She rolls her eyes, and it makes my cock twitch.
“Okay, big guy, come on. Come at me, but don’t go easy.”
“We’re done, Lena. You’ve had enough.”
She scowls and props her hands on her hips, but not before I see the relief move through her eyes. “I don’t know why you bothered to put this tape on my knuckles, because I didn’t get to hit you even once.”
“You managed to elbow me in the gut, and that didn’t feel good.”
I barely even noticed it, but I don’t want her to feel totally defeated.
Which is fucking new for me, because when I’m training, I don’t give a rat’s ass about feelings.
But Lena smiles with satisfaction at my words, and I’ll tell her that she ruptured my spleen if it keeps that grin there.
“Good.” She sighs and moves to walk out of the ring. “What are we doing next?”
The door of the gym opens, and Aiden saunters in. His eyes scan the room, looking for me. This kid grew into a monster of almost six foot five, and he’s all muscle. After two years of college, he decided to enter the NHL draft and was picked up by Seattle.
My brother’s old team.
He leaves next week to start the season, and I’m going to miss having him on the ranch.
“Hey,” Aiden says as he saunters our way. “Wills sent me out here to find you. You’re not answering your phone.”
“I’m working,” I reply. “Is everyone okay?”
“Yeah, she just wants you and the princess to come to breakfast.” Aiden grins and winks at Lena, and for the first time in his life, I feel like punching the kid. “No offense or anything. But you’re kind of a princess.”
“Nope, I wasn’t born into politics—my mother was elected into them. There’s a difference. I don’t have a tiara or anything.” She’s not offended at all as she walks over and holds her hand out to Aiden.
I want to pull it back. I don’t want him touching her.
Get a grip, asshole.
“Lena,” she says as he takes her hand and shakes it. Then the little brat kisses her knuckles.
Don’t make me kill you today, buddy.
“Aiden,” he says with a grin. “I’m the favorite around here. Wills raised me, and the rest of the family history requires a spreadsheet and a presentation. Anyway, she’s making something delicious and wants everyone there.”
“And does she always get what she wants?” Lena asks as she pulls the black tape off her knuckles.
“Duh,” Aiden says with a laugh. “Of course she does. Otherwise, Ryker kicks ass. I’ll see you guys over there. She said to be there in an hour.”
“Oh, good, that gives me time to go wash the filth off me,” Lena mutters as Aiden walks out of my gym.
I don’t know why it bothers me that he’s flirting with Lena. He’s closer in age to her than I am. He’s a good kid. He’s one of my favorite people in the world, and I only have three of those.
Nope, still don’t like it.
“Come on, we’ll head back to the house.”
Lena’s chin firms, and she takes a breath before she walks ahead of me. Something isn’t right. My eyes move over her, watching her stilted gait, and then I see the blood on the backs of her heels.
“Stop.”
Immediately doing as she’s told, she glances over her shoulder and raises an eyebrow. “Problem?”
