Chapter 23
NASH
Twisting, I grabbed Georgie and slammed her to the mat. Still conscious of her ribs, I kept most of my weight off her.
The air rushed out of her and she glared up at me. “No fair.”
“You lost focus.” I pushed off her and held my hand out.
She slapped it away and rose to her feet herself. “You distracted me.”
“Distracted you?” I raised a brow.
She set her hands on her hips. Her hair was in a ponytail, but askew, and her skin was damp with perspiration. We’d been at it for over an hour in the security gym.
She was beginning to tire, but she was determined.
“Yes. You distracted me with your hard, sweaty body.” She waved a hand at me.
I grinned at her. I’d changed into black work-out shorts and a fitted, compression T-shirt for our session.
She poked her tongue out and pointed at the mat. “Again?”
I nodded. I’d been showing her some moves for breaking free if an attacker grabbed her. I circled her. She was wearing black leggings and a fitted tank. I could see no bruises except the faded one below her eye.
I lunged at her. She dodged. Then she spun and launched a kick aimed for my knee.
I made a menacing noise and grabbed her. I got a hold of her arm but she twisted, stepped closer, then broke my hold with one of the moves I’d taught her.
“Good.” I smiled at her.
“I was—”
I charged her. Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I lifted her off her feet. I had her arms pinned to her side.
She cursed and wriggled.
“I’ve got you now,” I growled in her ear.
She rammed her head back.
Quickly, I leaned to the side and narrowly missed a broken nose. My hold loosened and she landed on her feet, spun, and then the minx aimed a knee at my junk.
I dodged fast, grabbing for her, but lost my balance. She gave me an extra shove, and I went down hard.
Georgie landed on top of me. She used her knees to pin my arms down. I could break free, but I didn’t.
“I win.” She threw her arms in the air, like a boxer who’d just won the championship bout. “Thank you, thank you.”
She had a happy smile on her face, and her cheeks were flushed pink. Watching her was a hit to my chest. I loved seeing her like this.
I could lift her off me, but I let her have her moment.
Still smiling, her gaze met mine and now our eyes locked.
That ever-present desire flared.
“Looks like you two are working hard,” a sardonic voice said.
I barely stopped my jerk at Bastian’s voice. I hadn’t heard him come in, and that wasn’t like me. I looked over. He stood in the doorway with Alessio.
“I was just taking Nash down,” Georgie declared.
Bastian’s gaze flickered with amusement. “I see that. You’re taking that man down, in more ways than one.”
I rose, taking her with me. “Now, you can test your new skills.”
Both her eyebrows winged up. “What?”
“You’re going to fight against Bastian and Alessio. They’re here because I asked them to help out.”
“Oh.” She rubbed her nose, looking a little nervous.
“Just remember what I showed you,” I said.
She nodded.
Bastian slipped off his suit jacket, then rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt. Alessio was wearing black cargo pants and a black T-shirt that stretched across his lean chest. His tattoos were on display.
I shot them both a warning look. Be careful with her.
With a tilt of his head, Bastian stepped onto the mat and circled her. He smiled, full of charm. “Don’t worry, we’ll go easy on you, darling.”
Her gaze narrowed.
I smiled. My girl wouldn’t fall for the charm.
Alessio moved in the opposite direction, silent, watching her. She eyed him and shifted nervously.
Bastian sauntered closer. “You’re very beautiful. I can see why you have our man tied up in knots.”
I swallowed a growl. I didn’t need Bastian commenting on how beautiful she was. I wanted him focused on training her.
Suddenly, he lunged. Shit, he was just distracting her.
But Georgie wasn’t fooled.
She turned with him and grabbed his shirt. I saw surprise register on his face. Then she hooked her ankle around his and yanked.
Bastian didn’t go down, he was too good for that, but he did stumble.
She shoved him and leaped back, well out of range.
Instantly, she looked for Alessio.
The other man rushed her. He grabbed her arm, tugged her closer, then got her in a hold from behind.
She lifted her legs, and he staggered under the added weight. They went down on the mat, and I took a step forward. I didn’t want her getting hurt.
Plus, I really didn’t like seeing another man half on top of her.
She didn’t pause. She kicked at Alessio—who turned to protect himself—and she rolled free.
When she rose, she grinned.
“Nice work, sweetheart.” Pride welled inside me. I walked toward her.
She was glowing. “I kicked ass.”
“You did.” I kissed the tip of her nose.
“Because of you.” She grabbed my hand. “Thank you, Nash.”
She was thanking me for walking her to the dark side. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
But this was Georgie. My Georgie.
I’d do anything for her.
“Well, I guess we lost.” Bastian crooked a finger. “Time for a do-over.”
Georgie straightened. “What?”
I nodded. “Go again.”
She set her shoulders back. “All right, let’s do this.”
Bastian and Alessio attacked.
She didn’t win all of the next attacks, but she was doing well. She landed on the mat several times, but she also broke free of their holds a lot. She listened to what I was teaching her. She learned from the guys.
By the end, I saw that she was tired and favoring her side. “Okay, let’s leave it there. Good work, Georgie.” I handed her a bottle of water.
She gulped it down gratefully.
I could tell Bastian and Alessio were both impressed.
Bastian smiled, re-tucking his shirt. “You did very well, Georgie. That means I should buy you dinner.”
She smiled. “I think so.”
I scowled. “Buy us dinner.”
My friend smirked. “Of course. That’s what I meant.”