AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He stops and walks over to the bench and picks up two red gloves that are lying there.
"Good morning. These are for you," he says while stopping before me.
I gaze up. "What are we going to do?"
"We're going for a round of boxing. It's a great way to get rid of excess energy while learning to protect yourself."
I place my bag on the ground and slide my hand inside the glove he's holding up. A boost of adrenaline shoots through me as he fastens the Velcro and holds up the other. When both hands are in, my breath halts when I read the wordAlishaon both the Velcro fasteners.
"Thanks."
He nods while inspecting me with his penetrating stare. "Did you sleep well?"
Fuck. A flash of warmth rushes to my face. He chuckles, and his eyes get a sparkle I haven't seen before.
"Yeah, I did."
"Has anyone ever told you that you snore? Quite loudly, I might add. I had to turn up the volume of the radio." His grin widens when I let out a noisy breath. "I do not snore."
When he chuckles, I stomp my gloves against his upper arm.
"Take it back, Cole Walker. I do not snore," I say, punching him in the chest.
His eyes get an intense but playful expression, and his lips curl into a wide grin. "Is that all you’ve got?" He takes a stand behind the boxing bag and taps it. "Do you remember the basics Tommy taught you at the gym?"
I nod.
"Great, then come here, explain, and show me the right boxing stance."
I roll my eyes.
"Watch your attitude. I’m dead serious when it comes to boxing," he says in a steady, lower-pitched voice. "The basics are the foundation. If you don’t apply them right during practice, you’re bound to get injured and hurt."
I chuckle while taking a stand in front of the punching bag. "Okay, easy, Grumpy. I heard you."
His razor-sharp gaze meets mine. I quickly disconnect and explain what I’ve learned.
"I begin by placing my left foot in front of my right, the right angled out a bit, pointing toward my opponent," I say while showing him. "Then I put my hands up to protect my chin, tuck my elbows in, hold my chin down, and make sure my hips are above my feet." I cock a brow. "Is that correct, Grumpy?"
He grins. "Not bad, but…" He stops next to me and touches my back and arm. "It's important that you keep your body and hands relaxed." His right hand touches my knee. "Have a slight bend at your knees."
I follow his suggestions, but it's hard to concentrate when he touches me.
"Okay, bounce around, get comfortable in the stance," he says, taking a step back. "Make sure your feet are around shoulder-width apart. And remember the most important rule. Always keep your hands up. Now, show me a good jab and cross."
I transfer my weight forward and jab my left hand into the bag. He steps to my right side and punches hard against my right glove.
"Keep that hand up, Alisha. This is sloppy. You need to protect your face all the time. If I wanted, I could hurt you easily."
I grind my teeth hearing him say this, but continue punching.
"Okay, keep your chin tucked in behind your shoulder and throw the jab straight out as if you're punching into a pipe. And make sure you keep your elbows in and aligned with your fist and the rest of your body. No part of you should needlessly stick out."
After a few times practicing, Cole gets the boxing paddles and makes me hit them instead of the punching bag.
"Okay, show me the best you've got. But from now on, I'll correct you by punching you if you don't protect yourself."
I nod, and as I throw my left fist into the paddle, he hits hard against my right glove.
