothing.
“Easy? After last time? Never again.” Alexander said to her. “You won by several points, and I did not even know what to expect.”
“I’d hate to think you were underestimating me,” Penelope smirked, sending a cross-hook to his side. “So I suppose I am happy that you are trying to go harder on me.”
“You’ve come a long way, Penelope,” He circled her slowly.
Something told her he was not only talking about the sport.
“Only because I have an excellent opponent,” she replied sweetly, before launching forward with a quick jab.
“Flattery won’t make me drop my guard,” He deflected easily, laughing under his breath.
“Wasn’t trying to,” she quipped, feinting left and then spinning to his right to land another jab.
“Impressive,” Alexander barely dodged it, his brows lifting in surprise.
“Can you tell that I have been practicing more?”
They moved around each other, exchanging blows. For several minutes, neither yielded an inch until Penelope saw her opening.
With a quick step forward, she hooked her foot behind his ankle and swept his leg out from under him. Alexander stumbled backward and she tackled him squarely in the chest.
“I win,” Penelope announced in triumph.
Alexander stared up at her, seeming so proud that it almost did not matter to him that he had just lost.
“So, it would seem, darling. You have shaped up to be quite the professional in almost no time.”
“Do not worry though,” she winked at him. “I still think you’re much stronger than me.”
“But this means that you can defend yourself now,” Alexander straightened, and moved over to kiss the top of her head. “If you hand a punch like this always, then there will be no one who can take you down in a fight.”
Alexander’s hand slid gently up the back of her neck and he pulled her down into a kiss. The kiss was soft. By the time she pulled away, her victory had been entirely forgotten.
“Unfair,” she murmured, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. “I don’t remember anything when you kiss me like this.”
“Necessary,” he whispered back, smirking. “I thought I should brag about what I’m good at.”
“We’re going to be late if you keep distracting me,” She narrowed her eyes at him, but couldn’t suppress her grin.
“True enough.” He glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed.
They had a ball to attend.
