Chapter Six
Victoria
"Rise and shine, Princess." Az called from the doorway.
Grumbling, I rolled over in the bed and pulled the blanket snugly to my chin. The soft light streaming through the window and the grainy sensation behind my eyelids told me it was too early to be up after my late night.
Footsteps drew closer, followed by the blanket being torn off me. "Come on, Princess. Up and at 'em."
"What the fuck, Az-hole?" I screeched, bolting upright and attempting to snatch the blanket back. "What happened to the nice Az who called me Love and tucked me into bed?"
"I knew you were going to be a brat about today's planned activities, so we're back to Princess." He smirked, looking way more rested than he had any right to be,
"I'm not in the mood, Az. Give me my blanket back and let me sleep."
"No can do, Princess. We're training, so get your fine ass out of bed, put on some workout clothes and meet me outside."
I shot him a murderous glare as he backed out of my room with the blanket still in his hand. The smug smirk painting his lips made me want to punch him right in his perfect face. The irritation and lack of covers were enough to get me out of bed and to the closet Lacey had stocked in my size. Dressing quickly in a pair of yoga pants and a loose t-shirt, I slipped on socks and sneakers before making my way to the kitchen.
"Nope," Az chuckled, snagging my arm just before I could slip into the kitchen and snag something to eat.
Craig shot me a sympathetic look before turning his attention back to the ingredients lining the counter.
"I'm up, the least you can do is let me get a cup of coffee." I grunted.
Az turned so that he was standing before me, his hand still on my arm as he looked down at me.
"The people after us–after you–aren't going to wait until you're well rested, caffeinated, and fed to attack. I'm not doing this to make you miserable. We want to make sure you can defend yourself properly."
"He's right, Sweetheart." Joey piped in from somewhere behind me, causing me to startle. "If you can defend yourself at your worst, you're more likely to come out on top in a fight."
" Et tu, Brute ?" I whined, dramatically placing the back of my hand against my forehead, causing the three of them to chuckle before Az guided me toward the front door.
I glared at him as he led me down the front steps, Joey close behind us. It was too damned early for this nonsense, and the Az-hole hadn't even let me grab a cup of coffee.
"I know you like to run, so we're going to warm up with a run around the lake." He said with a vicious grin.
"Nobody likes to run." I retorted.
"I like to run," Az shrugged.
"You're a freak of nature." I deadpanned.
"Maybe you should have let her get some coffee." Joey chuckled behind us, earning a smile from me and a glare from Az.
"You should totally listen to him. He is the only one without a bullet hole, after all. He's the smart one of the bunch.
Az scowled at me. "No, Craig is the smart one of the group. Joey's just a better shot."
"Get good." Joey responded, amused.
"Enough banter." Az sighed, slapping me on the ass. "Time to get moving, Princess. The longer you take, the longer it is before you get that coffee and some breakfast."
Az took off jogging into the woods toward the lake as I wrapped my mind around the daunting task of running at this time of day. Joey gently nudged my shoulder to get me moving, and I set off at a slow pace, glaring daggers into Az's back. Joey silently kept pace with me as I worked to navigate the underbrush.
The extra strain of navigating the undergrowth of the forest floor only added to my sour mood as we jogged around the lake. I had decided I was going to have an attitude with Az for the rest of the day for this.
"Who decided we were jogging around the lake?!" I shouted as I narrowly avoided a root sticking out of the ground. "There isn't even a trail here!"
Az turned around to look at me without slowing his pace and continued to jog backward. Which was infuriating. "It's not that bad, Princess. It's a decent game trail. At least you're not fighting all the brush that could be here."
"Oh, fu–" I started to curse him when my foot caught another root, and I began to hurtle forward. Before I could hit the ground, Joey grabbed me by the arms and pulled me back to my feet.
"Easy there, Sweetheart." He murmured, holding onto me as I stumbled a few more steps before regaining my balance.
"I'm gonna murder him." I grumbled, causing Joey to laugh.
"You'll have to catch me first, Princess." Az called over his shoulder.
Somewhere between fifteen and twenty minutes into the jog, but what felt like forever, I could only glare at Az's back as I struggled to keep going. Risking a glance toward the lake, I wanted to plop down on the ground and give up. We were barely a third of the way around the damned thing, and the guys were still going strong.
Az continued to taunt me while Joey offered words of encouragement to keep me going. By the second mile, I was sweating, my breathing was ragged, and I was ready to give up and murder them both. I'd toss their bodies into the God damned lake to save myself the trouble of burying them. While I plotted how to take both of them down, my pace slowed to a walk.
"Hey, let's take a breather!" Joey called out to Az's rapidly fading back.
Noticing we were falling behind, Az circled back. His eyes scanned over me, looking for signs of distress.
"What do we need a breather for? The Princess looks fine, and we're almost done."
"Fuck. You." I huffed out between gasping breaths as I braced my hands against my thighs. "Do I look… Like I'm... built... To run… Three miles in the… fucking woods !?"
"You look like you need to work on your conditioning and that's what we're doing, Princess. So, get your ass moving before I bend you over and spank it right here and now." Az shot back.
Without a word, I lifted a hand and flipped him off.
"Conditioning isn't going to happen in one run. She's done really well for it being her first run around the lake. She's gonna walk the rest of the way back." Joey interjected, leveling a stern look that didn't leave much room for argument.
Grateful for Joey putting his foot down, I heaved myself back upright, deciding then and there that once I was showered, caffeinated, and fed, I was gonna blow him because he deserved a reward.
"You've earned a blowjob for that," I said, patting Joey's shoulder before walking the game trail, leaving both of them in stunned silence behind me.
"What the fuck." I heard Az say.
"Catch more flies with honey, bro." Joey's amused response made me smile. He had a noticeable spring in his step when they caught up with me.
The rest of the hike around the lake passed in silence. The scenery was gorgeous, even if I would have preferred still being in bed. Once the cabin came back into sight, I couldn't stop myself from jogging toward it, coffee and breakfast just a few yards away.
"Not yet, Princess." Az called out as he ran to catch my arm and redirect me.
"The first chance I get to turn you over to the enemy, I'm taking it." I growled as he led me around the side of the cabin rather than inside.
"You'll thank me for this when you're able to defend yourself no matter the circumstances." He replied. "Besides, if you behave for the rest of our training, I might just reward you, since I know rewards are on the table now."
I rolled my eyes at him as we slowed to a stop. Along the side of the cabin were several burlap sacks filled with who knew what, a few pads strapped to the nearest trees, and several thick branches cut down to staff size.
"What is this? Are you training me to be a fucking ninja?" I scoffed.
Az placed his hands on his hips and stared at me. "Lift the bags, Princess."
" Lift the bags, Princess. " I mocked, moving to the first sack.
"Really? Who's twelve now?" Az snapped at me.
A chuckle to our side drew my attention to Joey leaning against a tree, shaking his head as if we were petulant children. "For future training sessions, everyone gets coffee to start."
"That's why you're my favorite," I said, turning my attention to the filled, tight-knit burlap in front of me.
Squatting down, I worked my hands under the sack and attempted to lift it. Whatever the Az-hole had filled it with was heavy, causing me to grunt as I struggled.
"What did you put in these? Your fucking ego?"
"It would take more than one sack to hold my ego, Princess." Az smirked. "But if you're having trouble with a little rock and dirt, I'm happy to help you out if you ask nicely."
"Fuck. You." I grunted. "I'd sooner go inside and ask Leighton for help."
"I heard that!" Leighton called out, poking his head out of the window above me, causing me to drop the bag.
"Fuck my fucking life." I groaned as Leighton clambered over the windowsill and dropped down beside me.
"Need some help?" Leighton asked gently, coming to stand beside me.
"No, she doesn't. She's got to do it on her own, or she'll never build the conditioning she needs." Az cut in before I could respond.
I stifled the urge to give Az a grateful look. He didn't deserve it after the morning's events, even if he had just saved me from dealing with Leighton.
"Come chill over here, L. We can supervise so that the Az-hole doesn't run her into the ground in the name of 'conditioning.'" Joey said, patting a spot between the tree roots he leaned back against. Looking far more comfortable than he should have with all the hell I was being put through.
After everyone was settled, I struggled to lift the bags I was absolutely sure were filled with Az's attitude and ego based on their heavy weight. I attached them to the hooks they'd strung from the limbs. But I still wasn't allowed to rest once I'd accomplished that.
Az ran me through the strikes and punches he'd started teaching me back at the manor, and I fell into a rhythm with the movements as it came back to me. Joey continued to offer words of encouragement from the sidelines, and Leighton would offer points on form. Once, he even pointed out a weak spot in Az's stance, resulting in me landing a very satisfying blow to his ribs. I started looking for that opening every time we ran through the cycles, but his more seasoned experience meant I could only use it once. And my focus on that backfired and ended up with me in the dirt.
"Good," Az said after I completed the latest cycle. "Now let's see if you can manage these maneuvers while dodging."
He motioned for Joey and Leighton to move behind the bags I'd hung earlier, instructing them to swing them with varying force before stepping behind the third bag.
"If you don't feel confident striking and dodging, just focus on being aware of your surroundings and not getting hit. The rest will come as you get more comfortable with that." Joey said reassuringly, probably because he could see the bewildered look on my face.
"When did this become part of the plan?!" I sputtered as I looked between them, taking positions behind the bags.
"What did you think you were hanging the bags for? Funsies?" Az said, exasperated.
"Torture seemed more up your alley, actually." I shot back.
"You'll thank me for this eventually, Princess. Now, get your ass in position." Az barked, causing me to jump and stand roughly in the center of the three bags.
On Az's signal, the other two started swinging their bags in my direction. As I grew more comfortable dodging and avoiding impact, they increased the force and tempo while varying their swings, keeping me off-kilter. I'd just narrowly avoided the bag Az shoved in my direction when another slammed into my back, sending me sprawling across the uneven ground. My arm scraped across a small batch of roots, and I hissed as blood began to dot the rough scratches.
"What the fuck, Leighton?" Joey bellowed. "How could you expect her to dodge that one? She's still learning!"
"It wasn't like I was trying to hit her. I fucking stumbled when I let go of the bag, dickwad." Leighton retorted. "The ground out here isn't exactly the best for keeping your footing."
"What kind of weak ass excuse is that? You fight people in the mud for fun." Joey snapped back.
I watched, clutching my arm to my chest, as Leighton turned on Joey, a vicious look painting his face. He grabbed Joey's shirt in his fist and pulled him close, saying something too low for me to hear. Whatever it was caused Joey to clench his fist as if ready to swing on his friend.
"Just go inside, L," Az interjected. "We're about done anyway, and someone needs to let Craig know there's a fire-spitting Princess expecting breakfast."
Leighton huffed, shoving Joey back as he let him go before stalking around the side of the cabin.
"Well, that was fun." I snorted. "Did I hear someone say this hell is nearly over?"
"Run her through a cooldown, Joe, and then she can head inside. I'll make sure she has everything for a bath, so she's not crippled by aches tomorrow." Az said, ignoring me.
Joey ran me through an easy cooldown with stretches before we made our way into the cabin.
"Go clean up, Sweetheart. I'll make sure breakfast is ready, and then you and I can discuss my reward." He winked, lightly pushing me toward my room as he went to the kitchen.
Az was still in the en suite bathroom when I arrived, frowning over two bags of Epsom salts.
"If you think I'm taking a bath, you're out of your fucking mind. I have no desire to sit in my own filth."
"I didn't expect you too, Princess. This is for soaking your muscles after you shower."
"Uh, I'd say thanks, but you're the reason they need a soak Az-hole. Now, if you don't mind getting the fuck out so I can shower, that would be great."
"Oh, no. That's not how this is going to work, Princess." His tone darkened as he stalked toward me.
My protests died in my throat as he tugged my shirt over my head before stripping me down the rest of the way. Leaving me fully nude and totally confused, he leaned over the tub and turned the water on.
"You did good today. I thought I'd reward you for it." He smirked, something else I couldn't quite catch playing behind his sly smile.
The temperature in the en suite ratcheted up as I caught on to his meaning. Licking my lips, I tugged at the hem of his shirt.
"Not yet." He chuckled, holding my hand firmly as he tested the water temperature. "Let's clean you up first."
"Az-hole." I pouted, letting him guide me into the tub and under the spray of hot water.
Closing my eyes, I luxuriated in it, letting it soak me through before I felt the heat of him at my back. The soft pop of a bottle opening reached my ears before I could turn around. The scent of vanilla cream filled the small space just as Az's fingers began to work it through my hair. I let out a soft groan as he worked it into a lather, massaging my scalp as he did.
"Rinse." He ordered. And damn if I didn't obey for the first time all morning.
As I rinsed the shampoo from my hair, another soft pop echoed, followed by the scent of my white strawberry body wash. Az instructed me to add conditioner to my hair as he worked my soap into a lather on the loofah before he set to work washing my entire body.
Snatching the detachable shower head from its hook, he rinsed me top to bottom before pulling me against his chest. His leg slipped between mine as he forced my legs apart. I barely noticed his thumb flicking the dial on the shower head before the jet spray hit my clit, causing me to jolt.
Az's arms banded around me tightly, helping me to keep my balance as he continued to assault my sex with the spray. My fingers dug into the skin of his forearms as he drove me closer and closer to the edge.
"Fuck," I whimpered. "God, please don't stop."
Az chuckled darkly, jerking the shower head away and placing it back where it belonged. A whine of protest slipped free just before his fingers slipped inside me. The heel of his hand pressed against my clit as he thrust his fingers in and out. My soft moans grew louder and more wanton as he used his hands to fuck me senseless. My legs trembled with each stroke, the pressure low in my belly steadily rising, ready to crash over me. I threw my head back against his shoulder, barely able to control my body with my impending release, and he stopped.
"That's for acting like a fucking brat all morning." He whispered darkly in my ear as he withdrew. "Orgasms are for good girls."
My mouth dropped open in shock as he climbed from the tub and wrapped a towel around himself.
"Maybe you'll behave for training tomorrow." He smirked before slipping out of the en suite.
"Fucking Az-hole!" I called after him, throwing my loofah at the door he'd just disappeared through.
"Don't you dare finish it yourself," He called out. "Or else the next time will be even worse!"
That settled it; I was definitely going to fucking kill him.