Page 7 (1/2)

A grim smile lifted his mouth--one she’d seen curl up in joy, turn down in sadness, open to her with passion before he seized her lips in a tender kiss This caustic expression was one she’d rarely found hi forever on them I’m it, love I’m your trainer Over the next weeks and months, I’ll come at you at any way I daet to tell me no" He raised a sharp brow "Still want to be here?"

Anger pricked her, followed by horror What the devil was going on? Anka shoved her confusion aside and focused instead on quelling the hurt that Lucan didn’t see here with her "You’re my trainer?"

Lucan siround fell out beneath her "But Bram said--"

"What you wanted to hear I drew the short stick If you’re deter to teach you how Unless you’d like to quit"

His tone told her that he’d ten tiave up That’s what the old her would have done, whatever he wanted her to do Now? She crossed her arlared at him, one brow raised

"Braue with that," Lucan quipped

"I’"

I this close to hiive way beneath her Anka drew in a deep breath This weakness wouldn’t help her fight Mathias She had to focus

"Pity, but as you pointed out earlier, it’s your choice That’s your only choice, though Everything else is my call Remember that Do as I say or quit Are we clear?"

"You’re being a bastard" And so

"Is that a yes or a no?"

She gritted her teeth He’d always had a frustrating stubborn streak Apparently, it had grown during their parting

"Yes," she hissed

Lucan ser He wanted her to gether teuratively speaking, he’d shoved her to her knees and forced her to heel It annoyed the piss out of her

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, painfully aware of the fact that his co attitude also made her wet

Da to talk about is your attire It won’t do"

Anka looked down at herself, then at his jog pants and trainers "What’s wrong hat I’y It will inhibit yourto grab onto It doesn’t allow me to see your technique as I teach you I can’t feel where you’re putting your punches and kicks"

"Feel?" The stunned question slipped out "I’ve asked you not to touch me"

"Sorry, love" A satisfied s estured to the far side of the roo to throw that in ain?" She blinked at him Where had the patient one? In his place stood a ed, pushed, and baited Both controlled and controlling Anka shifted her weight again No way could she lie She etter than the last time she’d moved

She closed her eyes

"Every chance I get," he assured "You can only be here if you’re truly committed I’ll test you hard and often Still withto ask her? "Yes Yes! Yes! Dary You’re going to need it"

Anka could feel her teotten really, truly angry around Lucan A well-bred, Privilegedire and deferred to hi But she was done taking the path of least resistance If anger would help her train better, she’d let it out