Jackson eyed her. “You look different.”

“How so?” Tessa patted her hair. Her hairdo hadn’t changed since Eva had insisted on a total makeover. The color was still very blond, the cut very blunt, the length just a little longer.

“Your eyes sparkle. You seem upbeat, full of energy.”

Her boyfriend, or should she start thinking of him as her fiancé? never missed anything.

“I kicked ass yesterday at Karen’s class.”

“Oh, yeah? Whose?”

“Karen brought two guys for us to practice on. They were both big, tough soldiers she’d trained herself.”

Jackson frowned. “Did they frighten you?”

He knew men intimidated her, especially big ones. She shrugged. “At first, a little. But they were both so friendly. And flirty.”

The creases between his brows deepened. “Who flirted with you?”

“His name was Gadi. But he was chill when I told him I’m engaged. He asked me to point out all the single ladies. Sharon called dibs on the other one, Yoram.” Tessa smirked. “I’m pretty sure she took him home with her.”

Jackson was still glaring at her.

“Are you jealous, baby?”

“You’re damn right, I’m jealous. I don’t want any guys sniffing you up.”

“Ugh, Jackson. That’s gross. It sounds like you’re talking about dogs.”

“Men are dogs.”

She lifted a brow. “Are you a dog?”

“Except for me. I’m a prince among men.”

He was so cute. Tessa stretched up to her tiptoes and kissed his pouting lips. “Yes, you are.”

That seemed to mollify him. But she felt like teasing him some more. “You keep saying that I’m hot. Do you expect no one to notice?”

For a moment, he seemed stumped, and she was ready to declare herself the winner of the teasing contest. But this was Jackson. He always had a comeback.

“Noticing you is a given, but not flirting. You don’t go smiling at some guy who just had his hands all over you and expect him not to think of it as an invitation to flirt.”

Tessa put her hands on her hips. “So what are you saying? That I can’t even smile at anyone?”

“Not if they are male, between the age of seventeen to forty-five for humans, and no limit for immortals.”

She lifted her chin. “I’m going to smile at whomever I want.”

Jackson grinned wickedly as he dipped his head to look her straight in the eyes. “It that so? What if I smile at whomever I want too?”

Crap. Jackson’s smile could melt the panties off a librarian. Tessa didn’t want him turning that charm on any woman, young or old.

She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t you dare activate that pussy magnet of yours.”

He almost choked on the snort that escaped his throat. “A pussy magnet? Where did that come from?”

She felt her cheeks get warm. Tessa made a point of never using language like that. “That’s what Gordon calls you.”

“I need to have a talk with Gordon about keeping his mouth clean around my fiancée.”

Tessa slapped his bicep. “Oh, no you don’t.” Gordon and Vlad would never talk freely around her again. She liked that they treated her as one of the gang.

Jackson leaned in again, mirth dancing in his eyes. “Or what?”

Catching his chin between her thumb and forefinger, she mock glared back. “Or I’ll kick your butt.”

Instead of laughing or coming up with another teasing comeback, he got somber. “Yeah, you should. I should’ve thought of that sooner. You can practice on me.” He patted his chest.

When she looked unsure, he flashed her his panty-melting smile. “Come on, kitten, show me your moves.”

The effect of that smile combined with that seductive tone was that Tessa couldn't deny him anything. Besides, she was quite proud of herself and wanted to show off. The problem was that Jackson was way too strong and his reflexes were lightning fast. Her only chance was taking him by surprise.

“Okay. Let's clear some floor space.” She lifted the folding tray they used as a coffee table.

Jackson took it out of her hands. “I’ll clear the area, you bring the comforter from the couch and spread it on the floor.”

She rolled her eyes. He was such a macho guy, never letting her lift anything.

Pushing the TV stand all the way under the window, Jackson cleared even more space.

Tessa took off her shoes and spread the comforter over the hardwood floor. “I’m going to stand here with my back to you as if I’m waiting for a bus. You sneak up behind me and grab me.”

Jackson took off his sneakers and went to stand out in the hallway. “I’m very stealthy. Listen to the floor crack. That’s how you’ll know I’m coming at you.”

“Thanks, Sherlock. I’m supposed to figure it out on my own.”

“I don’t make as much noise as a human because I pay attention to it. My hearing is much more acute.”

“Okay.” She turned her back to him, her whole body tensing in preparation for his attack. “I’m ready.”

He was so fast, she felt the air move like a slight breeze a split second before his arms came around her.

Not giving him the opportunity to tighten them, Tessa twisted and dropped down, slipping through his loose grip. Bracing her crouching form with a hand on the floor, she turned her hips and delivered a roundhouse kick to his groin.

Jackson cupped his injured equipment and crumpled to the floor, his face twisted in pain.

“Oh, my God! I’m so sorry! I didn’t think. Crap!” She kneeled next to him. “I should have told you to stuff a pillow in your pants.”

It took him a moment until he was able to speak. “It’s okay. You’re amazing. I didn’t expect you to get free, let alone kick me in the nuts.”

Tessa winced. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Ice would help.”

“Got it.”

She rushed downstairs, filled a Ziploc bag with ice cubes, and rushed back, taking the stairs two at the time.

She handed him the ice bag.

“Thank you, baby.” Jackson pushed his pants down and held the ice bag over his injured parts with only the thin fabric of his briefs as a barrier. After a few moments, his face relaxed.

“I’m so sorry.” Tessa caressed his arm.

“Don’t be. You can’t harm me. Knowing you can kick ass for real is worth getting my equipment temporarily out of commission. I should come with you to your next class and thank Karen in person for teaching you to fight like that.”

“I’m her best student.” Tessa felt like she was allowed a little boasting. She was so damn proud of excelling at something she never believed she would.

“I bet you are. Just don’t tell the guys that you’ve taken me down. Instead of a pussy magnet, I’ll be called pussy whipped, or just a pussy.” He groaned and kicked his pants all the way off. Lying down on the comforter, he lifted his knees so he could apply the ice pack to where he needed it most.

Ogling his powerful thighs and calves, Tessa felt like a lecher. He was in pain, because of what she’d done, and all she could think about was how sexy his body was. Then again, it wasn’t her fault that Jackson was built like an Adonis. It was impossible not to ogle.

If she could only find an excuse for him to remove his T-shirt. And his briefs.