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They all frown at my grimace. I have to explain my hesitation, though I’m embarrassed to do so. I hate my weakness where men are concerned. “I would be uncomfortable training alone in a private gym,” I tell Rook, face flaming. “That’s why Wulf suggested we come here in the first place.”
“Oh. Uh, okay.” Rook looks like he doesn’t know what else to say to this. Alpha Toth and Luna Marie keep quiet, too.
I feel like an idiot, and I really don’t want to pass up the training, but I’m not entirely convinced Rook won’t fall under my spell if we spend the time together. He’s been flirty, and his wolf has an interest in me. He’s proven that a couple times tonight. If only Terrance or Oliver could train me… “Oh, I know!” I blush again at my blurted excitement. “Would it be all right if we trained, but I invited a few people to come to the sessions so that we’re not alone? Do you think Wulf would care?”
“I’m sure he won’t mind at all.”
Rook shakes his head, looking at me with understanding that’s bordering on pity. I squash down my anger at the look, because I am pretty pathetic this way. Maybe once I can defend myself better, I won’t feel so vulnerable with men. Hopefully.
“Great,” I say, looking at the ground as I nod. “Thanks. I’ll call you then, after I talk to Wulf.”
Rook gives me a small smile. “I look forward to it.”
“Okay, here I come,”Rook warns politely. “Are you ready?”
I give him a stiff nod and brace myself for the physical contact that I know is coming. Strong arms wrap around me from behind, locking me against a firm chest. For an instant, panic creeps into my thoughts, but I push it aside and try to focus.
Rook has been training me for two weeks now. This is our sixth session. I’m starting to instinctively trust him, and it’s getting easier to have him touching me. It helps that he always warns me before he puts his hands on me, and that he’s always so professional about it.
Rook’s thoughts are similar to my own.She’s doing great. Relaxing. She hardly flinches anymore. We’re going to have to start practicing without me warning her every time so that she can get used to being taken by surprise.
I’m not looking forward to any surprise attacks, but he’s right that I need the practice. It would be nice if I didn’t practically jump out of my skin every time someone touches me.
Releasing a slow, calming breath, I brace my foot, drop my shoulder…and flip a six-two one hundred eighty-five pound man onto his back. His grunt as he hits the mat is highly satisfying. My small audience cheers and whistles. Okay, Oliver claps and Ren whistles. Cecile, Wulf, and Enzo aren’t paying me any attention. They’re too busy planning my stupid underworld coming-out party.
“Excellent job, Nora. You’ve already got it down,” Rook says without a hint of a groan.
I’m envious of his werewolf genes. If I’d been slammed to the mat as many times in a row as he has now, I’d be sore for days. We’ve been at this for two hours, and I’m drenched with sweat and on the verge of collapse. He’s got a sexy shine to his skin and looks like he’s ready to run a marathon.
I hold my hand out, offering to help him up. “Great. Now if only I had a tenth of your werewolf stamina.”
Rook accepts my hand with a laugh and easily climbs to his feet. Our hands clasp just in time for me to catch his internal response.If only.Before I can let go of Rook’s hand, he gently tugs me to him. I stumble forward, and my hands fall against his chest. “You would be glorious as a werewolf,” he murmurs in a low voice.
A shiver runs up my spine that I’m not quite able to hide. Rook cocks a brow, then laughs when I scramble to put a little space between us. I glare at him, and he gives me an impish grin. “Sorry. My wolf enjoys teaching you as much as I do,” he admits. “He’s a little closer to the surface during our sessions.”
I’m always fascinated when Rook speaks of his wolf. It’s as if they’re one and the same and yet separate at the same time. I know what he means about his wolf rising to the surface, though. Something about Rook changes when his wolf is awake or whatever. He gets more confident, more forward, moreprimal. You’d think it would scare me, and maybe it does make me a little nervous, but there’s also something undeniably sexy about Rook the wolf. Of course, Rook the man knows that, and likes to mess with me.
I roll my eyes. “Well, make sure you keep wolf Rook on his leash when we practice, because I can barely keep up with Rook the man.”
“Aww.” Rook playfully chucks his arm over my shoulders and leads me toward the small group of people who have agreed to hang out while we train. “You’ll get in better shape the longer you work out—nothing comes overnight. But you do have some natural ability. Maybe you can’t run three miles yet, but you’re picking up these moves like you’ve been doing them in your sleep your entire life.”
“And you look sexy doing it,” Ren says, grinning at me. He turns his smile on Rook and adds, “And so do you. You sure you don’t like men even a little bit?”
“I’m sure, Ren,” Rook says with a grunt.
Ren frowns. “Such a pity.”
“You’re right about her ability,” Wulf says to Rook, saving his brother from Ren’s advances. He eyes me suspiciously. “You’re picking it up quickly, almosttooquickly. You’ve really never had training before?”
I crash to the small bleachers, shaking my head. And yes, Wulf’s home gym is big enough to have its own small set of bleachers off to the side of the room. It also has a track, a boxing ring, a pool, and all the workout equipment a person could ever need. The man renovated an old warehouse solely for workout purposes since he’s a wolf living downtown and doesn’t get the chance to go running in his beast form as much as he’d like. It’s a great setup.
“I’m sure I’ve never had any training. I had to defend myself plenty of times growing up, but no one’s ever even shown me how to throw a proper punch.”
“Maybe it’s one of your gifts,” Rook says.
I shake my head again as I grab a towel and wipe the sweat from my body. Rook has been making me train in a sports bra and shorts while he’s in a tank top and shorts because he wants me to get used to having to fight while being bombarded with thoughts. It’s a smart idea, but exhausting as well. “My gifts are all psychic-based abilities. It’s a mind thing. I’ve never had any physical advantages.”
“You’ve never tried before,” Wulf argues. “If you really, truly have some underworlder blood in you, then it’s a good possibility you have at least a hint of physical superiority over normal humans. Most underworlders do.”
