Page 64 of Missile Strike

“Not if you do this.” He circled behind her, then stepped into her back and wrapped his arms around her.

Isabella froze.

The solid strength of him surrounded her.

Escape wasn’t on her mind.

Instead, she wanted to lean back against him and discover exactly where Danny’s professionalism ended.

No.

That would be bad.

Her boundaries had crumbled last night, but that didn’t mean they should disappear.

“Bella?”

The concern in his voice brought her back to herself.

He dropped his arms. Stepped away. “Are you okay?”

Warmth flooded her cheeks. “Why would I not be okay?”

“You froze.” His hand massaged the back of his neck, the lines of his shoulders tense. “I thought I might have scared you.”

“I’d never be afraid of you.” The words spilled out of her without conscious thought.

Something flared in his eyes. Something hot—a primal satisfaction that only heightened her awareness of him.

“Good.” His voice was a low rumble. “Let’s try this again.”

This time, when he wrapped her in a bear hug, she forced herself to focus on his instructions. She hooked her foot around his ankle to keep him from lifting her off her feet, then struck with her elbow, hands and feet until he let go.

Humid air drifted through the open garage door. It wasn’t enough to cool the space, only enough to stir the loose strands of hair escaping her ponytail and leave a sheen of sweat on Danny’s temple.

“One more thing for today.” Danny blew out a breath. “The last place you ever want to end up is on the ground. But if you do…”

He motioned for her to lie on her back on the mat.

“This may get a bit awkward. If you’re uncomfortable at any point, say so and we’ll stop, but it’s important you learn what to do if you get taken down.”

His knees straddled her.

Her brain short-circuited.

“Bella?”

A strangled laugh escaped. “Fine. Just…awkward.”

He didn’t need to know she was fighting the urge to lift her hips and press against him.

Danny gave her a smile that didn’t mask the discomfort in his eyes.

His palms landed on either side of her head, and he showed her how to leverage her body to throw him off.

At first, she couldn’t do it, but by the fifth try, she threw him to the side.

And forgot to let go.