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“It’s not a date,” she mutters, her voice barely above a whisper.
“It’s a date.” I spin around, walking away before she changes her mind. “Friday, the Red Door, seven sharp.”
“Dash,” she whines, sending the last of my blood to my cock. She whines just like a sexy little omega. “It’s not a date.”
“We’ll see,” I call back with a grin. I turn around and ignore her protests, and just as I’m about to turn the corner, I yell, “But I’m pretty sure it is.”
I slip behind the building, hoping like hell she shows up. Anticipation thrums through my veins, mingling with the lingering taste of tacos and the sweet sound of her laughter.
17
ARIA
I am standing outside of Zane’s dojo, the cool evening air biting at my skin. I can hear the sounds of training inside, along with bodies hitting mats and the occasional grunt. I’ve been debating whether to go in for a few minutes now. My heat suppressant is working, thank the stars, but I’m not exactly eager to jump into a room full of people after the day I’ve had.
It wasn’t a terrible day, but not one of the guys showed up at the apartment or at work, and for some disturbing reason, that actually bothers me, which is ridiculous. I’m a grown ass woman. I don’t need a man to validate me.
I made a promise to myself that I would do this. It’s necessary for me to learn self-defense. After everything I’ve been through, I can’t risk being unprepared. My mind is quite literally arguing with itself, and it won’t shut the fuck up.
Zane was mean.
That makes him the perfect teacher.
Does it really?
Yes! That means he will treat me like a person and not a person of interest.
Go in. You know you want to. Shut up, brain.
He does look hot as hell in that uniform, and his a?—
I inhale deeply and push the door open. The familiar smell of the dojo hits me—a mixture of clean sweat, leather, and a hint of Zane’s natural cologne.
Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the nose plugs and put them in. They instantly shut the world out, along with all the overwhelming scents that surround me.
The class is in full swing because I’m late. Women of various ages and sizes pair off on the mats, practicing moves under Zane’s watchful eye. He spots me immediately, his expression neutral, but his eyes show a flicker of surprise. I force a smile and wave, hoping it looks more confident than I feel.
“Aria,” he calls out, his voice cutting through the noise. “Decided to join us after all?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I reply, infusing confidence into my tone. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Too eager, Aria. Take it down a notch.
I slip off my shoes and pad over to the edge of the mat. Zane gives me a nod of approval before turning back to the group. “All right, everyone, pair up and practice the escape techniques we covered last week. If you need a refresher, come see me.”
I watch as the women pair off, some chatting easily with their partners, others more focused and intense. I spot an empty space near the back and head over, hoping I don’t look as out of place as I feel.
“Hey, need a partner?” The voice belongs to a petite woman with long, braided brown hair. Her emerald green eyes meet mine and emit a warmth that instantly eases me. I already like her, and I can’t even say why, just that she feels like someone I wouldn’t hate.
Smiling back at her, I respond, “Absolutely.”
She introduces herself with a friendly tone, offering me her hand. “I’m Willow,” she says. We shake hands before she motions toward the mat. “Are you ready?”
I laugh, some of my tension easing. “Go easy on me, I’m a weakling.”
Willow stands in front of me, her feet planted firmly on the mat as she demonstrates each escape technique. She speaks with a calm, confident tone, guiding me through the motions and making sure I have the proper form. With each move, she offers a gentle correction, her encouragement building my confidence. Her patience and understanding create a sense of camaraderie, making me feel like I’m part of something bigger.
Zane moves around the room effortlessly, his muscles flexing with each demonstration. He offers words of encouragement to each pair, and when he catches my eye, I feel my cheeks flush before I quickly turn back to Willow, not wanting to seem too distracted by his presence.
