AllFreeNovel
Share Us
An invitation. And a challenge.
I settled into my heels, my core engaged as I gave him a sharp smile and began circling, looking for the best opening. He wanted to see what I could do? Great.
Without warning, I lunged forward, curling my fingers into a fist as I went for his stomach. He saw it coming, though, and blocked the hit with one arm, ensnaring my wrist with his other hand and spinning me around, so my back was to his chest, his arm holding me tight.
He chuckled a low sound that sent a shiver through me. “I know you can do better than th—”
His breath wheezed out as I jabbed my elbow into his gut, straightening the other arm so fast it broke his grasp. I whirled away quickly, gathering my focus, sinking into that state of being where nothing existed but the fight. It had been far too long since I’d sparred like this, and excitement flooded through me.
Holden’s mouth curved up, but I tried to ignore the sensation that smile sent through me.Focus.
He moved swiftly, darting forward with a right hook. I barely managed to get my arm up in time to block him. I gasped at the force of impact and glared at him indignantly. “That’s against the rules.”
“What rules?”
“Kyle’s rules.” I gestured at the door the trainer had disappeared through, noting his flare of jealousy.
“In real life, there are no rules. You think one of these women here will care about rules when she challenges you?” Holden shook his head. “Think again.”
That’s how he wanted to play? Fine.
Before he saw it coming, I pivoted to the side and flung my leg out, kicking him hard in the stomach. He grinned. “That’s more like it.”
I was already winded from sparring with Kyle, and Holden was infinitely stronger than me, but I was willing to give it my all. We fell silent as we circled each other once more, then began fighting in earnest. Fists flew, more hits blocked than not, but both of us managed to get a few good ones in. Triumph at holding my own gave me a renewed sense of energy.
In the zone now, Holden and I fell into a dance of sorts, our bodies moving and flowing in response to each other.
“I messed up,” he said out of nowhere, his words startling me enough that he got past my defenses and landed a hit to my shoulder that sent me stumbling backward.
“Messed up how?” I lifted my fists, trying to ignore the wild thoughts that ran through my head, the jealousy that sprang up at many of them.
“In the tent. On the beach.”
I stilled, taking a step back before circling again, anger and hurt making my chest tight. Did he regret what we did? “You just have to play by the rules, don’t you?”
Holden stopped moving, dropping his arms to his sides. “What else do you expect me to do, Kayden? There are reasons for the laws we have in place. Good ones—I simply can’t ignore the risks I’d be taking by choosing you as my mate.”
Pain radiated through me at that. He wanted me. But not enough.
I took the opportunity of his lowered defenses and went in for the hit, landing a hard uppercut to his jaw. He grimaced. “I guess I deserve that.”
I laughed humorlessly. “Hell, yes, you do.” I kicked my foot out again, putting all my frustration into it, but Holden didn’t make the same mistake twice. He caught my foot and twisted it, knocking me off my feet and onto my back.
I stared at him in surprise, the breath knocked out of me.
He let out a heavy sigh, reaching a hand down to help me up. “That doesn’t mean I don’t want you.” He raked a hand through his hair, his face twisting in frustration.
I took his hand, but instead of standing, I jerked hard, knocking him off balance and pulling him to the floor, getting in another kick as he fell to the side. I scrambled up.
“Yeah, but only as your mistress.” I glared at him. “Why the fuck would you think I’d be okay with something like that?”
His eyes narrowed as he got to his feet. “Because there’s no other way, and I’m not willing to give you up.”
I scoffed. “Then you’re even more of an idiot than I thought you were.”
Holden glowered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I shook my head, incredulous. “I won’t degrade myself like that. Not even for you.”
