“Never.” I allow the tiniest hint of a smile to show. “Let’s switch gears. I want to work on your hand-to-hand.”
She cocks her hip. “You’re just looking for an excuse to spar.”
“Do you blame me? I’ve been stuck behind desks all day, signing documents and striking deals with nobles. I need to get some of this pent-up energy out.”
“Well. Let’s see what you’ve got then, King.” She quirks a brow, getting into the fighting stance I taught her.
And because I taught her, I know she’ll strike first—which she does, throwing out a punch that would shatter a male’s jaw. She whirls as I slip out of the way, rolling her neck and crouching again. I advance this time, taking advantage of her open gait. My fist finds her stomach as her elbow slams into my face. The tang of blood coats my mouth as I laugh, staggering back a step.
“There’s that vicious streak I’ve been missing.”
She shrugs, a smug little smirk on her lips. “Learned from the best.”
I lunge for her again, and we fall into a dance of flying fists and swinging kicks. It’s lighthearted. Playful. And even though each of her hits hurt like hell, they feel tender. Like a kiss.
And I meet her move for move. Every punch I land, I imagine I’m kissing her back.
Hit.I want you
Hit.I need you.
Hit.I love you.
Breathless, I lock onto her shoulder, dragging her into my punch. She takes it in the ribs, the air whooshing out of her before she knees me in the groin.
“Fuck.” I taught her well.
Grabbing my hand, she twists beneath me and flips me flat on my back. I heave a half-groan, half-laugh as she plants her boot on my chest and peers down at me.
“Say I won.”
“Who said we’re done?”
I yank on her ankle, cackling as her ass hits the ground. Then I drag her closer until our thighs touch, and sit up on my knees to lean over her.
“Look at you. Always falling for me.”
Her lavender eyes flash. She gets to her knees, mirroring my posture, grabs a fistful of my hair, and leans in.
And I’m helpless.
Utterly helpless. Boundaries be damned.
She’s close enough to taste, and I’m suddenly starving. I open my mouth as she replaces her hold on my neck with a dagger to my throat.
My eyes peel open. “Dirty move.”
She nods. “Like you said. Vicious. Now say I won.”
“You won,” I pant. “You won this round.”
A feline smile cracks her lips as she releases my hair, twirls theblade in her hand, and slides it back into its sheath. She pats my cheek and sashays away, high on her victory, leaving me there on the forest floor staring after her.
Friends?
Yeah. Right.
I’m totally screwed.
