Chapter 8
Eight
Elara bounced on the balls of her feet, her hands raised in a defensive posture, her heart pounding in her throat.
Jax, meanwhile, didn’t move an inch.
He stood as still as a marble statue, a cocky smirk permanently etched onto his arrogant blue face.
The Dragan was taunting her.
Elara knew that, and she was still falling for it.
Jax was a smug, unbearable bastard. All Elara had to do was land one single, glorious punch.
She wasn’t an idiot, and she had no delusions about actually beating the Dragan in a straight fight; but a single shot to his chiseled jaw?
Wiping that smug grin off his stupid, handsome, blue face?
That wasn’t impossible, right?
The fighting ring was filled to the brim with people. Dragans and humans alike had come out to watch the fight. Yvar and Roan were watching them, their arms resting on the ropes of the ring, and Elara even spotted Kylie in the crowd.
She gave Elara a thumbs up. Elara nodded, feeling suddenly very foolish. What was she trying to prove here?
With so many on-lookers, Jax was never going to let his guard down. A Dragan’s honor meant everything to them.
“Come on! Fight!” Kylie shouted. The crowd cheered, and blood rushed to Elara’s ears.
Fuck it. This was happening.
She circled Jax, trying to goad him into making the first move.
Her captain, however, didn’t move.
“Come on, human. Hit me. Stop dancing around and hit me.”
“You first,” she shot back.
Jax grinned. “Very well.”
The cocky Dragan suddenly rushed her. Jax was big, heavy, and fast, but Elara managed to just barely dodge his grasp.
He tried again, his fingers reaching for her. Once more, she ducked out of the way. Her heart raced — perhaps she had more of a shot than she realized?!
“Hit me, Moran,” Jax growled. “Just try.”
“What’s the magic word?” Elara teased as she bobbed and weaved.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll stop playing around.”
Jax’s next move was lightning fast. Elara tried to move away, but he grabbed her wrist tightly. She tried to pull her arm back, but his grip was like granite.
“Too slow,” Jax said. He let her go. “Do you surrender?”
Elara narrowed her eyes. “Never.”
Jax laughed. “Have it your way, human.”
The Dragan captain rushed her again. Elara tried to duck and dodge, but Jax was much too quick. A fraction of a second later, he held her wrist in his strong grasp.
She tried to break free, but it was impossible.
Jax smiled, and pulled her close.
“I thought you were going to hit me, Morgan? What are you waiting for? I’m right here.”
Elara’s heartbeat was thundering. Sweat ran down her back. Every deep breath of hers was filled with his intoxicating alien musk. Jax was so close to her now. She could feel the heat coming off him, feel his warm breath on her skin.
All she had to do now was stand on her toes and she could kiss him.
All those forbidden thoughts she had in the shower came rushing back in an instant. Jax was handsome. Powerful. Dominant. Her heart raced. All she had to do was lean in, and…
“Hit me,” Jax whispered so softly that only she could hear. His deep voice tickled her sensitive ear. His tongue flicked out to lick his lips.
Her body trembled. Her knees buckled.
This was supposed to be a fight, damn it!
She tried to resist, but she realized she couldn’t. Her body was betraying her. Her nipples were hard, her panties soaked.
She wanted him to…
“Come on Elara! Hit him in the nuts!” Kylie shouted.
Elara dug deep, found the last bit of resolve she had, balled her free hand into a fist and swung it wildly at the handsome blue alien.
The crowd gasped.
Right before her fist would connect Jax released her and stepped out of the way.
Her punch hit the air.
Elara stumbled. Her face was red with shame. Jax laughed.
“I told you, human. You need my protection.”
Elara scowled. How dare he?! How dare that handsome blue bastard…
She stormed off.
Jax growled — and followed her. Whenever she went, he had to follow.
No exceptions.