Page 38 of Allure

“I thought you didn’t have a lot of time,” I snap. “Let’s get started, all right.”

He snorts. "I don't have to help you," he says. "I'm training for third-degree black belt. I have shit to do."

“Then go. Maybe Jackie can—”

“Jackie needs to work on her training. I’ve given her some one-on-one training to get her up to par. She’s going to be ready, and not only that, but she’s going to kick ass when it’s her time to test.”

“I’m sure she will.” I swallow hard. “You can go take class. I’ll be fine without you.”

He snorts. “You already had Sensei rope me into this.”

“Believe me,” I retort, “it was his idea to have you work with me. I wouldn’t have suggested you in a million years.”

“Yeah, well…” He takes a few steps back before holding out his arms. “This is what you got, like it or not.”

I hate him. I fucking hate him.

He's so damn arrogant.

But he wears that stupid emotion well.

A classic wannabe bad boy, only he really is a legit tough guy.

I swallow hard. “Let’s get started, okay?”

He nods. “What do you want me to do?”

“I… I guess I should just do the moves.”

“What else would you do?” He rolls his eyes.

“I could start to go over what I’ll say to the women, but let’s just go. So… first up…”

I can't. I can't do this.

I can feel the gun, see that guy's face…

Fuck the mugger.

I shake my head and try again. “Choke me.”

He mutters under his breath. “Isn’t that where—”

“Just do it,” I snap. “You don’t want me to think about you? Well, I don’t want you to think about me either, okay?”

“Got it.”

Declan places his hands on my shoulders more than my neck.

I close my eyes, trying to rewatch one of the videos from earlier. Or maybe yesterday. I bring my left arm up, my right arm between his. As I bend my left arm and bring it down, I bring my right up, forcing his grip to break and getting his hands off me.

“Now what?” he asks.

“I’m free.”

“So that’s it?” He shakes his head. “Not good enough.”

“But—”

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