Page 67 of Burn the World Down

I grinned at her. I’d changed into black work-out shorts and a fitted, compression T-shirt for our session.

She poked her tongue out and pointed at the mat. “Again?”

I nodded. I’d been showing her some moves for breaking free if an attacker grabbed her. I circled her. She was wearing blackleggings and a fitted tank. I could see no bruises except the faded one below her eye.

I lunged at her. She dodged. Then she spun and launched a kick aimed for my knee.

I made a menacing noise and grabbed her. I got a hold of her arm but she twisted, stepped closer, then broke my hold with one of the moves I’d taught her.

“Good.” I smiled at her.

“I was?—”

I charged her. Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I lifted her off her feet. I had her arms pinned to her side.

She cursed and wriggled.

“I’ve got you now,” I growled in her ear.

She rammed her head back.

Quickly, I leaned to the side and narrowly missed a broken nose. My hold loosened and she landed on her feet, spun, and then the minx aimed a knee at my junk.

I dodged fast, grabbing for her, but lost my balance. She gave me an extra shove, and I went down hard.

Georgie landed on top of me. She used her knees to pin my arms down. I could break free, but I didn’t.

“I win.” She threw her arms in the air, like a boxer who’d just won the championship bout. “Thank you, thank you.”

She had a happy smile on her face, and her cheeks were flushed pink. Watching her was a hit to my chest. I loved seeing her like this.

I could lift her off me, but I let her have her moment.

Still smiling, her gaze met mine and now our eyes locked.

That ever-present desire flared.

“Looks like you two are working hard,” a sardonic voice said.

I barely stopped my jerk at Bastian’s voice. I hadn’t heard him come in, and that wasn’t like me. I looked over. He stood in the doorway with Alessio.

“I was just taking Nash down,” Georgie declared.

Bastian’s gaze flickered with amusement. “I see that. You’re taking that man down, in more ways than one.”

I rose, taking her with me. “Now, you can test your new skills.”

Both her eyebrows winged up. “What?”

“You’re going to fight against Bastian and Alessio. They’re here because I asked them to help out.”

“Oh.” She rubbed her nose, looking a little nervous.

“Just remember what I showed you,” I said.

She nodded.

Bastian slipped off his suit jacket, then rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt. Alessio was wearing black cargo pants and a black T-shirt that stretched across his lean chest. His tattoos were on display.