Page 54 of Between Realms

Impressive.

“Good!” I jump up and clap my hands once. My body glows with the challenge. Wyn is more than I expected. “Where did you learn that?”

Wyn quirks her lip with my praise. “A book.”

“A book?” I ask in disbelief. My gaze travels up and down her curvy body. She’s fecking glorious, strong yet supple. “You have learned defense moves already?”

“A few, but I never could practice them.” She picks at her fingernails. I notice this is one of her nervous habits when she’s feeling vulnerable.

“You’veneverpracticed that move?” I nod approvingly.

Without preamble, I grab her by the waist and flip her under me and onto the mat.

Wyn squeals as she lands on her back and squirms to get away.

I sit on her hips.

Wyn knees my backside, throwing me forward and off-balance. She latches her foot over my ankle, thrusts her hips up, and twists.

I roll off of her and onto my side.

Wyn is now between my legs, on top of me. She hesitates, unsure of how to get away.

“Now, wha—” she starts to ask.

I grab her arms and pull her toward my chest. She can’t move since I’m bracing her body to mine, pinning her arms to her sides.

“Don’t. Ever. Hesitate.” My hand comes up, lifting her face to look at me. “What was your instinct before you stopped to ask questions?”

“To knee you in the groin and then run.” She flushes pink.

Why is it so adorable that she blushes at the thought of battering my testicles? Goddess, I’d take a shot to the sack to win her. I almost chuckle as she averts her gaze, then ask, “Why didn’t you?”

She snaps her eyes to meet mine, trying to understand me. Her mouth parts in surprise. “I… I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Thoughtful.” I caress her cheek with my thumb. Her scars are now invisible. Part of me misses her badge of courage. However, the guilt-ridden protector in me is happy not to see the reminder of my failures. Wyn tries to squirm away again. Laying on top of my body, she’s making me grow harder with her heat and movement. Soon, it will be evident just how much she brings forth my primal urges.

She’s so close that I could almost kiss her pouting lips. Her mouth is full and luscious, practically demanding that I claim her. This lesson isn’t meant for seducing, though the scoundrel rogue within me argues it can be both.

I release Wyn so she can sit up, but I wrap my legs around her waist to stay in our fighting scenario. Her tiny yet strong hands push at my inner thighs, and I have to bite back a moan. What would her fingers feel like gripping my flesh? I imagine her clawing at my shoulders, demanding I fuck her harder. Goddess, I want to dive inside her sweet warmth and never leave.

I would give anything to be so tangled up with her we wouldn’t even know if the realms burned to the ground around us.

Her grunts of irritation bring me back to the moment.

As she tries to budge away from me, I instruct, “Your bones are fragile.”

“Way to boost my confidence,” she snarks.

I smirk at her sass. Fuck, she flames the fire within my soul. “Because they are fragile, Irecommendhitting open-palmed, with the heel of your hand, as hard as you can. A fisted punch might break your fingers, especially with the hard-headed beings you may encounter.”

“Hmm. Seems I already know a few hardheaded males you speak of.”

Without warning, Wyn whips her hand out to hit me.

I’m quicker though, seeing the glint in her eye a second before she strikes. I catch her hand and spin her again so she is on the ground under me.

Wyn shouts her surprise and laughs. “Are we going to roll on the ground all day?”

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