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“Nope. You gotta learn a little something first.”Caleb’s answer is immediate and casual, but as I remind him, she’s been through a lot. Anything could trigger a trauma response. I want to avoid that if possible.
“I’m scared,” she barely whispers as Veronica and Vince come up to the platform.
“Nothing to be scared of, baby.” He kisses her left cheek. It’s only a peck, but it soothes her instantly. The bond between mates will do that and the anxiousness I feel also dissipates.
“Fine.” She draws her shoulders back and raises her little fists while backing up to the edge of the platform. “But I want a kiss for every punch I get in.”
I chuckle at the sight of her. Our sweet mate has a lot to learn.
“First of all, don’t back yourself into a corner. Never,” I say.
Caleb nods his head in agreement with me and adds, “It’s even worse when you’re outnumbered. Now get your ass back here.”
She immediately walks back to join us at the center of the ring. He moves her easily, so that she’s facing away from us. “So I should just stand here and wait?” she asks.
Caleb eyes her ass as he answers and then slips hishands around her hips before kissing her neck once again. “If you can’t run, yes. Wait for your opponent to attack and watch carefully so you can block. Take your attacker off guard. If you can get in the first hit, make sure you make contact and really hurt them. Make it worth the energy.”
“So if I can’t run, hit first—” She’s paying attention, even if Caleb appears to be preoccupied with other thoughts.
“Only hit if you can get a good hit in. If not, then you wait so you can block.” Caleb interrupts her and I nod at his words although she can’t see.
“How will I know if it’ll be a good hit?”
“If you have easy access to the eyes, nose, throat or groin, then take the shot.”
“Turn around and watch,” I command her and she obeys instantly.
I put my hand up to Caleb’s nose with my palm out and motion upward. “Like this, little one. That’ll break the nose and push the bone into the brain.”
Caleb turns sideways and elbows me in the gut. “Or shove your elbow right here. Clasp your hands and push with all your weight.” The move knocks the wind out of me, but I only smile. “Cheap shot,” I grunt.
“You want to try to land a hit instead of waiting for us to come from behind?”
She nods and says, “Yeah, let me try.” Our little mate licks her lower lip, excitement running through her. It’s a good sign.
“Any hint this has turned into anything … alarming … and I’m calling it off,”I remind Caleb internally.
“Agreed,”he answers back.
“All right,” I offer to Lizzie, “I’m going to block it, but don’t stop.” She takes a deep breath and tries to palm strike my nose, but she’s too damn slow and I’m able to snatch her wrist without much effort at all. “Faster, little one. Make it count.”
She purses her lips when I release her hand, her eyes narrowing at the challenge. “But you know it’s coming.”
I nod my head at her deflated tone.
Caleb’s arms are crossed over his chest as he tells her, “Your attackers may expect you to attack also. You have to be quick.”
Appearing dejected, she rocks back and forth with her eyes on the ground. I part my lips and take a small step forward ready to comfort her, and that little hand of hers comes up from fucking nowhere and she actually lands the blow.
Square against my nose.
“Fuck!” My hands fly to my face. The stinging pain makes me wince and I think I’m bleeding.
Caleb’s laughing his ass off and Vince is doing the same. I glance over to see Veronica full-on grinning, Vince’s arm wrapped around her waist.
“Your girl got a hit on you, Dom. You a big softy now that you’re mated?”
“Come on up here, Vince, and find out.” That wipes the smile off his face; only for a second, though.
