Page 38 of Resisting Isaac

I slow my steps when I see her—Elena.

Alone. Focused.

She moves in sharp, fluid patterns near the water’s edge. Controlled strikes and pivots like she’s battling an invisible enemy.

Not doing calm yoga stretches like Ivy does.

I cross my arms and lean against the nearest cottonwood. “Damn. Should I be concerned for whoever pissed you off?”

She doesn’t startle. Just finishes a sequence, turns, and blinks like she’s only now aware I’m here.

“Krav Maga,” she says, slightly out of breath but steady. “It’s good to run through techniques when I’ve got open space.”

I lift a brow. “Someone out here you’re planning to take down?”

“Only if you can’t behave.” She smirks. “I train at a studio in LA. By my apartment. Three times a week when I’m not filming.”

My brain short-circuits for a second at the visual. Elena in leggings and a sports bra, breaking someone in half on a mat.

“I, too, enjoy practicing technique,” I say with the slowest, most innocent voice I can muster. “Form. Rhythm. Repetition.”

She shakes her head. Not even a smile. Just mutters, “Cool it, cowboy.”

But there’s a flicker at the corner of her mouth she’s trying to suppress, and it’s enough to make my morning.

Then I notice her shirt clinging damp to her sides. Her breath is still shallow. Her cheeks flushed beneath the glow of sunrise.

“Speaking of cooling it, you’re awfully worked up for this early in the morning. You feeling okay?”

She side-eyes me. “I just got back from a run. Found a trail behind the cabin, over to a smaller hay barn. Ran there and back.”

I don’t try to hide how impressed I am. “That trail is nearly five miles if you looped around and ended up here.”

She nods like it’s no big deal. “I run five miles every morning. Keeps my body conditioned.”

“Every morning?”

She uses her shirt to wipe the sweat from her eyes and I see the toned, tanned expanse of her stomach. My body goes on high alert.

I glance at my watch. Not even seven. “So your day starts with running and learning how to disarm an attacker?”

Her gaze flicks toward the water. “My day starts with coffee. But yeah.”

“That tells me just about everything I need to know about you.”

She raises a brow. “Does it?”

“Yeah.” I nod, stepping closer but not too close. “Anyone ever tell you, you’re kind of terrifying?”

Her mouth lifts, barely. “Only if they’re dumb enough to underestimate me.”

I grin. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Before I leave, I make an offer I’ll probably regret, but I can’t stop myself. “If you need a sparring partner, let me know.”

She laughs softly. “You’d practice Krav Maga with me?”

I shake my head. “Hell no. But I bet some ranch hands would be willing to get their asses kicked by a beautiful woman first thing in the morning.” I wink to let her know I’m teasing.

I make a mental note to watch a YouTube video on Krav Maga in case she takes me up on the sparring offer.