Page 28 of Merrick

“Let’s go.” She climbed in and started circling like a professional, already marking her territory. She had put her hair up and was wearing a headband to keep it out of her eyes – eyes that were gleaming in anticipation.

“Here.” He handed her the helmet and watched as she strapped it on and pulled on boxing gloves.

“Let’s do this.” She ordered.

“I don’t want to hurt you, so the minute you feel like calling it quits, just…,” he did not get to complete that insulting statement, because her fist was slamming into his chest and had him staggering back.

“That wasn’t very sporting of you.”

“I had to shut you up!” She feinted when he came at her, and he had to admit that she was pretty light on her feet and extremely fast.

“Or you were being unfair.” They circled each other warily, looking for openings for weaknesses. He found one and punched out, holding back.

With his nephew, he could and had laid into him without doing so, but as tough as the woman in the ring was, she was still that – a woman and he really did not want to put bruises on a body he intended to make his.

But while he was thinking of it, while he was being careful, she used it against him and got in a few hard and swift punches that had him staggering.

With a feral growl, he decided to hell with it and came out fighting. Within a few minutes, he realized to his shocked surprise that they were well matched. What she lacked in strength, she made up in finesse and knew exactly what she was doing.

Her foot work was amazing, and he would have loved to just sit and watch her pommel an opponent into dust.

But that opponent was him and was having quite a time keeping up. And she was extremely competitive and did not know when to stop. Backing away, he held up a hand and called a halt.

Tugging off his helmet and boxing gloves, he dropped them to the floor and swiped a hand across the sweat rolling down his face.

“Well? “She had taken off her helmet as well and was grinning.

“Are we fighting as professionals?”

“I am one. I do not know about you.” She quipped. “Have I worn you out, Pendergast? Ready to call it quits?”

“Absolutely not. But being a gentleman and quite aware of your female inadequacies, I decide to be the better person and give us some time to recover, or rather you.” He grinned as her gaze turned to stone.

“Let’s get on the mat, shall we?”

The woman was magnificent, he thought in admiration and a warrior. Christ, he was enjoying himself immensely and had never felt this excited ever.

“Are you sure you would not like to lie down for a bit? I have some heating pads…”

“Screw you.” Slapping the ropes back, she climbed out and waited for him on the mat. “I’m waiting here.”

Grinning, he joined her and felt himself revved.

“The rules are…”

“Screw rules.” Her stance was combative, a gleam in her mahogany eyes that turned him on even more.

“Are you certain?”

In response, she moved in right and then feinted left, using her foot to slide in between his. He would have been taken down if he had not taken a firm stand and even then he staggered for a minute and had to regain his balance.

For the next half hour, they grappled and fought to get the upper hand. Sometimes it seems as if she had it, and then at the last minute, it reverted to him.

Margo felt her victory slipping away and for the first time in her life, she resorted to feminine wiles.

Dropping down, she pressed a hand to her chest and winced. And had him hunkering over her, a concerned look on his face. “Oh, Christ! I am so sorry. Where did I hurt you?”

He saw the glint in her eyes and anticipated the move. In a lightening move, he pinned her arms above her head and trapped her legs before she could do damage.

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