Page 90 of Billionaire’s Heartbreak

“I'm trying.”

“You're thinking too much.”

“And you're judging me.”

“I'm teaching you.”

A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Better.”

We continued. Roll. Redirect. Maintain contact. Again. Every time she became tense, I gave her a gentle nudge rather than resisting her. Slowly, she stopped fighting the movement and started following it. Her shoulders loosened, her breathing steadied, and her reactions became quicker.

“There you go,” I said. “Now you're beginning to feel it.”

“I think I'm just copying you.”

“That's how everyone starts.”

She grew bolder, testing small changes in pressure—a slight push, a quick turn of her wrist. I redirected each one with barely any effort.

“So when do I get to punch you?”

I laughed. “Impatient?”

“Very.”

“Fine.” I held her gaze. “Whenever you feel an opening, take it.”

Her eyes narrowed with exaggerated determination. For several seconds, she played along with the rolling movement. Then, without warning, she snapped a straight punch toward my chest.

I deflected it instinctively. She'd put far too much weight behind it, and her foot slipped across the padded mat.

“Whoa—”

She pitched forward. I caught her around the waist before she hit the floor.

For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. One arm circled her back while the other steadied her elbow. Her hands rested against my chest, and suddenly the distance between us felt much smaller than it had a second ago.

“You did say to commit,” she murmured.

“I didn't say to throw yourself at me.”

A laugh escaped her, warm and breathless. She stayed in my arms, and neither of us moved. I could feel the warmth of her body through my shirt, her fingers still resting against my chest, the faint rise and fall of her breathing beneath them.

She looked up at me.

I knew I should let her go. I knew exactly how complicated this was. But I couldn't seem to make myself move.

“June…”

Her eyes searched mine. “Kai.”

That was all it took. I leaned closer, slowly enough to give her every opportunity to pull away.

She didn't.

Our lips met. Softly at first, almost cautiously. Then the hesitation disappeared. She melted against me, her arms sliding around my neck as I held her closer.