“Which leads to the second lesson: don’t be predictable. Your attacker will expect you to follow a victim’s instinct, so take him by surprise instead. The best defense can often be an offensive move. Let go of my arm.”
She let her hands fall to her sides.
“Now he’s stronger than you, but he’s got his weaknesses as well. You use those against him, along with the element of surprise, and it can buy you precious seconds of freedom. Ready to learn three simple steps?”
She nodded.
“First, bring your left elbow back as hard as you can, straight into his solar plexus. He’ll double over or at least be surprised,” Gabriel said. “You then execute the second step: stomp on his foot, aiming for the instep to maximize pain. That should free you of his grip and then you have a choice with the third step.”
Thea’s mind spun with the startling information. It went against every ladylike behavior that she’d ever been taught. But being a lady wasn’t helpful when it came to dealing with an enemy spy, was it?
“Choice?” she said.
“Run or spin around and knee him in the groin.”
Thea reviewed the steps in her head. “It seems simple enough.”
“Try it.”
“But I don’t want to hurt you,” she protested.
“I’ll be fine.” His voice was dry. “Give it a go, princess.”
Before she could respond, his arm tightened around her neck. The choking sensation set off an inner alarm. Her hands went immediately to the source of her confinement, but then Gabriel’s instructions kicked in. In a swift movement, she brought her elbow back instead, heard his breath whoosh as she made contact with the wall of muscle. In the next second, she stepped on his foot with all her might. His grip loosened enough for her to whirl around, bring up her knee.
At the last instant, he deflected her attack with his hands.
They stood facing each other, their breaths heavy in the air.
He rubbed his chest, said ruefully, “You’re a quick study.”
Energy flowed through her. The sizzling sense of power was not unlike what she experienced when Gabriel made love to her. She felt vital, amazingly strong.
“Show me more,” she said.
His lips quirked. With a bow, he said, “As you wish.”
Ten minutes later, she’d practiced several techniques that not only defused an attacker’s strength but used it against him. Gabriel showed her that, with the right leverage and maneuvers, she could defend herself against a larger, stronger opponent. The knowledge empowered her. Brimming with new confidence, she decided to try a variation on the theme. When Gabriel came at her, she ducked and instead of using her elbow as he’d taught her, she stuck out her leg to trip him.
The world tilted. She found herself flat on her back, her hands pinned above her head, Gabriel’s muscled length crushing her into the silky carpet. Panting, she stared dazedly up into his face.
His eyes glinted. “Nice try, princess. Here’s a final lesson: being overconfident can land you in trouble.”
She became aware of the heavy weight of his manhood against her thigh, the heat rushing beneath the surface of her own skin. With startling speed, battle fever transformed into desire. Arousal sparked along her every nerve.
“Maybe I have you just where I want you,” she said daringly.
His nostrils flared. “Is that so?”
With her hands trapped, she couldn’t use them to touch him. So instead she softened beneath him, welcoming his weight, cradling his body with hers. His response to her surrender was immediate: his pupils enlarged, his cock an iron bar pressing through the layers of her skirts.
“Don’t move,” he said. “Keep your hands where they are.”
She stilled, the erotic command in his tone causing her temperature to soar. He was once again her masterful lover, his features carved with stark intensity. Perhaps given his recent capitulations to her, he needed to reinstate his dominance in other ways. She would gladly give him whatever he wanted. Indeed, she yearned for their sensual connection… but a niggling voice reminded her that they were in the library, the midday sun streaming through the tall windows.
Breathlessly, she said, “Anyone could come in—”
“We’re hidden behind the couches. Now hush and let me have my way with you.”
