Page 58 of Vengeful Guard

She steps closer to me, so close that her chest is almost pressing against mine, and I can’t help but crave that she gives that extra step.

I’m still catching my breath, looking down at her. “Don’t play with me, little girl.”

“I’m not a little girl anymore.”

Her green eyes are half-lidded as she stares at me.

Is she still drunk? Because what else would make her act this way?

I take a deep breath that hitches in my chest.

“You make dinner if I take you down.”

Paige smiles. “Sure thing.”

Does she know what she’s doing? Does she know what she’s doing to me?

“Let’s wrap your hands.”

Her hands are so small in mine, and she’s looking right into my eyes as I wrap her knuckles carefully.

She starts fidgeting. “Can I use the big bag?”

I nod. “I want to teach you some lower body moves.”

“I can kick.” She lifts one leg, throwing her foot out.

She doesn’t hit the bag, missing it by several inches.

I snort out a laugh. “Aye, I’m sure you can, princess, but this is about taking someone down, not just for fun.”

Paige breathes deeply, and then puts her foot down.

“So, show me.”

I move her out of the way by putting my hands on her hips and depositing her a few feet away.

She squeaks but doesn't complain, and the feel of her skin makes my palms heat up.

I get into stance and take a breath before I kick, hard, throwing my foot out sideways and knocking the bag over.

Paige breathes out a little cheer.

“That was amazing, Kael! If you hit someone in the chest like that, they’d go down like a sack of potatoes!”

I can’t help but smile at her exuberance.

“I can show you how to do it, but yours will never be as strong as mine.”

“Why not?” She pouts.

“Because I’ve got a lot of weight on you. It’s all about using your body weight, pushing it forward, putting it into your hits.”

“And I’m small.”

“Small means fast.” I don’t want her to get discouraged. “You can hit them before they even know what’s happening.”

I grab her around the waist, positioning her where she needs to be, and she lets me.

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