Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
She felt his presence before she saw him in her peripheral sight. Bryn. Whenever he was in a room, it seemed smaller. Also, like the air when a dangerous storm arrived, one didn’t miss the charge in the air from the lightning.
It was the same result to her skin and body when he was in a room with her.
When she cut her gaze to the right he was there. Silent. Protective. Beautiful.
“Come on.”
“Where’s your sister?”
“She left you in my care for a while. Let’s go.” He strode to the door and opened it before disappearing. Seconds later, he popped his head back in. “I don’t like being kept waiting.”
“I’m not a fan of being ordered around,” she snapped back before she could talk herself out of it.
His fingers curved around the edge of the door while his lips moved up in a pleased smile.
“You do have claws. Bunny is out then.” His smile was sly. “Perhaps lioness.”
“What are you talking about?”
He curled two fingers at her, beckoning her to his side. Damn if she didn’t respond immediately, her feet moving her in his direction without thought on her part. He smirked and looked entirely too proud. He gestured her down the hall and they walked toward the back of the house, where he paused by a closed door.
He positioned her so she was between him and the handle, so he surrounded her as he opened the door. “After you,” he whispered in her ear.
Her body didn’t know what to do with the feelings he evoked within her. As she’d been focused on not rubbing against him like a cat, it took a bit to realize she was standing in a place similar to the one at the academy where he trained with her brother.
She walked in and turned a full circle. “You train at home too.”
He nodded as he kicked the door closed behind him, securing them in there together.
Rosamunde clasped her hands. “Why are we here?” It didn’t make sense to her. “Oh, is this to tell me about a man you think can look past my weight and lack of everything to show me passion?”
The growl rolled out of him and settled in places she didn’t dare think about in the light of day.
“Stop.”
One word, but it left no room for argument.
“You’re going to learn to box.”
She furrowed her brow. “Whatever for? I watch you and my brother do that and Falcon as well. Seems to me all you’re doing is beating each other and sweating.” She fought to ignore the small thrill that burst through her at the thought of doing it. When she watched, it seemed like a fantastic way to work out her frustrations. And she had quite a few.
Rosamunde saw a stuffed teardrop hanging from the ceiling and she walked to it. A bag of sorts with an unknown stuffing inside.
“What is this?”
“Something to punch. What you’re going to punch to get out the anger you’re trying to squash.”
“I’m fine,” she immediately protested. She did it without thought as that was always what she’d been told to do. I’m never supposed to let anyone think a single thing is wrong. All part of being the perfect, invisible daughter.
“I hope you don’t expect me to believe that statement.”
She glared at him. “Are you calling me a liar?”
He didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”
Gaaa! She wanted to scream and hated he’d pushed her to this point.
“Come on, lioness, you have claws. Show me.” No denying the taunt. At some point he’d moved to the bag she’d been staring at and now he tapped it. “Come hit this a few times and I’ll let you have a go at me.”
There was an offer she wouldn’t refuse.
Bryn watched in silence as Rosamunde walloped the bag. Other than stepping in to correct her form so she wouldn’t inadvertently injure herself, he let her work out the demons riding her.
Even now, she’d not let go of her control. Sweat dripped down her face but her punches were precise. No wasted movement. Boxing was something she’d picked up with a swiftness some of the men he boxed with hadn’t.
He’d been in his room deciding on what things to take back to America with him when his sister had barged in what had never been his sacred space. Even as children, she’d never once let a closed door keep her from what she wanted.
“What, Keely?” he’d asked, not bothering to stop sorting things. Was his packing something the staff could do? Of course, but seriously, what else would he do on a day like today? Outside it was positively miserable.
“Rose is here and she’s depressed. Teach her to box.”
That was all she’d said. Granted, she wouldn’t have had to say anything more than ‘Rose’. His sister knew it too. Without pause, he’d followed her out of the room and headed downstairs.