AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Malcolm did. Jami soon could hit the pressure points he had indicated at the wrist and the elbow, though the elbow was easier. Warmth spread through her back as she turned her body into his, brushing his chest again and again as he let her loose much too easily.
“Like this?” Jami asked, the side of her hand coming down on his wrist.
Malcolm tilted his head, his hand not falling away this time. “Harder. And a bit lower.”
Jami adjusted as he said. For the first time, his grip stayed firm. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she added more power. Finally, his hand opened and returned to his side.
“That’s the first lesson, but knocking your opponent to the ground adds valuable time to run away.”
Jami’s eyes roamed over Malcolm’s torso. “You’re too big for me to knock down. Look at me.”
“I am looking at you,” Malcolm murmured. His eyes shifted to her neck, where sweat had gathered. “Come on, the wrestling mats will help cushion the next lesson.”
She followed him. The mats under her feet had a soft bounce to them that set her off-balance.
“You’ll get used to it,” Malcolm said, turning to her. His grip settled warmly on her arm again.
His touch had begun to tingle. Her senses focused on that one arm, making it difficult to concentrate. “That’s not the only way someone might grab me.”
“We’re working on concepts right now. Going for an opponent’s legs uses their weight against them, no matter how they’ve grabbed you with their hands.”
Jami had come to anticipate Malcolm’s hands on her at the tavern. He only did it now when she was about to topple headfirst into something. Which, luckily, was fairly often. As his fingers curled around her nonexistent bicep, she stared at the scabs that had yet to fade from his knuckles.
“For male attackers, don’t be afraid to go for the crotch. Hit the man hard enough, and his hand will withdraw naturally.”
Her eyes flew up to his. “I’m not kicking you in the balls, Malcolm.”
His lips crooked up. “From this proximity, it’d be better to knee the attacker. It also has the best arc. Toward the throat.”
“Where else can I hit you?” Jami asked.
Malcolm sighed. “You can’t be afraid to do it.”
“Hey, I have some vested interest here.” Her gaze dropped, and she studied the front of his jeans. They were tight, so tight, in fact, that she could not only tell he was aroused but also which side of the zipper his anatomy preferred.
Malcolm’s swallow was audible. “I’m tougher than you think.”
More like harder, Jami thought to herself, her fingers itching to reach out and stroke. Her arm twitched under his, and she liked the way his soft squeeze felt in response.
He cleared his throat. “How about the knee?” he offered instead.
Her gaze dropped lower. She frowned as she considered it. “I won’t hurt you?”
“No, but I want you to try to, Jami. Give it all you have.”
The man was a glutton for punishment and obviously thought she was weak. His grip on her arm tightened, though it was still too loose to cause true discomfort. Jami stepped toward his body as he’d taught her, bringing her foot up and down with a thwack right on the spot he’d indicated. To her surprise, Malcolm folded, releasing her as he began to fall to the ground.
Jami stupidly fisted her hand in his shirt, trying to hold him up. Instead she followed him to the ground, landing on top of him with a thud—and a soft groan from Malcolm.
Jami’s hand wouldn’t release him as she stared down at his mouth, suddenly so close. His scent was everywhere, the cinnamon or clove or whatever it was tickling her nose.
Malcolm’s laughter jostled her, sliding her chest along his tight T-shirt. “You’re supposed to stay standing so you can run.”
“I don’t want to run,” Jami murmured, lowering her lips to his.
Malcolm’s body stiffened as she kissed him. Her fisted hand loosened, smoothing over his chest as she licked at his bottom lip. His mouth opened at her urging, and she lost herself in sensation.
Malcolm’s lips were so giving, clinging to hers. Jami wished he would touch her, but even the grip on her arm had faded. His hands pressed hard into the mat below him as they devoured each other with just their mouths.
