Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90315 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Now he’s breathing hard, and every muscle is tight with anger. It’s a good thing Howey isn’t here right now because he’d likely be getting his ass handed to him.
“He didn’t do anything bad when we were alone. I mouthed off at a party”—he starts to speak, but I cut him off—“which I know is not a reason to ever raise your hand in anger. He slapped me across the face, my guys jumped in right away, and I never went out with him again because I may be a pushover, but I don’t put up with that nonsense. No second chances.”
He swallows hard. “When?”
I frown, thinking it over. “About a year ago, I guess. I saw him at the gallery the other night, and I basically told him to go fuck himself.”
“Good.”
“I also told my detail that I don’t ever want him near me again.”
“Also good.” He steps away and walks to the middle of the ring. “Come here. I’m going to be the pretend bad guy.”
“And I’m the damsel in distress.”
He shakes his head. “No, you’re not. You’re going to kick my ass.” He raises his hand and gestures for me to come closer. “I’m about to act like I’m going to slap you, and I want you to deflect.”
“If we’re in the heat of the moment, and you suddenly hit me, I can’t see that coming and push your hand away.”
“Yes. You can.”
Chapter Six
Gideon
She’s exhausted. We’ve been in this ring for an hour, going over self-defense and hand-to-hand moves, and she’s barely standing.
But she won’t complain.
I’m not trying to push her to collapse—I’m trying to get her to tell me that she’s done. But this woman never would complain. For all the times I was frustrated with her, or even scared for her, she never complained.
It seems that hasn’t changed.
“You’re going easy on me,” she says with a scowl and pushes the hair that’s escaped her braid from her face with shaking hands.
For fuck’s sake, Rebel, call it already.
“If I didn’t go easy on you, every bone in your body would be broken by now.”
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.