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He shifted on his knees to the left and reached back with his right hand, his fingers curled like claws.

“And you grab whatever you can get and squeeze it hard. Do you understand?”

Her breath tickled the shell of his ear, warming it in the most erotic way. “Yes.”

Keep it together, man. “An elbow to the face is also good once he releases you, but if he is on the ground and you’re afraid he’ll chase you, I want you to stomp his ankle. If you need to, use both feet and put all your weight into it. If his ankle is jacked up, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon, and you have time to run away and get help. And, once you report it, if he seeks medical attention, he’s going to get a big surprise when he’s arrested. Got it?”

“Yeah, except the whole stomping thing. What if I freeze up?”

Blake’s hand came up to rest on her forearm, and he turned his head so he could look at her. “Then you’re going to be hurt. Unless he just wants your valuables, there is no reason for him to try to drag you off. You have to think that whatever he has planned for you is going to be worse than an

y injuries you might get in a scuffle.”

Hannah still looked uneasy, and he squeezed her arm. “I believe that when the time comes, you’ll be a fighter.”

She smiled brightly down at him, and Blake noticed how close their faces were. Their lips close enough that if he just stretched up a few inches, they’d be kissing.

Her eyes fluttered closed, and he watched her lips part in slow motion. This was happening. She wanted him to kiss her, and hell, he wanted that, too, more than anything.

I haven’t kissed anyone since Jenny.

He knew how Jenny liked to be kissed, how she enjoyed being held tight and her lower lip nibbled a little bit until she giggled. What if when he kissed Hannah, she was disappointed?

At the last minute, he panicked, putting distance between them with her arm still around his neck.

“Wanna switch?” he said abruptly, smashing the moment into oblivion.

Hannah blinked at him, surprise and he was sure disappointment flashing in her eyes.

“Sure.” Her response was slow, hesitant, and she sounded so confused. He was confused, too, and he was the one who’d pulled the plug.

He stood up when she released his neck and came up behind her, praying she couldn’t feel the semi he was still sporting.

“Let’s see it,” he said.

“I don’t want to hurt you, though,” she said.

I’m more afraid I’ll hurt you.

“You won’t.”

I won’t let you get close enough.

Chapter Eleven

HANNAH COULD FEEL something hard pressing against her back as Blake set up to attack her from behind. Her body hummed with the desire to rub back against him like a cat in heat, and her cheeks burned in embarrassment. God, she never knew how the hot body of a tall, sweaty wall of muscle could make her lower abdomen clench and quiver with need.

“I’m going to come at you, and as soon as my arms go around you, I want you to reach back and grab me.” His deep, rumbly whisper vibrated against her ear as his words sunk in, and her heart kicked up a notch.

“Um, you mean, you want me to grab your . . . penis?”

He sounded strained when he answered. “I’ve got a cup on, so it should be fine. You don’t have to castrate me, just reach back like you would if I was actually attacking you.”

“Okay.” Hannah waited, her hands out as she rocked on the balls of her feet, anticipating Blake’s arms going around her once more.

Suddenly, Blake grabbed her from behind, nearly lifting her off her feet, and she gave a startled yell. It was rougher than she’d expected, and a lump of panic rose up in her throat as adrenaline kicked in. She wiggled and heaved in his arms until he seemed off balance for a split second, then she took the opportunity to twist her arm back and grab him through his pants.

Only her grab was more like a punch, and she winced as her fist hit hard plastic.