10. Paige

10

PAIGE

Sleep is something I've been dreading ever since the attack. However, when I go back to bed, I manage to go back to sleep, and when I wake up, daylight's streaming through the windows.

As I sit up, I feel less achy and tired, and a look at my phone tells me it's nearly eleven o'clock.

Wow.

Feels like forever since I slept in so late. How can a good night sleep make such a difference in how one feels?

My stomach rumbles despite the sandwich I ate after returning from Sophie's, and I walk down the stairs, hoping to find something in the fridge.

Maybe Kael will cook again. As irritating as he always is, the food he made me was really good.

As I come down the stairs, grunts and low groans come from the living room, and when I peer inside, a shirtless Kael is sweating, punching, and kicking the air.

It looks oddly graceful, though, long, languid movements. Almost like a dance, but with fighting moves.

My body reacts. Traitor.

Jesus, what kind of guy has an eight-pack and is that wide across the chest and shoulders? He's built like some kind of Greek god.

"What are you doing?" My mouth's dry, and my voice comes out choked.

Kael looks up at me briefly before focusing on the far wall, continuing his sexy choreography.

"Little bit of boxing, little bit of MMA."

"MMA?"

"Mixed martial arts." He kicks the air again in a roundhouse kick.

I watch him, fascinated. And not just by his body.

If I knew how to do something like that, maybe I never would've been attacked. Maybe I could've fought them off instead of just screaming like a little girl and depending on my brothers. Maybe Jimmy hadn't gotten shot.

"Could you teach me?"

Kael looks over at me, his eyebrows raising, ocean-blue eyes curious.

"You want to learn how to box?"

"I want to learn how to defend myself." I lift my chin. Then my eyes go to the wall behind him. "Plus, you said you'd give me some exercise tips."

"I guess I did, didn't I?" Kael grins and throws the sandy hair hanging over his face back by jerking his head. "Fine. Come here."

"What, now?"

"Why not? Have you got somewhere else to be?"

When I asked, I'm not sure if I was expecting him to accept. No going back now.

I walk slowly toward him, and he jerks his head.

"Stand in front of me."

I do so, but he grunts and takes me by the hips, picking me up and placing me in a certain stance with my legs slightly spread.

His touch on the bare skin between my shirt and shorts makes goosebumps pop along my flesh.

I've never been touched like this before.

I should push him away. I should say "don't touch me" and snap at him, not because his touch repels me, but because it doesn't. It makes me wonder about things I shouldn't be wondering about.

But I need to learn this.

This almost clinical touch shouldn't make me think about what it would be like being touched by him in another context.

Except for a few stolen kisses and one feel-up at a friend's house during seven minutes before Declan found me and dragged me home, I've never been with a guy. Never known what is like to be touched with want. With desire. To be wanted with so much passion that a mere touch brands the skin.

And I crave it.

But not by Kael. Never by him.

He's the absolute worst!

This is just sexual frustration. Yes, that's it. That's all this weird attraction is.

"Put your hands up like this. Protect that pretty face."

My eyes fly to him.

He thinks I'm pretty?

Stop it, Paige!

I shake myself off, wanting to shed whatever this is that has settled over me, and put my fists up like he said.

"Now loosen your fists. Palms open. Keep your hands relaxed but ready to use at all times." He shows me how with his own .

I can't take my eyes off his hands.

"The idea is that you stay as relaxed as possible so that your movements are fluid. If your fists are clenched, chances are that all your all body's contracted, tense. And though that might not be a bad thing for a minute or two, after a few more minutes, you'll feel it, and your stamina will hurt for it. So, if at all possible, you only create the fist when you're about to throw it."

I look at him dumbfounded.

I had no idea there was so much behind fighting. As far as I knew, all you did was try to avoid being hit as you did your best to hit your opponent.

But the way he's talking, it's clear he knows his stuff.

And I need to learn it. All of it.

I wasn't able to protect myself at all, and I want to do better. I want to be better.

Want to feel that if something bad happens to me again, I'll be able to do something for myself. To at least have a chance.

"Now hit me." He keeps his arms down.

My eyes widen. "What?"

"Hit me." He tilts up his jaw.

I strike out with my fist without thinking about it.

He catches my hand, pulling me close. "Missed me."

My breath catches in my throat at his nearness, how he smells like pine and oak and sweat. A very dangerous cocktail.

I wrench away from him.

What the hell's wrong with me? I shouldn't be finding his scent irresistible.

This is Kael! Grumpy asshole lapdog.

I clench my fist and try it again, and this time, I do connect with his pec, but it's firm, and my fist bounces right off.

"You're throwing from the wrist, using only your arm. That'll get you hurt. You have to use your whole body. Throw from the shoulder. Use your body weight."

He gets into position and throws a punch into the air in front of him.

"Like this, see? Step forward slightly when you throw your fist. Aim for the nose, the bollocks, the throat. You're fighting to incapacitate, to get away, not to defeat your opponent. This is not a fair fight, so fight as dirty as you want so you can get away. That's the goal. Avoid the fight. Escape."

I nod. And thinking back to my attacker, it makes sense. If I were to fight to defeat him, I'd be setting myself to lose, but if I could've hurt him enough to distract him for a few seconds, that was all I needed to get to my brothers. To safety.

I mimic his actions, trying to use my body. The difference in momentum is so clear. How the impact is sure to be harder this way.

I go for him next, trying to apply what he just taught me.

His hand has no trouble catching my fist, as he chuckles a little.

I groan, stomping my foot, unable to help myself.

"Did you...just stomp your foot like a toddler throwing a tantrum?"

My face feels so hot it may catch on fire. "Look, it's just a habit."

He snorts, shaking his head. "And you won't let me call you little princess."

"I'm not a princess," I seethe. "I just got frustrated. Let me try again. "

This time, I go for his balls.

"Whoa there." He lifts his hands in surrender as he steps back before I have a chance to connect. "Let's take it down a notch, shall we, Rocky?" he drawls, smiling that half-grin of his.

I grin back. "You're just mad I almost got you."

"You did." He nods. "But we need more space. And preferably, a punching bag so that my bollocks are safe."

I snort out a laugh. "There's a gym downstairs in the basement."

"There is? How did I not know that?"

I shrug. "It's not like I use it, so I don't think I ever mentioned it to my brothers."

"Ah, that explains it." Kael nods. "Good. We'll go there tomorrow."

I frown. "Why tomorrow?"

"My workout's done for today."

"That wasn't much of a workout."

He scoffs. "I've been up and moving since five in the morning, princess. While you slept like a baby."

"Five? Who willingly gets up at five?"

"Me."

"You're crazy." I shake my head. "Your body's very important to you, isn't it?"

He winks at me. "Why, you like it?"

"N-no." My cheeks start heating up. "I just mean you're vain."

"No, I'm not. Looking good might be a side effect, but that's not why I do it. I do it to stay fit. Be faster. Stronger."

I look at him for a moment. He looks like he's put on some muscle in the best way across the chest and biceps. Last time I'd seen him had been in a suit instead of shirtless, so I guess I hadn't noticed .

I look away quickly. "Thank you for the lesson, I guess."

I walk toward my room. "I've got plans with Lara today, so she's coming to pick me up. My father's men will be following her, so you don't have to come."

"I'll check with Declan."

I whirl back to face him. "You don't have to double check. I know what I'm doing."

He shrugs. "Like I told you before, I don't work for you, so those are the rules, kiddo."

Little princess. Your highness. Kiddo.

He's treating me like I'm an annoying kid, and it's beyond frustrating.

He walks out on the balcony, presumably to call my brother, and when he returns, I've got my arms crossed over my chest.

"Okay, you can go."

"Of course, I can go. I'm a grown woman." I throw my hair over my shoulder.

Kael doesn't seem to care. He just heads into the guestroom.

I take a deep breath.

Who does he think he is? And how do I get him to learn his place?

But worst of all. How do I learn my place, and how do I remind myself that I shouldn't care about what he thinks of me?

Except, I do. And it's getting really old.