Chapter 11 - Vadik
I waited for her at the door leading to the backyard and my practice suits. Once breakfast was over, she said she wanted to change before we started her training. I didn’t wait long when I heard her coming down. She was humming a joyful tune as she descended the stairs.
I watched her hips sway as she moved. She looked fine in the gym clothes she was wearing. The tiny black sports top with matching pants complimented every curve she had. The shorts barely covered her ass. I felt my stomach turning as I scanned her.
Tasha’s hair was tied back, and her silky, smooth skin appeared to be glowing. As she approached me, I felt my heart rate increase. She was a beauty to behold. I could feel the powerful and confident aura coming from her. For a moment, it felt like my soul sank to the dept of my body.
Meeting her gaze as she stepped down, I was glad she looked so relaxed. “Ready?” I asked, opening the door.
“Yes,” she replied softly waiting for me to lead the way.
Heading down the footpath on the left to the practice suit we would be using I wondered how long it would take to teach her the basics. Opening the door, I held it for her to enter first. Stepping in behind her, I spoke over her shoulder as she studied the room. “You don’t need to be stronger than an opponent, just smarter and faster.”
Tasha smiled and nodded as I moved to her side. “The movements and techniques I will show you are part of the Russian martial arts. The cardinal rule here is as follows, with every hit you receive, you must be sure to deliver three in return.”
She listened intently as I spoke. This made me smile, she might be better than she thinks as she is already smarter. But I wasn’t going to tell her what I thought. “So,” I added. “What this is meant to do, is overload the other person's brain. The best way is to do it will be with several movements.”
Tasha raised her hand as if in a class. I smiled and nodded at her. “Okay,” she said. “But aren’t all martial arts the same thing?”
I liked her curiosity, but she appeared extremely stiff. “Well,” I started. “There are similarities in most. But if you look closer, you will be able to see the differences. This style utilizes the full body. Not only will you be dealing blows with your hands and feet but also your knees and elbows.”
Tasha grinned as she spoke, “I take it this is what my brothers trained in.”
“I can’t say but it might be similar,” I responded.
She stood with a finger in her mouth looking down at the floor. It suddenly felt like I was boring her. Which was the opposite of what I had intended. “That’s enough talking for now,” I added moving to the middle of the mat. “Let me show you some moves so we can practice. It might take some time for you to get comfortable with them though.”
Stretching out my hands with my palm up, I motioned her to come closer. As she stopped before me, I spoke. “Hit me with your best shot.”
Tasha turned her head to the side eyeing me. “Place your legs a foot apart, make a fist, and hit me,” I urged.
She nodded, changed her position, and tried hitting me. Blocking her arm and pushing it to the side, I lightly caressed her cheek. Tasha looked angry as she threw a punch with the other hand. Blocking this one as well, I tapped her stomach and then her chin.
“You must think. Don’t act out of anger,” I said stepping back.
“How long have you been fighting?” she asked.
“Most of my life, my father thought it was needed as I was a small boy. He didn’t expect me to grow so big and thought I would be picked on in school,” I responded smiling as I showed her the next move.
Smiling, I showed her the next one. “For this one, I want you to block my hit and use your other hand to jab at my chin. Keep your hand flat with your palm turned out towards me and hit up.”
She blocked my hit but pushed out her hand with her palm facing up instead of at me. Catching her hand, I felt her soft skin crumble in my grip. “No, turn your hand, your fingers pointing at the ceiling,” I said turning her hand softly.
“Were you picked on?” Tasha added out of the blue.
“Do you want to learn how to fight or have a briefing about my life?” I inquired.
Tasha laughed before responding. “If you don’t mind, both. I just wanted to know how you know so much about these things?”
Standing up straight, I rubbed my face sighing. “Okay, as I grew, I learned it was a needed skill in life and taught both my brothers. But, more importantly, why have your brothers not taught you how to defend yourself?”
“Well,” I replied thinking. “My brothers said I didn’t need to. They would protect me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So, do you still think you didn’t need to know? How did not knowing turn out?” I questioned.
Tasha’s expression changed instantly. She huffed and took her stance. “So, now you no longer want to talk?” I asked teasingly. “They weren’t there when I took you, were they?”
“My brothers always keep their word. You have no right to judge or make assumptions,” she spat at me angrily. “Let’s continue.”
Nodding at her, I took my place, and we went through the move again. This time, I could feel the rage in her hits. She almost got me twice. We had some water and continued on to other moves.
I demonstrated each move a couple of times before we practiced them. Stepping up to her, I lifted my elbow. Moving it to her face, I spoke. “First you hit them on the jaw, then you add an uppercut to the chin using your other hand.” I moved as I spoke.
Tasha followed my moves. We did this a couple of times. “Once you have them stumbling back, I turn and deliver a strong kick to the chest.”
She nodded as we added this step but didn’t comment on it. I hoped she would remember all of it or at least some of it. I knew it was a lot to take in but I hoped she found it useful.
Next, I showed her how to bring a man down. It also involved a lot of kicking. First punch at the face, preferably the eyes or nose. Then kick between the legs. As they come forward, grab the head and lift your knee smashing their heads into it.
I showed her another move that involved taking hold of the enemy’s arm. Once you had a solid grip you pulled them closer with all you had. As they came towards you, using your hand, you jabbed into the throats as you brought up your knee to their stomach. This was to be followed by a kick in the face.
We went through each move slowly. She was very stiff as we started but the more, we practiced, the loser she became. Once she caught onto a move, she appeared to be glowing as she moved without constriction.
The fighting practice became fun, we were both laughing. I was glad she started relaxing. It has been a while since I had this much practice. My lungs burned and my breathing felt constricted. But it was fun.
Yet, it was more. I couldn’t quite grasp the deep attraction I felt toward her. I have never felt this way and I have spent time with many women.
Training with her had me warm all over and the dragon was getting hard quickly. Realizing how dangerous she was for me, I waved my hand out before me. “Slow down tiger, let’s have a sip of water, okay?”
Tasha nodded as she moved to the table and drank water from her bottle. Watching her, I knew I had to fight this growing attraction. Once I had some water and cooled down my boiling hormones, we stepped back to the mat. One more time,” I said.
My words weren’t even cold when I felt her foot connecting to the back of my knee. I hit the mat with a loud thud. Tasha swallowed her laugh quickly as I kicked her legs out from under her. She fell onto me and for a moment we lay struggling. She shifted into a seated position on my chest and placed her feet on my hands.
“I give up, I give up,” I huffed feeling my body reacting strongly to her proximity.
“Yes,” she cheered jumping up.
I laughed at her loving her simple reactions. “Want to wrestle?” I asked grinning.
“Sure,” she replied lightly. “You think you can keep me down?”
“Is that a challenge?” I questioned.
Tasha nodded and motioned with her hands for me to come closer. I charged at her, grabbing around her middle I lifted her into the air and fell down to the mat. She grunted pushing at my shoulders.
Getting up, I let her take me down. We wrestled a bit on the mat. I pinned her a couple of times and then allowed her to pin me. Once she pinned me without me allowing her to which was progress I thought. The last time she pinned me, our bodies aligned up nicely, but it was treacherous, so I got up.
“Come at me again,” I huffed taking my stance. “Last couple of rounds and then we head in.”
Tasha pounced forward raising both her hands. Grabbing hold of them I pushed back at her. We stared intently at each other. Our gazes locked.
The tension in the air was palpable. Then it broke as we slid, and our bodies met with force. I wasn’t sure which one of us moved first but didn’t care. I like feeling her against me.
The next moment, our lips met. There was a fierceness to her kiss. I had never felt anything like it before. Picking her up, I walked to the table and placed her down on top. Her hands slipped into my shirt at the back. My body shivered as her fingers glided up.
Our lips were sealed together. I felt an intense sensation run through me. She tasted like honey and strawberries, and I wanted more. Sliding my hand down her arms and up under her shirt, I cupped her breast. She leaned her head back moaning. It was the pleasantest noise I had ever heard. It was like music traveling in the wind.
Lost in passion, I barely noticed her pulling off my shirt. Kissing her neck, I pulled hers up and over her head. I was stunned by the pure beauty she held. Her skin was unblemished, smooth, and silky soft.
Her body was more alluring than I could have imagined. Moving my hands up and down her sides, I felt the dragon in my pants come to life. It was breathing fire and needed nourishment.
“You are beautiful,” I breathed out as I took her face into my hands. My lips were burning as I kissed her. Moving slowly, I kissed her neck and down her shoulder. Tasha moaned softly as I moved to her breasts.
Before I could taste more of her, she pulled my face up and kissed me long and deep. Tasha pulled back an inch as she moved to kiss my neck. The sensual kiss warmed all of me. “Please be gentle with me, it’s my first time,” she whispered.
‘What?’ my mind screamed as her words sunk in. The shock flooded me chilling the blood pulsing through my veins. Pulling away, I stared into her innocent eyes. “I’m sorry,” I breathed out as I took a step back. Picking up my shirt, I tried smiling at her but my face wouldn’t work with me.
Her smile faded as I turned and headed back to the house. Rushing upstairs, I felt the lust turning to rage. I felt shaken down to my core. I sat down at my desk feeling like banging my head on it.
How could I be so stupid, so selfish? I was still reprimanding myself when the door flew open, and my brothers came in. Taking a deep breath, I smiled stiffly. “Yes, what is it?” I asked, biting back my anger and frustration.
“We just want to find out what the plan is for the next job?” Makari replied, narrowing his brows. “You have received all the information on it, haven’t you?”
“Yes, it looks like it’s going to be another shitshow though,” I spat at him. “I haven’t made a plan yet but will let you know.”
Okay,” they replied in unison as they turned and left.
Dinner was going to be a bit awkward, but we would get through. We were both adults and knew it could never work.
Entering the dining room, I noticed Tasha pushing her food around on her plate. “Not hungry?” I asked, sitting down. She mumbled something under her breath but didn’t look up.
She sat playing with her food for about five more minutes. She placed the utensils down and stood abruptly. “I’m not hungry,” she spat as she walked out.
Staring at her plate, I saw she hadn’t even taken one bite. I was sure she must be hungry. She appeared upset with me, but I didn’t know why. After all, nothing happened.
My brothers entered as she left. Once I was done with supper, I went to my office and took care of the work I still had left. Tomorrow would be better; I assured myself as I went to bed.