Page 59 of Holding Out For A Holiday Hero

She darted closer. She wore black tennis shoes. Faded jeans. An oversized red sweater. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders, and her bright eyes were locked on him. “Give me?” she seemed confused. “I think you just gave me a Christmas tree. You don’t need to give me anything else.”

“This isn’t exactly a gift.” This was about something that had been bothering him since last night.

If Jake had his way, then, hell, yes, he would gladly stand between True and any threat. Every threat. That was the plan. To be there. To protect her.

But what if I’m not there? As he hadn’t been there when she’d been bound and gagged in the Egyptian display room.

“What is it?” She stood right in front of him. Her head tilted to the right.

“You said your attacker was too fast. Too strong for you to get away.”

The delicate column of her throat moved. A flash of fear came and went in her eyes. “Yes.”

“You ever had a self-defense class, True?”

“No. I-I wanted to sign up for one at the gym once, but life got so busy and I…” Her voice trailed away. “No,” she said again. “No, I haven’t.”

He nodded. “I’m gonna teach you some quick and dirty tips. Then, for Christmas, I’m signing you up for some classes that I want you to take.” His gaze remained locked on her. “I don’t want you to ever feel helpless again. I want you to be able to fight back. I want you to do as much damage to any bastard who comes at you as you possibly can.”

“Who will teach the classes?”

“Me, sweets. I teach self-defense classes at the local community center. I’ll be your teacher. The full course is what you’ll take. But for now, like I said, you’ll get my quick and dirty version.”

She nodded. “Quick and dirty. All right.”

“Show me how he grabbed you.”

True blinked. She didn’t show him. The fear flickered in her eyes again.

He kept his body loose with an effort. “Are you afraid of me?”

“No.”

“Good.” His voice was mild. Careful. Because it’s True. “You don’t ever need to be afraid of me. I’d sooner gnaw off my own arm than ever so much as bruise you. I’ll show you some techniques, but if you get uncomfortable and you need a break…well, you remember what to say, don’t you?” The safe words she’d picked out before. Right in this same room.

Fear didn’t flare in her eyes. A flash of heat—of lust—did. “Sleigh bells.”

“That’s right. You know I’ll stop instantly.”

She nodded. Some of the tension slid from her delicate shoulders.

“Show me how he caught you,” Jake urged her.

True turned away. “I was running. He came up behind me.”

Jake edged closer behind her.

“H-he put a hand on my mouth. He did it so fast that I couldn’t scream.”

Jake covered her mouth with his hand.

Immediately, she stiffened.

He lifted his fingers, hovering them about an inch in front of her mouth. “Where was his other hand?”

“He curled his arm around my stomach and jerked me back.”

Jake curled his arm around her stomach. He pulled her back against him. Her body trembled. “Don’t be afraid of me,” he rasped. “You said you trusted me, remember?”

---