Page 14 of Broken Crown

He doesn’t immediately respond.Just stares at me, gaze searching mine.I can physically feel his indecision, torn between wanting to use this as an opportunity to spend time with me and keeping his distance, as we promised we would, considering how everything blew up in our faces last time.

“I don’t want to clam up again,” I continue.“I want to be prepared the next time—”

“It not your job to be prepared.”

He advances toward me, stopping a breath away.His body is so close, I can feel the warmth radiating off him.Can smell his addictive scent.Can taste his lips on mine.

“It’s my job.I mean,ourjob,” he corrects.“The royal guard.It’s why we’re always close by.To protect you.”

“And I’m eternally grateful for everything the guard does.I don’t expect to ever have the ability to react as quickly as you do.But I’d feel better if I had more training than the once or twice a year simulated hostage situation.Please.”

I expect for him to tell me to ask Archie about setting up some lessons, since he’s my chief protection officer.It’s what he should do.

But Creed and I have never been good about doing what we should, at least where the other is concerned.I’ve always been completely powerless to deny him.

And based on the indecision and longing swirling in his orbs, I know he’s just as powerless to deny me.

“You’re right,” he says finally.

“I am?”

“Like you said…” He drops his bag back onto the floor.“Some extra training is probably a good idea, all things considered.They should have made it a priority after…well, everything.”He swallows hard, his eyes flickering with remorse before his expression turns playful.“But don’t think I’m going to take it easy on you just because I’ve seen you naked.”He winks, his lips curving up into a sly smile that has my heart beating faster.It’s just a smile, but it still makes my insides melt, butterflies flapping their wings in my stomach.

“Don’t worry about me.”I waggle my brows.“I can take it.”

“We’ll see about that…” He leans toward me, the heat of his breath on my neck causing a delicious tremor to slither through me.“Princess.”

I close my eyes, taking a moment to compose myself.

It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve heard Creed Lawson call me princess.It still completely unravels me.

But in the best way possible.

“Let’s start with a review of basic pressure points, since they’re the quickest and easiest way to disable your opponent long enough to escape.”

And like that, sensual Creed turns into the trained protection officer he typically is.

Truth be told, it’s kind of hot watching him run me through different scenarios, making me do the same thing over and over until I get it right, not letting me give up until I do.

With each new skill he teaches me, my confidence increases, the anxiety plaguing me all night evaporating.

“One last exercise before we call it a day,” Creed announces what feels like only a few minutes later, although the clock on the wall tells me we’ve been at it for over an hour.

“I’m not tired,” I tell him.“I can keep going.”

“And I love that about you.”Treating me to a lascivious grin, he takes a long sip from his water bottle.

He even makes that look sexy, especially in his gym shorts and t-shirt that clings to his chest and biceps.

“But you need to rest, too.So get on the mat.On your back.”

“My back?”I arch a brow.

“You may not always be on your feet.Your opponent may get the better of you and knock you to the ground.It’s just as important to know what to do in that situation.”

I take one last sip of my water and do as instructed, lowering myself onto my back.He joins me, kneeling by my side.

“Keep in mind that fighting from the ground is extremely difficult.You’re not going to be able to do any of these things right away, which is why I want to start teaching you some of these skills today.But keep practicing, and they could save your life someday.”

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