Page 27 of My Undead Heart

He whistles and steps back from the curb. “Damn, girl. Itisa booty call. I so hate you right now.”

“No! It’s nothing like that. He’s teaching me self-defense. At a gym off Taylor Street. South Side.”

“This late at night? Seems shady.” Rae’s brow crinkles with her disapproval.

I shake my head. “No, we’re bartering actually. Private training for web design.”

“Is that safe, Mia? Do you even know this guy?” Rae tries again and I appreciate that she looks out for me. Her worried frown causes a sliver of anxiety to work its way into my mind. I don’t know Matt. Not really. He could be some creepy perv or psycho murderer.

“It’s fine. Really. At least, I assumed it was until you said something. Now I’m not so sure.”

Jared pats my back. “It’s all good, Kitten. If he tries anything, call me. Or maybe you’d rather let him?” His brows rise, daring me to argue.

“Stop it.” I shake my head because that’s ridiculous. Sure, Matt’s attractive in a muscly manly-man way. If you go for that sort of thing. But I don’t. I want so much more from a relationship than good looks and a body made for physical endurance. Besides, I don’t do random hookups or one night stands. Not after last time.

“Mia’s got the hots for muscle man,” Jared sing songs and I look down the street again before checking my phone. God damn, this bus is taking forever!

Rae’s eyes light up and she bounces up and down on the balls of her feet. “Oh, my God! This is perfect! Halloween is next month. We can finally go Marvel! Please make him be Thor. Please, pretty please.” Her hands clasp together and she resorts to begging.

“You guys are ridiculous. I’m not dating the man. I’m trying to learn how to defend myself the next time some stranger decides to put his hands on me.”

“I’m sorry, Mia. I’m proud of you. I think that’s awesome.” Rae bumps her shoulder against Jared’s to urge him to speak.

He rolls his eyes before capturing me in one of his bear hugs. “I’m proud of you too, Kitten.”

“Thank you.”

Jared steps back and eyes me in a way only he can. He’s searching for a tell. To see if I’m into Matt, but even though we’ve been best friends for years I’m especially talented in hardening my feelings until they no longer exist. Sure, Matt’s hot, but there’s nothing for us. We don’t have anything in common and I’m not even interested. Before Jared asks another question, the public transportation gods shine down upon me and I’m literally saved by the bus.

“I give you two weeks. Three, tops.” Jared’s smug grin pulls wide.

Totally confused, I shake my head and bug out my eyes.

“Before the sexy man takes you to bed, or you take him. Either way. It’s happening.”

“You’re delusional.” I flip him the bird and climb aboard the bus before it heads off without me.

Inside South Side Gym my gut churns with a nervous energy that teeters between fear of making a complete ass of myself and plain excitement from trying something new and so far outside my comfort zone. I’m not an athletic girl; it’s just not my thing. But watching the advanced group out on the mats wrapping up their training makes fighting look really cool. If I can learn a tenth of what they know, I have no doubt I’ll take any asshole to the ground if the opportunity presents itself again.

My search finds Matt immediately and my belly flutters.What?It’s purely lust. He’s a mountain of masculine energy, completely in control of his movements. Fast and quick, but light on his feet, too. He’s working with a young man, maybe seventeen or eighteen, and in addition to making everything look easy, he’s extremely patient, walking him through the movements again and again until the kid gets it just right. When he does, the crowd of about a dozen or so fighters gathered around cheer along with Matt. At their applause, Matt’s gaze lifts to find mine from where I stand near the entrance. His lips widen with a smile that stretches across his face and he holds up one finger, signaling for me to wait.

“That’s enough for tonight. Get some good rest and I’ll see you all back here tomorrow.”

The group responds with choruses of, “Sounds good, Coach,” and “Yes, Coach,” in their deep voices. Several of the men take off, but a few linger as they pull on warmer clothing and pack up their bags. I take this moment to unzip my hoodie, the temperature in this space much warmer than I remember it being yesterday. Shoving it inside my bag, I walk closer to where Matt’s talking with one of his fighters.

“Just keep at it, Mase. Be patient with the process.”

“But I’m ready now, Coach.”

“Ready for what? Some underground fight that might yield a couple hundred bucks and maybe a little street cred until they match you against someone bigger and better. Then you get your ass kicked so bad you aren’t able to train for a few months? That all you want? Dream bigger, Mason. You’re good enough. You just need more time. I promise when you’re ready, I’ll get you in the right fight. One that’s legal. One that leads you to the UFC.” He clasps the kid on the shoulder and walks toward me.

Nerves bubble up inside at his approach. The shirt he’s wearing is one that molds his chest and arms so tightly I’m surprised it doesn’t rip when he flexes.Or is he flexing now?It’s difficult to tell. His muscles bulge and strain with the fluidity of each step he takes.

“Sorry, one more minute.” His hand brushes across my forearm.

My breath catches at the touch.Stupid body.I hiss out my nerves with a whoosh of air, but Matt’s not near enough to notice. He jogs over to one of the guys heading out.

“Hey, Ricky. Hold up a sec.”

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