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“When you’re fighting someone bigger than you, you need to use their weight to your advantage,” he said.

“Stop telling me what to do.” The words were punctuated by blows.

“It’s my job to keep you safe. That includes improving your fighting technique.”

“Less talking, more fighting.”

He grunted. That was usually his line. He blocked and parried several rounds of punishing strikes. They’d sparred before, but it had felt nothing like this. Was she juiced on something?

Daisy’s breathing became labored as she continued to slam blows against Rexx’s arms, trying to get through to his ribs.

“You want to tell me what’s going on?” he asked.

“Nothing’s going on. We’re fighting.” She went low and almost got him in the groin with her knee.

“You had bad news.”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” More punches were flung at him.

“Someone told me once that talking about a problem helps.” He ducked and swiveled, drawing her closer to him.

“Whoever that was, they’re an idiot.”

“It was you.”

“So, I’m the dumbass.” She slammed her hands up under his chin.

Rexx’s head shot back at the unexpected force of the blow.

Daisy jumped on him, her hands wrapping around his neck as they slammed to the floor. She was fast and motivated, snarling in his ear as they rolled.

Her soft, sweat dampened skin slid across his, making his cock twitch with interest at having her so close.

Rexx shoved away the lust flooding through him. This was about fighting, not fucking. He flipped her off his chest with a solid pump of his hips, and she whacked onto the training mat with an audible gasp.

He stood and held out his hand. “Let’s go again. Next time, aim for my throat, not my chin. Try to crush my windpipe. If your enemy can’t breathe, he dies.”

He worked her hard for the next half hour. If she wasn’t willing to talk, she could use him to shake off some of that unbridled, hot anger that sliced through her.

But Daisy wasn’t getting tired. If anything, her attacks felt more punishing, as if she was learning as they fought. Three times, she got past his defenses. That never happened. What was she on? This new strength couldn’t be fueled just by her rage.

Rexx parried two rapid hooks. His hand shot out, and he grabbed Daisy around the waist and yanked her against his chest. “Stop letting your guard down. If I’d had a blade, it would have gone straight through you. You’d be dead. It’s not all about attack. Defend yourself.”

Her clenched hands slammed against him. “It won’t happen again.”

Their gazes locked, her chest heaving against his. It was all he could do not to drop her to the floor and devour that tempting mouth. His cock reacted strongly, surging to life. He enjoyed the feel of her body against his too much.

Rexx dropped his hold on her and stepped back. “Again. Repeat the hooks. This time, back away before I have a chance to strike.”

She slammed her fist into him, but rather than backing away after the second hook, she curled her fist and landed it straight under his chin.

The blow was so hard it rattled his teeth.

Daisy followed up with a punch against the side of his right eye.

Rexx grunted and backed away. That would leave a mark.

“I told you I knew how to fight,” Daisy said.