“Alright, try this on for size. You either get on the mat and we start working or you’re off the mission.” Although he’d rather stump his toe right now rather than see her leave. If he’d thought taunting her like that would driver her away, he wouldn’t have done it. But she got so spun up at his goading, awoman with her spirit wouldn’t back down.
“Col. Grey is the only one with the authority to do that.” Kate crossed her arms and glared at him, the action pushing up her plump breasts to test the top of her shirt.
Ethan’s irritation edged up. “And he find someone else if you refuse to do what I say. As far as you’re concerned – I’m in charge.”
“You’re an ass.”
Instead of rising to her bait, he simply waited right where he was. She was either going to do this his way or no way at all. Improperly trained operatives winded up either dead or injured and he had no intention of allowing anything bad to happen to her.
Finally, after a whole minute of stare down, she blew out a loud breath and stomped over to him. “Fine.”
When she got on the mat, she cast him a trivializing look and arched a black brow.
Ethan’s blood started to boil in response. He really did not like that look. “You ready?”
“I’ve been ready,” she retorted.
His hand shot out and wrapped around her firm bicep. Heat sizzled up his arm.
“Let go of my arm,” she said.
“Make me.”
His hand slid down, unconsciously testing the silky texture of her skin. Kate's lips parted, drawing Ethan's gaze to her mouth. There was no way in hell he'd make it through training herwithout tasting those lips.
Ethan gritted his teeth and fought for control. Allowing himself to become distracted by his throbbing hard on wouldn’t do her any good. Grey had briefed on the past few years of Kate's life, including the fact that the closest she'd been to physical combat was at a computer. He knew she would have had to pass basic training at the Farm for anyposition at the CIA, but she’d be rusty.
Kate wind milled her arm in a large arc, broke his grip and caught him by surprise. He'd been so focused on her mouth he'd forgotten his own challenge. She dropped, sweeping her leg in a wide circle and caught him on the side of his shin. He barely felt her kick, but Kate dropped to the mat and grabbed her foot. “Ow.”
Amusement tinged his words, “Good idea but terrible form.”
She frowned up at him and rubbed her leg, “Bite me. I was just warming up.”
He held out his hand, but she ignored him and got to her feet without his assistance.
“Why don't we start with you showing me what you know?”
Ethan took a step forward and Kate countered with a backward step, keeping at least a foot space between them.
“Good, but you're too stiff, bend your knees, raise your hands up.” She followed his instructions, but her movements were wooden and unnatural. She'd fall as soon as anyone got close. Ethan circled her, taking the time to study her form and getting distracted by the curve of her perfectly round ass in those tight pants.
“What are you doing?” Kate asked between clenched teeth.
Ethan coughed and cleared his throat. “Be ready.”
“Come on. Attack.”
Ethan kept circling, showing Kate with his own body how he wanted her stance. After a few seconds, she relaxed into the crouch the way Ethan wanted. “Good, that's better. Keep your hands like mine, ready to block.”
Ethan waited until she followed his instructions and darted behind her, snagging an arm around her neck, exerting enough pressure to hold her in place but not enough to actually hurt. Kate reacted, dropping her chin, but too slow, obviously knowing what to do but severely out of practice. “Focus. Breakmy grip. Strike my weak points.”
Kate strained against him and tried to nail his shin with her heel. Ethan read her move and side stepped. She snarled and tried again, and again he countered. Finally, he let go and she stumbled, catching herself before she face planted on the mat.
He came at her again, the same move, snaked an arm around her neck, but this time Kate froze instead of fighting.
“That's it, now concentrate on breaking my hold.” Ethan felt every inch of her body pressed to his. “You need less than an inch to breath.”
Kate’s hands flew to his wrist. She yanked in one quick motion, gulped in a breath and threw back an elbow jab, catching him in the side beneath his ribs. Pain shot up his side and he released her instantly.
