Page 55 of Vicious Sentiments

He lets out a choking sound but then grinds his teeth and raises his chin. “Good.”

I beam up at him on the balls of my feet. I’m free from his grip and I can’t help but clap.

“Alright. Calm down, Jackie Chan. You need to worry if you’re going to be able to remember that in a moment of panic.”

I roll my eyes and twirl away from him. My heart is pumping with excitement. I don’t think I’ve ever had that much fun and I’m not going to let him ruin it.

“What’s next?” I ask, thinking about all the moves I could have used on Kyle, or my dad.

“That’s enough. I need to go ice my balls.”

I smirk. “I hit hard?”

He laughs. “Don’t flatter yourself. It doesn’t take much for balls.”

“Uh huh.” I laugh. “Well, since you can’t take it anymore, I’m going to take a bath.”

That fifty-dollar bubble bath Julian made me get is going to be so nice. I prance towards the door.

“Was that an invitation?” he asks.

I freeze, resisting the urge to turn around and gape. If he thinks showing me a few self defense tricks will let him in my pants, he’s wrong. If it’s my choice, truly my choice, then I’m going to hold out as long as I can.

Chapter Thirty

The bath was so good that this morning I decide to take another. I’m sore in a way I’ve never felt. Typically, the pain I experience comes with a depression that twists the knife in me every time I shift. This though, is like my muscles want more.

I stretch out in the massive tub, unable to reach the end with my toes. It’s filled to the brim with vanilla bubbles that make skin feel slippery and moisturized. I used a little more than I probably should have, considering its price, but I couldn’t resist. I’ve also made the water hotter than I should have, even though I think you are supposed to use cold for sore muscles, but the lavish amount is something I’m soaking up.

I never would have taken a bath in Bridgerock. The enamel on the tub was peeling, revealing a rusty basin, and even if I was brave enough, the water only reached a lukewarm temperature that trickled out and took forever.

Feeling luxurious, I roll onto my stomach in the water, lord knows the tub is big enough. I actually think it’s a jacuzzi if the little knobs are any indication. But I don’t know how to turn them on and I’m just happy with the faucet.

I dip my face into the water and relish the burn on my skin. I’m up earlier than usual, having slept so well, and I don’texpect to smell breakfast for at least another few hours. I can stay in here the whole morning. I come up for air and smile. I highly doubt the hot water will run out.

I twirl onto my back, slipping around like a dolphin and sink my whole head under. I’m in heaven.

I come back up and scream.

“Get dressed. We have to work on your attack.” Cape is standing over me with two pads on his hands. His face is deadpan and he’s not ogling me, if anything he looks annoyed, but I panic.

I scramble at the bubbles, trying to get them clustered over my chest but then I realize I’m taking them from my lower half. I fluster. Is he not the least bit ashamed? What if I walked in on him taking a bath?

“I’m a little busy,” I snarl. I was having such a nice time.

His eyes darken. “If you want to practice in there, I can get in with you.” He tugs off a pad and steps forward.

“No,” I blanch, not seeing a hint of a bluff on him.

“Then hurry up.” He tucks the pad under his arm and scowls.

* * *

It only takes ten minutes of punching for me to forget about the embarrassment and find anger. I’m slamming into the punching pads attached to Cape’s hands with everything I have.

“Harder!” he shouts at me. “You aren’t grounded!” He reminds me, sounding like a drill sergeant.

He showed me how to stand and how to aim, but every few swings I end up messy and chaotic. I have fresh sweat snaking down my chest, soaking my shirt. I cringe, feeling like the bath was for nothing. All that pretty vanilla scent is being replaced by pure savor.

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