“Do not make the mistake of underestimating her.”
Ryan frowned.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I piped in.
Wick transferred the full force of his hostile gaze to me. The alpha power emanating from his body so intense, I locked my knees and fought the urge to roll over and whine. Fucking alphas.
“My apologies, Alpha,” Ryan interceded.
“You are not to have any further physical contact with Andy unless it is to prevent her escape or protect a pack member,” Wick stated with calm, crisp words. His irises flashed bright yellow.
Ryan’s head snapped up as the order rolled over him. For an instant, rage shone in his expression but he recovered quickly and slid a mask of indifference over his face. No Were could refuse or ignore their alpha’s command without challenging his place in the pack.
“It won’t happen again.” Ryan flicked his gaze in my direction before walking away. It looked like he tried to convey something to me—regret, maybe? Gone before I could figure it out, I stared at his back. Despite enjoying our time sparring, his departure didn’t stir any internal response. Well, maybe something. But I wanted to ignore the tingling sensation dancing along my skin, the anticipation of being left alone with Wick.
With a lightness in my chest, I turned to Wick to find him watching me. The tingling grew stronger, but I shrugged with my palms out as if to say ‘What do you want from me?’
The yellow in Wick’s irises receded to his usual espresso. “So you like to fight?” he asked softly.
“I like to hone my craft,” I agreed, brushing off my shoulder as if it was dirty. I saw the action on a rap video a couple weeks ago. It seemed like the right thing to do. Show some attitude.
“Then you should practice against a more versed opponent.” He stepped forward in open challenge.
Well, now I had to amp up my game. I’d accept his challenge because I needed to know how he fought. To assess his power. Stronger than Ryan, I knew I couldn’t take him in a human fight, but I had to know how much stronger he was, how much faster. I forced my muscles to relax and quirked my mouth. “I thought you said no sparring?”
Wick nodded. “With Ryan.” His tone sounded suspiciously close to jealousy. Let him think I liked Ryan that way. I didn’t do anything wrong and it wouldn’t hurt to put Wick on edge. Make things even.
“Besides.” Wick interrupted my thoughts, “this will not be sparring.”
“Oh?” My breath bottled up in my chest.
Wick shook his head and attacked.
****
It took all my skills to deflect the blows. He moved half pace and pulled his shots as Ryan had, but he was good. Very good. He hadn’t been lying when he said he had more experience.
“This will be play,” he said. He might as well have said foreplay with the way his gaze raked my body. My heart thudded in my ears and my fingers ached to reach out and stroke him instead of strike. I swallowed and willed my body to behave, to focus. But it did no good.
A matter of minutes left me hot, sweaty and pinned against the wall—the cold cement refreshing despite the circumstances. It took every ounce of self-control not to rub my chest along the slab of muscle in front of me. Why’d he have to be so good looking? I needed to escape, not find a bed buddy. I meant to assess his fighting skills, not wonder how skilled he’d be in the bedroom. Focus!
Wick pressed his body to mine and leaned in. “Krav Maga and some sort of karate?” he asked.
“What?” I managed, still reeling from the reaction of my traitorous body.
“Your martial arts training is Krav Maga and…Shotokan?”
My shoulders sagged. Everyone thought that. Just because a style was more popular, didn’t mean it was better. “Goju Ryu.”
“Close enough.”
What was with Werewolves? Were they all martial art connoisseurs?
Good mate, my wolf panted.
Maybe, maybe not. I didn’t trust my wolf. She’d been wrong before.
“I have you beat.” Wick pressed his knee between my legs and nudged them apart. The move sent a shiver through my body. Yowza! This man sure knew how to press my buttons. Heat rose from between my legs and my nose flared. Crap! If I could smell my desire, he could, too.
John had mentioned a woman named Christine, but Wick didn’t act like a man with a girlfriend.
“What would Christine say?” I blurted out.
Wick’s lips spread out to reveal his even white teeth and kissable dimples. “Christine? She can say whatever she wants. I’m not in a relationship with her.”
My tense muscles relaxed a little. “Then why did John say—”
“Shhh.” Wick pulled my arms above my head.