Page 63 of The Payback

He smirks and swats at my hand, knocking it to the side. “What are you afraid of?” he asks, shifting on the balls of his feet.

“You’re infuriating.”

He grins. “I know. But you love it. Now, let’s go.”

Before I can take a swing, he’s advancing. He’s light on his feet and throws a jab that I block with my forearm.

“Nik, stop.”

“Not a chance, baby. Come on. Give me what you got. I always was the better fighter between the two of us. I honestly can’t remember the last time you bested me in the ring.” He throws a cross, and I shift my weight to my back foot, ducking under his arm as it disturbs the air above my head.

“Don’t be a—”

I pop up, then duck low again, punching his abdomen, aiming for the anchor inked on his side. He blocks and advances again as I keep my defences up. I fake left and lunge forward with my right, landing a hit on his ribs. He barely makes a sound when I connect, and I use my momentum to land two more in quick succession.

Sweat drips down my forehead from my earlier abuse of the heavy bag and begins anew as Nik and I trade hits. He’ll take the shot if I use my arm to wipe it away, so I let the salt sting my eyes.

He throws a few more punches, landing one on my good arm, and now I’ll have matching injuries.

I spin away, using the open space in the middle of the gym to get myself into a better position. Nik anticipates every step, and his inked knuckles head towards my face as I duck from a vicious jab. He would have pulled the punch, but I relish the exertion, fighting like my life depends on it.

Block. Jab. Shift. Uppercut.

While he’s extended, his fist heading towards me, I twist and land a kick to his side. This time, he lets out a littleoofas I connect.

We step into the centre of the gym, our hands raised in anticipation as we gravitate towards one another. I can feel Nik’s breath on my face as we dance around, sizing up one another. He’s quick, whereas I’m agile. We throw jabs and hooks, each trying to gain the upper hand as my heartbeat hammers in my chest.

I always appreciated Nik when we were partners because he never went easy on me in the gym. He didn’t treat me like I was lesser just because I was a woman. Half the moves I’ve used today were at his instruction years ago—and they’re damn good.

As the sweat beads along my body, Nik steps towards me when I’m on the back foot and can’t pull away fast enough. His hand circles my waist, pulling me closer so we’re mere inches apart. The heat of his body warms mine as he yanks me even closer. My movements become more frenzied as I try to break away.

He hauls me against him until we’re chest to chest, my feet dangling in the air, and he takes five steps forward. Nik pushes me against the wall, pinning me with his body. His breath tickles my neck as he whispers in my ear.

“You’re not fighting anymore,” he says, his voice low and seductive.

My heart races as his hand slides down to my thigh, pulling my leg up and around his waist. His hardness presses against me as he grinds his hips against mine, his lips finding mine in a fierce and passionate kiss.

I get lost in the heat of the moment. I forget about the boxing, about life, this fucked-up situation we’re in, the betrayal, our daughter. As we pull apart, our lust-drunk eyes meeting, I know this is just the beginning of something wild and dangerous.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Eleanor

Nik’s handsrun up my sides, his fingers digging into my flesh as he fiercely kisses me.

Instead of reciprocating, I shove at his chest, but he doesn’t back away. He doesn’t give me an inch. And I know why. It’s because my body follows his. Even as I struggle against him, my breasts are pressed to his chest, my leg still hooked around his hip, and my hips grind against his.

My head and body are at war, and I don’t know which one I want to win.

He begins to pull away as my fists beat at his pecs, but I wrap my hands around his neck, keeping him close.

He groans, pressing harder against me and trapping my hands between us. Passion and lust erupt in my body, taking my adrenaline high from earlier and rocketing it into the stratosphere.

Nik’s lips tease mine, and I moan into his mouth, my nails digging into the skin of his nape.

His lips leave mine, and I throw my head back, a moan leaving my lips as he trails ardent kisses down my neck and collarbone. I arch my back, offering myself to him, as he explores my body with his hands and mouth. Rough hands rest on my sides, his thumbs sliding under my sports bra and stroking the tender skin on the curve of my breast. The drag of it causes me to arch further, begging for his touch everywhere.

He nibbles on my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine, before moving his lips to the top of my breasts.

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