That put another of those faint smiles on his lips. No, you dont. But you will.
He wanted honesty? Fine. Youre right, I dont. I also dont see the point.
Running is good conditioning, and speed can also come in handy if someone is after you.
Why didnt I think of that? she asked, not bothering to disguise the sarcasm in her tone. I could have outrun that bullet yesterday.
He was showing an irritating ability to ignore her. If youre in shape, you can fight back. I dont mean like taking on a guy twice your size, but having some moves that can injure him so you can get away. He cast a critical gaze up and down her form. Youve got a good stride and you dont run like a girl. Those are two factors in your favor.
She wondered what she ran like if it wasnt a girl, but wisely refrained from asking. Her breath was better saved for getting back to his place without embarrassing herself.
He allowed her to collapse for half an hour in one of the chairs on his deck, and drink two glasses of ice water, before nudging her again. All right. Its time for the next round.
She didnt bother to open her eyes. No.
A moment ticked by. And then another. It took effort not to look at him. She could feel his calm perusal of her still form. But in the next moment her eyes flew open, in alarm, as she found herself being carried off in his arms. Nick! Put me down.
Of course. Despite the agreeable tone, he didnt set her on her feet until theyd reached the destination hed obviously had in mind. The room at the back of the house held various pieces of weight training equipment, with a plastic-encased foam mat on the floor.
Her patience snapped. Im not doing this, do you understand? I have no interest in learning karate or whatever the heck you want to teach me.
He slipped out of his shoes. Teaching you the martial arts would require a bit more time than we have to spend. All Im going to do is show you some basic defense maneuvers that might buy you some time or scare off a mugger.
A mugger? She almost gave an incredulous laugh. As if a mugger was at the top of her worries. Victor Mannen hadnt hired muggers to stalk her for the last six years. It wasnt losing her purse that she feared every time she walked down the street. Nick might think he was helping her with this crazy self-defense and conditioning course he was embarked on, but shed found the best defense was not to get caught in the first place. She preferred to expend her energies to that end.
Take off your shoes and socks.
No. Im not doing this.
With a shrug he approached her on the mat, and she warily backed away. Lets start with the basics. If you see the guy before he grabs you, youve got the chance to run. But what if he comes up on you from behind? With one smooth movement he stepped in back of her, clasped one arm lightly around her neck. Show me what you would do to escape from this hold.
Ice splintered in her veins. She didnt move. Couldnt. Let me go. The demand wasnt as strong as she would have liked, but its message was clear.
There are three ways to break a hold like this, and Ill teach you all of them.
She knew that low voice in her ear belonged to Nick. Logically she knew it. But logic didnt always dictate emotion.
I mean it, Nick. Let me go, now!
Show me what youd do, Amber. The guy has you like this, leaving his other hand free to
His words were cut off as she erupted in a flurry of motion. Blinded by panic as she was, there was no strategy in her movements. Only instinct, raw and primal, screaming for release. She was a whirlwind of biting, kicking, scratching, gouging actions, with real fear as the impetus. It was long moments before she became aware that she was free; even longer before Nicks voice, soothing, with an underlying note of grimness, registered. Its all right, Amber. Its all right. No ones touching you, see? Theres no one here. He used the same rhythmic cadence he would use to calm a frightened animal. Take my hand. She stared at it, outstretched toward her. There were angry scratches on the back of his wrist. Scratches shed put there. She shuddered, wrapped her arms around herself.
Take my hand, Amber. Im not going to hurt you. Look at me.
But she couldnt. She didnt want to see his expression, whether it be one of horrified fascination, or something even worse. Didnt want to stand before him, raw and more exposed than shed been in years. Demons could lurk inside for any number of years, partially hidden, tempting one to believe they didnt exist anymore. It made it all the more bitter when they sprang forth, mocking her efforts to keep them buried.
She lurched forward, not sure her feet would work, half-surprised when they did. Brushing past his outstretched hand, she crossed the room, praying for the strength to make it upstairs. And wishing with all her heart that shed never accepted Nick Doucets offer of help.
Nick made no move to stop her. When shed turned toward him again hed been prepared for tears, would have preferred them to the haunted look in her eyes. That look had hit him with a force far greater than any of the blows shed managed to land.
He rubbed his hand over his jaw, more shaken than hed like to admit. The woman was having too great an effect on him, so much so that he couldnt even predict his own reactions. It was a totally unfamiliar occurrence, and it couldnt be allowed to continue.
He knew from brutal experience what happened when he lost his objectivity on a case. People wound up dead. Letting down his guard, even a fraction, increased the danger. So he was going to have to find a way to manage thisconnection to Amber Jennings, without compromising the assignment. The reminder stiffened his resolve, but the fact that hed needed it at all was worrisome.
Hearing a sound in the doorway, he slowly raised his gaze. She was watching him, her face ashen, but otherwise composed.
Imsorry for what just happened.
Her words released something fierce inside him. You dont owe me an apology.
She didnt argue, just continued standing there with ramrod straight posture that almost completely hid the trembling in her limbs. II want to learn what you tried to teach me. She attempted a smile, but couldnt quite manage to pull it off. I want to learn how to defend myself. And how to shoot.
For a man whod just considered the importance of governing his reactions to the woman, he was doing a damn poor job of taking his own advice now. She looked like a strong wind would knock her over. It was all he could do not to go to her, lend her his support. And knowing what his touch had done to her only a few minutes earlier made him long to put his fist through a wall. All right. His voice was clipped. Well start again tomorrow.
No, today. If his tone was grim, so was hers. I wont freak again, I promise.
He stared at her, recognizing the barely smoothed nerves and the savage determination in her expression. And realized the courage it had taken her to approach her own fears head-on. All right. Lets try it again. He wasnt about to make the same mistake hed made earlier, so he led her to the body-size punching bag hanging in the corner. Back up against the bag. Its the attacker. With effort he kept his voice brisk and impersonal. If your hands are free, you clasp them together he demonstrated and drive your elbows back into his stomach.