Eli
Since the breakdown last week, Quinn has been so much better. Mom told me that she and Quinn also talk a lot. I don’t care who Quinn talks to, as long as she talks to someone, but I’m grateful it’s Mom.
I told Ethan that I’ll be training Quinn now that I’ve fully healed. He mentioned that he has started offering self-defense classes at the gym.
When I walk into the dining room, Quinn’s already busy practicing the punches we’ve taught her so far.
“Are you ready to get physical?” I ask as I walk over to the mat.
“Huh?” she says, and her fist freezes in mid-air. “Physical?”
There’s a healthy glow on her face. She’s wearing a sports bra and shorts that barely cover her ass. Well, this is going to be an interesting session.
“Yeah, you know all the practical things. It’s time to turn it all into actions.”
“Oh, you mean I have to fight you?” she asks, looking a little unsure.
“Get your ass over here and show me what you can do,” I say.
I take off my shirt and toss it to the side.
She comes to stand in front of me and her eyes dart over my chest.
“I don’t think I can hit you, Eli,” she says, as a blush creeps over her cheeks. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
She looks at my side where the scars are and then reaches out to me. Her fingers brush softly over the raised skin. It’s the first time she’s touched me there and it sends sparks sizzling over my skin.
I take hold of her hand and yank her closer. She stumbles into me and when her eyes dart up to mine, I grin down at her.
“Babe, I won’t let you get a punch in,” I tease, as I hook my right foot around the back of her legs and swipe her feet from under her.
She falls down and I quickly straddle her. I grab her hands and pin them above her head. I smile when I see the surprise on her face, her parted lips and flushed cheeks. Her breasts rise and fall with every breath.
“Fuck, now this is a sight I can get used to seeing.” I’ve always been careful not to flirt with her, but right now it’s damn near impossible. Thank God I’m wearing loose gym pants.
She pushes her body up and into mine. Her breath skims over my neck and for a split-second, it looks like she’s going to kiss me, but then she shoves her whole body into mine and she flips me onto my back. She straddles me and grabs hold of my wrists, trying to hold them down to the mat.
A sexy smile pulls at her lips. “Yeah, I see what you mean. It’s definitely a pretty sight seeing you on your ass.”
I pull my arms free from her hold and grab hold of her ass. Her eyes widen with shock and it makes me laugh.
I flip her back on the mat and this time I use some strength to keep her down. She wiggles under me, before she pushes her hips up and our pelvises connect. It creates a hard problem for me and I lift myself up so she doesn’t feel it.
“Don’t focus on getting out from under me. When a man is stronger than you, then you’re just going to make yourself tired and that will make it easier for him to overpower you.”
I have to force myself to focus on the lesson at hand and not her hot body beneath mine.
“How will I fight back then?”
“You can’t knee him in this position, so save your legs for when you get free and you have to run.”
I press down on her arms when she tries to pull them from my grip. I shake my head.
“Forget about your arms too. It’s a natural reaction to want to kick and hit, but right now your biggest weapon is your mouth. Bite his nose or ear off.”
She pulls a disgusted face. “Eww, Eli. That’s gross.”
I lean in and her eyes zoom in on me. I only stop when my face is an inch from hers. Her breaths start to race over my lips and I suppress the urge to close the distance and kiss her.
“When your life is in danger, there’s nothing that’s too disgusting.”
She wets her lips nervously and lets out a huff of air. “Okay, but there’s no way I’m biting you.”
I smile as I pull back. I get up and help her to her feet.
“Take a swing at me.”
She scrunches her nose. “Can’t you get those safety pads. I don’t feel comfortable hitting you.”
“Babe, I won’t let you get a punch in. Just take the swing.”
She scowls at me and it’s damn cute.
“Fine, wise ass,” she huffs.
She stands the way I’ve shown her and then throws a punch. I bring up my arm and swat her hand away.
“Seriously, Quinn. You can at least try,” I taunt her.
She scowls again and lunges at me, and this time I can see she means it. I grab her wrist and swing her around. Wrapping my arm around her neck, I pin her back to my chest.
“Now that he’s got you again, how are you going to get free.”
She wiggles a bit before she stills. “I can’t knee him. Elbowing doesn’t work for me either. I tried it on you that night and it didn’t get me anywhere.”
“That leaves you with what?”
“Ugh … why do I have to bite myself out of everything?”
“Can you bite me in this position?”
She sticks out her tongue and actually tries to lick my arm. I start to laugh and it makes her laugh. She throws her head back and slams it into the side of my face.
I let her go and her laughter instantly dries up.
“Eli! I’m sorry,” she starts to apologize and reaches up to my cheek. Her fingers trail over my cheek and jaw and I wish the touch meant something else.
“You did the right thing, though. You head butt him. With a little luck, you can actually break his nose.”
She throws her arms in the air and starts to do a victory dance. “I so kicked your ass. I deserve a reward.”
“Yeah? What kind of reward?” I can’t think of a couple right now.
“Game of Thrones marathon,” she says. “With popcorn and chocolate.”
I’ve made a bed in front of the TV after we both showered. Unfortunately, it was in separate showers.
I shake my head as I flip through the episodes to where we last watched. It’s been months since we did this. Things are finally good between Quinn and me. I need to be careful, because the last thing I want to do is fuck things up.
She comes in with the bowl of popcorn and sits down next to me. We lean against the couch and I press play.
One episode turns into a couple, and after the sixth one, I press pause.
“We need to get food,” I say as she gets up and stretches out.
“Should I make something?” she asks.
“Yeah, I’ll help.”
We go to the kitchen and I take out a pack of bacon. I start to fry it and she comes to stand next to me.
“What are you making?”
“I’m just going to put this on some bread and sprinkle some cheese over it, then shove it in the oven for a couple of minutes.”
“That sounds yummy. Can I get you a beer?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
She takes one from the fridge and I smile at her. “Come on, Quinn. You’re turning twenty-one in a couple of weeks. You can have a beer.”
“You sure?” she asks as she looks at the one in her hand.
“You won’t get drunk from one,” I say to put her at ease.
I finish preparing the meal while she takes the beers to the front. When we settle back down in front of the TV, she twists the cap off and takes a sip.
She licks her lips and smiles. “It’s nice.”
I clink my beer against hers. “To your first beer.”
She smiles as she sinks her teeth into her food, then she closes her eyes and moans.
I sit and shamelessly watch her, while wondering if she’ll have the same reaction when she’s naked under me.