Page 14 of My Guardian Demon

"You don't have to," she protested.

"Best neighbor ever, remember? We'll be back next week." I gathered up our discarded shells and stuffed them in the trashcan nearby.

"Really, you don't have to."

"You have to learn. I'll teach you. We'll be back next week."

We turned the rented gun back in at the counter and walked to my car.

Next stop, the park.

Wynn's face wrinkled when I pulled into the parking lot beside the city park. "What are we doing here?"

"You'll see."

Chapter 7

Wynn

Onyx stopped my fist with his palm before I punched his throat.

"Good. Again," he instructed.

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I followed Onyx's instructions.

"Chin down. Keep your arms level with your shoulders. Your shoulder automatically rises when you punch straight and it will protect your chin. Wrists straight. Jab, then detonate your cross. Roll your hips when you swing.”

I swung at him again, which he blocked. "I only understood half of that, asshole."

Onyx laughed. "Let me show you."

He demonstrated in front of him. Chin down, arms level with his shoulders, wrists straight. He punched out quickly like an explosion, rotating his hips as he followed through.

"You try it."

I tried to do as he said, though my attempt was slow and weak compared to his.

“Good. That's good form. We'll keep practicing. Remember, always go for body shots. The face is all bone and if you strike wrong, you could break your hand. You want to get an attacker to stumble, shake his head, cause him pain — whatever you can do to break his concentration so you can get away. Take shots to his chest, his ribs, his stomach, or his throat if you get the opportunity. Nothing is 'dirty.' Bite, crotch shots, yank his hair. Whatever you have to do. Those moves will be moreeffective against an untrained attacker than a face shot because they will severely disrupt his breathing — especially a shot to the side of his neck or throat.”

I nodded. He made sense.

"A few more practice moves and then we can go for lunch, okay? Hit me."

I took a few more swings at Onyx, which he seemed happy with as he blocked them.

"You're doing great. Practice some of this at home and we'll come back here next week after the gun range."

He couldn't sacrifice his time like that. I didn't even know him. I shook my head. "I mean it. You don't have to spend your time doing this with me."

"Are you going to protest this much when I come over after work this week to practice your hand-to-hand?" He walked away to pick his leather jacket up from a nearby park bench where my purse also sat.

"Yes, I am." I followed him. "I don't know you. We aren't even friends. You don't have to do this." He made me nervous, if I was honest.

Onyx picked up his coat and my purse. He looked at me. His black eyes stared. "You said you liked me as a friend earlier."

I rolled my eyes and threw my hands up in exasperation. "You know what I meant. We barely know each other."

Onyx nodded. "Fine. You’re getting to know me. Give it time. It's already a plus that you're not scared of me." He nodded toward the parking lot. "Let's go." He started walking to the car.

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