Chad felt his stomach sink. He was there to learn—not to have Aiden throw him around like a sack of meat just to prove how much better than him he was.
“That won’t interfere with your job?” Mark asked, sounding very disapproving.
“Nope,” Aiden said, offering no further explanation.
“Fine. Everyone find a mat and pair up and get started. I’ll be walking around and helping you wherever you need it.”
Chad went and got a mat, dragging it to the side of the room and positioning it a few feet from the wall. Mick and Newt were ahead of him, while Rick and one of the alphas Aiden had been talking to were to his right.
“So, let’s see if you’ve improved any since the last time we did this,” Aiden said, stepping out of his shoes and kicking them to the side. He rolled his shoulders and stepped onto the mat, getting into position and beckoning Chad closer with his fingers.
Chad walked onto the mat and got into position, and before he knew it he was on his stomach with Aiden’s knee digging into his lower back and his arms wrenched up behind him. It hurt, and Aiden wasn’t showing any sign of letting him go.
“Halsted, you’re supposed to be teaching him,” Mark said from somewhere behind them.
“I am,” Aiden said, dropping Chad’s arms and standing up. Chad struggled to his feet and took a step back.
“Come on, Chad. Block me this time.” Aiden moved forward, and this time he was holding back enough that Chad was able to lift his arm into position and drop down to avoid the attack.
“Good,” Mark said, nodding and stepping away. The minute he was out of sight Aiden shifted his body and Chad found himself on his back, Aiden somehow lifting his legs up and bending him in half with his knees touching down on either side of his head.
He turned his face, finding Rick looking at him with a sympathetic grimace.
Aiden let him up, and Chad shot to his feet and got back into position. He wasn’t giving up that easy.
***
“You’ve improved,” Aiden said when they wrapped things up. Chad was a sweaty mess, his body feeling like it had been put through the wringer, while Aiden looked like he’d barely exerted himself. Aiden rolled down his sleeves and stepped back into his shoes, continuing. “I mean… you’re not good. But you’re better than you were the last time we did this.”
Chad scowled. The last time they’d done this Aiden had bruised his ribs so bad it had taken him weeks to heal. Of course he would fare better with Aiden actually making some effort to teach him.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the high road. He was really just happy that Aiden had refrained from hurting him. It was more than he’d expected when the lesson started.
“Have you ever thought of asking Peter for help?” Aiden asked, straightening up from tying his shoes.
Chad shook his head. That would be like a kindergartner going to a master chef to learn how to cut apple slices. Peter was so far beyond him in terms of skill that asking him for help would be a waste of both their time.
“He’s a good teacher,” Aiden said, running a hand through his hair. “I’m surprised he hasn’t worked with you on the basics, at least.”
“It’s never come up,” Chad said, wiping his face with the front of his shirt. When he lowered the material down he caught Aiden looking at him with unmistakable lust in his eyes. He shuffled back and Aiden looked up at his face with a smirk.
“You’re no fighter, but I see why he keeps you around,” Aiden said, completely unashamed. He walked toward the door, ruffling Chad’s hair as he walked by him. “You’re a cute little puppy.”
Chad pulled away from the touch, Aiden’s hands on him not something he’d ever welcome.
“I’m going to go lift some weights before my next class,” Chad said, feeling uncomfortable. He knew that Aiden wouldn’t try anything—the guy wasn’t suicidal—but it still left him feeling dirty to know that Aiden was attracted to him.
“You’re the boss,” Aiden replied, following on Chad’s heels, his tone mocking.
Chad couldn’t wait to be rid of him.
***
