Page 39 of Girl Long Gone

Evelyn focused on his words then lifted her arm over her head. His elbow pressed against her armpit, causing him to release his hold and fall to his knees.

He stayed on the floor and rubbed his elbow. “At this point, hit him while he’s down, then run. If you can use the heel of your hand against his nose you can cause some real damage. Or kick him in the groin as hard as you can. Once he’s incapacitated, get away.”

Adrenaline shot through her veins as she stared at him. She’d brought him to his knees. Twice.

She could defend herself. Connor wasn’t just protecting her, he wanted to teach her how to protect herself. Pride and gratitude squeezed her heart. “Thank you. I never thought I could take care of myself.”

“Honey, you can do anything you want. Do you want me to teach you more?”

His words sank through her, filling a deep void inside her. She rubbed her knuckles together as he got to his feet. A deep pulse beat through her inner walls.

Once upon a time, this kind of proximity would have had her backpedaling. But it wasn’t distance she craved. Her gaze drifted up his thighs, and her throat tightened as she took in the obvious erection outlined in the thin material of his gym shorts.

God, she wanted him. All of him. She forced her head to nod in answer to his question, but it took a few seconds for her to drag her focus to his face. A wide grin settled on his face, making her toes curl.

He’d caught her fantasizing, and she didn’t want her thoughts to be just a fantasy anymore.

The heat in Evelyn’s eyes almost brought him back to his knees. He couldn’t tell if her ragged breaths were from the physical activity of taking him down twice, or if she wanted him.

She fanned herself. “I didn’t think I’d be the one working out today.”

“Why don’t you take off your hoodie? You’ve got to be burning up in that thing.” Sweat dotted his forehead, even though he wore a T-shirt and shorts.

Hell, he wasn’t even working out the way he’d planned. He’d wanted to push his body to the limits, sweat out his frustrations until his screaming muscles and burning lungs took his mind away from everything else.

But the idea of teaching Evelyn self- defense had sprung to mind and taken priority. Seeing excitement light up her face and her confidence grow had filled him with a happiness he didn’t know he’d been missing. He couldn’t stop Monica from being taken, but he’d make damn sure Evelyn could defend herself.

She fisted the hem of her hoodie and cast a glance out the windows. Finally, she pulled the hoodie over her head and threw it to the corner of the room. Her T-shirt couldn’t hide the killer curves that lay beneath it, or the way her sports bra pushed her full breasts into a tempting mound.

“Now let’s go over what to do if he comes from behind.” Connor moved behind her. He molded his body against hers and breathed in the scent of her coconut shampoo. He hooked an arm around her neck and brought his mouth to her ear. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” A shiver shook the word, and she shimmied.

The movement caused awareness to flare inside him. Touching her, smelling her, hell, even kissing her was one thing. But that tiny shudder of movement where her lithe body skimmed against his made desire shoot to his groin.

He gritted his teeth. “If someone grabs you from behind, the first thing you need to do is protect your airway. Grab my wrist then drop down in a crouch, turning your face to the side to protect your neck.”

Evelyn did as he instructed.

His chest pressed against her back, and her ass nestled against his crotch. He bit his top lip to stop a groan. His blood pressure soared, and he used all his self-control to focus on her next step. “Now swivel to the side until you’re behind me. Grab behind my knees, try to pick me up or knock me off-balance, then drop me to the ground.”

She followed his commands, and Connor hit the hard rubber mats with a thump and a sharp pang of pain pressed into his side. He twisted onto his back.

Evelyn crouched over him with the heel of her hand ready to strike. “This is when I hit you, right?” Her hair had slipped from her ponytail and trailed over her shoulder. Soft pants lifted her chest, and she slid her mouth into a smirk.

He peeled his shoulders from the mat and studied the victory etched on her face. “Are you getting cocky?”

She dropped her hand and shrugged, the smirk remaining in place.

He lunged for her waist, wrapping his arms around her and twisting to pin her onto the floor.

Wide eyes stared up at him.

He hovered over her, placing his flattened palms on either side of her head. Coming to his knees, he locked eyes with her and grinned. “What about now? How would you get away from me?”

“I...I don’t know.” Her smirk slid into a frown.

“Wrap your legs around my waist.” Lust thickened his throat, and his pulse pounded.