Page 38 of The Scars of Us

Things were more tense then normal between us, which I had expected. I didn’t know how he could look at me, let alone touch me after how I treated him.

We practiced all of the escapes that he’d already taught me, reviewing everything to make sure I remembered the moves. I wouldn’t have been able to focus on any new techniques with everything running through my mind, so I was glad that we were doing things I already knew.

Once class was over, Ryker asked me to stay behind. “I want to talk to you. I’m going to lock the doors—I’ll be right back.”

I wanted to leave, but he deserved an explanation for last night. I needed to just break things completely off with him, maybe ask to work with one of the other instructors, even though I didn’t want to.It’s best for him. You’ll just bring him down with you.

When he walked back in, he surprised me by saying, “I have a proposition for you—if you can get one good hit on me, I’ll leave you alone.”

My head cocked in confusion as I stared at him, contemplating what he had just said.Would he really leave me alone? Did I want him to?I had just been telling myself to break things off, but I really didn’t want to. “Just one hit?”

“Just one. And a good one, not some weak shit. Are you up for it?” His eyebrow raised in question.

My heart screamed no, but the fear rooted inside me said yes. I didn’t want him to quit pursuing me, but I doubted that I’d ever be enough for him; he didn’t deserve someone as fucked up as me. So, I went with what was familiar, what I knew, pushing him away. “Yes.”

The smirk that was on his face fell slightly, but he played it off as he took up his fighting stance, holding his hands up to protect his face as he chuckled. “Good luck.”

Narrowing my eyes, I mimicked his pose. He always wanted a challenge, so I planned to give him one. Or at least go down trying.

“Ready?” he questioned as he pulled off his shirt, exposing those immaculate, inked muscles. My eyes instantly traced over them, admiring every inch of his perfection.Fuck.

When I nodded, he advanced on me instantly, landing a soft slap to the right side of my head, toying with me. “Hands up!”

I picked my hands up, but I knew they’d be falling again soon. I always forgot to keep them in front of my face when I got caught up doing combos, and I tended to drop them more when I was tired.

Aimlessly, I threw punches and kicks at Ryker, all of which he dodged or blocked easily. After several attempts, I finally landed something, grazing his jaw with my fist. He cockily smiled in response as he pushed me out of the way, throwing me off balance as he got me with a light side kick.

Stopping, I struggled for air while wondering how he sparred so effortlessly, seemingly unfatigued while I was the opposite. I was utterly exhausted from just a few minutes.

Ryker’s legs swept mine out from under me, causing me to slam to the mat on my back. The impact stung my exposed skin, the force from the fall reverberating through my bones and causing the air to vacate my lungs.

Covering me with his firm, sweaty body, Ryker mounted me, pinning me to the mat as my chest heaved with heavy breaths. “Are you finished?” he gruffly asked.

My heart pounded wildly but not from fear or panic. Ryker was like a pure shot of adrenaline mixed with lust that ramped up my entire being.

I struggled against him, not wanting to concede defeat. I had only been coming for about two months, so I didn’t know that many defensive tactics to aid in my efforts, at least not with sparring.

Ryker grinned as he trapped my hands above my head on the mat. “Why do you insist on fighting what you feel for me? I know that you want me.”

“No, I don’t,” I panted. That was a huge lie, maybe the biggest I’d ever told. I wanted Ryker more than I’d ever wanted anything before, and that scared the shit out of me.

“Oh, really? You don’t want this—want me—to fill your pussy?” he challenged as he ground his ample erection against me.

Closing my eyes, I bit my lip as I stifled a moan. Ryker’s firm body pressing against mine was like gasoline to the fire he always set within me, and I was so close to letting the flames consume me.

Ryker’s hot mouth met my neck, causing the moan I’d been withholding to escape. His tongue slowly trailed over my skin before he brought his lips to hover over mine. “Admit it, Warrior. You… want… me.”

Clouded by desire, I breathlessly groaned in response, “Yes.”

He softly grazed my lips with his as he gruffly asked, “Yes, what?”

Voice laced with need, I replied, “Yes, I want you.”

My words set off a passion within both of us. Ryker crushed my mouth with his, eagerly devouring me as his hands roamed over my body. His tongue parted my lips before tangling with mine, the barbell in his mouth adding to the amazing sensations from his kiss.

Instead of fighting him like before, I melted into him, wanting to feel him all over and in me. My hands ventured over the hard planes of his flawless muscles as he mercilessly kissed me, one hand tangled in my hair, the other skimming under my muscle shirt.

His fingers traced over my fevered skin, causing a slight shudder to run through me. All of my thoughts, insecurities, and compulsions were erased by Ryker’s skilled mouth and hands. The only thing I could focus on was the divine sensations he elicited in me as he flooded my senses, making me lose all control in a completely different way.

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