Page 29 of Beyond Enemy Vows

"We'll see about that," he says and smiles.

I turn and start walking.

"Wait. Where are you going?" he asks.

"To change," I say and turn to face him. "I'm not going to ruin this new dress while I'm kicking your butt."

I head to my room and quickly change into black compression shorts and a tank top. Instinctively, I reach for a hair tie and pause. I spent way too much time making my hair look nice.

Screw it. If my hair in a ponytail turns him off, his loss.

I glance at myself in the mirror, and my eyes are too bright, my cheeks flushed. I look a little too eager to be doing this.

When I walk back into the living room, Niko's eyes trace over my body, lingering on my bare legs. A muscle in his jaw tightens.

"Follow me," I say, not waiting for a response.

I lead him through the cottage to the small gym I've been using. It's big enough for us to practice in.

I walk to where I keep my gear and grab my hand wraps. "You going to spar in your fancy pants?"

He takes off his shoes and, with a half-smile, starts unbuttoning his shirt. "I'd hate to give you any excuses when I win."

I snort, beginning to wrap my hands. "Big talk from someone who hasn't seen what I can do."

He watches the process intently, those dark eyes following each loop of fabric around my knuckles. "I've seen more than you think, orea mou."

I look up at him and give him a smile.I bet you have.

He says nothing and takes his shirt off, and just when I think he's going to stay in his white undershirt, he removes that too.

My skin prickles in every way possible. I knew he was fit under those suits, but not like this. He looks like something sculpted to tempt women into ruin.

Chiseled chest, perfect pecs, his stomach contracts with each breath, drawing attention to his defined six-pack and that perfect V-shape that draws your eyes to his...

I clear my throat and look back up at him.

I slip on my gloves, flexing my fingers inside them.

"Ready?" I ask, stepping onto the mat.

Niko follows me and raises his hands into a defensive position, and I notice the faint scars across his knuckles.

"No gloves?" I ask.

He laughs. "I can win without hitting you."

I narrow my eyes and raise my hands. "Well, I'm going to hit you."

"There's your fire," he says and winks. "Ladies first."

This man is insane.

I like it.

I bounce lightly on my feet and circle him slowly, sizing him up. He's bigger, stronger, but I've always been quick. I throw a testing jab. He deflects it easily, almost lazily.

"That all you got, Calli?" he taunts.