Page 47 of Hot for the Dragon

As she worked through the moves, Daphne marveled at this side of Archer. Gone was the brooding loner who'd first opened his door to her and Hugo. In his place stood a patient instructor who seemed genuinely invested in her progress.

"Your right cross is getting stronger," he noted. "Though you're telegraphing your hook a bit. Try keeping your elbow in until the last moment."

"Like this?" She demonstrated the adjusted movement.

"Much better." He nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. "At this rate, you'll be taking down dragons in no time."

Daphne laughed. "I think I'll leave the dragon-fighting to you."

"Don't sell yourself short." His tone grew serious. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

The intensity in his gaze made her breath hitch. There was something there, something more than just a teacher's pride in his student. But before she could analyze it further, he cleared his throat.

"Now for self-defense," Archer announced, his commanding tone sending a shiver down Daphne's spine. "If someone grabs you from behind..."

He stepped close, his chest pressing against her back as his arms encircled her waist. Daphne's breath caught. The heat of his body seeped through her t-shirt, and this time his cedar-smoke scent wrapped around her like a blanket.

"Drop your center of gravity," he instructed, his breath tickling her ear. "Then drive your elbow back, like this."

His large hands guided her through the motion, and Daphne struggled to focus on the technique rather than how perfectly she seemed to fit against him. Her mind wandered to last night - sitting on her bed, his fingers intertwined with hers as she'd poured out her fears. The tenderness in his eyes had made her heart skip.

"You're not paying attention," Archer growled softly.

"Sorry," Daphne mumbled, heat flooding her cheeks. "Show me again?"

He demonstrated another hold break, his movements precise yet gentle. When his fingers brushed her bare arm, electricity sparked through her veins. She noticed his breathing had grown slightly uneven too.

"Now you try it full speed," he said, voice rougher than before. "Break free."

Daphne executed the move but miscalculated her pivot. She spun directly into his chest, her hands landing on his muscles to catch herself. Their faces were inches apart. His black eyes darkened as they dropped to her lips.

"That's not..." He cleared his throat. "That's not quite right."

Neither of them moved. Daphne's heart thundered in her chest as she felt his hands tighten slightly on her waist. The air crackled with tension.

"Show me the correct way?" she whispered, hardly trusting her voice.

Archer swallowed hard. "Right. The correct way." But still he didn't step back, his gaze intense as it roamed her face.

Her fingers splayed across his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palms.

"Daphne," he murmured, his voice rough with something that made her stomach flip. He dipped his head closer, and her eyes fluttered shut.

Then suddenly his entire body tensed. His head snapped up, jaw clenching as his gaze fixed on something in the sky. The sudden shift in his demeanor sent a chill down her spine.

"What is it?" She turned in his grip, following his line of sight. A dark shape cut through the clouds, wings spread wide against the late morning sun. "Is that?—"

"A dragon," Archer growled, his hands sliding from her waist to her shoulders. "Coming straight for us."

Daphne squinted against the glare. "Friend of yours?"

"I don't have friends," he grumbled. "And any dragon stupid enough to enter my territory uninvited isn't looking for a social call."

The approaching dragon was still too far to make out details, but its trajectory left little doubt about its destination. Daphne's pulse quickened, though more from anticipation than fear. After their training session, she felt ready for anything.

"Should I start growing some thorny surprises?" She wiggled her fingers, already feeling the earth's energy humming beneath her feet.

Archer's low chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Eager to test your new skills?"

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