“Can you show me the kip-up move?” she asks, “every time Jun shows that one off, I am so jealous.”
We’re in the gym, lingering after Combat class. She chose to stay in O’Neill’s group after I returned, which, in the past, would make me want to kick the shit out of him. But the new Konstantin smiles and nods, understanding that she needs the separation. Even if the new Konstantin still wants to kick theshit out of O’Neill, who teaches Mariya with a lot of smiles and laughter.
Still, she’s here with me now, alone in the sparring room.
“I can work with you on it,” I said, “it’s a flashy move, from flat on your back-to-back on your feet, and you’re going to see how crucial it is for defense when you move into advanced combat. Let me see how you’re doing it.”
Mariya shifts her feet, I can tell it still pains her to ask me for help. “Okay…” she says, lowering herself to her back. I groan silently, watching her sleek legs go back over her head.
“Give it a try.”
She swings her legs up gracefully, but she can’t get the momentum to spring to her feet.
Kneeling next to her, I adjust her elbows. “Keep them in line with your shoulders, you’re flaring them out. The trick is to kick with your legs and push with your hands just as your lower back touches the mat. Try it again.”
This time, her move is perfect and she snaps from her back on the floor to her feet in two seconds. “That’s what I was missing?” she gasps, “It felt so easy!”
Chuckling, I look down at her sweet, excited face. This is the most unguarded she’s been with me… well, since she saved my life. “Once more, focus on tightening the recoil.”
This time, she is spectacular, making the move with perfect form. All I need is one quick step to the left and she falls into me. The feel of her breasts pushing against my chest -yebat',fuck!
“Easy,” I said, holding her hips steady. “Aside from the collision, that was perfect form.” I know I shouldn't have pulled a trick like that, but goddamn, she felt so good against me.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” Mariya apologizes, flushing pink.
“I’m not,” I said, barely choking back a groan as she catches her balance, the softness of her fitting perfectly into my chest. I know she can feel my cock hardening as her breath catches and she pushes away from me. “Sorry, normal, human reaction.”
“Of course,” she nods rapidly, the way she does when she’s flustered. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.” Grabbing her hoodie and backpack, she’s ready to make a run for it.
“Before you go-” She pauses reluctantly at the door, her cheeks still pink. “The Christmas Eve party is a week away, would you do me the honor of attending with me?” It’s a given, but it’s important to ask her. I know this now. No more assumptions.
“Oh! Well, that’s really sweet, but…” she’s folding and unfolding her hoodie, looking down. “I’m going with someone else.”
“What?”
That came out louder than I intended. “Who asked you?”
“I asked someone,” she said, raising her stubborn chin. “A while ago.”
My brows draw together. Before I ended our engagement? What?
“It was not in violation of our agreement, you’ll see,” she says, giving me a look I can quite figure out. Like she’s deciding if she wants to fuck me or fight me and I don’t know which one I’d prefer or in what order.
Sucking in a deep breath, I shove my anger down. I don’t own her. She can take who she wants. “All right. I guess I’ll see you there.”
“Sure,” she nods, backing out of the room. “We’ll all be hanging out together anyway, right?”
Mariya’s gone before I can answer her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
In which it is possible that Konstantin might redeem himself.
Diet Mountain Dew - Lana Del Ray
Mariya…
“Stop trying to squirm away!” Mala orders, “This is happening.”
