He began rolling up his sleeves, revealing a pair of strong forearms banded with muscle.The edge of his mouth twitched as he eyed her.“I just reminded him and all the club members that this place wouldn’t exist without my family’s investment and that I expect my guests to be welcome.”
“I see.”Samantha glanced at Hazel who merely shrugged one shoulder.It surprised her that he’d been so forthcoming though it still didn’t explain why he’d chosen to help the two of them.
“Shall we proceed?”Mr.Croft asked.He swept one hand toward a spot on the floor and gave both women an expectant look.
Keeping her tread deliberately cautious, Samantha followed Mr.Croft to a part of the room that allowed for plenty of movement.Quilted mats had been strewn across the floor here, ensuring a cushioned landing for the beginners she and Hazel were meant to be.
Samantha frowned at them.She’d not used this sort of protection since she was a seven-year-old child receiving her initial lessons from Harlowe.Even then, it had only been necessary for the first week, after which the bruises she gained led to faster learning.
“Who wants to go first?”Mr.Croft inquired..
Intent on looking unsure of herself, Samantha hung back long enough for Hazel to take a step forward.
Samantha caught her arm, then met her gaze when she turned back to face her.“Be careful.”
The warning was meant to remind her friend to show uncertainty as well as the lack of skill Mr.Croft would expect.He no doubt believed it to reference Samantha’s concern for Hazel’s safety since he said to her, “You needn’t worry.I’ll demonstrate the basics with slow and steady movements.No harm will come to Miss Stevens.You have my word.”
Had Samantha truly been worried, she would have found immense relief, not so much in his promise, but with the heartfelt assurance with which it was spoken.It struck her in that moment that whatever his faults might be, Adrian Croft was a dependable man.
But that didn’t make him less of a criminal.It only proved him capable of conducting himself as a gentleman ought.A true gentleman, however, would not build his fortune through illegal means.It was vital she remember that whenever he used his charm.
Arms crossed, she watched him instruct Hazel on how to position herself correctly.
“You’ll want to keep your knees slightly bent to allow for swifter movement.Like this.”He gave Hazel a demonstration, then raised his fists and encouraged her to mirror his stance.
Hazel made repeated attempts but consistently failed to bend her knees while keeping her arms in the right position.Samantha almost laughed.If only Mr.Croft knew how severely he was being deceived.
Then again, it was probably best if he never found out since there was no telling how he would respond.Which reminded her to be extra careful when she stepped forward a short while later to take Hazel’s place.
“Like this?”she asked when he told her to keep her fist in line with her shoulder when throwing a punch.
“Almost.Now straighten your arm upon impact.”
She did as he suggested, but kept her fist slack and leaned backward onto her heels as she struck the raised palm of his hand.
Mr.Croft offered advice on how to correct her mistakes then encouraged her to have a few additional goes.He blew out a breath by the end of it and scratched the back of his head while eyeing her with a mixture of curiosity and resolve.
“Take the defensive stance I’ve shown you again,” he told her.When she did as requested, he circled around her, vanishing from her view though she sensed his solid frame directly behind her.A brief second of undefined foreboding took root at the base of her spine.It snapped at her instincts, urging her to attack as soon as he touched her.
Slow and steady, she forced her heart to gentle its rhythm and for her breaths to find the calm she required.To remain utterly still, unthreatening, untrained.
Strong hands curled into her flesh on either side of her waist, the pressure of his fingertips sending an unbidden shiver straight down her middle.She tightened her core to negate the effect and allowed him to help her adjust her position.
“Stay like that if you can,” he told her, his voice firm as he stepped to her side.His hands caught her wrists next and positioned them just so.“Now hold your footing and your squat while I show you how to move your upper body.”
Positioned at her side, yet angled toward her, he extended her arm and brought it back, over and over, until she could no longer fight the instinct to throw her punch smoothly.
“Yes,” he cheered, believing he’d finally gotten his point across.“Now punch me in the shoulder.”
She lowered her arms and shook them out, pretending she’d found the practice exerting.“I really shouldn’t, Mr.Croft.What if I hurt you?”
“I appreciate your concern for my safety, Miss Carmichael, but I think it will be a while before such a thing might occur.”An indulgent smile followed.“Keep practicing though and I’ve no doubt you can achieve the sort of punch that will split a man’s lip and send him running.”
Hazel snorted with amusement.Allowing a chuckle, Samantha stepped forward and took the stance Mr.Croft had just showed her.Legs bent, back straight, and arms raised to protect her face from potential attack, she waited until Mr.Croft looked ready before attempting a punch that held most of her power at bay.
As expected, it barely made an impact.Mr.Croft didn’t budge in the slightest, but that didn’t mean the lesson was wasted.What she learned was that solid steel existed beneath his fine clothes.If she were ever to meet him in a fight, she’d have to use skill, perhaps even weapons, in order to win.
“Excellent work, Miss Carmichael.”He gave her a nod to reward her efforts before inviting Hazel back onto the mat so she could try punching him too.A few more turns followed before Mr.Croft declared that this was enough for today.“I encourage you both to practice at home in front of a mirror.Doing so will make it easier for you to check your posture and the correct positioning of your arms.”
