Page 69 of See You Again

“It can be. But most men are going to be prepared to block that blow. They’ll expect it. You want to aim for the knees, the nose, or the eyes. Use your elbow. It’s stronger than you think. If that doesn’t work, and you have to fight, it’s important you know how to throw a decent punch.”

Her face lit up in a way that concerned James. “Let me grab some gloves and pads.”

“I won’t be wearing gloves if someone attacks me,” Cami pointed out.

James hesitated. He didn’t want Cami to hurt herself. “All right.” He grabbed a couple of strike pads and dropped them at his feet. “We’ll start with a straight punch.” He demonstrated the move slowly, showing the proper technique several times, and then slipped the strike pads over his hands and held them up.

“As you punch, turn your hips. That’s where your power will come from. Try it.” Cami hit the pad with a soft thwack. “Good. Harder. Don’t tuck your thumb.”

Cami hit the pad over and over, finally stepping back, satisfaction shining in her eyes. “This is surprisingly therapeutic.”

Her face had a rosy glow, and a light sheen decorated her golden skin.

She was breathtaking.

He cleared his throat roughly. “Yeah. I love it. After a tough day, either a long run or a hard sparring match fixes my head.”

“I can see how this could be addictive.”

She bounced on the balls of her feet, making his eyes dip again before he forced them back to her face. This was a special type of torture.

“What’s next?”

James took her through several more moves, teaching her how to use her elbow to free herself if she was grabbed and how a well-placed kick to the knee could wound an assailant. After one particularly good hit to the ribs, James stepped back, his hand rubbing where she had made contact.

Cami’s hands flew up to cover her mouth. “I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?” Her fingers skimmed under his sleeveless tank and over his ribs as if she could locate an injury. The delicate touch set his skin on fire, and he looked down at the top of her head, telling himself not to inhale her scent.

It didn’t work.

He took a long breath in. Tension filled the air between them. Her fingers stilled, and when her face tipped up to his, her cheeks were flushed, her lids hooded. Their eyes caught and held, Cami’s chest suddenly rising and falling more quickly.

James’s gaze dipped to her cleavage and then returned to her full lips. Her hand had stilled, but her fingers still pressed reflexively against his bare skin.

He needed to step back. They had an agreement.

Cami’s thick eyelashes fluttered, and her tongue crept out to slick across her bottom lip. The gym was silent except for the distant ticking of the clock and the sound of their breath.

James raised his hand to cradle the back of her head, underneath her pony tail. “So beautiful.”

Her pupils dilated, but Cami didn’t step back. In fact, she swayed forward, her full breasts pressing against his chest.

The little movement snapped the tether keeping him in check. His mouth closed over her lips, and they parted under his with a little gasp, giving his tongue permission to stroke and tangle against hers.

Cami let out a tiny mewl as his arm came around her hips to hold her flush against him. James knew she could feel him through the thin material of his shorts. He pulled back just enough that he could feel the soft pants of her breath against his lips.

James’s thumb dragged across her lower lip, tugging it to the side, and Cami’s eyes fluttered closed. His hand fanned out, and for a moment, the sight of his hand encompassing her jaw mesmerized him. His fingers traced down over the delicate column of her throat to the butterfly flutter at its base. His hand closed lightly around her throat, before he couldn’t resist any longer, and he bent his head, to suck at the tender spot. Cami’s pulse beat wildly under his lips, as she moved restlessly against him, searching for the friction she needed.

“James,” she gasped, her hands shoving further beneath his shirt. “Please.”

He lifted her in one motion, and her legs came around his hips, gripping hard as she shoved his shirt over his head. With one arm braced under her ass, he threw the shirt to the side. Cami rubbed herself frantically against him as he made his way to one of the weight benches, her mouth closing on the tight skin of his chest with a quick bite.

James groaned as she rolled her core against him. “Cami.” His eyes met hers for a moment, but she didn’t want to wait. Her fingers twisted in the hair at his nape, tugging his mouth back to hers. She arched against his hard length and pulled back to bury her face in his neck with a moan before repeating the motion.

His blood pulsed hot and furious. A voice in the back of his head told him they should stop. They had an agreement, but his head bent to suck at the smooth curve pushed up from the top of her sports bra.

“James!” Her cries made him harden further, but as much as he wanted to pull her leggings down and find oblivion in her, rational thought pushed to the front of his brain.

He lifted his head and sank his fingers deep into her hips to hold her still where she gyrated over him. James pressed his forehead hard against hers, his breath harsh against her lips.