He watched, issued suggestions, and she practiced with a stoic sense of purpose that had been missing earlier. He showed her how to place her fingers together in one straight line, and how to use them to jab someone in the throat to disable him. He bent his wrist back and demonstrated how to use the heel of the palm beneath an attackers nose with enough force to drive him back, giving her opportunity to flee.
Well concentrate on defensive moves, techniques that will buy you enough time to turn and run.
Cant you teach me how to take an opponent down?
He shook his head, reached out and repositioned her hands. Your build and strength are against you. You just need enough moves to take the attacker by surprise and cause some serious pain. His lips curled briefly. Far from the wild, frantic woman who had run from the room earlier, she was hanging on his words now with a fierce purpose that was impossible to miss. He didnt have the faintest idea what had caused the change, but he promised himself that soon hed find out.
When she was perspiring from her exertions, he said, Thats enough for today.
She didnt argue. Bending her head, she wiped her forehead with the edge of her T-shirt, revealing a band of soft, smooth skin. Now well practice shooting.
I think weve done enough for one day.
I want to learn.
He was beginning to observe a rather noticeable stubborn streak in her. With a mental shrug, he acquiesced, and drove her across the island to a shooting range.
Half an hour later, with his hands on his hips, Nick surveyed the target outline she was practicing on. Shed listened to his instructions carefully before emptying the clip in her gun, but there wasnt a mark on the cardboard.
Cocking an eyebrow, he strolled back to her. That was an interesting start, he said through his headset.
She glowered at the weapon she held. I dont like guns.
That was easy enough to discern. It showed in the way she looked at them, full of suspicion and perhaps a glimmer of fear. Despite his repeated suggestions, she still held the weapon gingerly, instead of clasping it firmly in her hand.
With more patience than he would have dreamed he possessed, Nick reloaded her weapon, handed it back to her. Okay, lets start again. Show me your stance. At least shed gotten that part right, he noted. Good. Feet shoulder width apart, and remember, the gun is an extension of your arm. Use your other hand to brace it. If shed been anyone else he would have stepped up behind her, guided her hands into the proper position with his own. Instead, he reached over, attempted to arrange them correctly as he murmured directions. All right. Try it again and dont close your eyes this time.
Her second attempt was slightly more accurate than the first. There was a hole squarely in the center of the outline, which he chalked up to luck, and a few others scattered around the outer edge.
Better. Want to try it again?
She relinquished the gun to him just a little too eagerly. Tomorrow, all right?
He nodded and took off his headset. When he would have turned away, she caught his sleeve to stop him. His gaze dropped to her slim hand for a second before she let it fall to her side. I just wantedto thank you, I guess. For everything. Yesterdayhelping me leave last nightand today. I guess I never did thank you for saving my life.
The words sounded as though they were hard for her to form. They were harder, much harder, for him to hear. He ejected the spent cartridge from her weapon with savage force. I dont want your gratitude, Amber.
What do you want?
The quiet question, no less intense for its lack of volume, snared his attention. Slowly his gaze raised to hers. I think you already know the answer to that.
To her credit, she didnt flinch. I told you once
That you wouldnt sleep with me. He shifted his focus once more to the gun, prepared to hand it in.
Its not fair
If youre concerned for my feelings, dont be. He gestured for a nearby employee to come and get the weapon and ear guards. I rarely do anything for altruistic reasons. His words served a twofold purpose. They should hold a warning for her, one shed be wise to heed.
And they should serve as a warning to him.