“Nice to finally meet you,” I say, smiling. “I hear you’re going to teach me how to grapple.”
“Sure am.” His lips curl in a slow, cocky grin that probably drives women crazy—although I believe he’s off the market these days. I’m sure teenage girls with crushes are crying into their pillows all over the country. “You’ll be unbeatable by the time I’m done with you.”
“Perfect. I’m not sure how much Seth’s told you, but I need to be able to win three fights in one night, and I’ve got two months to do it.”
He nods. “The eliminator. He mentioned it to me. For what it’s worth, I think it’s incredible what you’re doing.”
Something warms inside me. I love the respect I see in his expression. It’s not always something I come by easily, and it’s nice to know that I have someone other than Seth onside.
“Thanks.” I roll my shoulders, loosening them up. “I was going to do a few rounds on bags. Did you just come over to say hi, or are we grappling now?”
“We’ll do it now.” He glances at the electronic timer that’s counting down on the wall. “Start of the next round. I’ll talk you through some basic moves and give you a chance to practice. Then, afterward, we’ll roll, so you can try them when you’re under pressure.”
“Sounds good.” I drink from my bottle, mop sweat off my face and neck, and wrap my hands so I’m ready to go when the timer beeps.
Over the next five rounds, Jase demonstrates an armbar and several maneuvers with the word “choke” in their names. It’s a somewhat unpleasant experience. Striking and taking hits is one thing, but I’m not used to trying to fight when there’s no blood or air getting to my brain. It adds a whole new aspect to the game. Not to mention I’m genuinely afraid he might break my arm. But I’m a trooper and I didn’t give up my life in Thailand just to fail. I’m determined to learn each and every thing he shows me.
When we’re freestyling, and I tap out for the third time in a row and flop back against the mat, gasping for breath, I have to admit to being out of my depth. The thing I like about Jase, though, is that he doesn’t treat me differently than anyone else. He doesn’t go easy on me, or hold back his full strength for fear of hurting me. He goes just as hard as he would with a man, and even though I’m struggling, I know I’ll be better for it in the long run.
“Yo, Dev!” he calls across the room as he lets me catch my breath. “You sub in. I want to coach her from the outside. See where she’s going wrong.”
Closing my eyes, I stifle a groan.Great. Just great.As if I’m not having a hard enough time without introducing Devon and his sexy lips to the equation.
Treat him like any other sparring buddy,I tell myself.Because that’s all he is. That’s all he can be.
I roll to my feet, and find him far closer than I’d thought, almost chest to chest with me. My nipples want to poke holes in my sports bra to get to him.
“Harley.” He dips his head in acknowledgment, and there’s a gleam in his eye that I shouldn’t like but do. Jase clears his throat, and gives Devon a look with a little censure in it. What’s that about?
“Rein in the crazy,” Jase tells him. “She’s just learning, so we’re working through the basics. She doesn’t need you pulling any of your weird-ass moves.”
“Got it, boss.” He salutes, and I have to laugh. He’s so irreverent, and any female with eyes would find his cheeky smirk appealing.
“Harley”—Jase turns to me—“don’t overcomplicate things. Your number one focus at the moment should be taking advantage of any opportunity you see to get him into a hold, but otherwise, get on top or upright as soon as possible, since that’s where your strengths are.”
“Okay.” I lower myself to the floor, and Devon faces me. Awareness flutters through me and the nerves in my abdomen come to life. It’s ridiculous, but I’d swear I can sense the heat of him near me, and that both of our pulse rates have doubled. The space between our bodies is charged, and his pupils dilate, his eyes nearly black. I can’t bring myself to look away.
What’s wrong with me? I’ve never been turned on during training before. Not even when I was banging my coach. There’s no way the slightest brush of Thaklaew’s skin against mine would have had me on the verge of shivering.
The timer sounds, and we launch into action. Our bodies move with the grace of two people who are hyperalert to the barest change or movement in the other. Somehow, the distraction of his sleek muscles gliding over mine takes the edge off my nerves and my actions are much smoother than they were with Jase. He tries to shift me into an armbar, but I extricate myself before he has me stuck, then I tuck his head into a choke hold and he slips fluidly out of it before I can lock him in.
We’re rolling on the floor, our movements more of a dance than a battle for dominance. I take charge temporarily, then he shifts the balance of power. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I can hear Jase issuing instructions, but I’m operating on instinct more than anything else. The round ends, and I pin Devon to the floor, staring down at him. There’s an animal expression written across his features that I’m certain must be echoed in mine. He wants me, and he can’t hide it.
Something long and hard pulses between my legs, and my eyes widen. Now hedefinitelycan’t hide it. He looks as stunned as I am, but neither of us move. He’s stuck where he is unless he wants someone to know the condition he’s in, and I’m so shocked it doesn’t even occur to me to get off him. This has never happened before. When his expression becomes pleading, it makes me think it’s a new situation for him, too.
“Think unsexy thoughts,” I hiss. “I can’t cover for you forever.”
His gaze rakes up and down my body and he gives me a helpless look. “You’re kinda making that hard.”
I snort. The situation isn’t the only thing that’s hard, and I have the strangest urge to rub myself all over him.
“What the hell are you guys up to?” Jase asks, right on cue, putting an end to my wayward thoughts.
“Devon is explaining the half guard to me,” I say, even though we’re clearly in the wrong position for that.
“He’d better speed it up, or people are going to get uncomfortable.” Jase’s tone indicates that he’s already uncomfortable.
Devon gives me a slight nod, and I climb off him. I guess hearing his friend’s voice is enough to ruin the mood.
