Page 63 of Vengeful Guard

I throw a punch with my left to feint, and he reaches out to grab my wrist, but then I throw out my right leg, connecting with his rigid abdomen.

He makes an “oof” sound, coughing out a breath but still grinning as he takes my foot and turns it, flipping me over onto the mat.

I yell into the mat, frustrated, and stand up, jumping up and down to keep momentum.

“You can give up anytime, kiddo.”

“No!” I yell, and take a deep breath, channeling all my anger and fear, my frustration and attraction to Kael, and I lean forward, punching him in the stomach with my right fist.

Kael huffs out a breath, but he doesn’t even stumble backwards. This man is a brick wall. I’m never going to take him down with moves alone.

His blue eyes are on mine, the grin still on his face as he jumps around, waiting for me to attack.

“Come at me,” I tell him.

He cocks his head, and then shrugs, coming toward me.

I don’t move, looking up at him, and when he gets close, I put my hands on his heaving chest.

Kael’s eyes go dark, and I slide my hands down to his stomach.

He trembles, letting down his hands.

I punch and kick like my life depends on it, going for the body rather than punching his pretty face.

Finally, I remember what he told me about using my body weight, and I kick with all my strength, throwing my weight forward.

Kael goes down, and I go with him, falling on top of him.

Kael’s laughing. “You did it. Good job, Paige.”

I feel like a million dollars. I took down a man twice my size just with my body–even though I’d had to use my feminine wiles, it feels like a huge accomplishment.

He pulls me more firmly on top of him, his gaze boring into mine. His hands are on my hips, squeezing, and I’m close enough to lean down and kiss that full mouth of his.

Kael goes silent, breathing hard beneath me, and I can feel him hard through his sweats.

I grind down against him, and Kael lets out a moan that makes pleasure and heat settle in my abdomen.

He tilts up his chin, and I just know he’s going to kiss me, and I don’t think I can stop him.

I don’t know if I want to.

Looking into his eyes, I lower my mouth to his, craving his taste.

As my nose touches his, his phone rings.

I scramble up, as does he to grab his phone.

We stare at each other for a second longer before he looks down at his phone and narrows his eyes.

“A bet is a bet. I’ll cook dinner tonight.” He turns his back to me.

I hurry up the stairs and into my room.

What just happened? I was about to kiss Kael.

Again.

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