Page 8 of Revive Me

“When I was ten years old, I beat the crap out of a school bully for teasing a classmate who wore glasses.”

My lip twitches as I fight back my laugh. “Did you pick that particular fact for my benefit?”

She shines a grin at me. “I figured you’d appreciate it.”

Chuckling, I turn my body toward her, using the movement to shift that much closer. “I do.”

We’re once again close enough that I can see the blue of her eyes and the pink flush on her cheeks from the cool air.

I find myself saying gently, “It also tells me you’re a kind, protective person who cares more about others than herself.”

Part of me expects her to brush off the compliment. Instead, she holds my gaze and says, “You wouldn’t think that if you saw the black eye I gave that bully.”

I shake my head with a smile. “I would’ve loved to see baby Liliana square up with what I’m assuming was a bigger boy.” Then an idea strikes. “Show me.”

She blinks, caught off guard by my request. “What?”

I gesture at her hands. “Show me. Let me see how you’d fight me.”

It takes her another moment to rise to the odd challenge. Taking a step back, she moves into a near-perfect stance as she raises her hands into two tight fists.

“Not bad.” I cross my arms across my chest as I look her over, slowly circling her. “You have a brother, you said? Should I assume there was a lot of wrestling in your childhood? You look like you may have done this before.”

“That’s a safe assumption, especially because I have two brothers, and I’m the only girl. But in all honesty, I think I would be a naturally punchy person anyway.”

We’re both laughing as I stop beside her. And I playfully push against her shoulder to test her balance. When she doesn’t budge, my eyebrows rise.

“Maybe youarea punchy person,” I comment, continuing my walk around her, letting my gaze drop over ass and high-heeled legs.

“Well? What’s the verdict?” she asks as I stop in front of her again. She holds her pose as her eyes flash up to meet mine, a sexy smirk in place. “Any critiques, coach?”

I grin.Fuck, I like this girl.

“Only one.” Taking one of her hands in mine, I brush a thumb over her fist. “We don’t want you breaking any fingers, so I’d suggest curling your thumb around this way, instead of leaving it on the side.” I move her finger where it needs to be, then guide her by the wrist to punch the palm of my opposite hand. “See? Way safer.”

“Hmm, yeah, that makes way more sense,” she mumbles as she lightly punches my hand again.

My lip twitches with a smile at the sight. “You’re a natural.”

That brings her focus back to me, her eyes darting up to mine right before dropping to myhands.

“Can I see you do it?” she asks, holding up her own palm for a target. “I’d like to see what thisbest-in-the-worldfighter looks like in action.”

Grinning, I step back into my stance and lift my hands into fists. “Yes, ma’am.” Gently, I snap out a left, then right punch at her palm.

Her eyes narrow for a split second, then she shrugs. “Pretty good, I guess.” But she quickly loses her playful teasing when she’s distracted by something. Reaching for one of my fists, she pulls my hand toward her and brushes her other fingers over my knuckles.

“They’re so rough,” she says in awe. “I shouldn’t be surprised, but…” Lips pursed, she glances up at me in question. “Why are your first two knuckles more calloused than the other fingers?”

I take a small step closer to her and curl my hand into a fist again. “Because when you punch, you want to punch with those two knuckles.” I demonstrate a barely-there punch against her palm. “See? I’m twisting and driving them in.”

“Wow,” she murmurs, her hands cupping mine.

Her touch is warm, comforting, as her thumbs brush over my knuckles. I’m lost to the sensation of her touchingme. Lost to anything that isn’t her hand on me, holding me, feeling this connection between us. Because thereisa connection.

My gaze drifts over her long eyelashes, her wind-chilled cheeks, her pink lips. And I wait for her to look up at me, for her to show me she feels it too.

After a moment, her face tilts up, and her eyes meet mine. I see exactly what I was hoping for.

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