Page 9 of Allure

I try a few more times, and I realize I have to open up my guard, but then I realize just how exposed I am, and I know that Declan is just sitting there, letting me do whatever I want to his body. He's going easy on me, and that's frustrating the piss out of me because the whole point of learning karate is to learn self-defense, and how can I learn to defend myself when my opponent in the real world isn’t going to take it easy on me at all?

Finally, Sensei says that’s enough, and I have to rotate in with the two white belts. They’re all sweaty and gross, and I try not to think about that as I go from mount and then roll over so they can get between my legs. There’s nothing sexual at all on the mat, despite how it sounds.

At long last, Sensei announces that class is over, and he asks me to see him in his office once I’m ready. I nod and follow the others off the mat.

Jackie grins. “You did great!”

"I felt like a flopping fish out of the water," I admit.

“We all know nothing in the beginning. The only way to keep growing and learning is to come back again and again. I would love to chat more, but I gotta hit the grocery store before I get home and make dinner. I hope to see you again!”

She rushes out of there before I can do much more than wave.

I put on my sandals. They’re cute, with rhinestones along the perimeter and down the line between my toes and around my ankle. Otherwise, I wouldn’t wear them. I dislike feet so much that I don’t want others to see mine either.

When I exit the locker room, Declan is saying goodbye to another student before eyeing me. He says nothing, but that stupid smirk remains on his face.

“Don’t say anything to me,” I snap.

“I wasn’t going to.”

“Good, because I don’t care for anything you have to say. You aren’t God’s gift to karate.”

“Never said I was.” He shrugs, crossing his arms. He’s wearing a sleeveless shirt, so I can watch his muscles pop with the movement. Ugh. Why is he allowed to wear whatever he wants on the mat? Clearly, he has some training.

“You just need to stand back and not get in the way so I can learn self-defense, all right?” I snap at him. “Or if we are partners again, don’t you fucking dare—”

“Language,” he says mildly as a high schooler passes around us.

I glare at Declan. “Don’t go easy on me again. I need to be pushed, do you understand?”

“Pushed.” He snorts. “You can’t learn karate if you aren’t willing to listen, and you didn’t even want to do the stretches to the best of your abilities. Give it up, girl. Just head to the gym already and run some more. See if you can make that flat ass of yours any flatter.”

My nostrils flare, and my eyes have to be flashing.

“Speechless, huh, cardio bunny?” He chuckles and finally walks away, heading toward the front door.

I watch him go. My ass isn’t flat. Is it?

Fucker.

I head to Sensei’s office. He swivels away from his computer.

“Well, Brooke Adams? What did you think?”

“I think I’ll sign up.”

“Perfect!” He claps, stands, hurries out of the office to walk off to a closet that has uniforms inside. He hands me some, which I try on in the locker room. It’s too big, but the next size down is perfect. Then, he shows me how to tie a belt, but that’s going to take some practice to master.

Once I set up a payment method, I’m good to go, but outside, I see a fancy sports car drive off, and I just know that’s Declan. Ugh. I can’t stand him already, but I will not submit to a bully. I will continue to take lessons. While I know I told my mom about karate just to get her off my back and to stop worrying about me, I can’t deny that learning how to defend myself is probably a good idea.

As it is, I didn’t know how to defend myself before, and it almost cost me my soul.

CHAPTER4

To say I’m seriously annoyed with Declan is an understatement. As soon as I reach my car, I slam my water bottle, empty, into its spot in the center console and then retrieve my cell from the glove compartment.

You probably made the right choice.

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