Page 21 of Stolen Seconds

“You’re not understanding me. I don’t need a female trainer.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t need a trainer, period.”

A rule the Club’s boxing facility had was that every member needed to be under a trainers list for authentication reasons.

I stood behind Irina, smelling her addicting amber scent as I towered over her. “She’s with me.”

Dante peered over her head, a silent conversation passing between us. I knew this wasn’t allowed, but I also knew he wouldn’t stop me. After a hesitant pause, he nodded his head and walked away.

Irina’s hair slapped my chest as she spun to face me, her blue eyes narrowing. “I’m notwithyou.”

A grin carved its way across my mouth, and I couldn’t tell if it was from seeing her again or her attitude.

“No?” I cocked my head to the side, feigning confusion. “We’ll have to fix that.”

“You’re delusional,” she hissed, her body shaking as she took a step toward me.

Was that supposed to be threatening?

She was one raging Russian and fuck, I wanted her fury.

I leaned down, watching the rise and fall of her chest before catching her eyes. “Call it what you want,piccola ribelle,but you’ll be mine.”

Her distaste was visible as she bared her teeth, that fireblazing brighter in her pupils. “I willneverbe yours. Not in this lifetime or the next.”

She turned to walk away, but I grasped her long ponytail, pulling her back toward me.

A gasp escaped her as her back collided into my chest.

She felt so fucking soft against me, I had to refrain myself from pushing further into her.

Didn’t want to scare off my little rebel if I appeared too eager.

I wrapped her silky hair around my fist twice before pulling her head back.

Her full lips parted as she glanced up at me with trepidation. It had my pulse buzzing with renewed energy.

“You’re here for a reason, Irina.” I rasped. “Don’t tell me you’re too scared to see it through.”

And the most beautiful thing happened. She smiled, her straight white teeth appearing slowly.

I was in a daze, mesmerized by her beauty and she used it to her advantage, her next move catching me off guard.

She dropped herself forward as her slender leg pushed back simultaneously and swung toward my face, the force of it knocking me to the ground.

Who the fuck was this woman?

She settled on top of me, her knees on either side of my waist while her elbow dug against my throat. She leaned down and whispered in a lethal tone. “Touch me without my permission again, and it’ll be the last thing you do.”

Heat pulsed in the space between us, the beat of her heart clashing against mine.

“Stay in this position.” I enunciated by squeezing her hips. “And I might adhere to your request.”

When her cheeks hadn’t flushed with color the way I expected, I knew this woman was truly created for me. Walking on earth with the sole purpose to taunt and torment me.

“I’m not sleeping with you, Luca. Get that through your thick skull.”

My name on her tongue was a caress, not gentle like a lover, no. Her voice drove deep into my bones until they splintered and cracked. Until she’d ruined me completely.

Ruin me, sweetheart.

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