Page 100 of A Dash of You

“Haven’t you seen me dance? I guess I can use some work but—” I’m cut off at the sound of his deep laugh.

“Yes. Trust me, I’ve seen you dance, but that’s not what I mean. If someone were to grab you, Sora, do you know how to physically defend yourself?”

Not even a little.

“If I said yes, would you believe me?”

“Because you’re asking… no, I don’t believe you.” He rises, holding out his hand for me to take. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow, I’m teaching you some self-defense.”

When I place my hand in his, I’m being pulled up to a stand, landing straight in his body. “Sorry.” I go to step away, but he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me back flush against him. I’m not sure if the fast-beating heart is mine or his.

“Tomorrow,” he whispers, and my gaze falls to his full lips.

My brain isn’t sending any signals for words to leave my mouth, so I just stand there not being able to do a damn thing but stay pressed to this man who is gaining full access to my heart.

With my arms glued to his steel chest, he takes my hand, backing away without losing eye contact, and he pulls me along to my duplex stairs. “Sleep good, dove. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight,” I strain to get out.

He watches me until I am safely inside and then he climbs his stairs, closing his balcony door.

Thirty-Two

Aknock startles me. Every knock. Every bang. Any noise for that matter in which I’m not expecting. My constant unease is becoming a nuisance.

Logan stands on the other side of the open door. He’s in sweatpants, which is crazy. The heat today is blistering. His arms show off under his plain T-shirt and it clings to his body like a second skin. It’s his usual dress attire, and it’s crazy how something so simple can be so sexy.

“Ready?” He props both hands along the doorframe.

My pulse increases. “For what, exactly?”

“You forgot.” He pushes off the wood frame, brushing inside, filling the space with soap and cedar.

There is no forgetting. Only hopingheforgot.

“Should I be worried about how badly I’ll suck at this?”

“Ah. So, you did remember.”

How am I supposed to forget the lingering of Logan’s hands over every inch of my body with these self-defense lessons? As he called them.

My stomach drops. Sure, I worked out at the mansion with the private gym available to me, but climbing the stair machine and lifting a few pounds of weight was the extent of my abilities. That and swimming, I suppose.

“What if I need to postpone these lessons—”

“Nope. We’re doing this now.” He moves closer and I take a step back, hitting the wall.

His eyes are darker today, filled with something that’s making my insides tingle.

“I’m not very athletic,” I admit, embarrassingly so.

“You don’t need to be. You just need to know basic skills that can save your life.” His eyes roam down my body and I’m fully aware of the sun dress I’m wearing.

“Okay but—”

“Go change into something tighter.” Heat bursts into his eyes and my legs grow weak.

“Why do I need to change?”

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